MARTIN LEWIS URGES PEOPLE WITH A HOTEL BOOKED IN JUNE, JULY, AUGUST TO 'CANCEL IT'

Martin Lewis has issued a warning to holiday goers - saying you could "slice your costs" if you've booked a hotel. The BBC Sounds podcast host spoke out on Twitter, now X, on the ITV The Martin Lewis Money Show, which aired from Tuesday at 8pm.

"Booked a hotel or car hire? A quick trick to try that could slice your costs. Courtesy of @itvMLshow," Mr Lewis said. He said: "Is your hotel or car hire cheaper now than when you booked? If so, and you've got free cancellation, well, so keep checking the prices.

"And if you suddenly find it cheaper, well rebook, and then cancel. I sent you a success of this. You did send me success. A reader wrote into Money Saving Expert saying: "In January 2024, I booked a two week car rental in the US for $1,024.

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"After checking comparison sites in May, I checked back, and the same car was available. I cancelled the first booking, had my deposit refunded, and rebooked at a lower price. The lesson here is that booking early does not always guarantee the best price."

Martin said: "The lesson is here - get free cancellation." Jim Rowley, a Twitter/X, said: "We booked with http://stayforlong.com and on our last day the hotel informed me they had not been paid. I had to pay again and couldn’t get through to stay for long.

"They have now informed me that they will not be reimbursing me as they do not accept my receipts?" Another said: "Dangerous advice. Suppliers are not stupid. Algorithms will pick this behaviour up." And another said: "Heres a better tip tell the government to tell the bank of england to lower rates NOW."

"RIU Hotels had their Black Friday discount special and I'd already booked - so called them up and they matched the price! Great service. Saved us over £300," another wrote on social media.

2024-06-13T15:57:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd