martin lewis issues travel warning

Martin Lewis issues warning to everyone booking a summer holiday saying they need to act ASAP

The money-saving expert urged travellers to make sure they have insurance in place.

• 12:28, 31 JAN 2023

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Martin Lewis has warned holidaymakers to avoid making a “big mistake” when organising their trip. The finance expert has urged people to make sure they have travel insurance in place “as soon as they book” their holiday to avoid being financially hit if they have to cancel.

Speaking on The Martin Lewis Podcast, he explained that many travellers fail to purchase holiday cover early enough, which can leave them out of pocket if they’re no longer able to travel due to unforeseen circumstances. Someone had written into the show asking for advice regarding a holiday they had booked in the summer.

Since making the booking, the traveller had received a cancer diagnosis and could no longer go as they were receiving chemotherapy. Both the operator and holiday firm refused to cancel the trip as the passenger hadn’t booked the flexible option.

READ MORE: Jet2 issue travel warning amid Border Force strikes

Responding to the query, Martin pointed out that it’s not the holiday provider’s responsibility to refund the trip if it’s not ‘faulty’. He said that holidaymakers often delay buying travel insurance, meaning they are not covered should any issues arise before they travel.

Martin said: “They ask me what to do and I say that’s what your travel insurance is there for and I can’t tell you how many times they say ‘well I haven’t got travel insurance yet I was going to get it before I go’.

“I’m left impotent without being able to give them any solution other than go and speak to the holiday company again and throw yourselves at their mercy - will they give you vouchers, will they give you something else.”

He added: “That is why you get travel insurance ASAB - as soon as you book, because of those unforeseen events that may stop you going away before you go on holiday.”

Giving an example, Martin said that someone booking a holiday now for August 1-10 would need to buy travel insurance as soon as possible to cover them for those dates. As they would start paying for the policy now it would protect them should anything happen before they go away.

He added that annual travel insurance would also cover you, even if it ran out before August as it would protect you against anything occurring before the expiry date. Martin explained that in this case the traveller would need to purchase another annual policy, or a single trip insurance option, once the original one had expired. He added that annual travel insurance is cheaper for those who go away two or more times.

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Martin Lewis' MSE issues 'urgent' warning for cheap easyJet flights

Martin Lewis ’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) is never short of a few tips and tricks to help your hard-earned cash go further.

If you’re already looking to plan your summer holiday for 2025, the UK’s beloved finance guru has issued an urgent warning on accessing cheap easyJet flights ahead of time.

On September 3 (AKA, today), the low-cost airline has released millions of seats for travel between June 15, 2025 and September 30, 2025 – so if you’re looking to snap up a deal, now is your chance.

Want in? Here’s everything you need to know.

When does easyJet release its seats for summer 2025?

easyJet released a batch of seats on Tuesday morning for travel between June 16, 2025 and September 30, 2025 – with 33.3 million places available across 185,000 flights, including over 17.8 million UK seats, as MSE’s blog explains.

Notably, easyJet follows what MSE calls a ‘dynamic pricing model’ – so when demand for seats is high, the price will typically be higher to reflect that. On the other hand, when there’s less demand, the cost is lower.

But there’s one moment when demand is ‘almost always low’ –when the seats are released, which happens in several batches throughout the year, including today.

So essentially, it’s go go go for easyJet’s Big Seat Release, with MSE noting that seats are ‘unlikely to be uploaded instantaneously in one go.’ If what you’re searching for isn’t there, it’s best to ‘go back and check again every 10 minutes or so.’

‘This has been a very successful technique for many people, and indeed if you want certainty of a cheap price it’s worth doing,’ Martin adds.

‘Do benchmark what a good price on that route is beforehand, just so you can check if it’s worth it. Though of course, if later on a particular flight is very substantially under-booked, you could get seats even cheaper then – that’s just far more difficult to predict.’

How to get cheap easyJet flights in the future

Fear not: today isn’t the only day you can cut costs on travel for summer 2025.

Related Video

MSE typically issues a heads up in the weekly Money Tips email, and if you’re a super keen bean, you can also keep an eye on the easyJet seat release schedule .

