And is modesty preserved? We answer this and other questions about the airport body scanner

It used to be just your luggage that is systematically X-rayed for x-rated items such as drugs and weapons. But now the scanner can give an amazingly accurate strip-search electronically and is being used to see through clothes, belts and shoes to reveal the naked truth about passengers and what they are carrying through airport security.

How revealing is the Electronic scanner?The scanner reveals a general outline of the body and blurry details of the anatomy. So although you can see all the private body parts, they are somewhat obscurred. According to Steve Smith, the American who developed the Secure 1000 scanner "It shows about as much as if the person were wearing a tight bathing suit. Obviously, it must be used with discretion, such as ensuring that the monitor is visible only to the security screener."

Is modesty preserved?Yes it is. "What it does is reduce the resolution at certain parts of the body, much like a broadcaster can pixilate someone's face," says Angus Fowlie, of the manufacturer, Rapiscan.

While the scanner is more invasive than a conventional metal detector, Dr Smith says it is more effective as it can detect "21st Century weapons" such as explosives and plastic guns.

What can it detect - apart from the body?Anything concealed on the person including coins in a pocket, trouser studs, metal or ceramic knives, guns, explosives, drugs. The shin bones, which lie close to the skin's surface, can also be seen, as can features such as the cleft between buttocks.

How long does it take to reveal all?In just six seconds, an X-ray scanner can produce a 360° digital image of the body - minus clothes.

Who else uses the electronic scanner? The scanner is in use in the US and worldwide in airports, embassies, court buildings, prisons and government properties.  Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about an operator's code of conduct and any risks of passers-by having a look.

Read the news item: X- Ray Scanner to replace body search at airports

Electronic strip search

Manchester Airport body x-ray

Cabin crew plan to strike (again). If you are a BA ticket holder what do you do?

The BA strike fiasco is causing confusion for travellers who are wondering what they should do and whether or not their travel insurance will cover them in the event of the strike. Here is our guide to what you can expect:

I have a ticket to fly with BA during the strike period. What can I do?

Your first port of call should be British Airways. Get in touch to ensure that they have your contact details to keep you abreast of the situation. Ask if they can book you on a new flight. Check their website for this information on www.britishairways.com or call customer services 0844 493 0787 in the UK (daily 0600-2000 local time)   1 800 247 9297 (1 800 AIRWAYS) in the US (daily 0700-0100 local time).

If you have a fully flexible ticket you may be able to manage your booking online at the Manage My Booking link

Can I change my flight?

According to British Airways passengers with either a flexible or restricted ticket and are due to fly during the potential strike window and 48 hours on either side of the strike window may change their bookings for a date up to 12 months in the future with no penalty.

Either get in touch with BA direct or your travel agent.

But I have to be at my destination on a specific date which falls during the strike period. If I buy another ticket with another airline am I entitled to a refund?

According to aviation industry consumer watchdog the Air Transport Users' Council, BA are not oblighed to refund your money if the strike is called off and the flight takes off as planned.

Will British Airways refund my ticket if I can't fly?

If your flight is canceled because of the strike, BA will offer the choice of a refund or rebooking you on another flight, whether on BA or with a rival carrier.

BA will only give you a refund if the airline officially cancels your flight, however.

Will British Airways help me cover the cost of meals and accommodation if I am stranded abroad?

A BA spokesman said the airline is still working on a contingency plan and could make no immediate announcement regarding accommodation and food for stranded passengers.

Passengers who booked their flights before the strike vote was announced om November 2 should be covered by their travel insurance, but any flights booked since then are not likely to be covered by standard policies. It is best to check with your insurer

If you have paid for your flight with your credit card, get in touch with your credit cardThose who booked their flight using a credit card may be entitled to recover at least some of the costs.

I booked a hotel room and rental car at my destination. Will BA compensate me if I can't use them?

BA don't appear to have a policy on this issue. Refer to your travel insurer  to see whether such costs could be covered.

What's the score with Travel Insurance?

Travel insurers have warned that passengers may not be eligible for compensation. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) those who made holiday arrangements after the Unite union announced  the strike on November 2nd are unlikely to be covered by insurance policies because they should have 'assumed' a walkout would occur.

Malcolm Tarling of the ABI said: "travel insurance is designed to cover unforseen events and circumstances you could not be reasonably expected to be aware of.

