do travel agents take cash uk

What's the Best Way to Bring Spending Money to the UK?

A Look at the Pros and Cons for Convenience, Value and Spending Power

Yagi Studio/Getty Images 

The pound Sterling (£), sometimes just called " Sterling ", is the official currency of the UK . You can change your money into pounds in different ways, but you can't actually spend your own national currency, not even Euros , without exchanging it first.

As soon as you start planning your trip, start thinking about how you'll handle your spending money in the UK. Leave yourself enough time to consider the convenience, security and value of various options and to open new bank or credit card accounts if necessary.

These are the choices:

1. credit and debit cards - the easiest and the cheapest.

These are, hands down, the cheapest and most convenient way to pay for things and to get cash in the UK as long as you use them correctly. Consider the pros and cons.

• Credit card companies apply a wholesale/interbank exchange rate in effect when your payment is processed. The rate will go up and down but it will always be a commercial rate, available to banks and large organizations—much better than the retail currency exchange rates available over the counter to consumers. So you get more for your money.
• Most card companies do not add additional transaction fees on purchases of goods (though they do when you buy cash).
• If you pay your credit card bills before interest is added on, or make sure you have enough money in your debit account to cover your spending, you won't be subject to any extra charges.
• They're widely accepted—You can pay for just about anything with a debit card in the UK, from a carton of milk and the day's newspapers or beer in a pub, to large expensive goods. In the UK, people can even pay their taxes and electricity bills with a debit card.
• Cash machines, or ATMs are everywhere. Most village high streets will have a selection of automated teller machines. They're available at petrol (gas) stations, in cinemas, at banks and in some shops. This makes getting some cash at any hour of day or night very easy.
• Some cards are not recognized or widely accepted in the UK. You may have difficulty using Diners Club and Discover cards. American Express cards are sometimes refused. Stick with the big two—VISA and MasterCharge—and you shouldn't have any problems.
• Some merchants may require a minimum purchase to accept a credit card. This is especially true in small, local Mom and Pop stores.
• Bank charges may apply. Bank, building society and post office cash machines in the UK (which is most of them) do not apply an extra charge or commission getting cash. But your own bank or card company probably will. It's worth shopping around for the lowest currency transaction charge because this varies from card to card and between issuing banks. You might be charged anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 or more per foreign currency cash transaction.
• A small number of cash machines do charge for withdrawals and are worth avoiding. Cash machines in small convenience stores and at some motorway rest stops may be part of commercial networks that add extra fees—a minimum of about £1.50 but sometimes a percentage of your transaction. Try to avoid using these machines except in an emergency. Instead look for ATMs associated with the UK's big banks, with building societies (like savings banks) or with leading shops (Harrods,  Marks & Spencer ) and supermarkets. 
• You may need to get a new card to comply with European chip-and-pin standards (more on that below)​.
• One word to the wise —Use your credit card to buy things but use a debit or ATM card for getting cash from ATMs. When you use a credit card for shopping, interest is not charged until after the payment deadline (usually 30 days or the end of the month). But, when you use a credit card at a cash machine, interest starts accruing immediately. With a debit card, as long as you have money in the bank to cover your spending, no interest is charged.

The Chip-and-Pin Issue

The UK, along with most of the rest of the world, has been using chip-and-pin cards for more than a decade. The cards have an embedded microchip and customers are issued a unique, 4-digit PIN number they have to enter in ATMs or at point of sale machines to use their cards.

The USA has been the one holdout, relying instead on cards with magnetic stripes that usually require a signature. All that is finally beginning to change. The EMV (Europay Mastercard VISA) group, who developed the global, open chip and pin smart card technology, have been trying to persuade American merchants and card issuers to change to chip and pin for a long time. In October 2015, to force the issue, they changed their rules. Since then, if a card is used fraudulently, merchants or card issuers who do not participate in the chip and pin protocol will be held liable for the cost of the fraud.

Because of this, EMV chip-and-pin smart cards are becoming more widely available in the USA and older style cards are gradually being replaced to meet the global standard.

What This Means for You

If you already have a chip-and-pin smart card, you won't run into any difficulty using it where your brand of card is accepted. The card reading machines used in shops, banks and post offices will still have a magnetic stripe reader so you can swipe your card on the top or side of the device. 

But if your card requires a signature (either mag stripe and signature or chip and signature cards) you will have problems—especially when no human cashier is present to accept your signature. Without a chip, your card will be rejected by ticket machines (at train stations, for example) and by automated petrol (gasoline) pumps. And even with a chip, you will need a PIN number to use your card with these machines.

To avoid hassles:

• All bank cards and credit cards have a 4-digit PIN number, even if your bank or card issuer has not given it to you. Ask for one for each of your cards before traveling. Then you'll be able to use your card in an ATM or swipe it at a point-of-sale terminal and authorise the transaction with your PIN number.
• Get yourself a chip-and-pin card. Most of the bigger American banks are now offering them or replacing their customers' existing chip and signature cards with chip and pin cards. If your bank does not yet have them available, open an account at a bank that can give you one. 

And the Contactless Issue

Most debit and credit cards issued to UK consumers have a contactless payment feature. If the card has it, there is a symbol that looks like sound waves printed on the card, as pictured above. These cards can be used for payments simply by tapping them on terminals similarly equipped. Very conveniently, these cards can be used just like Oyster Cards for access to London Underground, London buses. London Overground and Docklands Light Railway. Some mobile phone apps that display the contactless logo can also be used to pay small amounts. 

If you are visiting the UK from Canada, Australia or a number of European countries, you may already have one of these contactless cards and you can use them in the UK wherever the contactless symbol is displayed on the payment terminal. As of 2018, US banks began to offer contactless credit and debit cards in partnership with international card issuers. Chase, for example, has offered this form of payment to its customers since February 2018. If you can, get your hands on one of these as its the most convenient way to pay small amounts. If you are able to use a contactless card, keep in mind though, that your transaction will still be subject to whatever foreign exchange transaction fees your bank or card issuer charges.

If you have an iPhone, you may be able to use Apple Pay wherever contactless payments are accepted and for more than the £30 contactless limit. The Apple Pay UK site has a list of some of the main businesses that accept this form of payment at point of sale. 

Traveler's checks.

Traveler's checks were once the gold standard when it came to carrying travel money. And perhaps, in some parts of the world they may still be a safe option, but they are currently the most expensive and most inconvenient option for the UK.

• They are very secure—As long as you keep a record of the check numbers (separate from the checks themselves), and as long as you keep track of the emergency number to call in the country you are visiting, you can get lost or stolen checks replaced quickly, at no extra cost.
• They are available in several currencies including dollars, Euros and pounds sterling.
• They are expensive, possibly the most expensive way to take money abroad in fact. First off, you will usually be charged a fee of one percent of the total value of the checks you buy. If you buy them in a foreign currency—in other words you spend dollars to buy travelers checks in pounds sterling—the seller's retail exchange rate will apply and you may also pay a commission for the currency conversion. If you buy them in dollars, planning to exchange them for local currency when you arrive, you will still be stuck with accepting a retail exchange rate (usually much less advantageous than the interbank rate for the day) and probably a foreign currency commission too.
• They are very inconvenient. In the UK, with the exception of tourist magnets like Harrods , and very expensive hotels, almost none of the shops, restaurants and hotels accept them. In fact, very few stores in the UK accept any kind of check at all. So you will have to seek out bureaux de changes, banks and post offices—during weekday working hours, to cash them. Bureau de change outlets, the European name for commercial currency exchanges, are profit making businesses and usually offer the worst exchange rates. And banks will only cash traveler's checks if they have what is known as a correspondent relationship with the bank that issued them.

3. Prepaid Currency Cards

One way around the chip-and-pin issue is to buy yourself a prepaid currency card, such as the Travelex Cash Passport or the Virgin Money Prepaid MasterCard. These are cards you prepay in either your own currency or the currency you want to spend. Some can be charged up with several currencies at once. The cards are associated with one of the major international card organizations—usually VISA or MasterCard, are embedded with chip-and-pin technology and can be used wherever those credit cards are normally accepted.

• An easy way to chip-and-pin
• Easier to control your spending. You charge up the card with exactly what you want to spend and then use it up like cash.
• Security is assured as long as you protect your PIN number.
• Up front purchase price and higher than average ATM cash fees can add to costs
• Some can only be charged up with additional funds in person in a branch of the business that sold it to you, in your own country.
• Hidden charges—if you leave a balance on the card, planning to use it for another trip abroad or other special purchases, you may find that balance nibbled away by monthly "inactivity" charges. Read the fine print.

​ And one last warning about prepaid cards:

Whatever you do, DO NOT USE these cards to guarantee your hotel or rental car bill or to buy petrol from automated pumps. In these situations, an amount - which can be £200 or £300—will be put on hold to guarantee that you will pay your bill. The problem is, even if you don't spend that much money, it can take as long as 30 days for those funds to be released. Meanwhile, you can't use the money you've put on the card for the rest of your trip. Use your credit card for the guarantees, then settle the bills with the prepaid card.

Then, of course, there's always good old cash—or at least there used to be (see below). You'll want to have some local currency in your wallet for tips , cab fares and small purchases. How much you carry depends on your own spending habits and confidence in carrying cash. As a rule of thumb, plan on carrying about as much in pounds sterling as you might carry in your own currency when at home.

There is a catch. In the UK, espcially the big cities, a small but growing number of businesses—notably cafes and bars—are refusing to accept cash and will only accept card payments. This is still pretty rare, but we were shocked in November, 2018, to offer a £10 note to pay for a coffee and croissant only to be shown a sign that said the restaurant did not accept cash. These days, an internationally accepted credit card is still the safest kind of travel money to have.

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How Should I Bring Money to the UK? A Complete Guide to Cash & Cards

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: December 17, 2022

Asking yourself how should I bring money to the UK when I visit? Discover the pros and cons of cash and cards plus answers to frequently asked questions.

There can be a considerable amount of confusion when it comes to spending money in the UK. As geographically the UK is part of Europe – and was historically part of the European Union (EU) – some people do think that the UK currency is Euros. 

But that’s not the case at all. Hence this post on how to bring money to the UK. The UK has its own currency, pounds sterling. And just to confuse visitors even more, Scottish cash looks completely different to English money. 

This guide to bringing cash into the UK from abroad will take you through all you need to know about spending money in the country. We’ll outline all the denominations UK currency comes in, as well as what happens when you cross the border into Scotland. 

Also covered are all the pros and cons of using cash within the UK, as opposed to a credit or debit card. The Wise card is also included, to answer the growing number of UK visitors who want to think about using this form of payment within England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

By the end of this guide, you’ll know all about UK currency and how best to use it. Let’s get stuck in by discussing the denominations British currency comes in. 

Coins 

Scottish currency denominations, northern irish currency, wise card pros and cons, do i need to bring cash to the uk, should i do anything before paying by card in the uk, do i need to bring more than one card , can i pay with us dollars in the uk, which way will you pay in the uk.

Bank of England currency denominations

There are currently six banknotes and eight coins in circulation in England and Wales . Let’s take a look at each in turn. 

There are four different amounts on banknotes issued by the Bank of England – £5, £10, £20 or £50. (There is no £100 note.) So why are there six types of notes? 

Over a five-year period between 2016 and 2021, the UK started to issue polymer banknotes instead of paper ones. The aim was to replace the original, easily damaged paper notes with the type that could cope with being put through a washing machine cycle. As well as other kinds of stress. 

All banknotes issued by the Bank of England feature the Queen’s portrait. On the other side a notable British character is depicted. Here’s some more info about each note.

£5 note

Often referred to as a ‘fiver’

• Colour: Aqua
• Portraits: The Queen & Sir Winston Churchill
• Paper version: No

The £5 note – or fiver – features an aqua colour and portrait of Sir Winston Churchill. He was a prominent Prime Minister who was in power during World War II. The historic paper version of the five pound note is no longer in circulation. 

£10 note

Often referred to as a ‘tenner’

• Colour: Brown
• Portraits: The Queen & Jane Austen

The old paper £10 note is also no longer used. A new polymer one features Jane Austen , the famous British writer who published Pride and Prejudice, among other works. This note is brown in colour.

£20 note

Often referred to as a ‘twenty’

• Colour: Purple
• Portraits: The Queen & JMW (William) Turner
• Paper version: Yes

The English Romantic artist J. M. W. Turner is featured on the new £20 note. During the time the painter was known as William Turner. This note is purple and the old paper version of this one is still being used. 

A £20 note is sometimes simply called a twenty, though it’s not as commonly heard a term as ‘fiver’ or ‘tenner’.

£50 note

Often referred to as a ‘fifty’

• Colour: Red
• Portraits: The Queen & Alan Turing

Both paper and polymer £50 notes are still in circulation, though you tend not to see these as often as £5, £10 and £20 notes. The ‘fifty’ is red and features Alan Turing, a computer scientist who is credited with designing what the very first computer was based on. His 1950s test for artificial intelligence is still used today. 

• ‘Coppers’: 1p and 2p
• Silver coins: 5p, 10, 20p, 50p, £1 & £2

Coins come in silver or copper-coloured metals. £2, £1, 50p, 20p,10p and 5p coins are silver, while 2p and 1p coins are copper-toned. All feature the Queen’s portrait, and special editions are often minted. 

These can, over time, become worth more than their face value, so do check your change for anything unusual! The ‘p’ means pence. There are 100 pence in each pound. 

• Notes: £1, £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100 (issued by 3 Scottish banks)
• Coins: same as England, Wales & Northern Ireland 

As mentioned in the introduction, Scotland does things its own way – and not least when it comes to money. 

While the coins are exactly the same as the English versions, and the money is worth the same amount, Scottish banknotes look different. They also come in £5, £10, £20 and £50 denominations. 

There is also still a £1 note in circulation in Scotland, though it’s now rare to see one. A Scottish £100 note also exists. 

Three Scottish banks issue notes – the Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Each uses unique designs. 

