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.
22-08-2024 13:04 PM
This might sound old-fashioned but really just old-skool good sense: get a small zip-lock water-resist clear plastic pouch. Add sewing needles, cotton, spare buttons, hooks, mini scissors, & safety pins. Different sizes to hold up torn clothes. Little eyeglasses repair kit with screws. Plus, a range of sticky pads and strips, double-sided padded tape, Velcro patches, superglue and a little roll of fly catcher - the yukky kind that hangs from a ceiling. You can put in some clearly labelled packs of over-the-counter Aspirin, Ibuprofen, allergy pills & paracetamol but nothing that might need prescription. Keep prescription meds separate.
I made a kit like this for my daughter's gap-year travels. On her return home 7 months' later, everything had been used except two buttons!
22-08-2024 12:44 PM
Book lounge for the airport
22-08-2024 12:26 PM
To make your hold luggage a bit easier to find at the baggage carousel, tie something bright to your bags - I use a ribbon.
22-08-2024 12:23 PM
Roll your clothes like a pancake when packing into a backpack to prevent creases and save on space 🙂
21-08-2024 22:11 PM
Measure and weigh your suitcase using bathroom scales. Not doing so could cost you more than the price of your flight!
21-08-2024 20:53 PM
mobile phone, phone charger and bank card could help you a lot
21-08-2024 17:17 PM
Don’t put your home address on luggage, just a phone number prevents thieves finding it and knowing your house is empty.
21-08-2024 13:25 PM
Pack a power bank, these days everything is on our phones,a power bank will help minimise the chances of great inconvenience.
20-08-2024 12:11 PM
Going for a picnic with a Fortnum&Mason hamper after recording a downhill mountain bike route with my GoPro whilst listening to tunes wearing my Beats headphones.
15-08-2024 19:34 PM
Before travelling to a summer getaway take screenshots of maps and any useful information incase you can't access the internet at the location. It's also worth photographing and emailing yourself any important documents, bank card details, tickets and passport in the event of anything being lost or stolen. Nothing's better than peace of mind when travelling.
12-08-2024 22:49 PM
Using groupon to find restaurant deals
12-08-2024 20:18 PM
Planning and preparing is everything. Book early, check reviews and be sure to get out of the holiday hotspots to experience the true city or country.
11-08-2024 08:36 AM
We all know about airport security regulations that forbid liquids in bottles over 100 ml, but there's no rule that says you can't take on an empty bottle of any size. To avoid paying silly prices for bottled water, simply bring your own (unfilled) plastic bottle and fill it from a drinking water tap once you're airside.
09-08-2024 12:03 PM
Seen this on TV. Brill idea
08-08-2024 13:12 PM
Download your destination on google maps so that you can use it offline on your mobile.
07-08-2024 13:35 PM
It’s all in the research and planning! Plan your itinerary, including any stops, research your accommodation, places to visit and what to see, and work out the most suitable cafes/restaurants. Above all don’t try and do too much - take time to relax and enjoy!
06-08-2024 21:17 PM
My 'hack' would be to make sure you check your credit card has no conversion fees for use abroad and inform your CC company of your travel plan to avoid your card being blocked for unusual activity or alternatively use a foreign currency debit card or a prepaid card. Safe travels and enjoy.🌞
06-08-2024 18:55 PM
Do some research, pack light, relax and go with the flow plus don’t forget your travel sim with Smarty for easy cheap extra roaming if needed
06-08-2024 17:50 PM
Eat well . Enjoy with family
06-08-2024 17:21 PM
Don't forget to pack your SMARTY phone...😊
06-08-2024 17:16 PM
I take an extension cable so I only need one adapter to charge all our devices
06-08-2024 15:54 PM
My main tip for your Summer getaway is to pack your “10kg” cabin baggage allowance first and ensure you use all of it before packing your main case, don’t put anything in that you will need on the flight and check this into the hold, you don’t have to carry it onto the plane and the airlines are happy for you to do this. You can then take on a handbag (or a man bag) with your medication/electronics etc that you need with you.
06-08-2024 13:06 PM
Pack less!!!
You don’t need half the stuff you take with you!
06-08-2024 12:06 PM
Ignore star ratings for hotels unless you're planning on making it a feature of your holiday. Do pay attention to reviews regarding cleanliness and friendliness. Otherwise, spend your money where it counts: food, fun and entertainment.
06-08-2024 11:04 AM
Go easy on taking toiletries, you can buy most things at your destination. Save space!
06-08-2024 09:00 AM
For a smooth summer getaway, book flights and accommodations early or take advantage of last-minute deals. Travel midweek to avoid crowds and save money. Use travel apps for the best deals, pack light with versatile clothing, and explore local food and off-the-beaten-path attractions. Stay flexible with your itinerary, budget wisely, use public transport
06-08-2024 08:02 AM
Book a bed and breakfast, take a Tupperware box to fill for beach snacks that keep you going until dinner ! It’s like buy one get one free on meals ! Your welcome
06-08-2024 07:42 AM
my best hack for summer getaway is brining 100% good vibes along with someone fun and of course the most essential items 🕺🏻#yolo
05-08-2024 21:28 PM
Pack smart(y) and travel light
05-08-2024 19:20 PM
Be on the lookout for promotions and opportunities.
05-08-2024 18:59 PM
Always book seats close to the front to avoid long passport queues. Rows 1 to 6 after business class. Worth paying to avoid staying.
05-08-2024 18:52 PM
Smarty
05-08-2024 16:53 PM
Travel as light as possible.
05-08-2024 16:49 PM
Always research the area where your planning to go. Trip advisor is a must. Recent reputable reviews might mean you make the perfect choice!
05-08-2024 16:14 PM
In the UK always have a light weight packaman. Going abroad drink plenty of water
05-08-2024 15:45 PM
I take all my UK appliances and a UK extension cube. This cuts down on the amount if travel adaptors we need to take and saves so much room.
05-08-2024 14:06 PM
Enjoy your free holiday & relax
05-08-2024 13:49 PM
Make yourself a 'Travel List' in the notes section of your phone of all items required for trips away. You can also add documents such as pics of your passports and boarding passes so they're all in one place. This means you have a reusable list you can use for this trip and ALL future trips away and refer to it when packing up to come back home again too so nothing is ever forgotten or left behind. I have even taken to adding a new section to my list: 'Things to do Before Leaving' - things like 'take bin out', 'empty fridge' and 'check garage door locked'. This way if you're a busy person with a lot to juggle you have a dependable list to refer to each time and it removes any pre-holiday worry that you have forgotten to do or pack something.
05-08-2024 13:20 PM
Pack your suitcase or bag by using all the spaces in the corners , put socks or other small items inside shoes, belts around the outside rather than a coil and keep a change of clothing at the top in case.
05-08-2024 12:23 PM
Pack light and research destination before you book