article_snippet: Here are some issues that the better pound/euro exchange rate raises – but remember that if you use cards to get cash out of overseas ATMs, settle hotel and restaurant bills and make purchases, the actual exchange rate won’t be quite as good, due to the banks taking commission.
article_snippet: Holidaymakers may get a better deal by booking direct, in euros, as most prices were fixed last year .
article_snippet: Most holiday companies will have fixed Most holiday companies prices with hoteliers and villa owners last year, when the pound was weaker against the euro.
article_snippet: This means you may well get a better deal by booking direct, in euros.
article_snippet: That said, I know of a number of operators and villa agencies that have recently lowered prices to take into account the better exchange rate, and tailor-made arrangements may be based on current exchange rates.
article_snippet: If you do book direct, to be sure of benefiting from the current good exchange rate, you need to pay in full now rather than putting down a deposit or paying on arrival/departure.
article_snippet: Consider doing so with a pre-paid euro currency card – the exchange rate used will be whatever a pre-paid euro currency card
article_snippet: The Ukash Travel Money MasterCard (ukash.com) has very competitive exchange rates and charges no fees for making purchases or cash withdrawals.
article_snippet: Bear in mind that it’s not just in the States where the dollar is making things pricier for British visitors.
article_snippet: The same is true in other holiday spots where currencies are pegged to the US dollar, such as Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua in the Caribbean, and Dubai.