In theory, Bank of England and Scottish banknotes are both accepted across the UK as both state ‘pounds sterling’. But in practice some retailers aren’t keen on accepting the ‘other’ type. This is less of an issue in places close to the border like Edinburgh or Northumberland, or in major tourist centres. 

It can, though, be a reason why paying by card can make matters simpler when you’re travelling through various parts of the UK!

We also need to mention Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland also issues its own pound sterling banknotes, that are the same in value as the English and Scottish ones. 

While (in theory at least) you can use English or Scottish notes worth £5 or more anywhere in the UK, Northern Irish notes can only be used as a form of payment in Northern Ireland.

Any English bank should exchange these for English notes, though, if you require this service.

Pros and Cons of using Cash in the UK

So now you know what the money is all about, here are some reasons why you might want – or not want – to use cash in the UK.

• It’s simple to budget on a daily basis
• It’s easy to keep track of your spending
• It’s useful for car parking, tipping and so on
• A banknote or two makes a cool souvenir of your time in the UK
• You can change money at banks, post offices, hotels & bureaus de change 
• Some UK outlets are now cashless 
• Changing money takes up valuable time
• Cash is more bulky to carry than one or two cards
• It can be confusing, especially when travelling in Scotland
• Lost or stolen cash can be more difficult to claim on your insurance 

Pros and Cons of using Cards in the UK

So what about credit and debit cards, or other types of payment cards? Big names like Visa and Mastercard are accepted all over the UK. Here’s some more info on the pros and cons of paying by card.

• No need to change money
• You’re prepared for cashless payments
• Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted
• Cards are very lightweight and easy to carry
• There’s no confusion re Scottish vs Bank of England notes
• It can be harder to budget
• Tracking your spending is more difficult
• Cash is harder to carry and takes up extra space
• You could need cash for car parks, tips and buying small items
• You may have to cancel a stolen or lost card from another country

The Wise Card*

*Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about investing or financial products. You should always seek your own professional advice that takes into account your personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. We always encourage our readers to compare options when it comes to financial products. Read our full disclosure.

The Wise Card comes from Wise, an international payment and transfer platform. Wise was set up to offer simple, lightning-fast and low-cost transactions. 

The Wise Mastercard is available to anyone with a Wise account, including citizens of countries like the US, New Zealand, Australia and Europe. You need a multi-currency Wise account to apply for the card.

A Wise card works like a debit card. Put simply, if there’s money in your Wise account, then you can spend it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. You can pay via Wise in more than 50 currencies worldwide. A set amount of money can also be withdrawn in cash, and this varies by country. 

It’s free to open a Wise account , and then you can apply for the card. This will open the door to spending money all over the world – without any unreasonable fees or poor exchange rates. 

The rates compare very favourably indeed to the likes of PayPal, which is why anyone who gets paid from another country tends to fall in love with Wise and its far lower fees!

“From a personal perspective, we love Wise – and so do the freelancers and partners we work with in the UK and Australia.”  

• A Wise account – and card – is free
• Wise fees are far lower than those charged by banks
• Wise offers far more favourable exchange rates than the likes of PayPal
• There are good security features to protect users
• You can use Wise like a debit card or to withdraw cash
• The Wise card isn’t yet available in many countries
• You’ll need funds in your account to pay with or withdraw
• Limits apply to how much cash you can withdraw via the card

Find out more about the Wise card here.

How to Bring Money to the UK – FAQs

It’s a good idea to have small amounts of cash to hand. You may need coins or notes when parking, or require some for tipping. When paying for small items it can also be simpler to hand over a few coins than a card or a banknote.

During our recent visit to the UK, we needed to use cash for parking on more than one occasion. Some taxis may also accept only cash, especially outside the major cities. 

If you’re planning a UK trip, it’s best to tell your bank that you’ll be travelling before you use your card overseas. That way they’ll know not to block it (as if they don’t know they may suspect fraud). 

It’s always a good idea to travel with more than one payment card, just in case one is lost, stolen or blocked. One Mastercard and one Visa card, for example, would be a good bet.

You may also need a second card if the first type isn’t accepted in the places in which you stay, eat or shop. Visa and Mastercard are widely used across the UK. 

Us dollars are not generally accepted in the UK. Nor, in fact, are Euros. With the exception of places like airport stores, you’ll need to use UK currency in cash or a payment card during your time in the UK. 

In most cases, paying by card is more convenient than cash, though we do recommend carrying a small amount of cash for parking, taxis, small purchases and tips.

Ideally, take a Wise Mastercard and a Visa debit or credit card with you – plus a small amount of cash. That way you’ll be covered every single time you need to pay for something. Whether that’s an ice cream, a taxi ride, a newspaper or a car park ticket!

For more on paying your way in London, don’t miss this article on Oyster Cards versus contactless payments . 

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Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent

You're convinced that having a travel expert by your side will be useful. But how do you go about knowing when and how to book with them?

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Confession: I’m a big fan of travel agents (whoops, sorry, travel advisers ), even though I could technically book all my trips through websites and apps. And despite the fact that many of us might consider this industry old-fashioned and out-of-date, research shows that travelers, and millennials in particular, are once again turning to these specialists to help plow through TripAdvisor detritus. If you’re wondering: how much does a travel agent cost, and why would I book with one anyway? Read on.

How to Know If You Need a Travel Agent

Once you’ve come around to the idea of hiring a travel agent, ask these three questions before booking:

• Is this a domestic trip or one that involves traveling to a part of the world you’ve never been? If it’s the former you don’t need a travel agent.
• Can I get a better deal by using a travel agent? (This question requires you pricing out your trip with and without one.)
• Is this a big-budget, special-event kind of trip? If the answer is yes, go with a travel agent.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

They can find crazy deals..

This is literally their job. If they have been in the travel business for many years, they likely have supplier relationships in place that can help leverage better deals for you. Many travel agents specialize in locations (i.e., cruise vacations in Europe). Some travel agents offer package deals, with more savings passed on to you then booking the trip on your own—that is good news to your wallet.

They will be your advocate.

One of the best ways to utilize a travel agent is as an advocate should something derail on your trip. They can help you with lost luggage, in the case of natural disasters, if you get stuck in a location before your trip, etc. They are there to help you get your trip back on track.

They’ll take care of the little things.

I love my travel agent, and I love all the extras she provides when we use her services for a trip. For instance, when we traveled to the Bahamas, she made sure there was a nice bottle of champagne and strawberries in our room on our arrival, and she also upgraded our room free of charge. While this certainly is not a guarantee when you use a travel agent, there are a lot of added-value extras you can expect when you use a travel agent. Why? Because travel agents know you don’t have to use them to book your trip, and they want to say thank you.

They’re true experts.

Most travel agents have been working in the industry for years now, and it’s their job to stay on top of travel trends and upcoming hot destinations. When I spoke with my travel agent about a trip to Europe recently, she offered a few alternate destinations. I was not thinking about the destinations she suggested, but the alternatives offered great activities, culture, food, interesting boutique hotels, and more options for less money than my original destination.

They don’t usually cost extra.

It’s a myth that working with a travel agent will automatically cost you more; most get paid via commissions from the hotel or outfitter. Sure, some travel agents do charge a fee for putting together an itinerary, but most will credit you that fee if you end up booking the trip through them. Make sure you know all the potential fees before you use a travel agent, and do not hesitate to negotiate away.

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

They’re not going to help with cheaper airfare..

Back in the day, you would use a travel agent to book every aspect of your trip. However, with so many options to find low-cost airfare, like Google Flights , Scott’s Cheap Flights , and  Skyscanner , booking your own flights is easy and cost-effective. Most travel agents cannot score discounted flights, and many travel agents will not even bother. Follow these tips on how to find the cheapest flights possible , instead.

They’re not you.

This may seem obvious, although it’s still important to consider. A travel agent not only finds you the best deals, but they also offer suggestions for activities, restaurants, and more. This is great if you’re someone who doesn’t like to research these things, but you run the risk of working with someone who doesn’t get your personal preferences (maybe they lean toward road tours rather than technical singletrack). Do your own research first, and come up with a list of activities that you want to do. Once you have that list, pass it along to your travel agent to see if they can rustle up any deals as they book.

How to Find a Great One

One of the best ways to find a reputable travel agent is to get referrals from your friends and family. Anyone that has used that travel agent for a previous trip and enjoyed their service is someone worth checking out. As with anything, I always suggest talking to at least two different travel agents to see who you feel most comfortable with. Remember, they are there to work for you.

Know your travel budget before you reach out to a travel agent. Likely, this will be the first question they ask you and will help steer them toward the best destinations for that budget. If you are traveling somewhere that’s specialized, like going on that once-in-a-lifetime African safari , find a specialist that knows that region inside and out. They will usually have the best deals and relationships with hotels and activity companies in that area.

How Much Does a Travel Agent Cost?

Usually, the cost of hiring a travel agent to organize a trip for you is fairly minimal. Many agencies charge a flat fee of around $100, and others may charge a certain small percentage of your trip. Most of their take-home profits come from the hotels, wholesalers, resorts, and businesses they work with, but be sure to as your travel agent about fees upfront and before you start working with them to plan your next dream vacation. (No one likes hidden fees and surprises.)

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• Visas and immigration
• Travelling to the UK

Entering the UK

Your identity document (for example your passport or identity card) will be checked when you arrive at a UK port or airport to make sure you’re allowed to come into the country. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

You may also need a visa to come into or travel through the UK , depending on your nationality.

Check which documents you’ll need to come to the UK .

You do not need to take any COVID-19 tests or fill in a passenger locator form. This applies whether you’re fully vaccinated or not.

What you can bring with you

What you can bring with you depends on where you’re travelling from. You must declare to customs:

• anything over your duty-free allowance
• banned or restricted goods in the UK
• goods that you plan to sell
• more than €10,000 (or its equivalent) in cash, if you’re coming from outside the EU

You and your baggage may be checked for anything you must declare.

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Search the uk rules.

HMRC confirmed the new rules for making cash declarations when travelling with notes in and out of the United Kingdom. Check what you must do if you will be carrying large amounts of cash when entering or leaving Great Britain to (or from) another country.

Carrying Cash Into and Out of Great Britain

You need to declare cash or currency equivalents of £10,000 or more any time you carry it into or out of Great Britain.

If you prefer to use the online declaration form you would need to complete it within 72 hours of the time you will travel.

You can also get a paper form BOR 9011 at any port or airport with a Red Channel if you are unable to use the online service.

Note : If you will be travelling through a port without Border Force Officers you can make a cash declaration over the telephone.

Customer Service Group Telephone: 0300 322 9434 Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm Charges to 0300 numbers

Travelling Into and Out of Northern Ireland

If you want to take €10,000 (or more) from Northern Ireland to any country outside of the European Union (EU) you will need to declare it.

You can use the online declaration form to declare a large amount of hard cash taken between Northern Ireland and a non-EU country (up to 72 hours in advance).

But, a cash declaration is not a legal requirement when you are carrying it between Northern Ireland and any of the EU countries .

Moving Cash from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

You need to declare the cash you are carrying if it is £10,000 or more (or euro equivalent) when travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

But, you can take any amount of money, without having to make a declaration at any port or airport, when you travel from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

Note : The main section contains a help guide for British nationals living overseas and support available outside of the United Kingdom.

Different Types of Cash You Must Declare

The types of legal tender that you need to declare when travelling into and out of the United Kingdom, include:

• Bank notes and coinage
• Bankers’ drafts
• Cheques and travellers’ when signed but not made out to a person or an organisation
• Travellers’ cheques

Penalty for Not Declaring Cash at Customs

The maximum penalty for not declaring cash (or for giving incorrect information) when leaving or entering the United Kingdom is £5,000.

Furthermore, customs officers can seize declared cash if they have ‘reasonable’ grounds for suspecting any type of crime is taking place.

They would be able to keep seized cash for a period of up to forty eight (48) hours before needing to get a court order.

Important : Often, people take cash in and out of the United Kingdom while travelling as a family or in a group. If so, you must declare total cash amounts of £10,000 or €10,000 even if some of the individuals will be carrying less than the permitted limits.

How to Appeal a Customs Penalty Notice

If you received a cash declaration penalty, and disagree with it, you can write a letter to the Fraud Investigation Service.

The letter must state why you disagree with the decision given by customs officers. The time limit for appealing is thirty (30) from the date of the penalty notice.

Fraud Investigation Service FIS POC Operations – Cash Declaration Penalty Team S0079 Newcastle NE98 1ZZ

Related Advice and Help Guides

• Checklist of who to inform when moving or retiring abroad .
• How to export a car from the United Kingdom?
• Legalising a document: What you need and how much it costs .

Note : This short video presented by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) explains the circumstances when you may need to declare cash when travelling into, and out of, the United Kingdom.

United Kingdom currency travel guide

If you're traveling to the uk, learn the best way to carry and spend your money overseas..

In this guide

Travel card, debit card or credit card?

These are your options for spending money in the uk, compare travel credit cards, uk currency, how the usd compares to the gbp, find atms in uk, how much should i budget to travel in the uk.

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When you’re visiting the United Kingdom’s England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, US citizens get an automatic visa for six months to drive over London Bridge, explore Stonehenge and sip tea by the Thames. To do so, you’ll pay either with your card or the pound sterling, the national currency.

Overall, the UK is becoming increasingly cashless, so you shouldn’t have a problem paying with Visa or Mastercard and, in many places, American Express. Go with a travel credit card to avoid those pesky foreign transaction fees that most credit cards charge.

Our picks for traveling to the UK

40+ currencies supported

• 4.85% APY on USD balances
• $0 monthly fees
• Up to $100 free ATMs withdrawals worldwide
• Hold and convert 40+ currencies

Up to $300 cash bonus

• 0.50% APY on checking balance
• Up to 4.60% APY on savings
• $0 account or overdraft fees
• Get a $300 bonus with direct deposits of $5,000 or more

Free ATM transactions

• $50 waivable monthly fee
• 0% foreign transaction fee
• Securely move money domestically and globally
• 5 monthly out-of-network ATM reimbursements
• Free international HSBC ATM transactions

Like the US, you can pay for most of your travel with a credit card. You’ll find that most major credit cards are accepted everywhere. Make the most of your money on your travels and find a card that offers travel rewards or a card without foreign transaction fees.

It’s good to carry some cash for smaller purchases or to use for tips. You’ll easily find ATMs at banks, stores and gas stations — but try to only use your debit card. You’ll pay steep fees getting a cash advance from your credit cards.

Using a credit card

You won’t have any problems using a travel credit card in the UK. Most major credit cards are accepted, but you’ll find it hard to use your Diners Club, American Express or Discover cards at small businesses.

Find yourself a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees and offers travel rewards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees ), helping you keep more money in your wallet for the nation’s ubiquitous tea and biscuits. Carrying a credit card gives you the added benefit of travel insurance and discounts, depending on your provider.

For added savings, take advantage of the interest-free period by paying your balance in full each month.

• Tip: It’s worth researching credit cards that offer travel benefits and rewards for things you’ll buy anyway — like flights and hotel stays.
• Major credit cards widely accepted
• Protected by PIN & chip
• Accepted worldwide
• Interest-free days when you pay your account in full
• Some cards offer travel benefits
• Emergency card replacement
• Fees and interest for cash withdrawal
• Many cards charge 3% currency conversion fees

Which credit card issuers are accepted in the United Kingdom?

You’ll find American Express is accepted throughout the UK, but mostly in large cities. Mastercard and Visa are more widely accepted and popular as they’re also accepted in villages and smaller vendors.

If you have an Amex card and want to make a cash withdrawal, you’ll find most ATMs accept Amex cards. For Discover cards, look for Cardtronics, Moneycorp, Travelex and Yourcash ATMs.

Discover is also accepted through the Diners Club Network, which isn’t widely supported in the UK. Discover cards were once more widely accepted in large cities around England, but their popularity has greatly declined in more recent years.

Explore top debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel credit cards by using the tabs to narrow down your options. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.

• Credit cards

Using a debit card

A travel debit card could be a good travel money choice to take to the UK. You’ll have access to cash each time you come across an ATM without carrying lots of cash on you. Because you’re spending your own money, you avoid interest charges.

• Tip: A debit card can be used for in-store purchases, online and for ATM withdrawals in the UK.
• Use at stores and hotels, online and ATMs
• Spending your own money means avoiding interest charges
• International ATM and currency conversion fees
• No access to cash advances

Using a prepaid travel card

The biggest benefit of travel cards is that you can load up to three currencies at once and lock in a favorable exchange rate. If you need more than one currency on your travels, you can save money on the 3% currency conversion fee you’ll pay with other credit and debit cards.

Where you save in the conversion rates, you may pay in fees. You’ll pay fees each time you load the card, ATM withdrawals and sometimes even an inactivity fee.

• Tip: Banks that provide travel cards make money by applying a higher margin to the exchange rate. You can get a better rate using a debit card or credit card.
• Lock in exchange rate when you convert USD to GBP
• Can hold multiple currencies.
• Emergency card replacement and backup cards
• Reloadable online
• Come with lots of fees for loading and reloading, inactivity and ATM withdrawals.
• Your name isn’t printed on the front
• Businesses won’t accept prepaid cards

Paying with cash in UK

• Greater payment flexibility
• Convenience
• More difficult to manage expenses
• Higher risk of theft

Using traveler’s checks

• Cash at any bank
• Fees for purchasing and cashing checks
• Not accepted by many merchants
• Currency exchange rate varies over time

The pound sterling is the official currency of the UK and is the fourth most traded currency in the world. One pound is subdivided into 100 pence and comes in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes, issued by the Bank of England for over 300 years. All banknotes feature Queen Elizabeth II on the front.

The main banks in UK are:

• HSBC Holdings
• Barclay’s PLC
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Lloyds Banking Group
• Standard Chartered PLC
• Santander UK
• Nationwide Building Society
• Close Brothers
• Coventry Building Society

Since the housing crisis of 2007, the USD lost value against the GBP. But ever since the Brexit vote for the UK to leave the European Union in June 2016, the sterling pound has lost purchasing power. The rates are better than ever for US travelers, so lock in your rates with a travel money card or traveler’s checks.

Refreshing in: 60s | Fri, May 17, 01:03PM GMT

You can find ATMs all over the UK, including in banks, post offices, grocery stores, restaurants and hotels. Independently owned ATMs may charge a fee for your transaction, though you can find ATMs without fees. If you go with a Betterment Checking debit card in hand, you can get reimbursed for ATM fees within 24 hours of submitting the reimbursement.

The UK is one of the most expensive places in Europe to travel. From transportation to hotels and food, you’ll find you’ll spend a lot more on the basics than in many other countries. If you’re looking to travel on a backpacker’s budget, plan for $60 or so per day, about $150 for a mid-range budget and $400 if you’re looking to live it up. All prices are in US dollars.

*Prices are approximate and are subject to change.

Case study: William's experience

Interview with William Eve about UK travel money options

We interviewed Will, a finder.com user, about his latest trip to the UK. He told us about his experience using credit and travel money cards.

What money tips do you have for anyone traveling to this country?

Pay attention to how much you spend on food and alcohol. Will says eating out and drinking in London and other parts of the UK is extremely expensive. He gives this advice for keeping costs low: “Hunt out good pub meal bargains and shop at Tesco and Sainsbury’s for your other meals. Try to avoid drinking coffee out.”

Will also recommends AirBnB, especially if you’re traveling as a group. Hostel dorm beds were upward of £35 a night.

Kyle Morgan

Kyle Morgan is SEO manager at Forbes Advisor and a former editor and content strategist at Finder. He has written for the USA Today network and Relix magazine, among other publications. He holds a BA in journalism and media from Rutgers University.

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How Do Travel Agents Make Money? [The Travel Agent Business Model]

In the past, travel agents made money from commissions from airlines and hotels. And while this is still a key revenue source for travel agents, the increasing prevalence of online booking has made them look for new sources to diversify their income. So, how do travel agents make money today?

Below, we explain the different ways in which independent professionals and online agencies generate revenue in the ever-changing travel industry. By understanding the rewards that come with taking on the role of a travel agent, you will gain insight into this often-overlooked career path and how it could fit into your own life goals.

How Do Travel Agents Work?

Travel agents work to provide their clients with a stress-free and personalized travel experience by taking care of all the details and providing expert advice and support. Travel agents can work independently or for travel agencies. 

The key role of a travel agent is to assess their client’s needs and make the necessary recommendations and arrangements based on them. Services provided by travel agents include:

• Consultation – Determining the client’s travel needs, budget, and preferences. This includes asking questions about the purpose of the trip, the desired destination, preferred travel dates, accommodation preferences, and any specific requests or requirements.
• Research – Identifying the best travel options available for the client (flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, and activities).
• Booking – Making travel arrangements on behalf of the client.
• Confirmation – Verification of all details related to the booking, including providing the client with the necessary information, such as flight times, hotel reservations, and tour details.
• Follow-up – A travel agent may provide advice on travel visas, travel insurance, packing tips, and other travel-related issues.

How Do Travel Agents Get Paid?

The most common way a travel agent gets paid is from commissions from airlines, cruise lines, or tour companies for packages sold. The commission rate varies depending on the type of travel and the agreements with travel providers. 

Additionally, travel agents get paid a fee by their clients for their services. The amount of the service fee is entirely up to the agent and is related to the type of services provided. Typically, it’s charged for arranging some or all segments of the travel.

If the travel agent is employed by an agency, then just like any other employee, they’ll receive a salary or hourly wages.  

Net price overages are also an option for many agencies. So, for instance, if an agent books a certain number of hotel rooms, the vendor gives them a discount which is then marked up, and the difference is kept by the agency. 

Some travel agents may also earn additional revenue by offering travel insurance or upgrades to accommodations or transportation.

Travel Agent Business Model

The simplest way to describe the business model of travel agents is to go by the main source of income. Based on this, there are two types of business models:

• Commission-Based 

The commission-based business model allows travel agents to earn a percentage of the total cost of a travel package, such as flights, accommodations, and activities. Depending on whether the package is domestic or international, travel agent commissions may be as low as 5% or as high as 20% or more. 

• Service-Fee-Based

In a service-fee-based business model, travel agents charge their clients a service fee for their expertise or assistance in planning a trip. If the travel agent is in the role of an advisor, they may recommend a popular destination or deal on a specific trip. 

Alternatively, they may provide help for any given element of the trip, from booking a hotel room or flight to booking a spa treatment. The fee charged can be a flat rate or a percentage of the total trip cost. 

It’s important to note that with the rise of online booking platforms, the travel industry has become more competitive, and many travel agents use a combination of commission and service fees, plus access to exclusive deals and pricing. This way, they’re able to offer their clients a unique and personalized experience while staying competitive in the market. 

How Travel Agents Make Money

Here are the most common ways travel agents make money.

1. Travel Insurance Sales

Travel insurance is essential to ensure your trip is protected in case of any unexpected changes or emergencies. Travel agents can sell insurance policies for their clients, which provide coverage for things like flight cancellations, lost luggage, and medical expenses. Depending on the policy sold, agents can earn up to 40% in commission.

2. Cruise Sales

Travel agents may receive a high commission or bonus on cruises based on the number of rooms booked by their clients. Typically, the commission rate for cruises is around 12%. This is because a large number of passengers are required to fill a ship.

Note that a significant portion of clients’ bills is taxes. For instance, a booking for cruise berths priced at $4,000 might include taxes amounting to $1,500. When booking cruises, agents earn commissions only on the portion of the cost that is not taxed.

3. Car Rental

Depending on the car rental agency, agents may earn between 8% to 10% commission on bookings. Other travel agents charge a flat fee of $20–$40 for making the reservation with the car rental company. 

The car rental industry is highly competitive, so the key here is for travel agents to establish relationships with different companies and shop around for the best rates for their clients.

From visiting vineyards in Tuscany to exploring the rainforest in Costa Rica, tours are an excellent way for clients to get the most out of their travels. Agents can earn commissions ranging between 10% and 20% when they book a tour package and may also receive incentives such as free rooms or discounts on future trips.

5. Premium Listings

Car companies, airlines, and cruise lines pay handsomely for premium listings on travel agents’ sites. This gives the company more visibility and may help them generate more revenue. Typically, agents negotiate a commission for booking trips with these companies or charge a flat fee for providing access to the website.

6. Vacation Packages and Deals

If a travel agent is employed, they can use the buying power of their agency to get discounts and special offers which they can then pass on to their clients in the form of reduced hotel rates, exclusive deals, and other incentives. Usually, the commission rates for booking vacation packages range between 10% and 15%.

7. Niche Travel

Focusing on a niche area can be highly profitable for travel agents because it allows them to refine their expertise and cater to clients seeking a specific type of trip, like wedding and honeymoon or sports travel.

Some agents have two distinct branches of their business. The first covers travel to various destinations worldwide, while the second specializes in a particular theme like yachting, wine, or culinary adventures. For instance, an agent could sell packages for resorts and cruises while also organizing unique wine or food-related trips.

8. Mode of Travel

Vacationers have options beyond just using traditional modes of transportation like planes, trains, and cars. For instance, they can choose to explore an area by cycling from one spot to another. It’s the agent’s responsibility to arrange the logistics of the trip, from transportation to the actual adventure.

9. Corporate Travel

Many travel agents make their money by organizing custom trips for corporations. From organizing team building, corporate retreats, or special rewards trips, corporate travel is an excellent source of revenue and provides the opportunity for the agent to make long-term relationships with companies.

Travel agents may be paid an hourly fee for their services and/or a commission on airline tickets, cruises, and hotels and resorts. They could also receive incentives to book certain properties or activities, such as golf courses or spa treatments. 

How Much Do Travel Agents Make Per Booking?

A travel agent’s commission may be as low as 5% or as high as 30% and depends on various factors such as the type of booking, the element of travel, and the vendor they book with. In addition to commissions, travel agents’ income can come from other sources, such as service fees. 

For example, if a travel agent earns a commission of 10% on a $2,000 booking, they would make $200. However, if the booking is a complex itinerary, such as a multi-country trip, and the travel agent charges a service fee of $200, their total income from that booking would be $400.

Do Travel Agents Get Paid Hourly?

Yes, travel agents can be paid by the hour, and it’s a more common type of compensation for travel agents who work for larger agencies. The average hourly pay of travel agents in the US currently stands at $17.71 and goes as high as $28 per hour in states like New York, California, and Nevada.

However, travel agents are typically compensated in different ways, and their pay structure may depend on the company they work for and the type of travel they book. And while some are paid on an hourly basis, most receive a salary or are paid on a commission basis.

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What Currency do you want to buy?

How much do you want to spend, what currency do you want to sell, how much do you want to sell, buy currency, sell currency, why use a travel money comparison site.

Have you ever started researching the best rates between different travel money providers?

We know it can be overwhelming: the different suppliers, their different offers and of course, the ever-changing currency exchange rates. It's a lot of information to process and compile!

Our comparison site takes the stress out of researching and does it all for you. FInd the travel money supplier that will get you the best rate today.

• ✓ Compare Travel Cash is a non-biased travel money comparison site.
• ✓ To ensure our independence, we always use transparent, objective and verifiable criteria in our comparisons.
• ✓ Our mission is to show you the best rates so you can save when buying your travel money.
• ✓ We constantly update our exchange rates as they change for each money exchange supplier, and whilst we try to do this in almost real-time, there will be times when our data is slightly out of date (in normal circumstances, not more than 5 minute). Our travel money comparison site is designed to save you money by showing you the latest rates.
• ✓ We check out all the companies we list, ensuring they are reputable suppliers and pass our standards before we list them.
• ✓ We value your privacy.  We do not sell your data - you don't even need to give us your information to use our site.  Even if you choose to, it is safe with us, we will never pass it on to third parties.
• ✓ You won't get cheaper rates if you go directly to the supplier, at times, we may have discounts and incentives that you would not get by going direct!
• ✓ We do sometimes make money - but we don't make it from you.  We will never add fees or commissions to the travel money rates on the site.