"When the strike ballot was announced it was reasonable there would be strike action.  If you can be reasonably expected to know something is happening then you are not covered."

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See also: BA Strike: Check out alternative flight options

BA Strike: Your guide to your rights

Stories of adventurous travellers making their way home on cruise ships, trains, coaches, and hire cars  through several countries to pick up a ferry to a UK shore have been nothing short of inspiring.

Some stranded in long haul destinations see the wait as an extension of their holiday and a chance for more sight seeing. Some who are pressed to get home have seen this as a fun challenge. others have simply shrugged their shoulders and invoked the Dunkirk spirit.

On the down side, some travellers feel ripped off by some profiteering car hire companies and other transport companies,

Ferry companies have increased their capacity and P&O, who have put on two freight ships to ease the congestion, say that there are ferry tickets for everyone who turn up at Calais though there may be a wait.

Eurostar have offered a 300,000 tickets at a special price of £89 one way.

Meanwhile the first of three Royal Navy warships started a rescue mission for Brits stranded abroad. MS Albion docked at Santander in northern Spain this morning and started loading about 250 troops and 200 civilians to take them back to the UK.

Another two Navy vessels, aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and commando helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, have also been deployed to rescue stranded British travellers from the Continent. Government officials are due to announce where they will dock later today.

A new £500m cruise ship, the Celebrity Eclipse, is to sail to Spain to pick up almost 3,000 stranded British tourists. The luxury vessel is due to leave Southampton tonight for Bilbao.

There is a plan is to use Spanish airports as a hub for UK travellers where coaches will be on hand to take passengers onwards.

All ferry services between Spain and the UK are fully booked for a week.The no-fly zone was imposed across Britain on Thursday after a plume of ash spewed into the air south of Iceland on Wednesday night and with signs of slow improvement for the 500,000 British passengers without flights home, many are heading for various ports in France in the hope of catching a ferry back

A Heathrow airport spokesman said: "As things stand, all flights remain suspended. When airports do open for business, we will continue to strongly advise passengers that they must check the status of their flight with airlines before travelling to airports."

How the chaos has disrupted plans for some high profile travellers:

*Former prime minister Tony Blair has been unable to fly home from Israel, where he has been carrying out his role as a Middle East envoy. Cherie Blair said her husband was hoping to return home as soon as he could to help Labour win a historic fourth term.*Rock band Status Quo will be forced to travel home from a gig in Moscow by rail and road. heir tour bus has was sent to pick them up from Warsaw and the journey will take almost two days.*Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles missed his morning show after he was grounded in New York. He had been expected to return on Sunday. Moyles described his situation as "a very, very surreal [but] kind of pleasant nightmare", and said he had run out of underwear. "I'm going to have to get my pants and socks laundered at the hotel," he added. *Actor Kiefer Sutherland, has still not been able to fly home to California from London.*Filming for the new series of the popular television show Dragons' Den has been delayed, with judge Peter Jones unable to return home from Barbados due to the travel chaos.*Miley Cyrus is unable to attend the UK premiere of her new film The Last Song, and singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner is stranded in Hong Kong. The Cribs, Delphic and Gary Numan were also forced to pull out of the weekend's Coachella festival in California.*US singers Usher and Adam Lambert are unable to carry out promotional duties in Europe

* Actress Demi Moore has declared herself unable to attend UK press interviews for her new film The Joneses.*Two cast members of the stage version of Hi-de-Hi! are stranded in the Maldives. Understudies will fill in for Peter Amory and Rebecca Bainbridge at the Haymarket in Basingstoke this week.

*Fulham FC, who were hoping to catch a private plane, will have to make do with a coach to travel 600 miles for a game in Germany.

Don"t waste time, get you claims in quickly

Many holidaymakers have had their travel plans disrupted because of the Icelandic volcano. Getting home may have been an adventure or an ordeal, but now that you are home safe and sound, make sure your sort out your travel insurance claim.

Natural disasters - Can I really claim for an Act of God?

Though you may not have specified this at the time of purchase, it is still worth asking the question to find out where you stand on pay-outs. Many travel insurers have advertised recently in the national press that they will pay out as an act of good will.

How soon should I claim?

Get in touch as soon as you can as different providers have varying time limits.

What do I need to show?

