22-07-2024 01:38 AM - edited 02-09-2024 12:20 PM
WIN BIG THIS SUMMER
From a posh picnic to a grand getaway!
Would jetting off with a friend to Europe for a fabulous 4* city break complete your summer?
Well, it’s one of the BIG prizes up for grabs in our huge summer giveaway – win 3 nights in a 4* hotel for two with return flights, private airport transfers, travel insurance and £200 spending money. And when it comes to choosing the destination, you’re the boss. Take your pick of return flights from selected UK airports to either Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, Paris, Prague, Rome or Stockholm. The prize is worth over £2,500!
That’s not all, there’s loads of these great prizes up for grabs too:
HOW CAN I WIN BIG?
It’s so easy. Just answer this question to be entered into the prize draw for your chance to bag our grand getaway or one of our other super prizes:
The Prize Draw opens 22/07/24 at 10:00 and closes on 01/09/24 at 11:59 (“Promotion Period”).
To enter the Prize Draw entrants must be a SMARTY customer and have an active plan as at the end date of the Promotion Period. Entrants must have registered for the SMARTY Community within the Promotion Period and be over 18 years of age and a UK resident (“Eligible Entrants”).
Only one entry per entrant. Winners will be selected at random.
For full terms click here.
Team SMARTY
UPDATE - COMPETITION CLOSED
The competition is now closed and we will draw the winner from all the eligible entries. Keep your fingers crossed and an eye on your Private Message inbox.
Thanks to everyone who contributed some brilliant entries. We had almost three thousand posts !
Keep up the great work everyone; the SMARTY Community belongs to us all and succeeds because of your great contributions.
04-08-2024 17:47 PM
Google earth
04-08-2024 17:46 PM
Read travel reviews in the Telegraph, then book directly with the hotel.
04-08-2024 17:42 PM
Mentally rehearse your daily routine, making a list if everything you need to pack. Repeat this a few times to see what you've missed!
04-08-2024 17:41 PM
Organise your tech. Make sure you’ve got all the cables, chargers and adapters you need.
04-08-2024 17:40 PM
Use smarty for EU roaming
04-08-2024 17:39 PM
Using smarty for EU roaming!
04-08-2024 17:39 PM
Lots of pants and socks
04-08-2024 17:37 PM
Clean your house and make sure all loose ends are tied up at home and at work so you can fully relax and enjoy your break and not dread coming home!
04-08-2024 17:38 PM
Grab the cheapest flights you can find - every one is an opportunity to go somewhere new. Pack light - save your luggage fees for spending on holiday. Research your destination and book tours/activities/museums online in advance as it is usually cheaper than on the day. Tah dah - a budget way to see the world!
04-08-2024 17:36 PM
Use Travel Apps: Apps like Hopper, Skyscanner, and HotelTonight can help you find the best deals on flights and accommodations.
04-08-2024 17:37 PM
Don’t be picky with your destination and work with flexible dates. You can bag a steal by being savvy with flights and last minute deals!
04-08-2024 17:33 PM
Pack early to avoid last minute stress
04-08-2024 17:35 PM
If flying with a low cost airline with only a small bag wear as much clothing as possible when you check in at the airport!
04-08-2024 17:36 PM
Pack some snack bars in your case especially if you are travelling with children then if your arrive late at night you have something quickly to hand.
And roll clothes to fit more in.
04-08-2024 17:35 PM
Chill relax & enjoy your trip even if delays & minor problems, be happy 😃
04-08-2024 17:33 PM
Learn basic phrases in the local language, locals will be kinder and it will make the trip less stressful and a lot easier
04-08-2024 17:31 PM
Plan mid day trips to get cheaper flights and hotel prices!
04-08-2024 17:29 PM
Using my Remarkable to store books and write my notes without having to carry bulky books!