Frequently asked questions

It's a great idea to buy your currency online to ensure you get the best exchange rate. You can often get much better deals online compared to what you can find on the high street or the airport. In fact ccording to recent surveys, 9 out of 10 tourists find that exchanging money at airports is the most expensive option.

The best thing about buying your travel money online through a comparison site is seeing all currency prices in one place, so whether you are buying euros , buying dollars or other currencies you get the best rate for your travel money and more importantly save time!

The quickest way to get the best currency exchange rate is by using our comparison tool . We compare the latest information from all the best travel money providers in the market to show you the best currency exchange rates.

Keep an eye out for the following when searching for the best currency exchange deals so you can choose the best option for buying your holiday money:

• High exchange rate - The higher the exchange rate number, the more holiday money you will get to the pound
• Delivery Charges - different currency providers charge different amounts for delivering your holiday money to your door
• Special offer - We will let you know if the providers are offering travel money deals

Commission is the fee that travel money providers charge for the service to exchange your money into foreign currency . The charge is usually included in the exchange rate they advertise. You will see that many foreign exchange companies advertise 0% commission, they are still charging you by including the charge in the rates.

All the travel money prices we quote include any fees and commissions, including delivery!

The simple answer is yes! Usually, the minimum order amount for foreign currency is £100, and the maximum is usually £7,500, although some providers allow you to exchange more.

Travel money is normally sent via special delivery service with Royal Mail. Travel cash orders worth more than £2,500 will be sent via a courier or multiple Royal Mail packages. This is for insurance reasons, making sure your travel money is safe.

This depends on the currency provider. Some providers offer next-day delivery, sending your travel money using Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm service. There will be an extra cost for this and you can see how much when you compare the holiday money prices.

Don't forget, many foreign currency providers also allow you to pre-order currency and you can collect it in store, this means you can avoid delivery charges.

Most do, any holiday money that you have leftover after your trip abroad can be sold using a buy-back service that will convert it back to pounds. Our comparison tool will show you the providers offering the best buy-back rates .

Every few of minutes we compare the exchange rates and latest currency deals from the best travel money providers in the UK. You can see instantly who is offering the best deals and choose a service that suits your needs best.

Also, if you've come home from a trip abroad and have leftover currency, we compare many foreign currency buy back companies, showing the best rates to convert your foreign currency back into pounds.

Hundreds of customers order travel money through our site daily and have a great experience. However, as with ordering anything online, the process is never completely risk-free and you should always take care when transfering money to any company.

We undertake comprehensive checks on all of our providers and monitor them to make sure they meet our high standards and continue to do so. Having said that, no company is guaranteed not to come into trouble and we cannot guarantee the solvency of any of the providers listed on our website. We always recommend that you conduct your own due diligence before placing an order with any company.

There are many destinations where taking some local currency is extremely useful to make sure you are covered in places where credit cards are not accepted. Many of the smaller retailers globally will not allow credit cards, so cash is the only option.

Read our blog post on taking cash on holiday .

The best time to buy any travel money is when the pound is performing strongly relative to the currency you are buying, this means it will have a higher exchange rate, so will give you more currency for your money. The amount you receive is calculated by multiplying the exchange rate by the amount of pounds you want to spend, so the higher the exchange rate, the more foreign currency you get.

Exchange rates are constantly changing but we show you the historical exchange rate performance for each of the currencies so you can have more of an idea of whether now is a good time to buy your travel money.

Exchange rates tend to be very similar wherever you are in the world to those offered in the UK, however waiting until you are away means you may be stuck with poor exchange rates, fewer options of places to offer competitive rates or even worse, you may have to pay big additional fees and commissions. By buying your travel money in the UK there are no hidden fees, charges or nasty surprises, you know exactly how much you are getting.

Once you have found the best rate, place an order on the currency suppliers’ site, and pay for your currency.Each currency supplier has different payment options, including bank transfer, debit card, with some suppliers offering payment by Apple pay and Android pay. Once your order has been confirmed your order will be prepared and your currency sent to you by registered delivery, some suppliers even offer next-day delivery.

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The 8 Best Travel Money Belts of 2024: Secure Your Valuables on the Go

The best travel money belts of 2024 excel in comfort, style and security. These belts are not just fashionable, they are also equipped with the latest technology like RFID-blocking to protect your personal information from theft. Particularly noteworthy is a model that offers sizes adaptable to multiple waist measurements. After all, securing your cash and

The Perfect Carry-on Case for Airline Travel: Top Recommendations and Tips

The perfect carry-on case for airline travel fits within the usual size limits of 22 x 14 x 9 inches. This ensures it complies with most airlines’ overhead bin space restrictions. Despite this uniformity, some international airlines may have varying rules, so cross-checking with your specific airline before purchasing a case is a smart move.

What currency is used in Dublin, Ireland? A clear answer for travellers

Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, is a popular tourist destination known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. As a result, many people who plan to visit Dublin may wonder what currency is used in the city. The official currency of Ireland is the Euro, which is used throughout the country, including

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CompareTravelCash.co.uk is a travel money comparison service that's designed to help you save money – whilst we do our best to ensure the site is 100% up-to-date, we cannot guarantee this. We advise you to carry out your own due diligence before buying or selling travel money.

Blog Competition and Markets Authority

https://competitionandmarkets.blog.gov.uk/2019/06/27/holiday-deposits-and-cancellation-fees-are-you-being-treated-fairly/

Holiday deposits and cancellation fees - are you being treated fairly?

With the summer holidays fast approaching, many of us are getting ready for a break in the sun. But what if the worst happens and you need to cancel your booking? No-one wants to cancel a holiday but if you have to, you shouldn’t lose out more than is necessary.

This blog explains what consumer law means for deposit and cancellation fees, and how you can make sure you’re being treated fairly.

What we mean by ‘fair terms’

Under consumer law, businesses must make sure their terms are fair. If a term is considered unfair by a court,  then it can’t be enforced against the customer even if they have signed up to it. It is particularly worth looking out for unfair terms with deposit and cancellation fees.

Businesses are entitled to ask customers to pay a fee if they cancel – or to keep some of an upfront deposit – to cover their losses. But the amount they keep must be in proportion to what they are actually losing as a result of a cancellation.

Terms and conditions that don’t follow this approach – for example, where the business keeps a large upfront deposit which bears no relation to its losses – are likely to be unfair. As a general rule, deposits should only be a small percentage of the total cost.

In practice this means that if you cancel a booking and a business resells it, you should be entitled to some money back. Travel firms can either use a case-by-case system, where people are refunded if and when a replacement booking is made, or they can have general terms and conditions based on how likely it is that they will be able to resell any cancelled bookings as the date of the booking approaches.

Both approaches can be fair under the law, so long as customers are getting back a reasonable amount.

What you can do if you think a business has treated you unfairly

1. talk to the business.

You are entitled to challenge the business and ask them to justify what a fee covers. Remember, even if you signed or agreed to something, this doesn’t necessarily mean the terms are legally binding if they are not fair under UK law.

2. Contact a consumer advice body

If you think a businesses is keeping more than is fair, you can go to  Citizens Advice and get advice from their consumer service on 03454 040506 or 03454 040505 for Welsh language speakers. Consumers in Scotland can call Consumer Advice Scot on 0808 164 6000.

Alternatively, you can report an issue to your local Trading Standards Office . There are also independent companies – some of which offer free assistance - that may be able to help you to resolve your issue.

3. Seek legal advice

If you still feel you’ve been treated unfairly, you have the right to escalate your complaint. Customers can take an issue to the small claims court where the amount at stake is not more than £10,000.

As the Competition and Markets Authority, we believe that most companies want to do the right thing, but some might struggle to understand the rules on what’s legally fair. Previous research found that less than half of UK businesses know the rules on unfair terms well.

That’s why we’ve been running our “Small print, Big difference” campaign to encourage the holiday and tourism sector and businesses to ‘check in’ on their terms and conditions. We have been working with partners such as ABTA – The Travel Association, UKHospitality and the Specialist Travel Association (AITO) who are helping us spread the message and make sure businesses are being fair with their customers.

Unlike the other government-funded agencies listed above, the CMA isn’t set up to provide advice on your individual issues or complaints. We are responsible for taking wider action to tackle problems that affect consumers as a whole, aiming to improve things for people right across the UK.

If you think you've seen an unfair term that might be a common problem with businesses in a particular sector, or indeed any other unfair or anti-competitive practices, you can draw our attention to it by completing our notification form . For advice for businesses, visit our fair terms campaign page.

Tags: cancellation fees , consumer law , Consumer protection , fair terms , holiday bookings , holiday deposits , travel , unfair terms

Sharing and comments

Share this page, 35 comments.

Comment by alan powell posted on 17 March 2020

If you have paid fully for your foreign holiday and you are over 70 and still self isolating under government advice past the departure date, would the holiday company take this as cancellation and therefore we would lose our money

Comment by geoffrey Tonks posted on 13 June 2020

a tour companies terms and conditions state we will keep your deposit as compensation,and incase we can not resell the holiday, they have used these terms and conditions,all the way through covid 19, they knew they could not resell anything ,excuse you cancelled first not us so were keeping your deposit.

Comment by Mark posted on 21 July 2020

I cancelled a holiday (before covid). The company has kept the whole 10% deposit (£538) despite confirming that their costs were £419 and that some of this has now been refunded. I have taken this through arbitration where the QC found in the holiday companies favour. I thought the reason for cancellation was irrelevant and that the company can only retain their accountable costs? I'm waiting for the CMA to confirm the legal position before I challenge the decision.

Comment by geoffrey Tonks posted on 25 July 2020

CMA it looks like tour companies are taking no notice of your letter they are still flaunting rules and regulations on cancellations and refunds and now it is nearly the end of July,Action please

Comment by Philip Hayward posted on 05 August 2020

How can Travel Agents get away with offering partial refunds, even when they have received the majority of our cash, from Cruise companies and other? We were offered about 2 thirds of our money back by the Agent (Jetline Cruises) but now reduced to 1/3, remaining refund amounts in each case on an RCN (Refund Credit Note) end of September. We just need our full refund but they just ignore our wishes and several messages? No point having a rule for refunds within 14 days, our holiday was cancelled in May and still no refund, HELP!

Comment by G Robson posted on 06 August 2020

I reported Jetline Cruises to CMA on May 13 2020. I have received no contact from Jetline regarding my cruise refund since June 16. Cruise cancelled on Feb 16 2020. I am pursuing this through Section 75 with 2 credit card companies.

Comment by Richard Sanders posted on 22 August 2020

I paid for a cruise with P & O on the new ship Iona for two families, trip was for September 2020. Cancelled in March as Covid-19 took affect. Contacted Rol Cruise ( Agents) by letter and email to cancel cruise. Since then I have written to them 3 times and each times they say we are dealing with this. I was told originally that it may take 90 days, now 100 days and still counting. I will now take the matter further. DISGUSTED with P & O, I will never use this company again.

Comment by Christine wood posted on 29 March 2022

I paid £130 deposit to PO for a cruise after 2 cruises and because l cancelled a week before the government cancelld all travel due to covid l have not been repaid despite being offered a cheque or add onto next cruise and travel agents are taking thousands off people for 2 years and cancelling knowing ships are not cruiseing bad customer service l won't use them again its called stealing and abta and attol or bank insurance don't pay out or help

Comment by katrina stainton posted on 01 February 2021

My son and six of his friends booked a holiday. Two of the boys dropped out. They still had to buy the whole of the holiday. They couldn't afford this so cancelled losing their 440 deposit but then had too pay another 120. Is this right? "

Comment by Siobhan Dickson posted on 30 March 2021

I have paid in full for a holiday villa booked through Solmar Villas, this was booked ore covid for May 2020, they agreed to move the holiday to 2021 which was fine but still in the same predicament this year. They are refusing to refund me and the cost for moving it to the same time next year is too expensive. They have told me the villa is there and not cancelled so not breaching their contract. Spain is not permitting entry from UK residents and the UK Government are not permitting residents to travel. In my opinion Solmar cannot provide the service so I should be entitled to a refund.

Comment by Philip Harrison posted on 06 April 2021

Warner holidays cancelled a Xmas holiday due to Covid last year. They haven’t returned the deposit. It’s only £100 but it’s the principle. You can call them on their hot line at 45p/minute but I’ve emailed since 25 Feb and despite promises they’ve done nothing. I think they are just hoping people will give up. Time to raise the anti on social media.

Comment by Margaret Winchester posted on 17 June 2022

I booked a holiday with Sandy Balls (Away Resorts) in Hampshire for October 2021 and paid a deposit. I broke my hip and had further medical problems. I had to cancel and gave them 65 days notice. They resold the holiday, but refused to return my deposit, stating their terms and conditions did not allow for a refund; only offering to allow me to rebook within 3 months of my cancellation in August 2021. Of course, I was unlikely to be able to do so. I don't think this is fair, as they resold the holiday. Do I have rights?

Comment by kategraham posted on 17 June 2022

Hi Margaret. We’re unable to advise on individual cases, you may want to get in touch with Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

Comment by Karen Moore posted on 14 November 2022

Yes you do have rights. The company has to prove it was fair to keep all your money despite reselling the holiday. You need to liaise with the company and if you still get no joy contact Trading Standards, Citizens Advice and ultimately report the company to Competitions and Marketing Authority - despite what a company’s T&cs say - they are supposed to be fair under Consumer Rights

Comment by Margaret posted on 15 November 2022

Comment by Steve Aldwin posted on 02 August 2022

I cancelled a holiday today booked for September on health grounds. I paid a deposit of £250. I have been told that they will try to rebook but if they are unsuccessful I will not only lose my deposit but will be liable for the balance of £1400. I did not sign anything with these terms in it. Am I liable?

