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

When I was young... I was forced to join the scouts to get me out of the little village I lived in and expand my group of friends which did help when I moved into high school.

We were taken away to a disused/abandoned Victorian train station with proper American style camping huts which held around 20 people each and around 6 private-ish huts which held up to 4 people and the original train station building was used as the kitchen, meeting place and only place with a TV, well, I say TV, it was a CRT 14" TV with poor reception so it was never on.

The place was allegedly haunted and the underground access was heavily bolted up, however, with us being young, we found a way in near some abandoned houses which were creepy as heck and falling apart and clearly a health and safety violation of the highest order if it was used today.

Near by was a lake for canoeing, swimming, and an old broken bridge where you could abseil or free abseiling if you felt daring.

One night after the camp fire and hot chocolate, we decided to play a prank on the others, I (being young and foolish) brought along some scare Halloween masks, three of us put them on just after midnight, snuck up to the other lodge and kicked in the door and screamed bloody murder and scared the heck out of everyone, several so scared ran out the back door and feeling brave decided to do the same to the second cabin before retreating and hiding in our own cabin to hide and place innocent, only to realise it was a little too obvious that we were the only ones giggling and not reporting hearing anything!!!

The leaders, who saw the funny side, still had to confiscate the masks due to several of the others suffering from severe PTSD and may even today still suffer from nightmares, who knows, well I am sure they are fine now... maybe...

Two weeks of adventure, group building, making friends, learning weird and useless tasks I will probably never use and off course scaring others for life... sorry if any of you read this.

Despite being young, the things we got away with and got to try which kids today would never get to experience was worth the blistering cold nights and borderline hypothermia and serious health and safety breaches.

It would have to be my first family holiday to Presthaven, Wales with my wife and little girl back in 2022, seeing my little girl experience lots of new firsts and the weather and  scenery was breathtaking! Now we always try to visit Wales once a year!

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!

 

 

2. 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.

 

 

3. 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.

 

 

2. 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!

 

 

3. 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!

My favorite holiday waa visiting Thailand to see friends and family. Such a beautiful place with amazing Temples and lush greenery. 

My favourite holiday memory is all the wonderful trips we have taken with our two children, particularly to Disney World.  When we first took them as toddlers the look of wonder in their faces is a fantastic memory.  They loved meeting characters and sharing hugs with them - all captured on photo and now displayed as a memory mosaic photo display in our home - all our holiday memories in one place to be viewed every time we enter our kitchen.

My ideal holiday for 2025 is a mix of sun, adventure and relaxation. Taking in Ibiza for the sun and superclubs for the music, quads for a drive into the hill country and beaches to explore and time by the pool or the pristine sandy beaches to enjoy the ever present sunshine. Then a visit to Tunisia for the ancient ruins of Carthage to see the City State that took on the Romans, and admire the sandy wastes where Star Wars was filmed and then of course enjoy the beaches on this friendly country. Lastly a visit to my Swiss Italian friends who live by the Swiss and Italians Lakes to immerse myself in the riviera feel and the excellent food on offer. Absolute bliss. My summer holidays. 

Went to spain 1 year back. Enjoyed alot and made new friends. Watched el clasico and enjoyed alot.

Our Ruby Wedding Douro River cruise trip

Every year, our little family of four joins a tradition that has become the highlight of our calendar: an annual camping trip with lifelong friends. We don’t venture far, but it doesn’t matter. What we find there is something richer than any exotic destination could offer—connection, joy, and the gentle rhythm of simple days spent together.

The same friends have come every year—people I’ve known for over two decades. We pitch our tents, set up our shared space, and settle into the familiar ease of each other’s company. The children, who once toddled around the campsite, now climb trees, start the campfire, and tell stories of their own. Watching them grow—hearing new words, seeing new talents emerge—is a quiet kind of magic.

There’s something wholesome and grounding about this time away. No rushing. Just us, the woods, and a sky full of stars. We cook over open flames, play old-fashioned games, and talk late into the night. Every laugh echoes with history; every new memory layers onto the old ones.

It’s not the distance we travel that makes it special. It’s the years. The people. The shared rituals and ever-changing children. This camping trip is more than a holiday—it’s a marker of time, a reminder of how deeply good life can be in the company of those we love

We had the most unforgettable experience in Hurghada, Egypt, staying at the incredible Pickalbatros Water Park Resort! I booked this trip especially for my daughter, who has ADHD, autism, and dyspraxia — and holidays can sometimes be a challenge. But this one? It was truly the best holiday ever!

