There’s nothing like the thrill of going on vacation. But it’s not without its stresses – long lines at security, airport parking and currency confusion can all create a hectic start to a trip. A few tricks will make all the different to your trip and ensure that you begin it in style. Here are some tips on how to upgrade your vacation.
Get the most out of your money by earning points
You can count on one thing: going on vacation will cost money. It doesn’t matter if you are planning a city break on a budget or an adventure of a lifetime, it pays to consider how you can turn your daily spending into a benefit. You can do this by using a credit card which allows you to earn points for every dollar you spend.
You can, for example, use the Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* gives you 25,000 Avios – the currency of the British Airways Club – if you spend £3,000 in your first three months, and 1.5 Avios for each pound you spend on eligible purchases (all for a £20 monthly fee). You decide how to spend your Avios. You can use them to book your dream holiday, or for extras like cabin upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, experiences and more. You can also use them to upgrade your cabin, car hire, hotel or experience. Barclays Premier Banking1 customer, Barclays Avios Rewards2 Can help you earn 1,500 Avios each month. It also offers benefits like an Airport Lounge membership with Assurant, DragonPass and DragonPass. A 25,000 Avios bonus could be yours when you join.3 If you open your first account, and switch completely to the Current Account Switch Service (within three months) If you are a frequent flyer with British Airways partner airlines, keep an eye on your current Avios balance – it might already be higher than you think!
*Representative example. Representative 80.1% (variable) APR; purchase rate of 29.9% annually. (variable); based on a £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. Your application approval will depend on your financial situation and borrowing history. The terms that you are offered may also be based on these factors. Interest rates shown may not be the same as those offered. T&Cs apply.
Optimise your airport experience
Airports are stressful during peak hours, but by planning ahead, you can make it more enjoyable. Alleviate pre-departure panic by booking your airport parking as far in advance as possible, and weigh up the benefits versus the cost – for example, if you’re taking off very early in the morning, paying for a parking space closer to the terminal might be well worth the extra money. It’s also worth staying in an airport hotel the night before if you plan to take public transportation. This can be cheaper and reduce travel stress.
Airport chaos in 2022 taught us to arrive early for security. But if you want to avoid any stress, buy a fast track pass and skip the lines. Most airports offer these passes in advance via their websites. The earlier you order, the more discounts are available.
Airport lounges are the best way to start your vacation in style. Most airports offer general lounges, which you can reserve. Some airline lounges are exclusive to their customers. The passes are more expensive if purchased on arrival. Buy them in advance to get the best price. Lounge access also comes as a perk with some credit cards and bank accounts – for a monthly fee, Barclays Travel Plus Pack4 (£22.50 a month) includes six annual visits to more than 1,000 airport lounges with the DragonPass Premier+ app5As well as discounts for airport parking, fast-tracked security and other services.
You may have a. Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* or Barclays Avios Rewards Airport Lounge membership is also included, so that you can get discounts on lounge passes as well as fast-track security.
*Representative example. Representative 80.1% APR (variable); Purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on a £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. Your application approval and the terms offered to you will depend on your financial situation and borrowing history. Interest rates shown may not be the same as those offered. T&Cs apply.
Understanding your currency
Despite the fact that card machines and contactless payment systems are available in many countries, sorting currency before a trip is still a confusing task. Cash is still king in certain countries such as Japan. Therefore, you will need to order currency before your trip. It’s easier to use cards in countries that accept them.
When using cards abroad, there’s often confusion regarding exchange rates and fees. However, using a card such as the Barclays travel wallet6 It’s easy to use. Create a travel wallet in your account, and purchase Euros or US Dollars to be spent on your debit card.7.
Balance spontaneity and planning
For some people, the process of planning a trip is almost as exciting as being on holiday – looking up the best local restaurants, finding the coolest coffee shops and planning which beaches to hit. You can find local influencers on Instagram, or search for photos with location tags. You can also ask the Barclays Travel Plus Pack Also includes a 24/7 concierge serviceGet help booking flights, events and hotels. You’ll also get exclusive discounts.
No matter how well you plan, don’t forget to leave some room for spontaneity. You might find the best places to drink craft beer by talking with someone in a coffee shop. Or, the secret market that only locals know and you happen upon while walking.
Set your (realistic) budget
Budgeting is not the most fun part of planning a vacation, but it’s important. Be realistic about how you want to spend your time and how much it will cost – for example, if you love spending the day on a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand, an all-inclusive trip may work out the best in terms of value. Once you’ve worked out how much you want to put aside, you can make use of savings tools offered by your bank – Barclays has a savings goal8 Its app9So you can stay on the right track.
Even if you are only traveling within the UK, travel insurance is something that should not be overlooked. You’ll have coverage for anything from lost luggage to flight delays and cancellations. This is great when you spend thousands on a vacation. When you spend thousands on a vacation, it’s important to have good insurance. It will cover everything from missing bags to flight delays and cancellations. Barclays Travel Plus Pack The Which? In June 2024 it will be a Best Buy, so you can have a worry-free holiday knowing that your car is in safe hands. You’re also covered for breakdowns in Europe and in the UK. So you can go on a roadtrip knowing you are protected.
Visit Barclays Travel Rewards to learn more. barclays.co.uk/travel/
1 Open a Premier Current Account to join Premier Banking. You also need a gross annual income of at least £75,000 paid into the account, or a total balance of at least £100,000 in savings with Barclays, in eligible investments, or a mix of both.
2 You can opt in to Barclays Avios Rewards if you’re a Premier Banking customer or have a personal wealth current account with Barclays – you’ll need to register for the Barclays app and have a British Airways Club account too. There’s a £12 monthly fee and you have to opt out of Barclays Blue Rewards and go paperless for all your accounts and services with Barclays. You must be 18 or older to access Barclays Avios rewards in the Barclays App. You can join Premier Banking if you have an income of £75,000 or £100,000 to save or invest with Barclays. T&Cs apply.
3 To qualify for the 25,000 Avios joining bonus, you’ll need to join Barclays Avios Rewards – within four months of opening your first Barclays current account. You’ll then need to switch your current account from Barclays to Barclays using the Current Account Switch Service – within three months of joining Barclays Avios Rewards. Your joining bonus will be paid to you in the fourth month after Barclays Avios Rewards.
The following terms and conditions, as well as exclusions or eligibility criteria, apply. You must have a Barclays current account, be 18 or over and hold this product for at least six months from the date of purchase – then you can cancel at any time.
DragonPass Premier+ App and fast-track security are subject to the following 5 conditions.
6 T&Cs apply. To access this app, you must be at least 16 years old.
You will not be charged any transaction fees when you pay with Euros or US dollars in your travel wallet. A margin of 2.75% will be applied to the purchase of your currency. You will be charged a transaction charge if you use your debit card to pay in British Pounds while abroad.
Barclaycard and Barclays account holders must be 16 years old or older to download the Barclaycard App. T&Cs apply.
App requires a minimum age of 11 years old. T&Cs apply.