Comment by aislinnshivakumar posted on 05 August 2022

We are unable to advise on individual cases, but if you contact our general enquiries team, they will be able to assist on where to go next: [email protected]

Comment by J Kirby posted on 08 December 2022

Hoseasons,I have paid a £30 cancellation fee,and £333.deposit, My break is 6 months away ,I cancelled because I have chest pain and breathlessness,it was becoming a worry for me because the Property has steep stairs,I have decided not to go away this year, Until my health improves.I am happy to pay a booking fee £40. and ins £30, but to keep my deposit is not fair,

Comment by kategraham posted on 08 December 2022

Thank you for your comment. We can't advise on individual cases, but Citizens Advice may be able to help you: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

Comment by Phil Jenkinson posted on 09 January 2023

I booked a holiday , 12 days ago, through love holidays and we now need to cancel. I have paid £97 I think as a deposit but to actually cancel the holiday they are wanting over £1000 to cover the flights they have booked on Ryanair. I cannot contact love holidays, it’s totally impossible. I have tried to cancel through online chat to someone at Ryanair and they said that would be fine they would easily resell the ticket, no problem, but I can’t do that. It would have to be the company that booked the tickets, love holidays. I’m stuck. Do I refuse to make any more payments and risk bailiffs coming round to the house? Please help

Comment by kategraham posted on 10 January 2023

Hi Phil, thanks for your comment. We can't advise on individual cases but you can get in touch with Citizen's Advice who may be able to help: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us

Comment by Karen posted on 30 July 2023

Hi I booked a holiday with love holidays I cancelled with in 2 hrs of booking it as transfers seats and luggage were going to cost a fortune. I spoke to tui airlines who cancelled flights and said I would be refunded. But love holidays say in there terms and conditions that flight are non refundable and they want me to pay £75 to cancel booking fee plus £25 and another. £980 for the flights I carnt cancel my holiday until this paid

Comment by Jade Reynolds posted on 31 July 2023

Hi phill I'm currently In the same position as you with love holiday's Booked only paying the deposit two members of My travelling party have dropped out love holiday's are saying flights are no refundable so I still need to pay the balance witch I simply can't afford what happed to you in the end Any information would be really helpful Thanks

Comment by Frank posted on 01 August 2023

I was looking at euro parcs at availability I filled out a reservation form in to allow me to see what was available on their website! I didn’t pay a deposit and didn’t enter any card details and don’t want to go to there it was just an enquiry, I hadn’t been on emails and received a reservation confirmation from filling a my Persoanl details not any money related details but hadn’t confirmed I wanted to defiantly take it! they are now asking for the cost of the holiday in full cause I filled a form in I haven’t giveb a deposit etc where do I stand can they send debt collectors if I haven’t paid anything and haven’t have any payment details

Comment by Dawn posted on 13 August 2023

I booked a caravan and paid £50 deposit for my relation who now cannot go the site, I can accept they keep this deposit because I have had to cancel on what would have been the first day of the booking, would they be entitled to still request the remaining balance from me?

Comment by Ben posted on 19 December 2023

Hi Phil, I've just found myself in the same situation after booking a summer holiday with LH 8 days ago and have now been informed I'm losing my job (my flights are with TUI). Did you have any success with the refund? Ben

Comment by Lauren posted on 09 January 2024

I'm in the exact same situation. What was your outcome?

Comment by Ken hurdiss posted on 14 January 2024

I booked a holiday with TUI for September I paid £150 part of deposit then I had to pay £250 pounds after a few weeks I suddenly had a heart condition where I couldn’t go on holiday abroad so I cancelled the booking thinking that I would just lose the £150 but now I’ve had a e mail saying they still want the remaining £250 what happens if I don’t pay it ?

Comment by Competition and Markets Authority posted on 16 January 2024

Please visit Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ for more information, who may be able to help with your query.

Comment by Linda Baldwin posted on 13 February 2024

I booked a holiday in haste for me and my family and paid £720 deposit and booked the wrong holiday can I get my deposit back

Comment by Competition and Markets Authority posted on 13 February 2024

Hi Linda, please contact Citizens Advice who may be able to help with this. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Comment by Linda Baldwin posted on 15 February 2024

Thank you all sorted now

Comment by Mr John Cotton posted on 05 April 2024

If the airline changes the departure time making it unacceptable can I demand my deposit back ie breach of contract

Comment by Competition and Markets Authority posted on 08 April 2024

Hi John, thank you for your comment. Please contact Citizens Advice who may be able to advise and provide more information https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Comment by Alicia Wheeler posted on 03 May 2024

Hi,my husband booked a holiday yesterday as a surprise,I can't go as th walk to the cottage is to steep, paid 342.60 deposit,60 of which was the booking fee,went to cancel and the company says unfortunately we cannot refund your money,I thought everyone had the right to cancel and get a refund,I could understand if they took the booking fee,but why the whole amount it was only yesterday, I can't afford to loose that amount of money,any advise.

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THE JOURNAL

Travel Advisor Resources

How Much Do Travel Agents Make? Fora’s Full Guide

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/how-much-do-travel-agents-make

How much do travel agents make? What factors go into how much a travel agent — or as we prefer, travel advisor — earns? We’re telling all. 

Alternatively, you can learn exactly how much you can make by becoming a Fora Advisor . Apply today and we’ll answer all your questions. 

First, is there a high demand for travel agents? (Hint: yes!)

And demand is growing. Since travel restrictions were lifted after the COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever are going on vacations and business trips (check out jobs where you travel ) — more importantly, they’re smarter about how they go about it. And there’s no better way to book a trip than to use a travel advisor to get awesome perks, deals and the kind of personal touches that turns a good trip into a great one. 

(Wondering how to become a travel agent ? Our guide has you covered.)

How do travel agents get compensated?

There are a few different ways travel advisors earn income, and the source typically depends on the service. Here’s how it breaks down.

(Wondering about startup and upkeep costs? Check out our guide to how much it costs to become a travel agent .)

Travel partners (or suppliers, in industry lingo) pay commissions: think hotels, travel insurance, rental cars, cruise incentives, tours…

Image courtesy of Turtle Bay Resort

A large portion of a travel advisor’s income comes from commissions, which are a percentage — usually between 10 and 15 percent — of whatever service their client is benefiting from, be it a hotel reservation, travel insurance and so on. (Here are 5 types of bookings you can make as a Fora Advisor that aren’t hotels .)

Suppliers, such as hotel brands, cruise lines and rental car providers pay these commissions; and Fora Advisors don’t charge their clients for commissionable services. In other words? Fora Advisors get paid, and their clients don't have to pay anything extra.

The cool thing is that many of the best hotels and services know that happy travel advisors will send new clients back, so the suppliers will throw in complimentary perks to sweeten the deal. This is why Fora Advisors can offer the same rate as an online travel agency for a hotel room at, say, Virgin Hotels New Orleans (one of the most unique places to stay in New Orleans , by the way), yet offer cool extras for their clients at no additional cost. 

Our guide to how much do travel agents make per booking gets into the details of the process if you’re curious.

Clients pay planning & service fees: non-commissionable bookings, vacation packages & custom itineraries…

Besides commissions, planning and service fees are the other major sources of income for travel advisors. 

Why might advisors charge fees? In most cases, an advisor may charge a fee to develop a custom itinerary for a client. In this case, the client compensates the advisor for their time, much in the same way one would pay a financial advisor. 

At Fora, it’s generally up to the advisor to decide how much to charge (if at all) for custom itineraries.

How much do travel agents make exactly? It depends

There’s no simple answer to this question, because Fora Advisors have the flexibility to work as much or as little as they want. Some treat their advisor position as a part-time endeavor alongside another job or caregiving duties, for instance. Others jump into travel advising full time. 

Can you make ‘good’ money as a travel agent? You bet

Is being a travel agent worth it ? Fora Advisors will say yes. Many top Fora Advisors earn six figures per year. Again, when you join Fora, you can work as much or as little as you'd like, so the money earned will vary, but regardless, we'll teach you how to maximize your earnings.

Ready to start your lucrative career in travel? Become a Fora Advisor today .

What’s the average travel agent salary in the USA?

We can’t speak for all travel agencies, but some of the top Fora travel advisor salaries are measured in seven figures. And while such a salary is quite a bit above average, these top earners put in a lot of work, and have been doing this for a while.

On the flip side, plenty of Fora Advisors treat their travel business like a side hustle on top of their day job, earning an extra couple of hundred to several thousand dollars per month.

Factors that might affect how much a travel agent makes

A lot of factors go into how much travel agents make per month. Here are some of the most common.

Remote vs. brick-and-mortar travel agencies

There are a lot of advantages to becoming a travel agent online , but the biggest might be the substantial difference in overhead. 

Travel agents who work from brick-and-mortar establishments have to pay rent or property taxes for office space. Remote travel agents only have to worry about internet connection and a comfy spot to sit.

In either case, you have to factor in your expenses when calculating how much you’re making as a travel agent, and remote agents have a clear advantage.

Independent vs. employed travel agents

Let's break it down. There are essentially three different types of travel agent jobs .

Employed travel advisors — that is, advisors who work for a company that sells travel — typically earn base pay, but there are a lot of trade-offs that make this business model less attractive to the advisor. Most importantly, there may be caps on the number of clients you have and / or reduced commissions that severely impact your bottom line. 

One potential positive: marketing resources may be available through the company, but oftentimes, they’re not exactly modern in their approach (unlike Fora's!). And finally, employed travel advisors generally have to adhere to a traditional nine-to-five schedule — with little flexibility.

Fully independent travel advisors, on the other hand, can enjoy all the flexibility they want. But, as business owners, they also have to consider things like licensing fees, marketing materials, business insurance and so on that employed advisors don’t have to worry about. These fees and extra expenses can dampen profit margins, and can be prohibitive for prospective advisors who don’t necessarily want to risk the startup costs. 

Our guide on how to start a travel agency from scratch provides more details, but we’ll be frank: there’s a much easier path to making great money as a travel agent.

The third option (and sweet spot)? Join Fora. Fora Advisors are technically independent travel agents — sometimes referred to as independent contractors — except they operate under Fora’s licenses and have access to an incredible wealth of resources (including extensive travel agent training ).

Plus, thanks to Fora's global network of travel partners, our advisors unlock tons of exclusive client perks at thousands of hotels. 

Want to learn more? Here’s how to become an independent travel agent through Fora. 

In a literal sense, how do travel agents get paid?

Across the industry, travel advisors are paid via the old-school, commission-check-in-the-mail method. At Fora, travel advisors are paid via direct deposit. And our advisors don't have to chase down their commission payments. We take care of all that.

Read about how travel agents get paid for more details.

Are there ways to maximize the earnings a travel agent makes?

Certainly. How much a travel agent makes depends heavily on factors like their niche, host agency (if applicable) and — of course — travel planning skills.

Can’t wait to start your travel career? Become a Fora Advisor .

1. Consider adopting a niche

A niche can go a long way in boosting how much a travel agent makes because it gives them a focus. Rather than trying to be good at everything, niche travel agents become great at only one or two aspects of travel — at least to start. This allows them to build a wealth of knowledge in their niche that will impress clients, potentially drawing in business from new clients seeking a similar trip. 

At Fora, there’s no limit to the type of niches an advisor adopts. You could specialize in selling cruises, Disney vacations, trips to a certain location (such as Las Vegas or Barcelona) — whatever you’re most passionate about.

(BTW: learn how to become a cruise travel agent or how to become a Disney travel agent .)

2. Expand your partnerships with hotel reps, tour operators and other travel-related services

Image courtesy of The Rubens at the Palace

Incentives like VIP hotel perks — complimentary hotel upgrades, meals, etc. — give travel advisors an edge over online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com. As such, expanding these partnerships allows travel advisors to offer a wider range of trip benefits while remaining competitive. 

Fora Advisors can unlock awesome perks for their clients at over 4,500 hotels around the world and counting. And Fora’s HQ is constantly working to expand its network of partnerships.

3. Work with a travel company that cares about your success

This may be a shameless plug, but our advisors will back us up on this one. Just check out our advisor-sourced guide to the best reasons to become a Fora Advisor . 

In any case, your choice of host agency is critical. Plenty of old-school agencies essentially throw their advisors into the wild, only stepping in if sales quotas aren’t met.

At Fora, we offer unwavering support to all our advisors, plus loads of awesome resources, including a bevy of marketing materials, thorough travel agent training and access to an engaged community filled with travel experts. 

Here are a few insider tips for how to be a successful travel advisor . 

4. Give your clients the star treatment (because thoughtful advisors will get repeat business)

Possibly the most important factor affecting how much a travel agent makes: their customer service skills. 

The simple truth is that clients will only use your services if you actually help them. Putting the time and effort into making sure your clients have an amazing experience will pay dividends later. Not only will you likely win their future business, but you could win the business of their family members, friends and peers, too. 

(Read about how travel agents get clients .)

5. Keep at it: being a travel agent can be stressful, but so worth it

Finally, patience and dedication have a dramatic effect on how much travel agents make. 

Chances are, you’re not going to start with a dozen clients planning 20 trips. It takes a lot of time and effort to get to that point, but if you can, you’ll find that travel planning can be a very rewarding career. 

Need to know more? See what it takes to become a travel agent .

How much do travel agents make? Ask (or become) a Fora Advisor

Ultimately, the best way to find out how much you can make as a travel agent is to try it out for yourself. Sign up to become a Fora Advisor today .

Not quite ready? Check out these travel advisor resources, too:

How to Market Your Travel Business Like a Pro: Tips from the Experts  

How to Become a Luxury Travel Agent: the 2023 Guide  

Travel Agent Certification: Options and FAQs  

Debunking 3 Myths about Becoming a Travel Advisor  

A Window into Fora's Certified Training   

Book a Cruise With a Virgin Voyages Travel Agent   

Why Group Bookings Are Great: Tips from an Expert

Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

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Table of Contents

How much does a travel agent cost?