We’ll see you on the beach next summer!

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected] .

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Martin Lewis issues warning for Britons traveling to Spain, France and other holiday destinations this summer

Martin Lewis has issued an urgent message to Britons travelling to Spain and France this summer as a change in regulations could leave people without help and protection

By Georgina Cutler

Published: 21/06/2023

The money saving expert is urging holidaymakers to check new regulations

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Martin Lewis has issued an urgent message to Britons travelling to Spain and France this summer as a change in regulations could leave people without help and protection.

The financial expert advised holidaymakers to check two vital documents before jetting off to their holiday destination.

He warned viewers about expiring health insurance cards, including the transition from the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

The cards guarantee British tourists access to state-run hospitals and GPs in all the covered countries at the same price as locals.

The financial expert advised holidaymakers to check two vital documents before jetting off to their holiday destination

Countries which are protected by the card includes all EU countries, as well as Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Switzerland.

But, Lewis warned that 5.4 million of the old EHICs are set to expire this year.

The card can be renewed for free at nhs.uk.

"To renew it, it is always free. If anybody is charging you, they are a shyster trying to steal your money," the money saving expert said.

"There is no such thing as a fast track."

He added that the cards are only advisable but they could prevent Britons from needing to pay the excess on travel insurance.

Those without a card and require assistance on holiday can contact the NHS and ask for a provisional replacement certificate.

In addition Lewis discussed the requirements for passports to remain valid.

Passports must be under ten years old on the day a person enters a country and it must have at least six months left on the document from the same day.

Travellers with out of date passports will not be allowed to board their flight

He added that the Passport Office currently advises people to allow "up to 10 weeks" for a renewal, though he had heard of longer delays.

He said: "Let me be plain...the travel insurance company will not allow you to claim if [an invalid passport] is the reason you can't go on holiday.

Since the UK left the EU, Britons now need to have at least three months left on their passport to be able to travel to Europe.

Travellers could could be turned away if their passport is in too bad of a condition.

The Government website warns: "You must replace your passport if it has more than reasonable wear and tear because you may not be allowed to travel with it."

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Martin Lewis issues urgent travel warning for holidaymakers after woman loses £5,000

He shared the travel tip during the martin lewis money show live.

Rhiannon Ingle

With the slog of January finally drawing to an end, I'm sure many of us have got our sights now set on beach bars, poolside lounging and soaking up the sun this summer.

However, it seems there are some key things to sort out before jetting off abroad, with Martin Lewis issuing an urgent travel warning for holidaymakers after one woman lost a staggering £5,000 .

The Money Saving Expert shared the information during a segment on his latest Martin Lewis Money Show Live broadcast which aired last night (30 January) on ITV .

Martin told viewers: "You must get your travel insurance ASAB - as soon as you book.

"If you've already booked and you don't have it - now. The reason for that is simple."

The financial guru then heard from one viewer named Cocoa, who explained she was advised not to travel due to a high-risk pregnancy .

Cocoa had forked out a hefty £5,000 on a holiday yet didn't opt for travel insurance, explaining in a message read out on the programme: "I was planning a holiday but was then advised that I was not safe to fly due to high-risk pregnancy.

"The holiday was already paid for but I hadn’t taken out travel insurance. I was told that I’ve lost the £5,000 that I had paid for the holiday."

Martin then informed audiences: "Now, let me tell you, every year I get people who have been diagnosed with cancer and are having chemotherapy or terminal cancer, I've had people who've been paralysed, and they get in touch with me and they say 'I can't go on my holiday, what do I do?' and they say, I don't have travel insurance, can I cancel?'

"Well look, unless you've got flexible booking, I'm going to say something that sounds very trite but I just want you to understand. You can't expect the hotel or the flight company to give you your money back."

He continued with the analogy: "If you bought a tennis racket and you broke your arm, you can't say the tennis racquet is faulty. The tennis racquet is still working.

"The flight is still available, the hotel is still available, they're not going to give you your money back, that's why we have travel insurance, to cover us not just for when we're on holiday but in case something happens that stops us going on holiday.

"Otherwise you get stuck like that. Please, ASAB."

