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WIN BIG THIS SUMMER

YulianK
SMARTY Community Manager SMARTY Community Manager
SMARTY Community Manager

SMR0157_Summer_Giveaway_Featured_Post_600x420px_Opt1@1x.png

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:

  • Fortnum & Mason picnic hampers x 5
  • Luxury three-piece luggage sets from Rock x 5
  • GoPro HERO 12 cameras x 5
  • Beats SOLO 4 wireless headphones x 5
  • Tile Pro 4 pack (to keep track of your luggage) x 5
  • Tile Pro 2 pack x 10

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:

  • What is your best hack for summer getaway?

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.

2,847 REPLIES 2,847

Douglas_1877691
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Make sure you have very distinctive luggage (customise it if need be!) - makes it easier to spot at the carousel.

PaulMit_2000684
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Relax chill repeat

AS_2185946
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Keep a bag of holiday things (sun cream, insect spray etc.) in a single bag ready to go for last minute holiday bookings

Craigbr_2362504
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Go litter picking, take the kids, do your bit and I guarantee you will find a fiver!

Shereen_1164737
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

research the public transport system, it’s cheaper then taxis!

GraemeH_2580260
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Last minute.com 

kimtoast
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

When packing ready to go on holiday put all of your clothes on your bed with all of your money. Take half the clothes and twice the money.

kimtoast
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

When packing ready to go away lay out all of your holiday clothes on your bed plus all of your spending money.  Take half the clothes and twice the money.

Rebecca_2720020
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Don’t over pack . Get a good beach bag so you don’t end up with ten bags taking the kids to the beach ! Research , plan , pack smart - then relax 🙂

ChrisTh_1395976
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

My top hack for a summer getaway would be to pack light. It is just a getaway after all, and you'll tend to sweat more during summer if you're carrying too much. Make your luggage as light and carefree as you want your time away to be. That's being Smarty!

Vivi_in_London
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Only pack essentials so you can go shopping on holidays! 

DawnWhi_2192682
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

split everyone in your families clothes amongst all bags/cases, that way if 1 bag/case gets lost you've all still got clothes to wear

AndyGro_2236325
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Attitude..better than any room or travel deal. Go with an open heart and mind. Turn down the lane that looks interesting or speak with someone you might ordinarily pass by. The memories you make from finding such opportunities will be with you forever. The savings deal you get will have been forgotten by the next trip. Bon voyage!

PaulMar_2804488
SMARTY Observer
SMARTY Observer

Use Google maps Offline Maps feature to download the area where you’re going.  It saves data usage, but more importantly it is a life saver when you don’t have a signal in some remote place … and it barely takes up any space on your phone, for 100MB you can cover quite a large area

KarenLa_2769070
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

When it comes to summer getaways, my best hack is to embrace the art of spontaneous mini-trips. Here's the lowdown:

  1. Pack Smart and Light: Create a go-to travel kit with essentials—think toiletries, a change of clothes, and a few snacks. This way, you're always ready for a quick escape without the hassle of overpacking.

  2. Use Deal Apps and Alerts: Sign up for apps like Hopper, Skyscanner, or Google Flights to catch those last-minute deals. You'd be amazed at the cheap fares you can snag on short notice.

  3. Explore Local Gems: Sometimes the best adventures are closer than you think. Look for hidden gems within a couple of hours’ drive from home. National parks, quaint towns, or secluded beaches can offer a refreshing change without the need for extensive planning.

  4. Flexible Dates and Destinations: Keep an open mind about where and when you go. Being flexible allows you to take advantage of unexpected deals and avoid the crowds.

  5. Off-Peak Travel: Traveling mid-week or during the shoulder seasons (just before or after peak times) can help you avoid the throngs and find better deals on accommodations and activities.

Madelein_508633
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

If you don’t have a smaller suitcase to travel lighter, buy one made 100% from recycled plastic bottles! I researched online, found one, and am now happy I can travel more easily, while not adding more crap to the planet.

EleanorK_558598
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Take a microfibre towel (I take a small and a large) great to take out in the day and to use on the beach for that impromptu dip.  Saves the weight of normal beach towel especially when going hand luggage only.

KarenLa_2769070
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

My top summer getaway hack: embrace spontaneous mini-trips. Here's how:

  1. Pack Light: Have a ready-to-go travel kit.
  2. Deal Apps: Use Hopper, Skyscanner, or Google Flights for last-minute deals.
  3. Local Gems: Explore nearby hidden treasures.
  4. Flexibility: Be open to various dates and destinations.
  5. Off-Peak Travel: Go mid-week or during shoulder seasons for better deals and fewer crowds.

DavidFra_570209
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Always remember the correct travel adaptor

claireb_2828207
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Research trips before you go, often a local tour operator is cheaper than the hotel excursions 

mozaker
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

When you are booking hotel, look for options with breakfast included. This way you will have to wake up early so you dont miss breakfast and you will be ready for a fun day with your first meal out of the way. 

Tanzeel_1696275
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

To relax and plan, make sure to have a list of places you want to see and then go to each website and look for admission details.

Tanzeel_1696275
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Make list of places you want to see and then go to each website and look for admission details.

Lourdes_2854932
SMARTY Observer
SMARTY Observer

Plan your trip off season and try to find hidden spots before they become trendy on instagram! 

CraigP
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Do some investigative work, and look at what other travellers have to say about hotels/ restaurants etc on sites such as TripAdvisor.  Look at reviews left going back 6-12 months, even focusing on those left around the same time of year to see if levels of service drop off in high season.

NancyRu_2770478
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Use google flights and go into the map to see where the cheapest flights are going to from your local airport and base your trip around that. I did this with a getaway to Milan and it made the holiday so much cheaper!!

Thom_811466
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Wear sun block because getting burnt is a sure fire way to ruin your holiday.

Barbara_2190428
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

My best hack is to stay hydrated: I keep a water bottle with me at all times. Staying hydrated is crucial, especially in hot weather.

Krystia_2135340
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer
my best hack this summer is to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle of the city without access to a phone

Dimitri_2634562
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

As a Greek living in London my best summer back is having summer holidays in Greece mid September. Prices are lower, island are less crowded and heat is a lot more tolerable, win-win-win

HelenWo_1616498
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Book with the smaller companies who can beat jet2 prices, saves you a couple of hundred pounds.

ColinJo_2763653
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

 Try to learn a little bit of the culture beforehand.

Funkbubble
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

If you are doing a lot of travelling - always pack wet-wipes. Perfect for a mini-wash and can help to freshen up when things start to get sticky.

SharonG_1264054
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Have a list so you don’t take unnecessary stuff 😁

TonyKer_2426160
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Actually go on holiday

NicolaR_1844147
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

spontaneity - make the most of every opportunity to get away.

AmyRobs_1684416
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Pack some essentials in hand luggage so if checked baggage goes missing you still have the things you need! 

AlMu_2541
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Grab yourself a current account with fee-free overseas transactions (eg basic Monzo) so that there’s no reluctance to spend on card - no need to change cash, game changer for us!

StevenL_1049888
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Book a holiday duration which isn’t 7,10 or 14 days

JohnHet_2027864
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Airport lounges can be great value for money if you need to eat at the airport and will be there longer than 3 hour