Travel costs 'not being looked at' by careless Brits

27/05/2009

Recession-hit Brits are ignoring advice to spend frugally while on holiday, FairFX claimed yesterday.

The currency service said that almost a third (29 per cent) of holidaymakers choose to make cash withdrawals from ATMs while overseas - despite facing high charges as a consequence.

What's more, 98 per cent were found not to be using pre-paid "currency cards" - which according to FairFX are the cheapest payment method.

This is despite around two-thirds of travellers polled by the firm saying that "every penny counts" when they go on holiday.

Stephen Heath, chief executive of FairFX, said: "A family of four could have an extra $300 or €200 to spend on their holiday this summer if they used a pre-paid card, more than enough to pay for a days entry for the whole family to Disneyland in Paris or Orlando."

He added: "Many of us might intend to look for the best deals, but when it comes to the crunch people aren't making the effort to get the best bang for their buck."

British holidaymakers were also revealed by FairFX to be losing out when they buy their foreign currency at a bureau de change.

Only nine per cent check price comparison sites before making the purchase.

Tags;

• Share
• 
• 
• Store
• 
• Follow
•