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How to use your phone to save big on your next holiday!

How to use your phone to save big on your next holiday!
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  • New
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  • 2 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Favourite holiday wasn’t to any fancy remote location. It was simply a family holiday “resort” park, less than a couple of hours drive from home, but it was our first family holiday with our 2 year old. We didn’t know what she would make of being somewhere completely different for a week but she loved it, went swimming for the first time and had many other “firsts”.


  • Active Contributor
  • 7 replies
  • June 3, 2025

With pre-conceived ideas we visited southern Iran in 2015. We found Shiraz and its people to be the friendliest in the world and Persepolis has magnificent sights. 

A tragedy that religion and world politics separate real people.

 


Sandra Smith
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  • New
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  • 4 replies
  • June 3, 2025

My favourite holiday was a trip to the Maldives after celebrating my daughter’s wedding in Sri Lanka which was lovely, but the week in the Maldives after a hectic week before was wonderful.  I travelled with 5 members of the family and we had a wonderful relaxing time with wonderful food. We snorkelled off the beautiful white beaches, canoed around the atoll, watched the sunsets and sunrises such lovely memories of that holiday. 


Marie Whyley
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  • 2 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Love my holidays in palma Nova so many memories there with my mum and dad there. I remember losing my ray bans there on the boat cruise 🤣🤣 my dad wanted to dive in and get them at 75 I said no 🤣🤣


  • New
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  • 4 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Thailand 

 


  • Active Contributor
  • 9 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Las Vegas 🤑


  • New
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  • 1 reply
  • June 3, 2025

Amsterdam 2020!😎


  • New
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  • 1 reply
  • June 3, 2025

Tanzania - the most incredible seeing the big 5 in the Serengeti and Ngorogoro and then Zanzibar - the most amazing history, culture, spices and beaches! Absolute heaven


  • New
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  • 2 replies
  • June 3, 2025

My favourite holiday has to be the camping trips in Wales we had every year as kids with my grandma and grandad. Wild swimming and being out in nature! (Will happily forget the trips to the loo in the rain in the middle of the night though ha) 


  • New
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  • 1 reply
  • June 3, 2025

Lisbon for a week. Beautiful city, plenty of places to go to. 


Brian Tierney
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  • New
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  • 2 replies
  • June 3, 2025

our best holiday was 2 nweeks spent in Pataya in Thailand. Did all the sichts with a private tour guide


  • Active Contributor
  • 11 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Visiting Istanbul. Loved the cats all around the city!


daveyboy
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  • Active Contributor
  • 27 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Once in a lifetime trip to California with our two boys who were 10 and 8 at the time - Disney, beaches, San Fran and family catch-up. Still watch the souvenir (camcorder!) video 12 years later happy days!


  • New
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  • 2 replies
  • June 3, 2025

This year I went to Santorini for my anniversary and birthday. What a stunning location! Beautiful, iconic and sublime.

 


  • Active Contributor
  • 11 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Our trip of a lifetime was out of the UK travelling to Naw Zealand - Australia - New Zealand. This began when we both suffered mental breakdowns through work bullying, resulting in premature retirement on health grounds. We really needed to get away from it all. We travelled to Auckland, stated a couple of weeks there, then toured the whole of the North Island for two months. At Christmas, we travelled to South Australia to spend time with family. From there, we flew back to Auckland, to the boat to the South Island, before returning home after six months away. We stayed in nothing but Youth Hostels, met some lovely people and saw some spectacular sights. We highly recommend visiting this part of the world if you get the chance. If it had been a bit nearer to home we would have probably stayed 😊😊. 


  • New
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  • 1 reply
  • June 3, 2025

riding through the desert in Morocco on horseback - amazing


Ni Mo-Bo
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  • New
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  • 1 reply
  • June 3, 2025

My favourite holiday has been the 1 I've just returned from. We went to Spain to visit family and brought our 10 month old daughter. Her first flight.

When travelling with a baby there's so many different worries. Packing enough clothes, car seat, travel pram, enough nappies, applying sun cream....

What we didn't need to worry about was roaming and data as my wife and I are both with iD. As soon as we arrived at the airport out networks switched to roaming seamlessly. Better than any other network I've been with. Thank you. 

 


  • New
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  • 1 reply
  • June 3, 2025

Every year Sennen Cove Cornwall, great beach, spend time with family, de-stress!


Valerie Wright
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My favourite holiday was for my 60th birthday was when my husband and I went to Gillhams fishing resort Thailand.

Whst a absolutely stunning and wonderfull  holiday  fishing all day, breakfast and lunch brought  to the peg.

Then a wonderfull evening meal.

Wish we go back whst memories 

 


  • New
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  • 3 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Favourite benidorm 1990!


  • New
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  • 1 reply
  • June 3, 2025

We were lucky enough to go on a Caribbean Cruise late 2024. I travelled with my husband and my 2 grown up daughters. We were able to feed sting ray in Antigua, swam with the Turtles in Barbados, river rafting in Dominica, drank Pina Coladas where they were first made in San Juan and flew down a death slide in Saint Martin. A truly amazing holiday none of us will ever forget 


Lou J Vincent
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I pretty much like everywhere but my most recent trip to Mexico was amazing! I travelled solo all over the Yucatan Peninsula, seeing fabulous beaches, Mayan ruins, cenotes, and Chichen Itza (one of the new 7 wonders of the World). Food was awesome, margaritas even better and the people were wonderfully friendly.

