A HOLIDAYMAKER has saved hundreds on a trip to the states with a little-known Martin Lewis hack.
Financial guru Martin, who runs the Money Saving Expert website, appeared on ITV chat show This Morning explaining the travel tip to viewers – and one jet-setter has taken full advantage.
Martin has dubbed the hack “the re-book trick” – which is to cancel and then re-book a car hire or hotel if you spot it for a cheaper price than when you bought it.
For the trick to work, you’ll need to make sure you still have free cancellation – or crunch the numbers if the cancellation fee is low to make sure you’re coming out on top.
Prices for accommodation and car hire can be slashed closer to the date if there is less demand than expected.
In these cases, travellers would get a bulk payment back if they could cancel for free, then simply re-book at the lower price.
Martin told the show: “If you book a car hire or hotel, go and check whether the price is cheaper now than when you bought.
“If it is, and you’ve got free or cheap cancellation, re-book and cancel.
“The best example is Michael (who) emailed me having followed this tip.”
According to Martin, Michael wrote: “In January, I booked a two-week car rental in the USA, at a cost of $1024 (£807).
“In May, I checked and the same deal was now $575 (£453).
“I cancelled and re-booked at the lower price.”
Michael therefore saved £354 using the hack.
Martin explained that price drops in the lead-up to dates are common with hotels desperate to sell any rooms that remain unreserved.
He advises: “So keep checking regularly, and you may suddenly find where you’re going is available for a lot cheaper.
“So just book it again, and cancel the original booking where it’s more expensive.
Martin’s tip comes after a semi-retired couple revealed they’ve travelled the world with free accommodation.
Jane MacDonald, 65, and her husband John, 68, swap homes with other families instead of forking out thousands on hotels and Airbnbs.
The pair signed up to HomeExchange in 2023, allowing users to swap homes for free.
Jane and John have since stayed in 33 homes in the UK and overseas without spending a single penny.
Some of their destinations include: Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Valencia, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome and the Algarve.
Jane and John live in the Scottish Highlands, so garner plenty of interest in their home – making a swap more doable.
HomeExchange does charge £175 a year but in return, you can embark on an unlimited number of house exchanges.