An article on the official Money Saving Expert website advises : "If you've booked a holiday but not got travel insurance yet, DO IT NOW, DON'T DELAY.

"Half travel insurance's value is protecting you BEFORE travelling if something happens and stops you from going, in addition to cover once you are on holiday."

The website did, however, point out that 'sadly no policy covers every scenario'.

Topics:  Martin Lewis , Money , Cost of Living , News , UK News , Travel

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.

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Martin Lewis issues holiday warning you need to hear

"I say this with a hint of desperation"

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Money saving expert Martin Lewis has issued a 'desperate' warning to Brits planning a summer holiday this year, urging everyone to get travel insurance the minute they book their getaway. 

But many families might not realise the importance of having travel insurance as recent research from Go.Compare suggested that only 24% of people had taken out travel insurance within six months of travelling. But by leaving the purchase of travel insurance until just before you leave, or not getting it at all, you run the risk of losing out financially. The warning really hits home as easyJet cancelled flights , causing havoc for those whose travel plans were disrupted.

Martin Lewis has also shared other tips to avoid any sneaky charges while on holiday, from his warning about data charges while abroad , to his advice for paying by card or using cash machines while in another country .

The guru has made a name for himself over the years by sharing his insightful tips to help people manage their money, and more recently, to help them navigate the cost of living crisis, including sharing the  simple check to help families avoid a household bill hike . He has also revealed a handy trick he uses to save money on medication and shared a pretty useful council tax tip that could save you £100.

But with summer holiday season just around the corner, Martin Lewis is urging everyone to make sure they get travel insurance "ASAB" or "As Soon As You Book," to ensure you are covered before you leave the country.

Goodto.com's Money Editor Sarah Handley adds: "In the excitement of going on holiday, it's easy to have a really optimistic mindset, thinking that everything will go as planned. But sadly, life isn't always like that and things can go wrong. Travel insurance gives you peace of mind that if the worst does happen, you won't be left in the lurch financially."

• Find travel insurance with Go.Compare

Martin Lewis explains why you need travel insurance

Martin Lewis shared that people often lose out on holiday refunds if they are faced with a serious diagnosis, a redundancy or a bereavement and can't travel because of it, all because they haven't got insurance. Unfortunately, he explains that while these circumstances are upsetting, they will not result in a refund for a pre-booked flight or hotel unless you have travel insurance or had booked the holiday with a free cancellation condition.

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In his newsletter, he wrote, "Summer is nearing. If you've booked a holiday abroad , and don't have travel insurance, do it now, today, do not delay. I admit I say this with a hint of desperation. EVERY summer, my heart sinks after someone asks me a question who'd had 'getting travel insurance' on their to-do list, but didn't prioritise it."

“So let me be blunt. Unless you booked with free cancellation, being ill doesn't give you rights. It's like arguing you can return a tennis racket as faulty because you have a broken arm."

Ceri McMillan , travel insurance spokesperson for Go.Compare, adds: “Too many people think of travel insurance as something that covers problems while you’re away, but accidents and illness can strike anyone at any time. Cancellation is one of the main reasons people claim on a travel insurance policy. In those instances, having booked insurance right after you started paying for your trip could save you considerable money and stress.”

What does travel insurance cover?

There are different types of travel insurance, though the general idea is that it allows you to be compensated if you happen to experience any major problems before or while you're travelling abroad. Problems can include situations such as your flights being cancelled , your chosen airline going bust , losing luggage or finding yourself in need of medical assistance when abroad.

Go.Compare's Ceri McMillan, explains: “As well as cover for cancellations, travel disruption, personal liability and lost or stolen baggage, travel insurance can cover medical expenses in the case of illness or accident, plus pay for the cost of repatriation if needed."

Earlier this year, in his Money Saving Expert newsletter, Martin Lewis drew attention to the same emotional subject: "Each spring without fail, someone asks me a heartbreaking question. Usually they’ve been diagnosed with cancer or another serious condition that needs long-term treatment, and they won’t be able to go on their summer holiday. Yet the airline won’t refund them – within its rights as the ticket is not faulty.