Will definitely be back but there are just so many places to explore!


Mel Berycz
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  • Active Contributor
  • 8 replies
  • June 3, 2025

Travelling around Australia and New Zealand for 11 weeks. No phones. Limited internet. 
Enjoying the fantastic views, living in the moment and meeting new people. 
Would live in NZ.


  • New
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  • 4 replies
  • June 3, 2025
Matthew T wrote:

Holidays are exciting, but they can get expensive fast. From flights and accommodation to meals and activities, the costs can add up quickly. Luckily, your phone can be your number one ally in keeping your budget in check. 

Whether you're planning your trip or already on the go, smart mobile use can lead to real savings. This guide shows you how to make your phone work harder for your wallet.

Plus, we’re giving away a pair of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses—read on to find out how to enter!

 

Before you travel:

 

 

  1. Booking smart with apps.

One of the biggest expenses of any trip is getting there and finding a place to stay. Apps like Skyscanner are your best friends when it comes to comparing travel prices. Set up alerts for your desired destinations to catch the best deals as soon as they drop. And don't forget to check mobile-only deals on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Hotels.com. Booking in advance and using flexible date tools can also help you secure the best prices, so start planning early!

 

 

  1. Budgeting & planning tools.

Creating a trip budget is crucial to avoid overspending. Apps like TravelSpend make it easy to set and stick to your budget. Just input your expected expenses, and the app will help you track them in real time. It’ll even work offline, so there’s no need to worry about keeping track of your costs when you’re on a remote tropical island! 

Another smart move is to pack wisely. Use mobile checklists to ensure you have everything you need, preventing those pricey last-minute buys at the airport or your destination.

 

 

  1. Travel rewards & cashback.

Loyalty and rewards programmes can be a goldmine for savings. Sign up for these through airline, hotel and credit card apps to start earning points and miles. Apps like Rakuten and TopCashback can also help you save money when booking. By stacking loyalty points and discount codes, you can maximise your savings and even get some of your expenses covered.

iD Mobile customers can also enjoy exclusive travel deals through iD Perks, available in the iD Mobile app. Plus, there are plenty of other deals across shopping, dining, and entertainment. And the best part? It’s absolutely free for all iD Mobile customers.

 

While you’re on holiday:

 

 

  1. Fee-free mobile banking.

Once you're abroad, managing your money can be a hassle, especially with foreign transaction fees. Banks like Monzo and Starling offer fee-free spending in many countries, which can save you a lot of money. Plus, you get instant notifications for every purchase, allowing you to track your spending in real time. If you lose your card, you can freeze it right from the app. So, there’s no need to spoil your holiday on hold with your bank.

 

 

  1. Local deals & attractions.

Finding affordable options for food and activities is key to sticking to your budget. Google Maps and TripAdvisor are invaluable for this. You can find highly rated, budget-friendly restaurants and attractions with just a few taps. Checking ratings and reviews on the go can help you avoid tourist traps and discover hidden gems that won't break the bank. Restaurant apps like TheFork also make it easy to secure bookings at even top restaurants. Plus, they have discounts and rewards that you can earn while you eat out. Tasty!

 

 

  1. Save on roaming with iD Mobile.

Staying connected while on holiday can be an eyewatering expense, especially when you’re hit with unexpected roaming costs. 

Fortunately, iD Mobile’s Roam Free service lets you use your UK allowances in over 50 destinations at no extra cost. And if you’re heading somewhere further afield, you can purchase a Roam Beyond Add-on in the iD Mobile app, which offers affordable usage in an expanded list of countries.

We’ve just added five new destinations to Roam Beyond: Albania, Canada, Egypt, Qatar, and Thailand. You can now roam affordably in a total of 15 countries beyond Europe:

Albania, Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Qatar, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, and the USA.

This way, you can stay connected without worrying about hefty roaming charges. With smart use of your phone, you can cut costs before you even take off and continue saving throughout your trip. Mobile tools, budgeting apps and iD Mobile’s roaming options make managing your money on holiday easier than ever. Prep your phone and your plan, then relax, knowing your budget is under control. Happy travels!

 

Giveaway time!

 

Got a favourite holiday that you always think back to? Maybe it was a relaxing beach escape, a wild city break, or a spontaneous road trip that turned into the adventure of a lifetime?

Tell us about your favourite holiday in the comments below for a chance to win a pair of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses—perfect for capturing your next trip in style.

The winner will be picked at random, so keep an eye on your inbox or DMs for a message from us. But hurry—the competition closes on 16th June at 23:59!

Perth Australia visiting Rottnest Island and The Pinnacles. 


Andrew Travis
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  • New
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  • 2 replies
  • June 3, 2025

We’re fans of Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos. Love going there before Christmas for a bit of sun and relaxation when its dark and miserably cold back at home in the UK.