Tips for travelling overseas in peak season

Travelling overseas during the festive season can be stressful because it tends to be one of the busiest periods of the year when tourists travel to and from destinations all over the world.
Anthony Grant, CEO of FNB Foreign Exchange, says: “Travelling during year-end peak time can be quite expensive but if you plan ahead you can save on costs. Money is an important factor to take into consideration before you travel, it’s important to have a clear idea of how much the entire trip with will cost. The best way to do this is by creating a budget in relation to the currency of the country you will visiting, in this way you will have a good idea of the costs attached to the trip.”
“Peak season is a very busy time and we all worry about unexpected expenses, but with some forward planning, holidaying overseas is not only possible but can be cost effective and easy to achieve.”
Here are some tips for travelling overseas during peak period:
* Opt for package deals – Whether you are travelling as family or a group of friends, consider the possibility of travel packages that are inclusive of the flights, accommodation and car rental. The benefit of this option is that you pay a single price, which is often cheaper than paying for each item individually.
* Always leave early – Whether you are travelling to the airport or have activities planned, allocate an extra hour to your schedule to accommodate for delays. Airports and holiday destinations are typically crowded during peak season and to avoid spending time queuing, rather leave early. If for example, you plan to attend a music concert consider the option of buying tickets online instead of over the counter.
* Money management – Always inform your bank about your travelling plans, this is to ensure that, where required, you obtain the necessary authorisation to transact overseas with your bank cards. For seamless transacting while overseas you can apply for a Multi-Currency Cash PassportTM. The Cash Passport can be loaded with the following major currencies: US Dollar, British Pound, Australian Dollar and Euro and allows you to transact and make cash withdrawals while travelling.
* Travel Insurance – If you have an FNB credit card you automatically qualify for travel insurance, this will cover you in the event of an unfortunate incident such as a medical emergency, lost luggage or valuables. The risk of travelling without travel insurance is that should anything happen, you would need to cover the cost of the emergency from your own pocket in foreign currency.
“Travelling during peak season can be easy, you just need to know how to get around planning your trip to ensure you don’t spend more than you budgeted for. Happy and safe travels” adds Grant.