Do travel agents get discounts on flights, how can a travel agent help me, smart money move: book with the right credit card, how do i find a good travel agent.

With a few keystrokes, you can find cheap travel deals on the web. But travel agents can do that and more.

Often, travel agents receive deals directly from hotels and tour operators that you may not have access to. They also have contacts with resorts and hotels, so they can bargain for better deals. But just how much do travel agents cost? Some people assume that travel agents are expensive, which may keep them from using their services. However, that's not necessarily true.

Regardless if you go with a travel agent or plan on your own, it can be a smart money move to book with a credit card thats earns rewards on your bookings and helps you avoid foreign transaction fees if you end up traveling abroad.

The cost of using a travel agent is generally marginal, and often, they won't charge you at all. Much of their money comes from commissions the hotels and wholesalers pay them. Before you decide to book with a travel agent, inquire whether or not they charge fees.

Also, if you’ve booked a trip with a travel agent and for whatever reason need to cancel, they might be able to help get the refund more directly.

» Learn more: How to become a travel agent

Generally not, and especially not for short distances. For the most part, any discount you'd get from using a travel agent would be for a combined package. Still, it never hurts to ask if your travel agent can get you a deal on your flight.

If you're traveling internationally — especially to a country you've never visited — a travel agent can be a useful resource in helping you plan your trip. They can manage all of your booking needs, which can be easier than juggling a long itinerary that includes flights, hotels and excursions on your own.

Group travel is another common situation that can benefit from an agent's assistance. Coordinating bookings across multiple parties can get confusing. A travel agent can keep things organized, negotiate with services and personally work out any complications that may arise. Rather than trying to reserve rooms in the same hotels and seats on the same flights with multiple credit cards and names, let a travel agent do that work.

Travel agents can also be helpful by providing destination advice. Many specialize in particular destinations and can offer insight as to how you should structure your visit. Agents can direct you to the services, facilities and entertainment that best align with your interests and needs.

» Learn more: Other things a travel agent can do that a search engine can't

Whether you decide to use a travel agent to book your trip (i.e. flights, accommodations, excursions, cruises, car rentals, etc.) or plan the whole trip on your own, consider what credit card makes the most sense for your vacation.

If you're going abroad, use a card that waives foreign transaction fees so that you can avoid those fees. Also consider credit cards that include complimentary travel insurance so that you can be protected on your trip if things go awry.

Here is a sampling of cards that include travel insurance and also waive foreign transaction fees. These cards also earn rewards on travel, which you can redeem in various ways.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• 5 points per $1 on travel booked through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

• 2 points per $1 on other travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

• 10 points per $1 on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Chase.

• 5 points per $1 on air travel purchased through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining not booked with Chase.

• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.

• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

The cards listed above all carry annual fees, especially given all the perks they provide.

If you don't care about the perks listed and simply want a card with no annual fee that waives foreign transaction fees, check out this list of options .

Several websites can help you track down and contact suitable travel agents. TravelSense.org , part of the American Society of Travel Advisors, allows you to search by some useful parameters including specialty and geographic location.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

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Travel agents, how are they paid?

anothername007 · 31/01/2022 17:45

We've used large and small independent travel agents in the past. One thing that confuses us is the pricing it's hard to see where the costs are as it's so bundled up. Can someone tell me how they make their money? Are we better off booking direct, purely from a price point of view. I appreciate the insurance they offer and promised upgrade that never seems to materialise. Do they get better deals than Joe Public with room rates? I don't mind paying for someones time, I'd just like to know how much I'm paying. I'm not asking about package holidays, but bespoke higher end. TIA

I'll be watching with interest. We used to mainly organise our own trips, but after 2020 & the problems with separate flights & hotels, we will now only book a tailor-made package (as opposed to a package holiday) via an agent because of the protecion offered.

With the independent travel agent I use I pay the brochure price and I presume she gets paid by the operator

They get commissions from the airline, tour operator, hotel, etc. The same way that the online flight finder firms, hotel booking firms, etc get commissions for the flights/hotel rooms you book online through them.

As a former travel agent, the following normally happens: You buy a package holiday through a travel agent - the travel agent is just the agent selling holidays on behalf of the package holiday company (tour operator) - they (tour operator) pays the travel agent a commission for selling their holiday If just an airline ticket most Travel agents charge a fee as airlines don’t pay commission on flights (normally a paltry £5 sector fee) But…. Some travel agents are independent and are backed by larger consortiums - this gives them more buying power so the consortium goes to an operator (e.g. P&O cruises) & guarantees to sell x number of holidays … P&O then give that travel agent a better rate Should you buy through a travel agent? I would say yes as you may pay slightly more than if you paid direct to an airline and hotel BUT you are getting their expertise in packaging and of anything should go wrong they will sort for you - especially if you are time poor! Recently, I bought BA flight tickets online - I reserved them and then went to confirm them (they were really cheap!) but they wouldn’t confirm due to a computer error - 1 hr 44 mins later (on a national rate number 😞) I managed to get it sorted - I so wish I’d paid the travel agent £25 fee 😂 Imagine if you had booked your flights, hotel and car independently … you’ve caught covid so can’t travel - you have to cancel them all yourself - work out whether you can get a refund, etc whereas if you had booked through a travel agent, one call, they will sort (or as happened to my friend, the airline cancelled their return flight due to changing covid schedules so the TA got them a hotel sorted etc so they didn’t need to worry!) If using a TA, make sure they have bonding arrangements in place (ABTA, TTA, etc) and if they are selling you a hotel and flight together, they are ATOL protected- this means if they go “under” you’ll get your money back (Sorry for the long winded reply!)

Really helpful replies. I think when we are doing multiple destinations it's worthwhile but straightforward hotel don't think we need the middle man. We normally source our own flights through air miles anyway.

Where they do come in handy (using Trailfinders for example) is you can book a “package” of just flights and one night accommodation and this gives you slightly cheaper flights and the room is free. When we went to NZ pre covid we actually got the flights and a night in Christchurch for £250 cheaper than just booking the flights directly with the airline. We then booked all our other accommodation direct with the hotels. The bigger companies do get paid a low salary but then extra sales commission. All tied in to bigger buying power.

If you book your flight and hotel at the same time through the same company, they count as bundled and the package travel regs automatically apply. This is why the online travel agents (Expedia et al) had to take out ATOL bonds a few years ago. So you could book your BA flight, then go into manage my booking and add a flight or car hire, and it would turn it into a holiday. Gives you access to the BA Holidays duty office (UK based) should anything happen on your trip.

I use a travel agent for our bigger holidays and he’s a marvel. He finds flights we can’t find online, and tracks the prices so quite often he’ll call after we’ve booked and say he can save x if we slide a day, or BA have had a sale, so he’s rebooked the same and it’s now X cheaper and s9 time that he can get business class at a bargain price. He has all our details on file, knows what sort of hotels and standards we like, and is one of my favourite people. I hope he makes masses of commission from us!

Travel agents and tour operators are different things….an agent is simply the middle man and your contract is directly with the hotel. With an operator you are much more protected as your contract is with them. I used to work for a tour operator - say the listed price for joe public to book direct was £100/night, they would charge us a rate of £80/night and we would charge you £100 so we’d make our money in the difference without any additional cost to you. With places we had amazing relationships with they may charge us £70/night and we’d charge you £90/night so I was sometimes cheaper through us. We had travel agents who used to book our services on behalf of clients - and they would charge us a percentage of the overall gross holiday cost as commission - but sometimes this would wipe out our entire margin so we’d have to increase the prices for agents to make sure we weren’t losing money. I would always book through a bonded tour operator not agent wherever possible.

@HermioneWeasley

@HermioneWeasley and @Hoppinggreen how did you find a decent person in the first place? Did you go through a few then stick with one? They all claim to be great. I would love to start using one as DP and I are soo rubbish at holiday planning.

I met a lady through a dog walking group and got to know her a bit and found out we had some community contacts in common. I knew what she did but then heard she was really good and gave her a try and then never looked back Happy to share via PM

I found ours by accident - just called dial a flight and he was brilliant so we kept going back. He’s called Wayne Bailey and I can’t recommend him enough (he’s definitely the best I’ve dealt with there). I’ve recommended him to other people and they’ve all been delighted

I wonder why hotels don't give better rates and cut out the middle man. For some simple destinations, eg. uk break with cancellation policy, there is very little point.

I see it like restaurants. Most people don’t go to a restaurant because they can’t cook. Nor do you go to save money. But sometimes it’s worth paying a little more to know it’s all being done for you.

@WhatsitWiggle

I'd either book direct with hotel/airline etc or use a travel agent. The OTAs charge similar or higher commissions for doing not very much (Booking.com structure their commissions so they can earn 35% during peak season, i.e. Edinburgh festival, olympics, when there's a big concert). At least using a local TA you know there's someone local earning a wage out of it and not some algorithm making a very few people somewhere abroad a lot of money. DSIL was a travel agent for years, and very good at it - her industry contacts meant she could resolve issues quickly and she had clients coming back year after year.

I've not used a Travel Agent for years because we don't want brochure type holidays. We used a Travel Agent when we did a big personalised trip to California years ago. It was very expensive and I had vouchers rather than booking confirmations which made me nervous. I have generally found that i can do it myself much more cheaply plus I love the planning. My current oven-ready Sicily trip for 4 people for a week this September is just under £3,500. That is for absolutely everything, flights, lovely accommodation, escorted trips up Etna and boat trip to Stromboli, transfers, ferry even pre flight hotel and car parking. The only extra is food. Our last trip was to Iceland for a week in August. We spent £5,000 for everything including snorkeling, glacier walks, lava tunnel, Blue Lagoon, all food, petrol and even a jumper for DD. I've always doubted a Travel Agent could match it. If there are Travel Agents on here, could a TA take my planned trip and book it for me? Or are TAs limited to hotel chains and major airlines?

My TA has worked with an itinerary for me before. I give her an idea of what I want and she comes back with a few options, sometimes she comes back with things I never would have thought of. She also knows the ages of my DC and what we all like and sometimes sends me suggestions for my next holiday. I also love her taking on all of the organisation, I remember being in Greece once and everyone was panicking because we hadn’t seen the Rep and nobody knew when we were due to leave or about return check in etc. I sent her a text and she said not to worry she had checked us in and a taxi would pick us up at x time, the other guests had no clue In Cape Verde when we arrived there was a Q for visas - she had sorted ours It’s that sort of thing that I really like and we genuinely don’t pay any more for it

I get the frustration with promised upgrades that don't materialize, but remember that it can depend on availability and other factors beyond their control. Regarding insurance, it's always good to have that extra peace of mind when traveling. Using a travel agent can be beneficial for bespoke higher-end trips, like the Jungle Vista Hotel . They have the connections and expertise to tailor your experience to perfection. Just make sure to communicate your budget and preferences clearly, so you know what to expect cost-wise.

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What is the law of travel agency and what do you need to know? Part 2: how do I become a travel agent, and what if I create package holidays?

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This article was first published in Travel Weekly on Tuesday 27 April 2021.

In this second part of our overview of the law of travel agency, we explain some of the legal practicalities to consider when setting up a travel agency and why the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 are important to understand. You can read part one: the basics of an agency relationship here . 

How does one become a travel agent?

In order to be a travel agent in the legal sense, the travel company must be appointed by its principal (e.g. a hotelier) as its agent. This is typically set out in a written agency agreement, which will determine the rights of the parties. In addition to this formal appointment, the travel agent must then ensure that it discloses the fact that it is acting as an agent to third parties (e.g. consumers) and that it does not give third parties the impression that it is acting as a principal.

The law will generally respect the terms of the contracts entered into by the parties. If the contract denotes a travel company as an agent, then that will usually determine the issue. However, there could be situations in which the courts would disregard the terms of the contract if it found that the contracts were a “sham” and/or did not properly reflect the economic reality of the relationships between the parties. Indeed, the UK tax authorities have tried to pursue this argument in relation to the business models of a number of online travel agents. So far it has failed, primarily because of the emphasis given by the courts on the importance of the courts respecting the terms of contracts.

How does the creation of a package holiday affect the travel agent’s status?

The involvement of the travel agent in the creation of an itinerary for the consumer might lead to the creation of a package holiday (or a linked travel arrangements) under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Moreover, if the travel agent sells a flight to the consumer, whether on its own or as part of a package holiday, then the travel agent might be required to hold an ATOL pursuant to the ATOL Regulations 2012.

Does this change the status of a travel agent into a principal?

The short answer is “no”, provided that the travel agent is careful to ensure that the sale process and the consumer “paperwork” maintains its status as a travel agent. There is otherwise a risk that the travel agent may end up selling a package of travel services under a single contract to the consumer and so act as a principal.

The next part of our overview of the law of travel agency will focus upon the relationship between the principal and the consumer and secondly, on the relationship between the principal and the travel agent. We will look at the rights and obligations which arise under these relationships.

If you have any further questions or queries on these matters, please contact  Rhys Griffiths ,  Anna Tindall  or another member of our  Travel  team.

Rhys Griffiths

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Travel agencies in the United Kingdom - statistics & Facts

Retail travel agencies in the united kingdom, online travel agencies (otas) in the united kingdom, key insights.