“I say, ‘That’s what travel insurance is for’. Sometimes though, they tell me they haven’t got round to getting it yet. My heart sinks as I have to tell them there’s no recourse. Half the point of the cover is to protect you if things happen that stop you going, so get it ASAB – As Soon As You Book.”

If you are going on holiday and don't have travel insurance yet, make sure you book it as soon as possible. You can find the right travel insurance policy for you using a price comparison website, such as Go.Compare . 

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is a news writer for Goodtoknow, specialising in family content. She began her freelance journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with BBC Good Food and The Independent.

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Martin Lewis issues crucial travel warning for Brits ahead of booking 2023 holidays

Money saving expert martin lewis claimed he encountered brits every year who were in "heartbreaking" situations as a result of not arranging travel insurance before making travel plans..

• 14:29, 16 JAN 2023

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Money expert Martin Lewis , who recently was hailed a "national hero" , has issued a word of warning to Brits who are considering taking a trip abroad soon.

The busiest time for holiday bookings is in January and the following weeks, with many individuals already planning to schedule some summer sun.

In his latest Money Saving Expert newsletter, the consumer champion shared a common "mistake" that holidaymakers make.

He said that his "heart sinks" when he hears of people leaving their travel insurance arrangements until after they’ve already booked the holiday.

In the newsletter, Martin wrote: "Each spring without fail, someone asks me a heartbreaking question. Usually they've been diagnosed with cancer or another serious condition that needs long-term treatment, and they won't be able to go on their summer holiday.

"Yet the airline won't refund them - within its rights as the ticket is not faulty.

"I say, 'that's what travel insurance is for'. Sometimes though, they tell me they haven't got round to getting it yet.

"My heart sinks as I have to tell them there's no recourse. Half the point of the cover is to protect you if things happen that stop you going, so get it ASAB - As Soon As you Book."

Travel insurance is there to help if something goes wrong before or during your trip, including covering costs if flights are cancelled, your airline goes bust or if you need medical assistance when abroad.

The founder of MoneySavingExpert added that those holidaying more than once a year should check out annual travel insurance policies.

Martin said: "If you'll go away at least twice - even if just for weekends - annual policies usually win as they cover virtually all trips.

"If you just want a bog-standard no-frills policy - the cheapest range from £12 for individuals in Europe, and from £71 for a family worldwide."

But if you're only off on a single trip, Martin said travellers can get cover for as little as £9 a week.

Before taking off, Martin advised checking if you have a current EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or its replacement, the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card).

With these cards, you can receive free medical attention at state hospitals and GPs in the EU or Switzerland for the same price that residents pay.

They are therefore extremely valuable to have on hand in the event of an accident, emergency, or illness when travelling.

Another thing to note when planning travel this year is from November Brits heading to the EU will need to have an European Travel Information and Authorisation System e-visa.

It will set you back £6 per traveller and everyone aged 18 to 70 must pay for one, while those under 18 and over 70 can get one for free.

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Martin Lewis issues urgent travel insurance warning for anyone booking a holiday

Forgetting travel cover trips up many holidaymakers, but going without it means taking a big financial risk, especially when going overseas during the Covid pandemic

• 11:27, 14 Jan 2022

Consumer champion Martin Lewis issued a warning to anyone planning their next holiday not to forget their travel insurance.

The MoneySavingExpert founder shared some advice during an episode of ITV's Money Show Live last night.

Brits have been flocking to book their next getaway after the UK government relaxed travel restrictions earlier this month.

Lewis urged anyone plotting their next holiday to ensure they get travel insurance as soon as they book, the Liverpool Echo reports .

The finance whiz said he is inundated with queries from people each summer to ask what their rights are when they have to cancel a holiday due to unforeseen circumstances.

He explained: "The answer is you don't have any. The flight is still going ahead and there's nothing wrong with your ticket.

Do you buy travel insurance - or take the risk instead? Let us know in the comments below

"I ask if they've got travel insurance and they say 'I was gonna get it before I went'".

Lewis implored people to purchase insurance as soon as possible because "so many of the things you can claim for can happen before you go on holiday".

The money expert said the cheapest travel insurance for under-65s can start from as little as £9 per week for an individual in Europe.

