New Post Office® Research set to make Last Minute Trips Abroad even more enticing

As if the perpetual rain isn’t enough, Post Office® research published last month has given UK holidaymakers another reason to consider travelling abroad last minute this summer. Alongside the growing strength of pound sterling against the euro, the report found that the cost of car rental, holiday resorts and fuel on the continent is making a trip overseas just that bit more tempting.

Post Office® examined car hire costs in 20 countries with the USA showing some of the highest prices – especially for unleaded vehicles. By comparison, Portugal has seen a 21 percent year-on-year drop and now boasts the best value for hire cars, with Greece and Sweden close behind.

This means that at around £101, Portugal’s overall average unleaded motoring cost is just 38 percent of the amount in France – which averages £264.10.

The cheapest place for unleaded petrol is Switzerland at just 91p per litre. Yet, Austria and Spain are better value overall due to the cheap price of diesel in each. In Austria the average price of diesel is just 83p per litre – and Spain isn’t far behind.

By comparison, the UK proved to be the only country where diesel costs more than petrol, even though fuel has dropped by 19 percent over the last year.

If this is seen as a positive point for ‘staycationers’, Sarah Munro, holiday and travel insurance specialist at Post Office® reminds holidaymakers of other abroad bonuses. "This year’s report shows more evidence of price cutting activity to boost tourism in popular European summer holiday resorts. The huge drop in car hire costs in both Portugal and Greece is great news for UK tourists and is another factor that should be taken into consideration when choosing a holiday this year.”

However, Munro also offered some advice for holidaymakers considering driving abroad, she said: "While motoring tourists can make great savings by choosing destinations with lower fuel or car hire prices, they should remember to buy their travel money in advance of their trip. By no means all petrol stations accept credit card payment and so it is wise to carry foreign currency purchased in the UK where the exchange rates are likely to be lower than at an ATM overseas."

A travel money card is great!

Since the birth of the travel money card and its increased availability as another method to pay for items when abroad, the global economic crisis has plunged sterling into a state of impressive weakness and the travel industry into uncertainty as to whether any UK holidaymakers will even bother going abroad this summer. So could the travel money card be the saving grace for those who want to hit the Eurozone this August?

April saw a trend amongst banks that quickly became reported in the national press. Amongst others, both The Northern Echo and The Independent outlined the introduction of bank charges on credit cards used abroad - ranging from 0.81 to 2.99 percent of the transaction value from names such as Nationwide and Thomas Cook Financial. The moves were seen as a direct response to the tumultuous economic climate and the ongoing need to make a profit wherever possible.

Travel money cards are increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to credit cards because of a number of reasons. Unlike standard credit and debit cards, travel money cards do not incur charges when used (provided your card is allocated to the correct country, region, continent), yet are still allowed in the same shops and outlets that any Visa and Mastercard would be used.

However, for all their similarities, there are some differences also: travel money cards are not connected to your bank account but are instead charged (or topped up) via bank transfer online, SMS or over the phone - in much the same way as a pay-as-you-go mobile phone.

This top-up method is not only convenient, but is also becoming noted for its added security. Losing a credit card abroad is a massive hassle because if it gets into the wrong hands, your entire bank account is available - however, a travel money card ensures that the rest of your savings are not at risk whilst you are on holiday. Additionally, if your card is stolen and reported promptly any money will be instantly transferred back to your account.

As it becomes increasingly expensive to spend money abroad, and whilst sterling remains at a low compared to the euro and dollar, the convenience and safety of travel money cards seem set to entice holiday spenders into a new age - and one that ensures your pennies go further.

Buy travel insurance, travel money and check foreign exchange rates at Post Office®

Travel Money Tips for summer 2009

At the Airport, on the High Street, or Online? Where to get your foreign currency. As you probably know and are tired of hearing, the pound and the euro are at near parity with each other – a fact that is all the more distressing when we remember that one pound was worth about €1.25 just a year ago.

Subsequently, those of us lucky enough to have the savings for a holiday this Easter will no doubt be most inclined to search around for the best deal on their foreign currency. So what are the pros and cons of buying at the airport, on the high street, or online?

At the Airport:
As a general rule, leaving the purchase of your foreign currency until you reach the airport is not considered good practice if you are hoping to find the best deal.

In a recent article at telegraph.co.uk (3rd April), it is highlighted that the reason for the extra charges incurred when purchasing your travel money at the airport is due to a number of factors: such as the cost of rent, the cost of employing staff, and the price of having money in stock.

Logically then, these costs are likely to be much higher within the competitive and 24-hour bustling environment of an airport – and this is reflected in the price. So, whilst airports might be very convenient, if you’re eager to save on you foreign currency it is certainly best to buy before you get there.

On the High Street:
Alternatively, heading into town and purchasing your foreign currency on the high street can be much better for your pocket – leaving you with more to spend once you reach your destination.