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Annual output of travel agencies and tour operators in the UK 2010-2022

Number of businesses in the travel agency industry in the UK 2013-2023

Number of businesses in the travel agency industry in the UK 2023, by employment size

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Leading travel agents ranked by number of outlets in the UK 2024

Number of retail travel agents in the UK 2019-2023

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• Premium Statistic Revenue of travel agencies in the UK 2008-2021
• Premium Statistic Gross value added (GVA): travel agencies in the UK 2008-2021
• Premium Statistic Travel agency, tour operator, and reservation services employment in the UK 2015-2021
• Basic Statistic Number of businesses in the travel agency industry in the UK 2023, by employment size
• Premium Statistic Number of businesses in the travel agency industry in the UK 2013-2023

Annual output of travel agencies, tour operators, and other reservation services in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2022 (in million GBP)

Monthly output growth of travel agencies and tour operators in the UK 2019-2023

Monthly output growth of travel agencies, tour operators, and other reservation services in the United Kingdom (UK) from January 2019 to March 2023

Market size of the travel agency industry in the UK 2013-2023

Market size of the travel agency industry in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2013 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 (in million GBP)

Revenue of travel agencies in the UK 2008-2021

Annual revenue of travel agency enterprises in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2008 to 2021 (in million GBP)

Gross value added (GVA): travel agencies in the UK 2008-2021

Gross value added (GVA) of travel agencies in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2008 to 2021 (in million GBP)

Travel agency, tour operator, and reservation services employment in the UK 2015-2021

Employment in travel agency, tour operator, and other reservation services and activities in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2015 to 2021 (in 1000s)

Number of VAT/PAYE based enterprises in the travel agency, tour operator, and other reservation services and related activities industry in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by employment size band

Number of businesses in the travel agency industry in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2013 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023

Travel agents

• Premium Statistic Number of retail travel agents in the UK 2019-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of retail travel agents in the UK 2023, by retailer
• Premium Statistic Leading travel agents ranked by number of outlets in the UK 2024
• Basic Statistic Most popular amusement, cruise, and travel brands in the UK Q4 2023
• Premium Statistic TUI UK Limited revenue 2015-2022
• Premium Statistic TUI UK Limited net income 2015-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of TUI AG employees worldwide 2011-2023, by region
• Premium Statistic Turnover of Hays Travel Limited in the UK 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Profit/loss after tax of Hays Travel Limited in the UK 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Key financial figures for Flight Centre (UK) Limited 2020-2022

Number of travel shops operated by retail travel agents in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2019 to 2023

Number of retail travel agents in the UK 2023, by retailer

Number of retail travel agent stores in the United Kingdom (UK) as of June 2023, by retailer type

Leading travel agencies in the United Kingdom (UK) as of February 2024, by number of travel shops

Most popular amusement, cruise, and travel brands in the UK Q4 2023

Most popular amusement, cruise, and travel brands in the United Kingdom as of 4th quarter of 2023

Annual revenue of TUI UK Limited in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2015 to 2022 (in million GBP)

TUI UK Limited net income 2015-2022

Net income of TUI UK Limited in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2015 to 2022 (in million GBP)

Number of TUI AG employees worldwide 2011-2023, by region

Number of TUI AG employees worldwide from 2011 to 2023, by region

Turnover of Hays Travel Limited in the UK 2008-2023

Turnover of Hays Travel Limited in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2023 (in million GBP)

Profit/loss after tax of Hays Travel Limited in the UK 2008-2023

Profit/loss after tax of Hays Travel Limited in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2023 (in million GBP)

Key financial figures for Flight Centre (UK) Limited 2020-2022

Key financial figures for Flight Centre (UK) Limited from 2020 to 2022 (in 1,000 GBP)

Online travel agencies

• Basic Statistic Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Estimated EV/EBITDA ratio in the online travel market 2024, by segment
• Premium Statistic Key information on the online travel agency industry in the UK January 2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of On the Beach Group plc in the UK 2012-2022, by segment
• Premium Statistic Net income of On the Beach in the UK 2014-2022
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Tripadvisor worldwide 2012-2023, by region
• Premium Statistic Lastminute.com Group revenue worldwide 2019-2023, by country
• Premium Statistic Skyscanner annual revenue 2011-2021
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Skyscanner 2014-2021, by business segment
• Premium Statistic Key financial figures for Thomas Cook Tourism (UK) 2019-2022

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide as of September 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Estimated EV/EBITDA ratio in the online travel market 2024, by segment

Estimated enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio in the online travel market worldwide as of April 2024, by segment

Key information on the online travel agency industry in the UK January 2023

Key data on the online travel agency industry in the United Kingdom (UK) as of January 2023

Revenue of On the Beach Group plc in the UK 2012-2022, by segment

Revenue of On the Beach Group plc in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2014 to 2022, by business segment (in million GBP)

Net income of On the Beach in the UK 2014-2022

Net income of On the Beach Group plc in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2014 to 2022 (in million GBP)

Revenue of Tripadvisor worldwide 2012-2023, by region

Revenue of Tripadvisor, Inc. worldwide from 2012 to 2023, by region (in million U.S. dollars)

Lastminute.com Group revenue worldwide 2019-2023, by country

Revenue of Lastminute.com Group (lm Group) worldwide from 2019 to 2023, by country (in million euros)

Skyscanner annual revenue 2011-2021

Annual revenue of Skyscanner Limited from 2011 to 2021 (in 1,000 GBP)

Revenue of Skyscanner 2014-2021, by business segment

Revenue of Skyscanner Limited from 2014 to 2021, by business segment (in 1,000 GBP)

Key financial figures for Thomas Cook Tourism (UK) 2019-2022

Key financial figures for Thomas Cook Tourism (UK) Company Limited from 2019 to 2022 (in 1,000 GBP)

Booking behavior

• Premium Statistic Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday in the UK October 2022
• Premium Statistic Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday in the UK October 2022, by age
• Premium Statistic Leading holiday travel provider websites in the UK Q1 2024, by share of voice
• Premium Statistic Hotel / private accommodation online bookings by brand in the UK 2024
• Premium Statistic Package holiday bookings by brand in the UK 2024

Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday in the UK October 2022

Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday among individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) as of October 2022

Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday in the UK October 2022, by age

Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday among individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) as of October 2022, by age group

Leading holiday travel provider websites in the UK Q1 2024, by share of voice

Leading websites for holiday searches in the United Kingdom in 1st quarter of 2024, by share of voice

Hotel / private accommodation online bookings by brand in the UK 2024

Hotel / private accommodation online bookings by brand in the UK as of March 2024

Package holiday bookings by brand in the UK 2024

Package holiday bookings by brand in the UK as of March 2024

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What are the rules on paying with cash?

During the pandemic it wasn’t an unusual sight to see coffee shops and restaurants displaying ‘card only’ signs, but it seems that cash is still being shunned. 

Our survey of 1,124 Which? members in April found that one in seven people had struggled to pay with cash at a business or retailer in the past 12 months. Half of those who responded also said that they’ve noticed a rise in the number of businesses and retailers not accepting cash since 2020.

Here, Which? explains if businesses are required to accept cash by law, and what’s being done to protect cash acceptance and access in the UK. 

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Do businesses have to accept cash?

Ultimately it's down to the business what specific payment methods they accept – and there's no legal obligation to accept cash. 

But not everyone is aware of this. In fact, only three in 10 of those we surveyed correctly answered that there was no legal obligation when we asked them. Three in 10 said that they didn’t know and another three in 10 said that businesses legally have to accept cash. 

Some confusion can stem from the fact that cash is often described as ‘legal tender’, however this doesn’t mean it’s your legal right to use it in a shop. 

In fact, the Bank of England says that legal tender has a ‘narrow technical meaning’, which has no use in everyday life. It means that if you offer to fully pay off a debt to someone in legal tender, they can’t sue you for failing to repay. 

However, with millions of people still reliant on or prefer to use cash, it makes sense for businesses to make every effort to accept it.

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Do people still use cash?

While eight in 10 of our survey respondents told us that contactless cards were their preferred method of payment, millions across the UK, especially those who are in vulnerable groups, still rely on cash.

According to the latest figures from the Post Office, business and personal cash deposits totalled £2.48bn in May – a 10% month-on-month increase. 

Personal cash withdrawals totalled £817m last month.

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What's being done to protect cash?

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Here are some of the cash solutions that have been announced or put in place since our campaign began:

Which? Cash Friendly Pledge 

Protecting access to cash is only useful if there remains somewhere to spend it. 

This is why we launched our Which? Cash Friendly Pledge in 2020. It encouraged businesses to sign up to promise that they would accept cash as a payment method for consumers who want to keep using it.

Some of the major participating retailers included Aldi, Asda, Co-op, LloydsPharmacy, John Lewis and Waitrose.  

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Cash legislation

The forthcoming Financial Services and Markets Bill will ensure that people can continue to conveniently withdraw and deposit cash – and a new amendment, called for by Which? , will ensure that people can do so for free.

This will be monitored and enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). With its new powers, the FCA could stop banks and building societies from closing cash access services if there was no suitable alternative within a reasonable distance.

• Find out more: Which? wins campaign to protect free access to cash

Reviews by Link to commission new cash services

Last December, the Cash Action Group (CAG) announced that any community facing the closure of a core cash service, such as a bank branch or cash machine, will trigger an independent review by Link.

Link will determine whether a new solution should be provided and will have the power to commission services, such as a shared banking hub or better Post Office services, to meet the cash needs of the community as a whole – not just the customers of one bank or building society.

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Travel Cancellation Refunds

If your travel plans have been cancelled by the operator, then you may have the right to a refund. This advice only applies when the company (or operator) cancels travel plans. It doesn't apply if you wish to cancel your travel bookings yourself.

Getting Your Payment Refunded

If your holiday, flight, ferry, cruise, or train gets cancelled, you have the right, under various EU laws, to your money back. However, given the unprecedented times the world is currently facing, in light of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are offering refunds in the form of rebooking or a voucher to be used when worldwide travel restrictions have been lifted. This may be a faster remedy and you can of course accept this option.

Some European governments are currently putting in place emergency laws for such arrangements with a push towards consumers negotiating with holiday/travel companies in order to find a mutually beneficial solution. This is mainly due to the fact that most businesses are faced with huge cash demands at a time they are not fully operational. Consumers, where practicable are being encouraged to compromise.

There is no legal obligation on any passenger to accept a rebooking or a voucher, and you can insist on a refund, but at this time there may be long delays before monetary refunds are processed and pursuing through the courts will be a lengthy process.

1.  Flight Cancellations

Regulation 261/2004 on Air Passenger Rights provides that in the event that the airline cancels, the passenger will be entitled to a refund, or re-routing to their final destination. Some airlines have been offering vouchers to allow passengers to travel at a future date, and some airlines have removed the online refund facility to push passengers into accepting vouchers. Passengers are within their rights to accept the vouchers, but there is no legal obligation to. If you would rather a refund, you do not have to accept the voucher, and you can insist on a refund instead. However, under the current extraordinary circumstances, it may be some time before these can be processed and governments are encouraging consumers to negotiate with companies in order to reach a mutually suitable resolution. Airlines are obliged to provide the refund within 7 days but given the unprecedented nature of the effects of coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, this is very likely to take much longer.

2.  Hotel Cancellations

Hotel bookings will fall under the contract law of the country the hotel is based in (this is usually the case, though the terms and conditions should specify). If a hotel cancels the booking, then under law, they are unable to supply the service that you have 'contracted' for, and should refund you. If a hotel offers vouchers instead of a refund, you can accept, but you don't have to. You may be able to insist on a refund instead. However, under the current extraordinary circumstances, it may be some time before these can be processed and governments are encouraging consumers to negotiate with companies in order to reach a mutually suitable resolution. If the hotel has not cancelled the booking, but you wish to cancel, you do not have the legal right to your money back so it is worth checking the terms and conditions of the booking. Sometimes hotels allow you to cancel and claim a refund and information on this is usually found in their cancellation procedure.

3.  Package Holiday Cancellations

The Package Travel Regulations provide that where the operator cancels the holiday, they must provide a refund or option to rebook and the consumer has the right to choose which option they prefer. If you wish to use the Regulations when making a claim to your holiday provider, ensure that the holiday you have booked is in fact a package holiday. Please see our advice on package travel here.

4.  Ferry Cancellations

Regulation 1177/2010 provides that if a ferry service provider cancels a ferry service, they must refund or rebook you. You will be able to decide on what you'd prefer and a ferry operator cannot refuse to refund you. Under the law, refunds must be provided within seven days but given the unprecedented effects of coronavirus, we advise allowing ferry companies more time to process refunds. However, under the current extraordinary circumstances, as with other holiday/travel services it may be some time before these can be processed and governments are encouraging consumers to negotiate with companies in order to reach a mutually suitable resolution.

What to do if you're only offered a Voucher

We are aware that many travel companies (particularly airlines) are pushing consumers towards a travel voucher instead of a refund. Some companies are even removing the refund option from their online refund process. A number of governments across the European Union are currently implementing emergency laws to protect businesses and consumers during the pandemic, by requesting that consumers work with businesses in order to reach a mutually suitable outcome to cancellations etc as some business may hit financial difficulties if refunding all cancelled services and monetary refunds may take a long time to be processed.

However, if the travel company or hotel are only offering a voucher, and you would prefer a refund, we advise that you write to the company to inform them of your preference for a refund. You can email or write a letter to the company but be sure to keep a copy for your own reference. This will come in handy should you need to escalate the case further.

Where some laws state that refunds must be provided within seven days, the unprecedented effects of coronavirus has caused delays in companies being able to respond to all communications and therefore we advise to allow the travel company a longer time in which to process your refund.

Paid by Credit or Debit Card?

If you paid by credit card, and the cost was over £100, you can make a claim under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. This provides that the credit card company is jointly liable for a breach of contract or breach of law. This means that if the travel company refuse to refund you, you can make a claim with your credit card company directly. We suggest that you contact them and ask to make a ' Section 75 Claim '.

If you paid by credit card and it was less than £100 or you paid by debit card (any amount), you will have a similar claim under the chargeback procedure. Unlike section 75, chargeback is not a legal right, but more a voluntary procedure that is carried out by the banks.  The procedure allows a consumer to dispute a transaction made using that card, resulting in the consumer claiming the money back from the bank. As this is a voluntary process, the banks set their own timeframes in which you can claim. If you wish to claim using this process, we advise that you contact your bank and state that you want to start the chargeback process.