The policies Martin identified cover people who can't travel after testing positive for Covid - and also provides protection for anyone who contracts the virus while abroad and has to stay longer.

He added: "I call these deals no-frills because they're super cheap and they all meet my minimum claim levels.

"But I can't vouch for the service and how they handle claims. They're very cheap and if you have a problem with how they handle the claim, you can take this up with the ombudsman."

The money guru urged holidaymakers to check whether the policy is suitable before signing up.

He said: "Check the policy, check the cover levels, read through it before signing up to the check it is all suitable. That's one of the things you can protect yourself of."

What travel insurance do I need to get?

Travel insurance is more important than ever in current times, but when booking a policy at the moment check that it includes Covid cover - and make sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what you're covered for.

For example, you may want an extensive policy that includes trip cancellations, medical expenses or being required to cut your trip short due to Covid-related reasons.

It's worth noting that if the Foreign Office advises against travel to a destination, your travel insurance will be invalidated if you choose to travel against this advice.

If a country is on the red list, the Foreign Office usually advises against all non-essential travel, so your holiday will likely be cancelled.

When a travel firm cancels your holiday, you are entitled to a refund. Some travel companies have still been offering alternatives such as rebooking to a later date or different destinations and credit vouchers. You are welcome to choose these options, but you are entitled to a refund if this is what you would prefer.

If you booked a flight and hotel separately, then you may need to do some negotiating, especially if your flight isn't cancelled. As for your accommodation, whether you can get your money back will depend on your booking policy.

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Martin Lewis issues ‘big annual travel warning’ that ‘isn’t going to sound nice’

Itv's this morning hosted martin lewis for some very important travel advice if booking a holiday.

Tom Earnshaw

Very little beats the buzz of booking a holiday. And on the flip side, very little disappoints like something messing up your finely tuned plans.

And Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis has now issued what he called his 'big annual travel waring' to make sure damage is limited when it comes to trips turning sour.

The financial guru, who regularly appears on his own television show, had a warning for holidaymakers yesterday (10 January) on This Morning .

There, speaking to presenters Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle, he spoke for more than a minute on the importance of following advice that he said 'won't sound nice'.

That's because, while looking forward to jetting off to sunnier climates, it's important we're prepared should the unthinkable happen.

Martin was talking about the important of travel insurance - and not just booking it, but getting it sorted straight after booking your holiday. Leaving it by even one week leaves you at risk, Martin says.

Martin said: "If I can give my big annual warning, that will save everybody and me, some hassle later in the year.

"You get your travel insurance ASAB, As Soon As You Book.

"Do not leave it a week or two, do not leave it before you go on holiday. And this isn't going to sound nice, but I need to tell you why."

Yep, for those who reckon they'll get around to booking travel insurance later, Lewis had a grim reality check.

"The reason why is in the run up to summer each year, I'll be doing a phone-in here or somewhere else and I will get a question that goes something like this.

"'Hi, I've had my holiday booked, I've just found out that I've got cancer and I'm going to need chemotherapy - or another serious condition - and I'm going to need treatment.

"'I've been in touch with the airline and the hotel, or the hotel, and they say they won't give me a refund. What do I do?'

"And I say, well that's what travel insurance is for. And they say, 'Well, I haven't got around to doing it yet'. And then there's no answer.

"Half of the point of travel insurance is to cover you if anything happens before you go. Get your travel insurance as soon as you've got your holiday. If you've got an annual policy, you're probably already covered.

"But if you haven't, make sure you get your travel insurance straight away."

So be more Martin, and make booking travel insurance the final step of booking your holidays to avoid disappointment.

Topics:  Martin Lewis , Money , ITV , This Morning , Good Morning Britain

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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Martin Lewis issues urgent warning for anyone booking a holiday – check now to avoid losing out

• James Flanders
• Published : 13:19, 14 Jan 2023
• Updated : 15:37, 14 Jan 2023

MARTIN Lewis has issued an urgent warning for anyone booking a holiday and explained how to avoid losing out.

In the latest MoneySavingExpert weekly newsletter , Martin warned households to take out travel insurance as soon as they book a holiday.

Martin said: "It's peak holiday booking season right now.

