FLIGHTS
Getting to your destination is of course the number one priority. If you’re planning on escaping winter to the sunny Mediterranean in the coming months, it’s important to remember that your travel coincides not only with summer but school holidays making it one of the most expensive times of year to travel. But that’s not to say it can’t be affordable.

While a travel agent may be your first port of call, they often have quotas and targets to reach. A good tip is to do your own research first so you know the general price point of airfares.

To help you compare prices, there are a number of trusty websites that do all the work for you such as Skyscanner and Expedia.

In your searches also keep an eye out for any deals that may be running to your preferred destinations.

For those with their eye on Europe, Delphi Bank has partnered with Qatar Airways to offer up to 10 per cent off on Economy and Business Class Saver and Value fares to all Qatar Airway’s online European destinations, including Greece*+. The discount is available to both customers and non-customers of Delphi Bank.

Alternatively you can take your chance and enter Delphi Bank’s competition to win 2 x Return Airfares to Greece with Qatar Airways**+.

* Refer to the terms and conditions at the time of booking.
** Competition only available to Delphi Bank customers who take up one or more Foreign Exchange products or services.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Now that you have your flights sorted, next thing on the list is travel insurance. On average almost 900,000 Australians travel without cover each year, with young people more likely to forego insurance.

Caught up in the excitement, it’s not always easy to foresee possible things than can go wrong on holiday, especially if you’re travelling somewhere like Greece, where you might be planning to spend the majority of time with family and friends. But things can and do go wrong, whether you plan on relaxing seaside or taking the more adventurous path, and the last thing you want is to find yourself with big bills when you return home.

On the bright side, with more and more people travelling, there are competitive travel insurance policies out there, so be sure to do your research. But not all policies are equal.

Depending on the type of travel you plan on doing, it’s important to look at what the policy includes. Will you be covered if you are injured while riding a quad bike on Mykonos?

Also note how much you are covered for in dollars, any premium and excess costs, and how to efficiently make a claim while overseas if need be.

It’s common for travellers to put off getting insurance until just before they jet off, which isn’t always the best idea. If your policy covers any cancellation of flights, the earlier you’re covered the better, that way if any unforeseen circumstances result in having to cancel your flight, you won’t be out of pocket for a holiday you didn’t even get to go on. Ouch!

* Delphi Bank is currently offering 10 per cent off their Travel Insurance.+

ACCOMMODATION
When it comes to accommodation during the summer months in Greece, you can expect to pay top dollar. But that doesn’t mean you can’t save here and there.

Whether you’re happy with a simple room with a bed or staying in luxury with access to a pool and champagne breakfast every morning, there are ways to avoid extra unnecessary costs. Our first tip is to think small. Sometimes you can get more bang for your buck at small boutique hotels and B&B’s. Also be sure to reach out to the accommodation provider, as booking directly rather than through a booking site, which often charges a commission, can be cheaper.

Air BnB is also an option to look into, especially for those who want to live like a local while away. Eating out three times a day if you’re away for some time can be a bit much (both on the pocket and body!), and so having your own kitchen where you can test out of the local produce can be a welcome experience.

But to really save when it comes to accommodation, travelling in low season is your best option. If you’re willing to put your travel off until August, or better yet September, prices can differ greatly.

THOSE PESKY FOREIGN EXCHANGE FEES
Nothing’s more certain to fade your post-holiday glow than a bank statement full of hidden foreign exchange fees when you return home.

While it’s not advised to travel with large sums of cash for safety reasons, it’s always a good idea to have some of the local currency on hand for when you arrive at your destination.

In the busy days leading up to your holiday, one mistake that people often make is putting off buying foreign currency until they get to the airport or the country of origin, which often means you’re not getting the best deal with high exchange fees.

It’s best to shop around in advance and see what the foreign exchange rate is, as there can be some very competitive deals.

Currently Delphi Bank has no foreign exchange fees when you buy or sell Euro, Pounds or US Dollars. To access the rest of your travel funds while away, you can opt for Delphi Bank’s Liberty Account with unlimited transactions overseas, and no overseas ATM withdrawal fees*.

* In Australia, withdrawal fees still apply should a customer withdraw money outside of the fee-free network of ATMs.
** Also note that Delphi Bank has no fees on International Telegraphic Transfers, in case you’re looking to transfer money to an account abroad.

+ Delphi Bank’s Foreign Exchange campaign, offers and perks are all valid until 30 August 2019.