The possible benefits of not having to pay as much for property rental, and not having to employ staff around the clock, no doubt contribute to the cheaper costs on the high street.

You might also expect travel money that is available on the high street would be subject to similar forces that affect other products there – and subsequently driving the costs down. However, this isn’t strictly the case – or at least it isn’t advertised as such. Yet, one of the strongest benefits of buying you foreign currency face to face is that you are usually given the opportunity to negotiate a better price if you can prove that there are cheaper deals to be had elsewhere.

Online:
All the costs associated with shop rental, staff employment, and looking after money are instantly reflected in online prices, and so it makes sense that purchasing your travel money via the internet and checking foreign exchange online can get you the best deals.

Those who consider doing so should not be deterred by worries of not receiving your money in time, as some companies allow you to buy your currency online as late as midnight the day before you fly, then you simply pick it up at the airport before you board you plane. Similarly to the high street, more online vendors are allowing negotiations of a better price if you can prove better deals available elsewhere.

Why Thailand is No. 1 Destination for 2009

We are just halfway into January and already many travel and tour operators are proposing which destinations will be the most popular this summer. In a recent statement, Post Office suggested that Thailand will be the best value for British visitors and their travel money due to foreign exchange rates and Sterling’s continuing strength against the Thai baht and incentive-led discounts to tempt tourists back to Phuket and Hua Hin. So what do these destinations have to offer?

Phuket

Phuket

The island of Phuket is just off the west coast of Thailand whilst Phuket city is located in the south eastern corner. The island is 20 kilometres across and 50 kilometres north to south, and since the Asian Tsunami of 2004 has undergone near complete restoration. Moving into 2009, Phuket is reminding tourists of its many enduring qualities. Its beaches, such as Patong and Bang Tao are two prime examples: the former a popular two kilometre swimming beach, and the latter, a huge – far quieter – bay.

Bang Tao

Away from the beaches and the golf courses of the coast are the equally scenic and arguably more culturally interesting places to visit. The pagodas and statues at the temples at Wat Chalong are inspirational in their design and grandeur, and open for visitors everyday. Thai national parks charge 200 baht for adults, but they are also worth the visit. The Khao Phra Thaeo National Park offer tropical rainforest treks and impressive waterfalls.

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is located on the opposite coast 200 kilometres south of Bangkok. Known as Thailand’s Royal Beach Resort, Hua Hin has been established as a popular resort for over 70 years and consequently has not suffered from such high-speed development. Famous for its old world charm, Hua Hin is also surrounded by national parks and other attractions. The Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach were supposedly built in honour of the fate of a legendary fisherman and his tragic daughter whom he tore to pieces and threw into the sea because she was lusted after by so many men.

Hua Hin Temple

Hua Hin town itself includes a glorious three kilometre long beach upon which a Buddhist temple is built into its cliffs. The beach is popular with fisherman, as well as those who want to partake in such modern activities as kite-boarding. There is also a nightly street market where visitors can sample traditional Thai wares such as kommaphat, and at night there are many bars aimed at the custom of tourists and holidaymakers.

Check foreign exchange rates and order your foreign currency and travel money at competitive rates from Post Office®.

For more cool travel tips visit travelphant.com

Post Office® Foreign Exchange and Travel Insurance popular as ever

The Post Office� has been named Britain's Best Foreign Exchange Company at the 2008 British Travel Awards - for the second year in a row.

The UK's largest bureau de change provider beat off competition from several major competitors to secure a third* of all votes in the category.

The Post Office� was also voted Best Travel Insurance Company for the third year in a row.

The British Travel Awards is the largest of its kind in the UK. This year more than 90,000 votes were cast by consumers and industry professionals across a range of categories.

Helen Warburton, Post Office� head of travel services, said: "It's an honour to be chosen as the people's favourite travel money provider and travel insurer again this year. We have the largest bureau de change network in the UK handling 14 million transactions annually and issue over one million travel policies every year. We continually review our services to ensure they meet customer needs."

Lorraine Barnes Burton, CEO, said: "The British Travel Awards are highly regarded within the industry and the Post Office� has once again proven that it is a leader amongst travel insurance and foreign exchange providers."

The Post Office� is the largest bureau de change provider in the UK, offering over 72 different currencies with 0% commission on all foreign currency and travellers' cheques. The Post Office� pre-paid Travel Money Card offers customers a secure and convenient way to carry their holiday money.

The Post Office� Credit Card charges 0% commission for all purchases made overseas and also offers customers the flexibility to pay for two large purchases at any time at a discounted fixed rate - ideal for splashing out on holiday!

Customers can buy currency over the counter at over 8,000 Post Office� branches nationwide. The full range of currencies is available on demand at 1600 branches, euros and US dollars are available on demand at more than 2,500 branches and 3,800 branches sell euros over the counter. Customers can pre-order currency for next day collection at any Post Office� branch in the UK.

To find your nearest Post Office� bureau de change branch call 08457 223344 or visit postoffice.co.uk