Yet many book their holiday and think they'll sort everything else out later. That's a mistake."

"Get travel insurance ASAB (as soon as you book)," said the MoneySavingExpert.

The warning comes after Martin said that he gets regular complaints from readers who fall ill before a trip and can't get a refund because they didn't take out cover.

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Travel insurance is there to help if something goes wrong before or during your trip.

It can help cover costs if flights are cancelled , your airline goes bust or if you need medical assistance when abroad.

Martin answered some common travel insurance questions to help holidaymakers understand exactly what type of coverage they need.

The founder of MoneySavingExpert warned that those holidaying more than once a year should check out annual travel insurance policies.

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Martin said: "If you'll go away at least twice - even if just for weekends - annual policies usually win as they cover virtually all trips.

"If you just want a bog-standard no-frills policy - the cheapest range from £12 for individuals in Europe, and from £71 for a family worldwide."

But if you're just going away for a single trip, Martin said travellers can get cover for as little as £9 a week.

And if you're off skiing , Martin warned travellers to get a winter sports add-on.

He said: "A winter sports add-on covers lost or damaged gear, piste closures and medical costs from accidents.

"But, do be aware that if you usually go off-piste, these won't cover you."

And if you're travelling in Europe remember to check if your EHIC/GHIC card is valid .

The cards are free for Brits and it is advised to take them on holiday as it gives you access to healthcare across the EU for the same prices as a local.

But holidaymakers should still take out travel insurance as the GHIC does not cover all medical emergencies.

The cards are only used for necessary medical treatment and not for non-urgent care.

It's also important to be aware that some packaged bank accounts offer travel insurance which can beat standalone policies.

For example, Nationwide's FlexPlus account which comes with a £13 a month fee, gives worldwide annual family travel insurance up to the age of 69.

We've explained everything you need to know about travel insurance and how to bag the best policy below.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is there to help you when something goes wrong with your holiday.

It can help cover your bills if your flights are cancelled, your luggage is lost, or you need medical help when travelling abroad.

The two main types of travel insurance are single and multi-trip cover.

There is also backpacking travel insurance which typically covers you for extended period to multiple destinations.

Which is best, single trip or annual travel insurance?

When you buy insurance, you will be asked if you want cover for a single trip or multi-trip.

It can get pricey if you keep buying insurance for several trips during one year.

For example, if you have two or three holidays in a year then it can often work out cheaper to take out annual multi-trip cover instead of a single policy for each time you travel.

Check how long you can be away for on each trip with an annual policy.

These policies will usually cover you for an unlimited number of trips but some insurers cap how long you can be away for, usually around 31 days.

What exactly does travel insurance cover me for?

Travel insurance can cover you for a range of situations, for example, if your luggage has been stolen, you need to cancel your trip, or you need medical treatment while abroad.

Some policies may even cover you if your hotel has to close and you had to move accommodation, or if your flight was cancelled and you are unable to get your money back from the airline.

It may also provide protection if you have to cancel because of an illness, redundancy or close family bereavement.

All policies have different inclusions and exclusions, so check the policy details thoroughly so you know what you are covered for before taking out a product.

How do I find the best travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be purchased from travel agents and holiday companies when you book, but there is no obligation to take this.

Banks, supermarkets and insurance companies also offer travel cover and a comparison website can help you find the best product for your needs.

You will need to provide the names and ages of all travellers, the destination and any medical conditions.

Results can then be filtered based on the level of cover and the excess you want to pay.

You can also sort policies by price to find cheap travel insurance but check what is covered, as the lowest-cost deals may not always provide the best protection for you.

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It may also be worth using an insurance broker if you have more complex needs. You can find a regulated insurance broker on the British Brokers Association website.

Also check your current account as some banks may offer travel insurance automatically to their customers, although you should still check what is covered.

• Holiday tips tricks and hacks
• Money Saving Expert
• Travel advice
• Martin Lewis

Oliver Browning | Tuesday 10 September 2024 16:37 BST

Martin Lewis issues warning to almost one million people not claiming vital payment

Martin Lewis has warned nearly one million people are missing out on pension credit.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain , the MoneySavingExpert suggested the government ’s push for more pensioners to claim the credit is “a real problem” because there are still around 800,000 people who may struggle because the process is too difficult.

