Money tips for travellers

Do not, however, use your credit card to get cash from ATM machines. When you take out a cash advance, you'll still get a better rate than you would from most exchange bureaus, but you'll have to pay your credit card a cash advance fee, plus interest from the day you take out the money. Translation: if you take out 17 cash advances over the course of a two-week trip, you'll have to pay 17 separate cash advance fees. And if you take out more than you actually need, you'll end up paying interest on it, even if you convert it back to pounds at the end of your trip.

If you absolutely have to get cash from an ATM, err on the side of caution and take too little rather than too much. The cash advance fees - usually a couple of pounds - are generally lower than the interest on the daily balance you've withdrawn.

GREAT DISCOUNTS

If you're a student, take your ID. It can get you discounted rates at cinemas, museums, youth hostels - too many places to mention. It can also get you better rates on trains, buses and other forms of public transport.

Professional affiliations can also help you get discounts. Museums and other tourist attractions often have special categories of visitors who can receive discounted rates. If you're a journalist, for example, you may be able to get free admission to certain tourist attractions if you show proof, so make sure to bring evidence of any professional memberships you have, just in case.

Another big money saver is your local rental car agency. If you plan to rent a car overseas, book it ahead of time. You'll get a MUCH better rate. It can mean the difference between #200 a week if you rent here and #100 a day if you go to a rental car agency in a foreign town - plus you have the benefit of reading all the terms of conditions in a language you can understand.

Lastly, consider staying in hotels, hostels or B&Bs that offer breakfast. Often the room prices aren't much (if at all) higher than places that don't serve breakfast. Even if it's simple fare, it can save you a bundle if you don't have to go out for a sit-down meal each morning.

Bon voyage!