Smart travel tips • March 2017
The Club’s guide to the post-Brexit pound
Britain’s decision to leave the European Union might have resulted in the pound plummeting in value, but it has also made the country more attractive, and affordable, to inbound travellers. American travel writer, Elaine Glusac says there’s never been a better time to plan a trip
Following last summer’s Brexit vote to leave the European Union (EU), the British pound fell to its lowest value in 30 years, making Britain newly attractive to incoming travellers where it had been – at least in London – painfully expensive.
Pre-Brexit, one pound was worth about $1.46. In early 2017, that figure is close to $1.20, a decline of about 18 per cent. The future remains murky as the government wrestles with a date to pull out of the EU and many analysts expect it to level off, but the present exchange rate should inspire Anglophiles to visit now – and save following this four-point plan.
Upgrade your hotel
Hotels that were once £100 a night, or $150, now cost about $120 – a $30 saving that can be used to upgrade to a room with a view or a suite. Those savings grow among luxury hotels like the Four Seasons Park Lane (pictured), where a £560 room that was the equivalent of $818 now costs $680.
For best buys, travel in the off-season – winter, especially – when rates drop dramatically. They tick up again in the ‘shoulder seasons’ of spring and fall and reach their peak in summer when tourist numbers peak.
With the exception of those that cater to business travellers, most hotels offer better rates on the quieter days of the week, especially Sunday through Tuesday nights. Fridays and Saturdays are usually the most expensive.
Roam the range
It’s not as bad as Hong Kong, Tokyo or even New York City, but London is expensive. Still, many significant attractions in the capital are free, including the British Museum (pictured) the Houses of Parliament and The National Gallery. Beyond the city, however, lie greater savings and significant wonders.
“The dollar hasn’t been this strong against the pound since the mid-1980s, making this a great time to visit the UK,” said James Smart, Destination editor for Britain at Lonely Planet. “Factor in new and improved Shakespeare attractions, including the Bard’s actual schoolroom in Stratford-Upon-Avon, new exhibitions on Magna Carta, and a popular new driving route in Scotland’s beautiful Northern Highlands, and you’ve got compelling reasons to make this your next trip.”
Go shopping
Why not shop Burberry it in its homeland? Luxury goods have turned to sales items, especially since non-British shoppers get the value-added tax (or VAT) back at the airport.
“Back are the days when people fly to Europe for a few days to shop for their wardrobes, taking advantage of the exchange rate,” said Jack Ezon, president of Ovation Vacations in New York.
Consider a package holiday
Tours that package travel and lodging generally come in cheaper than the sum of their parts due to volume contracts agents make with hotels and transportation companies. The more programming offered on the itinerary – such as Windsor Castle (pictured) visits, theatre outings or guided tours – the more expensive the trip.
“Booking a flight and hotel or flight and car together is one of the best ways to get a good deal on ba.com,” says Claire Bentley, managing director of British Airways Holidays. “Plus, when you book a package, you have the option of paying in stages with a deposit.”
This article has been tagged Opinion, Travel Tips