“I’ve been talking about pension credit until I’m blue in the face over the last decade, trying to get people who are eligible to claim it,” Mr Lewis said.

“Some people are scared of filling in the forms, some people who find it too difficult, some people who just don’t know about it and some people who are too proud to take it.”

He added that many elderly pensioners with issues like dementia will never claim the credit.

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Martin Lewis issues urgent warning to anyone wanting to buy a home worth £450,000

It comes as the cost of living crisis continues nationwide.

• 06:59, 11 SEP 2024

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Financial expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning to UK residents considering purchasing properties valued at £450,000 amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis.

In a message to his Twitter and X followers, Mr Lewis wrote: "Do you have (or have had) a Lifetime ISA? If so, especially if you worry about the £450,000 property cap please would you take a couple of minutes to answer our policy research survey.."

The survey's purpose is detailed as follows: "We want to hear from people who have a Lifetime ISA or who had one in the past. We hope to use this information to support our campaigning on the Lifetime ISA. The answers you provide are anonymous and individual responses won't be shared."

He reassured that completing the survey would be quick, stating: "This short survey will take less than five minutes."

In response to a social media user's concern about potential financial losses due to a partner already owning property, Mr Lewis clarified: "As a) You wont buy a flat, in which case yes you would or b) as you'd later buy together, in which case you can still use the LISA (as long as property is under threshold) and get the bonus,", reports Birmingham Live .

Another individual expressed worries about the London housing market, saying: "I live in London and only apartments are affordable at the £450K cap. A decent apartment (e.g. energy-efficient, quiet neighbourhood) hovers around £450K. My concern is that when interest rates decrease (and prices increase), buying an apartment in London will be infeasible."

Another posted: "House price in my area was capped at 250k, relatively useless. Seems like it's London and Everywhere else just like most things... Doesn't meet it's intended purpose."

Another said: "Probably would have done had I not been as old as I am -59. But it does need some fixing re the cap."

• Most Recent

Martin Lewis issues 'warning' to UK households with central heating as temperatures plummet

The money saving expert has issued a warning to UK households with temperatures expected to fall as low 3C

• 19:56, 11 SEP 2024

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Martin Lewis, alongside his Money Saving Expert team, has issued a warning about "central heating" ahead of the October 1 price cap increase. The BBC and ITV presenter has advice for state pensioners who are set to lose the £300 Winter Fuel Payment, as well as tips for the wider public.

In a previous edition of his newsletter, Mr Lewis advised readers to "heat the human not the home", adding: "This is a guide I really wish we needn't be publishing."

He continued: "I felt sad asking my team to put this together. But my email bag is full of folk so desperate they can't put the heat on ... I wanted to try some help."

The MSE team cautioned that the guide could potentially be harmful for older individuals or those with asthma and other health conditions. They advised anyone unsure to consult their GP and follow their advice.

Age UK also told MSE that it's crucial for older people to do everything they can to stay as warm as possible, reports Birmingham Live .

The newsletter further warned: "Warning. Turning off central heating can cause its own issues. Not heating your home properly can contribute to damp issues and frozen pipes if the weather's cold, which can result in hundreds of pounds of damage."

One reader shared a tip, saying: "The days of me throwing tights away once they have had it is over. I chop the feet off and wear them under my trousers, and it is amazing what difference it makes," Another reader suggested: "When sitting down, sit in a sleeping bag, at least your bottom half. Even better, put a hot-water bottle in the bottom."

"Warm with no draughts."

Another person commented: "It's a damning indictment of the depths to which this country has sunk when the cheerful guy who provided advice about the best savings, offers and phone deals is now tearfully providing advice on how not to die from cold or malnutrition.

"Thank you – I wish it wasn't necessary." Among the tips in the guide included guidance on hot water bottles, electric footwarmers, and hot meals. There was also guidance over rugs, slippers, socks, sleeping backs and even recommendations over mental health and how to ensure you keep your wellbeing strong mentally amid the winter months."