Collate all your receipts and include a detailed itemised claim. Travel insurance companies will look more kindly on 'reasonable' out-of-pocket expenses, so its worth stating why your claim is indeed reasonable. This could inlude buying extra medicine or extra expenditure for special diets.

What if the insurance provider disputes my claim?

Insurance providers may well dispute your claim in part or whole, but nevertheless include your claim even if you are unsure about cover. You'll soon find out.

If you are unhappy with the insurer's response to you claim you can make a formal complaint. Detailed information about the case and why it has been disputed is vital. Ask about the clause in the policy that allows them to dispute or reject your claim. Get them to clearly state their grounds for refusal.

To make a formal complaint, write a letter to your provider either by post or email and mark it 'FORMAL COMPLAINT'. Check your provider's website for any complaint procedures they may like you to follow. Exhaust all avenues of their internal procedure and only then, if you still are unhappy, should you complain to the obusdman with details of the claim and include all relevant document.

How much time should I allow?

The magic number seems to be around 8 weeks. If the matter has not been resolved within this time get in touch with the Financial Ombudsman Service Tel: 0300 123 9123

What if I am not happy with the FOS decision?

There is a final step you can take which involves court action, but it can be costly, so consider this carefully.

In England and Wales, if your claim exceeds £5000, you won't be able to have the case heard in a Small Claims Court. If you lose you  may be ordered to pay court costs for the provider too.

Smaller amounts can be heard in the Small Claims Court and each side will be expected to pay their own costs. The claim limit though is £2000 in Northern Ireland and £3000 in Scotland where the case is heard in the Sheriff's Court.

If you amount is higher than £5000 then consider enlisting the services of a solicitor.

Ash Alert: Travel Insurance - Know your rights

As the ash plume causes havoc for aviation we offer answers for your questions about this most unusual event.

A cloud of volcanic ash drifting eastward from Iceland has halted flights across northern Europe, causing widespread disruption.Below are some questions and answers on the aviation risk.What is volcanic ash?Plumes of dust spewed out by volcanoes usually contain tiny particles of glass, pulverised rock and silicates. The result is a cloud of material resembling sandpaper.Why is it a hazard to aviation?The problem is not visibility but the abrasive affect of the ash, which can both strip vital surfaces and clog an engine.Pulverised rock colliding at high speed with a speeding jet can blast away surfaces inside the engine.Due to intense heat in the motor, the particles can fuse together when they penetrate the engine and stop it working.Aircraft avionics and electronics can also be damaged.Aviation authorities say clouds of ash are often accompanied by clouds of gas such as sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid.How long will the problem last?The answer depends on the weather. Prevailing winds have so far spread the cloud eastwards from Iceland towards British and Scandinavian airspace. Britain's meteorological office says ash may be present over the United Kingdom on Thursday and Friday.What happens when volcanic ash is detected?A 120 nautical mile danger zone is declared around the original plume and flights are banned in contaminated areas as winds move the ash across flight paths. The scale of Thursday's response is "unprecedented," a British spokesman said.What happens if an aircraft does fly into volcanic ash?* On June 24, 1982, the captain of a British Airways Boeing 747 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Perth, Australia, came on the speaker system at around 37,000 feet and calmly told the 247 passengers on board that all four of its engines had failed.In an incident that went down in aviation history, Captain Eric Moody glided the jet down more than 20,000 feet and managed to restart one engine at 13,000 feet followed by others, according to the Flight Safety Foundation.It was only later that investigators found the combination of engine failure, an eerie luminous glow around the plane and acrid smoke inside the cabin had been caused by flying into a cloud of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Galunggung.The aircraft landed safely on three engines but the incident prompted new flight procedures and international exercises.* On December 15, 1989, all four engines failed again when a KLM jumbo flew into a cloud that turned out to be volcanic ash while en route from Amsterdam to Anchorage, Alaska. The engines resumed working and the damaged plane landed safely.That incident was blamed on lack of sufficient information provided to the crew, the Flight Safety Foundation says.How do controllers plan for such an event?Partly as a result of these incidents, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a United Nations body, maintains detailed contingency plans that were activated on Thursday.The incident came just six weeks after European authorities carried out the first of two 2010 exercises for just such an event, aimed at preventing a catastrophe due to volcanic dust.

Why Is Volcanic Ash A Threat To Planes?

Know a bit about the culture before you go to stay out of trouble abroad.

What may seem natural and normal in one country may be frowned upon or even illegal in another.