Right outside our room were two sparkling pools, and the staff were absolutely wonderful — always on hand with refreshing drinks and fresh, dry towels. The resort is huge, and they even have little shuttle buses to take you around — we used them to visit the main water parks, which were nothing short of amazing. That’s where we spent most of our time, because my daughter had so much fun — she was in her element!

There was non-stop entertainment every day — from dazzling shows and foam parties to an actual ice rink, a fun fair, and even an AI games room! And when it came to food, the number of restaurants was incredible. Even my fussy eater was spoiled for choice.

The staff went above and beyond to make sure our stay was perfect — their kindness and attentiveness made such a difference. We were truly made to feel special.

We’re already counting down the days until we go back this year — we can't wait!

New York 2023 for my son's 18th & husband's big birthday! We stayed just off Times Square & did all the sights including Empire State, Statue of Liberty, TOTR, Madam Tussauds, Brooklyn. We walked everywhere, every day & had a holiday to remember. We need to go back to finish off Central Park!! 

My favorite holiday was our trip to Disney world when my daughter was 3. I didn’t think we’d ever be able to afford to go back after we got engaged there in 2008 but we were lucky enough to return in 2015. The look in my daughters eyes meeting all her princess hero’s was priceless and money couldn’t buy that again.

My favourite holiday in the UK was to Stokesley and around Roseberry Topping walking with my pup.

Trip to Phuket, Thailand.  The warm sea, soft sand of the beach, fantastic hotel, delicious food and beautiful spirit of the people.  Unbelievable..

My back garden! 😅

No delays, lovely food, comfy bed - perfect!

The last holiday we went on! To Spain. The weather wasn't the best, but it was with family, and that's the most important thing. 

My favourite holiday was a family trip to Dubai! ☀️🌆 We explored the stunning skyscrapers, went to the top of the Burj Khalifa, and had the most magical time exploring Dubai Mall. Our daughter loved the Dubai Aquarium! Every day felt like an adventure. It was the perfect mix of fun, culture, and unforgettable memories with my family ❤️

My favourite holiday was to South America (Peru, Bolivia & Chile), the highlight being Machu Picchu which to me is a great marvel & wonder. The location on which it was built, the ingenuity of the "architect/s, engineers and builders" just blew my mind. To top it all it is so pictureque. My bucket list ticked off

Any holiday to Italy, great food ( I love tomatoes ), great drinks and fantastic sights.

Australia 2002 - Age 14 travelled solo to stay with my cousin, who I'd been penpals with since age 4. Absolutely amazing and life changing experience. Made me the independent, travel hungry woman I’ve become!

I went on a trip to Romania last year in summer. Stayed in a cozy airbnb outside the city when the dogs started barking in the middle of the night so naturally I went out to see what is happening .

Couldn't see any other dogs around but could hear other dogs barking too so obviously they were stressed about something!

I looked around and then had my eyes on the sky where U could see a glare of red which is highly unusual for a place like Romania considering the geographical position. So I said to my self! Nooooo it can't be... quickly grabbed my phone, changed to night mode and saw this. Mother nature giving me a spectacular view if the Northen Lights in the middle of Romanian mountains.

I always planned to see them somewhere in Iceland or Norway as it was on my bucket list but that was an amazing one life time experience which I will never forget considering the circumstances.

Mexico 2012, the last holiday with my late wife before the illness took over. The happiness on her face and the kindness of staff and others just made it heavenly.

YOSEMITE and BIG SUR, in winter. Yosemite was relatively uncrowded, hiking was brilliant. (Though be careful, as the valley-floor is much warmer than the surrounding mountains - we sended up in thigh-high snow!) Carmel and Big Sur are pure magic at this time of year.  The Central Coast can be foggy in summer, but it’s crystal clear in winter and the ocean is warm enough to dip your toes in. 

The photos are amazing, the last trip before I went digital. 

Made a purchase for phone contract but there was no acknowledgement to my email. Money has been deducted 

Blackpool as a young boy

5 week tour of South America visiting Machu Picchu and Arequipa in Peru, Bolvia Salt Flats, Iguazu Falls, Rio in Brazil and Santiago in Chile. So much culture and nature, bliss!