04-08-2024 17:29 PM
Take your phone to keep in touch without a roaming charge when holidaying in Europe
04-08-2024 17:26 PM
Always keep your phone charging lead, plug and local power adapter with you and not in checked baggage incase of long delays at the airport.
04-08-2024 17:23 PM
Plan activities before you travel, but don't over schedule; you need time to chill out and recharge too!
04-08-2024 17:22 PM
Travel at night
04-08-2024 17:21 PM
My best summer hack is, whenever travelling overseas, create a WhatsApp group just for that trip and add copies of all your essential documents there, e.g passport details, flight and accommodation confirmations, travel insurance details including their emergency contact numbers, emergency contact numbers for your regular phone, house and other insurance, etc. So long as one of your group has a phone or can access one, you won't be caught 'document short'.
04-08-2024 17:19 PM
Being able to escape the English winter weather
04-08-2024 17:18 PM
Book your own flights and accommodation 3 months in advance.
04-08-2024 17:19 PM
Be confident and politely ask for upgrades at the flight desk/checkin, at your hotel and if you hire a car. Most people find it a little awkward but nothing ventured nothing gained.
Quite often you’ll get upgrade offers on your flights a couple of days before departure, keep an eye on your email as the offers tend to cost a lot less than if you booked premium at the outset, be quick as its first come first served.
finally, get Revolut - not only do you get interbank rates, you also get lots of benefits such as good travel insurance, access to lounges at almost all airports and if you book your hotel through the app you receive cash back to your account.
04-08-2024 17:16 PM
Hi There Team Smarty,
My travel hack is that when checking in luggage to the hold, always split up you clothes and toiletries equally between the suitcases you are traveling with. That way if any one suitcase goes missing you will all still have some clothes you are able to ware until your suitcase is found and returned. We learned this the hard way when on a trip to Italy one suit case from the group never arrived and I was left with no clothes other than what I had travelled in until my suit case was returned.
Thanks
Gary Henley
07378 317206
henleygary020@gmail.com
04-08-2024 17:17 PM
Pack 1 adapter plug, and an extension lead from home to have 4 plugs for the cost of one, and save weight and space in your luggage!
04-08-2024 17:17 PM
Without a doubt you gotta wear lots of clothes to save on baggage weight !! 😜👌
04-08-2024 17:16 PM
Sunscreen x
04-08-2024 17:16 PM
Do your own homework/research and don’t just rely on what an agent, brochure or holiday website tells you 🤓
04-08-2024 17:16 PM
Hack your way to a stress-free summer holiday like a Smarty: use a phone camera to snap photos of your passport and all important documents, so they’re always backed up.
04-08-2024 17:11 PM
Pack every clothes in vacuum bags for more space in luggage.
04-08-2024 17:12 PM
Cheap flight alerts & house swapping with friends
04-08-2024 17:11 PM
use duolingo to learn some of the local lingo!
04-08-2024 17:10 PM
Plan and book everything in advance, so you don't risk missing anything out!
04-08-2024 17:06 PM - edited 04-08-2024 17:31 PM
Always politely ask for upgrades - Flights, Hotels, Car Hire - most people feel awkward asking, what’s the worst that can happen. You’ll be surprised and happy when they are able to give you that upgrade….nothing venture nothing gained
Secondly, if you book a flight say economy you’ll quite often be offered an upgrade a few days before at very reasonable costs, much cheaper than if you book higher class at the outset, keep an eye on your email as it’ll be “first come first served”
Revolut is a must… check the side benefits such as free travel insurance, lounge access at most airports and if you book your hotel through your account you get instant cashback
04-08-2024 17:09 PM
Enjoy it! Don’t stress and have fun!
04-08-2024 17:06 PM
Boost your immune system before you leave with lots of water, sleep and vitamins to help protect you from illness.
04-08-2024 17:04 PM
If you are self catering in hot climes then freeze a bottle of water the night before so you have ice cold water as it defrosts during the day with the added advantage of keeping a packed lunch cool