MoneySavingExpert (MSE), the consumer advice website founded by Martin Lewis, has issued an alert for holidaymakers who still need to book their hotel or rental car. In a recent social media post on X, the experts advised consumers to choose bookings that offer free cancellation whenever possible, explaining that travellers can use this tactic to secure the best deal by cancelling and rebooking if prices drop.
How the Free Cancellation Hack Works
MSE wrote: "Top travel tip: Try to book a hotel or car hire with free cancellation. Why? Because if the price drops, you can simply cancel and rebook at this cheaper rate!" The post asked social media users to share their experiences, prompting numerous success stories from fans.
For example, a commenter named Kathryn replied: "I've done this with a hotel. Got a much better grade room and saved about £50 on the price the original room would have cost! I usually try to do this now. I book the new room first though before cancelling the existing one... Just in case!"
Real-Life Savings Reported by Users
Another social media user said: "I’ve done this for a hotel booking. Made a great saving on original booking price but found my room was at the furthest point away from the reception / dining areas. A good trade off in that situation."
Someone else reported finding their £160 car hire reduced to just £80 using a similar tactic when they visited Portugal last year. Similarly, a commenter with another car story explained they had booked their rental car three times, starting with an initial price of almost £300 and getting it down to £121, despite using the same rental company to book the same car. They said: "Pre-Christmas price over £300. 1st booking March £285. 2nd booking £185 early May. 3rd time mid-May £121. Refunded each time within four days. Result!"
Sharing another success story, a holidaymaker claimed to save £400 on a trip to New York. The comment read: "£400 saved on a trip to NYC. Free cancellation costs more but the flexibility makes it worth it."
Expert Advice for Maximum Savings
MSE's tip emphasizes that free cancellation bookings often cost slightly more upfront, but the flexibility can lead to significant savings. The website regularly shares money-saving hacks for Brits, and this tactic is particularly useful for summer holidaymakers who want to lock in a reservation while remaining open to price drops.