The warning comes as temperatures are expected to plummet as low as 3C overnight in parts of Nottingham. The Met Office has advised people to 'keep up to date' with the forecast .

• Martin Lewis
• Most Recent

Martin Lewis' MSE issues 'warning' to UK households with central heating

The BBC and ITV star has tips for state pensioners losing the £300 Winter Fuel Payment - as well as those across society.

• 06:28, 8 SEP 2024

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Martin Lewis has issued a "central heating" warning alongside his Money Saving Expert team ahead of the October 1 price cap hike. The BBC and ITV star has tips for state pensioners losing the £300 Winter Fuel Payment - as well as those across society.

In a previous edition of his newsletter, Mr Lewis explained you should "heat the human not the home" and explained: “This is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing.” He went on: “I felt sad asking my team to put this together. But my email bag is full of folk so desperate they can’t put the heat on … I wanted to try some help.”

MSE warned the guide may be dangerous for older people, or those with asthma and other health conditions. If in doubt, consult your GP and follow their advice. Age UK told MSE it's important older people do all they can to stay as warm as possible.

READ MORE Drivers must keep radio and air conditioning on 'at all times' until Monday

It went on: " Warning. Turning off central heating can cause its own issues. Not heating your home properly can contribute to damp issues and frozen pipes if the weather's cold, which can result in hundreds of pounds of damage."

“The days of me throwing tights away once they have had it is over. I chop the feet off and wear them under my trousers, and it is amazing what difference it makes,” said a reader. Another reader said: “When sitting down, sit in a sleeping bag, at least your bottom half. Even better, put a hot-water bottle in the bottom.

"Warm with no draughts.” And another said: “It’s a damning indictment of the depths to which this country has sunk when the cheerful guy who provided advice about the best savings, offers and phone deals is now tearfully providing advice on how not to die from cold or malnutrition. "

Thank you – I wish it wasn’t necessary.” Among the tips in the guide included guidance on hot water bottles, electric footwarmers, and hot meals. There was also guidance over rugs, slippers, socks, sleeping backs and even recommendations over mental health and how to ensure you keep your wellbeing strong mentally amid the winter months.

• Martin Lewis
• Most Recent

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Martin Lewis’ MSE issues ‘urgent’ warning for cheap easyJet flights

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Martin Lewis ’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) is never short of a few tips and tricks to help your hard-earned cash go further.

If you’re already looking to plan your summer holiday for 2025, the UK’s beloved finance guru has issued an urgent warning on accessing cheap easyJet flights ahead of time.

On September 3 (AKA, today), the low-cost airline has released millions of seats for travel between June 15, 2025 and September 30, 2025 – so if you’re looking to snap up a deal, now is your chance.

Want in? Here’s everything you need to know.

When does easyJet release its seats for summer 2025?

easyJet released a batch of seats on Tuesday morning for travel between June 16, 2025 and September 30, 2025 – with 33.3 million places available across 185,000 flights, including over 17.8 million UK seats, as MSE’s blog explains.

Notably, easyJet follows what MSE calls a ‘dynamic pricing model’ – so when demand for seats is high, the price will typically be higher to reflect that. On the other hand, when there’s less demand, the cost is lower.

But there’s one moment when demand is ‘almost always low’ –when the seats are released, which happens in several batches throughout the year, including today.

So essentially, it’s go go go for easyJet’s Big Seat Release, with MSE noting that seats are ‘unlikely to be uploaded instantaneously in one go.’ If what you’re searching for isn’t there, it’s best to ‘go back and check again every 10 minutes or so.’

‘This has been a very successful technique for many people, and indeed if you want certainty of a cheap price it’s worth doing,’ Martin adds.

‘Do benchmark what a good price on that route is beforehand, just so you can check if it’s worth it. Though of course, if later on a particular flight is very substantially under-booked, you could get seats even cheaper then – that’s just far more difficult to predict.’

How to get cheap easyJet flights in the future

Fear not: today isn’t the only day you can cut costs on travel for summer 2025.

MSE typically issues a heads up in the weekly Money Tips email, and if you’re a super keen bean, you can also keep an eye on the easyJet seat release schedule .

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