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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

Roo
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Don't tell the kids we're going.

They then sleep the night before as they're not excited and then get to guess where we're going at the airport.

markosb_1944067
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Don't get lost. Get Organic Maps app  and download area that you are to visit. It uses gps so you don't need an internet connection and uses less battery.  

HannahA_2262423
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Pack your car like you’re playing a game of Tetris that way you get more in 

IrisWin_2409919
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Q.What is your best hack for summer getaway?

A. Make sure you use every space in your suitcase or bag by filling shoes with socks or other items, wrap belts around the outside not in a coil, place small item in any gaps and keep a change of clothing near to the top in case you have to change quickly.

JoanneL_2238023
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Remember to check your package for mobile data roaming.

Roo
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Don't tell the kids we're going.

They then sleep the night before as they're not excited and then get to guess where we're going at the airport.

AnthonyW_693453
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Check local school holidays to avoid peak times if possible. 

TomHowa_1848745
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Book a week off outside of the summer holidays and just book a last minute deal near the time to save the most money!

JohnPost_970759
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

iPhone users: get a printed map from the tourist office. Then you won't have to use Apple Maps, the worst app in the history of apps.

Lollipop
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Take talc as great for getting sand off on the beach 😀 

AndrewM_2612928
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Research restaurants and nice places to visit. Plan and be organised 

Eleanor_1828051
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Pack very light so that you have plenty of space in your baggage for shopping. But essentials such as shampoo at a store in your destination country. If going to a country where you can’t drink the tap water, buy a filter water bottle to make sure you always have access to drinkable water and prevents plastic wastage. 

BrianDa_2149989
SMARTY Rookie
SMARTY Rookie

take photo of passports and make sure your phone has the necessary international coverage

JaneCar_1946327
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Book early only take carry on luggage 

NigelEley_97301
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Don't travel on a Friday

Richard_2341951
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Most people pack too much clothes, use a medium sized bag and be prepared to wash some clothes when abroad. Use a cabin sized bag, where possible, as this will allow you to leave leave the plane and avoid the queues at the baggage carousels.

OlgaZoi_2846886
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

When going on the beach ️ Take one frozen bottle of water and normal chilled water bottle. Frozen will be melting slowly through the day and you can add warm water to it ko keep it cool. 

Kaliato_1748621
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Leave work and worries at home and lock the door behind you.

RobertKn_202998
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Take your Kindle

Woottyuk1
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

When two of you going away put half your clothes in your case then half in your partners case then the partner does same then if loose one case at airport  you'll hat at least some clothes!

NickCla_1640595
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Sun and Sea

HannahBanana
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Compare prices! You can compare flight prices on Google, which can save you some money if you change your flight dates by even a couple days. Also look at different holiday websites to get a good deal! 

Riccard_2079106
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Select the ‘flexible date’ option when searching for flights to find the best deals.

Add the ‘Honey’ extension to your browser to uncover hidden discounts. 

JadeFai_2754857
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

My biggest hack is to really live in the moment. Really appreciate all the hours that go by, because this is what makes living that bit more beautiful. In a world of chaos and calamity, going away and truly enjoying each little moment, the sunsets and the sea breeze! My biggest hack is to have a mentality that this is what a holiday is all about and truly enjoying each moment! Eating the pasta, and eating some more!! Enjoying the cocktails and forgetting the calories! Having a smart(y) mindset, so that you have the bestest of times!!

SarahHa_1716586
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Make sure the kids have got plenty to keep them busy for the journey. A goody bag filled with fidget toys, puzzle books, colouring and snacks keeps them quiet and entertained.

PaulineR_382474
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer
  • Look for midweek flights

ColinJo_2763653
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Try to learn a bit about the culture.

Woottyuk1
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Enjoy your free holiday & relax! 

Bggrandmaster_1
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Don't fly British Airways

 

JaneTow_2858711
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Travel light and have fun 

SusanKn_2497627
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Essential suncream

Woottyuk1
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Enjoy your free holiday and relax with a cool drink 

JaneTow_2858711
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Travel light, download local apps for attractions to save money on deals and have fun

Michell_1425471
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Relax enjoy family time

ZoeBull_2769285
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Try something new whilst you’re there and take lots of photos. It’s lovely to look back and remember! 

RICHARD_2591648
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Read the hotel small print when choosing "All inclusive" it can mean different things in different hotels, most of Soains "All inclusive" is not as "All inclusive" as other countries, but it can also vary from hotel to hotel. Tui 4 and 5 star hotels are truly "All inclusive" even the mini fridge gets refilled with genuine soft drink brands and water. Tui also includes hold luggage and 10Kg carry on luggage, there are other travel companies that also offer similar. Remember  read the hotel and airlines small print. 

 

Bully
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Before leaving preserve your data by using WiFi and:

[1]. Download all your tickets in advance and save them in your Google Calendar. You will have the right ticket at the right time along with Google Map location details of your destination (airport, train station, etc),

[2]. Download 'offline maps' on Google Maps for the area you are visting. This will save using unnecessary data whilst abroad and avoids connectivity issues,

[3]. Language packs on Google Translate for all the countries you will be visiting for the same reasons as above,

[4]. Enjoy your holidays!

martinw_1872830
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Get a good travel insurance that will cover you in the countries you are visiting, especially important for the USA where medical costs are horrendous. Get a currency card like Revolut where you get  20+ currency accounts, get the best exchange rates and you decide when to transfer between them.

PaulTay_2859976
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Make sure you have data to avoid grief from the family

BryanMa_1391222
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

If you're visiting a museum or attraction, make sure it's open while you're there - many museums close on Mondays throughout Europe.