However, under the current extraordinary circumstances, it may be some time before these can be processed and governments are encouraging consumers to negotiate with companies in order to reach a mutually suitable resolution.

For further information on Section 75 claims or Chargeback , please visit our dedicated page .

Money blog: Gary Neville's hotel named among best places for hospitality jobs

A magazine has released its annual list detailing the top picks for hospitality jobs. Read about this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog - and leave a comment or your money problem in the box below.

Friday 17 May 2024 19:16, UK

• 'Good news' as major drop in household energy bills predicted
• 'Seismic shift' as number of bank branch closures passes 6,000
• The 'top places to work' in hospitality - including Gary Neville's hotel
• New Greggs stores to open in these locations
• Drivers hit by 'unfairly high margins' on fuel

Essential reads

• Lowest buy-to-let mortgage rates revealed
• Is more expensive steak better for you?
• The rise of Michelin starred 'fast food'
• Basically...  What is PIP - and what could government changes mean?
• How to make sure your car passes its MOT
• Cheap Eats:  Michelin-star chef reveals his top steals in London - including an unbeatable sub sandwich
• Money Problem: My workplace wants to pay us by the minute - what can I do?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

The Body Shop’s administrators are to launch an auction of the chain after concluding that an alternative restructuring of one of Britain’s best-known high street retailers was not viable.

Sky News has learnt that FRP Advisory, which has been overseeing the collapsed business since January, is to begin formally sounding out potential buyers in the coming weeks.

The move raises the prospect of new owners taking control of The Body Shop, which was founded nearly half a century ago.

Read more here ...

The UK's mega rich are dwindling - in a sign Britain's "billionaire boom has come to an end", according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.

Published today, the list reveals the largest fall in billionaires in the guide's history - from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 this year.

While the combined wealth of the list's 350 wealthiest individuals amounts to more than £795bn - larger than the GDP of Poland - the guide's compiler says time will tell what impact a drop in billionaires could have.

"This year's Sunday Times Rich List suggests Britain's billionaire boom has come to an end," Robert Watts said.

"Many of our home-grown entrepreneurs have seen their fortunes fall and some of the global super rich who came here are moving away."

Top of the list is British-Indian businessman Gopi Hinduja and his family, whose wealth of £37.2bn is the largest fortune in the ranking's history.

But other familiar names in the list saw their riches fall, with Sir Richard Branson's total dropping by £2.4bn, which is back to his 2000 level.

Last year's top climber Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who bought a stake in Manchester United this year, fell two positions with a decline of £6.1bn.

Euan Blair, Tony Blair's eldest son, made the list for the first time, as did Sir Lewis Hamilton.

It comes as the UK continues to deal with a cost-of-living crisis, with new figures this week revealing a record 3.1 million food bank parcels were distributed over the course of a year.

The top 10:

• Gopi Hinduja - £37.2bn
• Sir Leonard Blavtanik - £29.2bn
• David and Simon Reuben and family - £24.9bn
• Sir Jim Ratcliffe - £23.5bn
• Sir James Dyson and family - £20.8bn
• Barnaby and Merlin Swire and family - £17.2bn
• Idan Ofer - £14.9bn
• Lakshmi Mittal and family - £14.9bn
• Guy, George, Alannah and Galen Weston and family - £14.4bn
• John Fredriksen and family - £12.8bn

A group of social media influencers have been charged in relation to promoting an unauthorised investment scheme.

The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) original cast member Lauren Goodger, 37, former Love Island star Biggs Chris, 32, and Celebrity Big Brother winner Scott Timlin, 36, also known as Scotty T, are among seven TV personalities alleged to have been paid to promote the scheme to their combined 4.5 million Instagram followers.

The others charged by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) include former Love Islanders Rebecca Gormley, 26, Jamie Clayton, 32, and Eva Zapico, 25 and TOWIE member Yazmin Oukhellou, 30.

The UK's financial watchdog brought the charges in a crackdown on "finfluencers" who use their online platforms to offer advice and information on various financial topics.

It alleges that between 19 May 2018 and 13 April 2021 Emmanuel Nwanze, 30, and Holly Thompson, 33, used an Instagram account to provide advice on buying and selling investments known as contracts for difference (CFDs) when they were not authorised to do so.

The watchdog said CFDs were high-risk investments used to bet on the price of an asset, in this case the price of foreign currencies.

It previously warned that 80% of customers lost money when investing in CDFs.

Mr Nwanze has been charged with running the scheme. He faces one count of breaching the general prohibition of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

Ms Thompson, Mr Chris, Mr Clayton, Ms Goodger, Ms Gormley, Ms Oukhellou, Mr Timlin and Ms Zapico each face one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

All nine will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 13 June.

The FCA asked anyone who believed they had sustained a loss due to the scheme to contact its consumer contact centre.

A hotel part-owned by Gary Neville and other ex-Manchester United legends has been named one of the best places to work in hospitality. 

Each year, The Caterer releases its top 30 best places for employees in the sector, with the top six featuring some familiar names.

The list is compiled via anonymous employee survey - with no input from managers or owners. 

Hotel Football, the only hotel with a rooftop five-a-side pitch, was among the top six venues selected by employees across the UK. 

The hotel's benefits package was particularly well-praised by those who work there - given that it "prioritises the financial wellbeing of employees during the cost of living challenge".

Management at the hotel, which is situated next to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, was also praised for enhanced maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave policies and a strong belief in diversity and inclusion. 

The other five to make up the top six are The Biltmore in Mayfair, Cycas Hospitality (which has 18 locations across the UK), Dalata (which boasts some 1,000 employees), Gleneagles Hotel in Edinburgh and Nobu Hotel in Shoreditch, London. 

The energy price cap is set to fall by about 7% in July, a leading thinktank has said. 

Cornwall Insights said: "For a typical dual fuel household, we predict the July price cap to be £1,574 per annum" - a drop from £1,690.

Looking further ahead, it forecasted the cap to rise again slightly in October, before falling again in January next year. 

Reacting to the news, Uswitch said the predicted drop was "clearly good news". 

"The future still remains uncertain, and with the price cap changing every three months – currently expected to rise in October before falling slightly in January –  it's crucial not to be complacent," Richard Neudegg, director of regulation, said. 

However, "a predicted 7% drop in energy prices in July is clearly good news, with the price cap looking likely to hit its lowest level in over two years", he said. 

He also urged  households who want to lock in rates for price certainty to run a comparison to see what energy tariffs are available to them.

"There are many 12-month fixed tariffs available at rates cheaper than the current price cap, and even some that are 2% below these new predicted July rates," he said. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career.

Ronaldo became the world's highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr and Forbes said the 39-year-old's estimated total earnings were around $260m (£205m) - an all-time high for a football player.

His on-field earnings amounted to $200m (£158m) while off-field he earned $60m (£47m) thanks to sponsorship deals where brands make use of his 629 million Instagram followers.

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm took second place following his switch to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

Rahm earned $218m (£172m) and joins Ronaldo as the only two athletes to earn over $200m.

Third on the list is record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who switched to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, which helped the Argentine World Cup winner earn $135m (£107m).

The 36-year-old earned $65m (£51m) in on-field earnings but $70m (£55m) off it from deals with major sponsors such as Adidas and Apple.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James came in fourth at $128m (£101m), while fellow NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks made fifth with $111m (£88m).

France football captain Kylian Mbappe dropped down to sixth with $110m (£87m).

French striker Karim Benzema, who also moved to Saudi Arabia, is eighth on the list with $106m (£84m), followed by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry with $102m (£80m).

Lamar Jackson is the only NFL player on the list, in 10th place with $101m (£80m), thanks to the signing bonus negotiated into his new Baltimore Ravens contract last year.

The number of new pupils joining private schools has fallen by  2.7% since last year, according to the latest figures.

Data from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) shows families are now paying more than £18,000 a year on average to send their children to private school.

This is an 8% rise in school fees for the 2023-2024 academic year compared with the year before.

But as fees soar, figures show a 2.7% drop in the number of new pupil applications - this is the biggest fall since the ISC started collecting data in 2011.

Every Friday we get an overview of the mortgage market with independent experts from  Moneyfactscompare.co.uk . Today, finance expert Rachel Springall outlines what's been happening within the buy-to-let market…

A handful of lenders moved to tweak the fixed rates they charge on buy-to-let mortgages over the past week. 

Paragon Bank launched some new "portfolio" and "green" fixed mortgages, and Aldermore pulled its limited edition five-year fixed rates, max 65% loan-to-value. 

Buckinghamshire Building Society also launched new deals onto the market, and Claire Askham, head of mortgage sales said: "The decision to increase our BTL lending to 80% represents a positive move for the sector as we continue to see landlords appraising their portfolios through divesting, refinancing and taking advantage of a variety of property-related opportunities as they arise."

Week on week, there has been minor moves to the overall average fixed buy-to-let rates, with the two-year remaining unchanged at 5.62% and the five-year falling by 0.02% to 5.59%.

This week the lowest two-year fix for buy-to-let customers at 75% loan-to-value comes from Metro Bank, priced at 4.19%, which charges a percentage booking fee of 5.00% of the mortgage advance and is available to second-time buyers and remortgage customers borrowing a maximum of £2m. 

There is another option from the same lender which carries an incentive package just for remortgage customers, but it has a lower maximum advance of £1.5m.

If you are looking to borrow more, then Suffolk Building Society has the lowest two-year fix for buy-to-let customers at 80% loan-to-value priced at 4.79% for second-time buyers and remortgage customers. 

The deal charges a percentage completion fee of 3.00% of the mortgage advance as well as a flat £199 booking fee.

Remortgage customers will receive a free valuation and free legal fees incentive.

A five-year fixed buy-to-let mortgage may be more appealing for you to guarantee your monthly repayments for longer. 

If you looking to borrow at 75% loan-to-value, HSBC has a deal for remortgage customers priced at 4.33%, which carries a free valuation and free legal fees incentive package but charges a flat £3,999 product fee.

If you are looking to borrow more, then Furness Building Society has the lowest five-year fixed buy-to-let deal at 80% loan-to-value priced at 5.39% for second-time buyers and remortgage customers. It charges a booking fee of £995 and includes an £250 cashback incentive. 

Remortgage customers will also receive a free valuation. This deal also happens to be a Best Buy for a five-year fixed deal at 80% loan-to-value.

Best Buy alternatives

The lowest buy-to-let rates may carry both a flat product fee and an arrangement fee which is based on a percentage of the mortgage advance, so a Best Buy package may be more suitable if you are looking to save on the upfront cost of any deal. 

You might also want a deal to cover a valuation or legal fees. A Best Buy buy-to-let mortgage could be the most cost-effective choice in this instance, but it's worth seeking advice before entering any arrangement.

This week the top packages on a two-year fixed buy-to-let deal at 75% loan-to-value comes from HSBC, priced at 4.69%, which comes with a free valuation and charges a £3,999 product fee and is available to second-time buyers. 

If you want a loan with a lower upfront fee, then HSBC also has a Best Buy deal priced at 4.94% at 75% loan-to-value, which carries a free valuation and charges a £1,999 product fee and is available to second-time buyers.

If you are looking to borrow more, then Furness Building Society has a Best Buy two-year fixed buy-to-let deal priced at 5.73% at 80% loan-to-value for second-time buyers and remortgage customers. It charges a fee of £995 and includes a £250 cashback incentive. Remortgage customers will also receive a free valuation.

A five-year fixed buy-to-let mortgage may be more appealing for you to guarantee your monthly repayments for longer. If you looking to borrow at 75% loan-to-value, HSBC has a Best Buy deal priced at 4.39%, which carries a free valuation and charges a £3,999 product fee. 

If you want a loan with a lower upfront fee, then HSBC also has a Best Buy deal priced at 4.64% at 75% loan-to-value, which carries a free valuation and charges a £1,999 product fee.

If you are looking to borrow more, then Furness Building Society has a Best Buy five-year fixed buy-to-let deal priced at 5.39% at 80% loan-to-value for second-time buyers and remortgage customers. 

It charges a booking fee of £995 and includes an £250 cashback incentive. Remortgage customers will also receive a free valuation. This deal also happens to be the lowest rate on a five-year fixed deal at 80% loan-to-value.

By James Sillars , business reporter

A lack of strong corporate updates did for the FTSE 100 on Thursday.

A flat end to the day has been followed by a flat end to the week, with the index falling almost 0.1% to 8,433 in early deals on Friday.

Very little around for investors to ponder.

Developments this morning included pharmaceutical firm GSK saying it had raised £1.25bn from selling its entire remaining stake in Haleon.

The consumer healthcare firm was spun out of GSK almost two years ago.

One other announcement of note came from Sainsbury's.

It revealed a five-year strategic partnership with Microsoft that will see generative AI used to boost personalised shopping experiences for consumers, improve search functions and make staff working practices more efficient.

The financial terms were not disclosed. Its shares were 0.4% higher.

Away from the equity markets, it's worth taking a quick look at how oil is finishing the week.

Brent crude is trading above $83 a barrel on evidence of rising demand.

Prices at these levels should not have an impact at the fuel pumps but small recent declines in average costs could be reversed if the upwards oil price trend continues.

Greggs will open eight stores in the next few weeks, as the company continues its expansion plans 

The bakery said it would open a total of 180 new branches before the end of this year. 

We were told earlier this year that the famous sausage roll-seller would open new stores in London, Cambridge and Sale, but Greggs has now revealed where its next eight new branches will be. 

Here are the locations of the eight new sights, revealed by the bakery to The Sun:

• Saffron Walden, Market Place, England
• Bangor, Carnarfon Road, Wales
• Birmingham Prime Park, England
• Brierley Hill, Merryhill, England
• Consett Delves Lane Drive Thru, County Durham, England
• Edinburgh, 60-61 Seafield Road, Scotland
• Glasgow, Argyle St, Scotland
• Porth, U3C Geilligron IE, Wales

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