Alcohol and Islam

Alcohol is generally forbidden in Muslim countries and if Muslims drink they won't do so in public so don't embarrass them with a gift of a bottle of any sort of alcohol.

Dogs and pigs are considered to be unclean animals in Islamic countries, so your faux pas can be even bigger when you give a Muslim alcohol in a handmade pigskin bottle holder. 

Look, but don't touchPublic displays of affection such as kissing are not allowed in places like Dubai. And sex outside marraige is illegal in the whole of the UAE. One couple who made love on a Dubai beach faced six years imprisonment!

Thumbs up or OK

In European countries and in the US a thumb up sign means in fact, that everything is OK (all correct). Showing a thumb-up sign is an easy way how to show that you are having fun, good time or that nothing goes wrong. But in Iran a thumbs-up is called bilakh and means an unquestioned insult. Literally it means “Sit on this”.

The OK sing -  when the thumb meets the foreginger to form a circle - is a gesture that tells all is well when used in the US or Europe.  In Turkey and Brazil this gesture tells the other person that you are comparing him or her to a part of the human anatomy best not mentioned.

Patting someone's head - a gesture of affection?

In Europe, patting a child on the head may seem like a friendly gesture, yet demeaning if done to an adult. In Buddhist countries where the head is regarded as sacred as the seat of soul, touching it is insulting even for a small child.

Pointing your finger

Finger pointing can be used to indicate a direction or object by Americans and Europeans. In Malaysia however  people point with the whole fist and the thumb at the top indicating direction.

Filipinos on the other hand  point to an object by shifting their eyes towards it or pursing their lips and pointing to it with their mouth.Taboo subjects     In China don't mention Tibet or Aborigines in Australia these are themes to cause offence and when chatting to the Irish don’t call their Isle part of the British islands.

Dress code In Muslim countries, be aware that showing flesh - especially by women - is extremely offensive. So no shorts or topless sunbathing.

Don't enter a Japanese temple or home with the shoes on In Japan and other countries in the East, it is customary to take off your shoes and hat. The Japanese will often give you a pair of slippers to take you from the front door to their living room, where they should be removed before you step on the tatami (the red mat). Be careful, always wear clean socks!

Careful with the flowers      It is customary to give flowers but in some coutries the variety and colour have meaning. Don't take Carnations to a dinner party in Germany, Poland and Sweden as these are used for funerals.

In Belgium, Italy, France, Spain and Turkey this is true of chrysanthemum.

In France and Austria red roses suggest romantic interest, while in Mexico and Chile yellow roses are a sign for grief and separation.

Give a bunch of flowers always unwrapped in Germany, Sweden and Poland!

An odd number of flowers are unlucky in China and Indonesia; even number is considered to be unlucky in India, Turkey, Russia and Germany.

What shall we drink to?Everyone loves a good toast. It's friendly and fun but in some countries such as Russia and former sovient union countries  it is taken very seriously. 

In Scandinavia and Germany make eye contact when saying Skal or Prost! In Russia you should drink the vodka in a single gulp. In Georgia and Azerbaijan the toasts often go for hours and led by the tamada or toast master. It is considered to be rude to talk or sip between the toasts.

Careful with the chop sticks There's is a lot of etiquette surrounding chop sticks. The more you hold your chopsticks apart from your food, the more sophisticated you are considered to be. Hold the chopsticks at least in the two-third up.

Don't cross them over each other, point at people with them or rest them on the opposite side of your plate. The worst thing you can do with them is to put them upright in a bottle of rice. This is a Japanese funeral rite when the chopsticks are left by the bedside of the newly deceased.

Sole of your shoe

Resting your foot on your knee and bearing your sole is an insult if it happens in Singapore, Egypt, Saudi Arabia or Thailand.

Nod your head if you mean No

In most places nodding your head verticall up and down would indicate a "yes" and from side to side is a "no".  Not in Bulgaria, where the "yes" and "no" nod are reversed.

Have you got any more examples? Please leave a comment.

Things not to do when travelling abroad

Despite media attention, travellers are still confused about what they can take through airport security. Sharron Livingston answers some of the most pressing questions passengers are asking.

The EU's airport security rules regarding hand baggage and liquids have been in force for more than a year but with tens of thousands litres of liquids and gels being confiscated at airports each day, this is not only stressful for passengers, but just adds to the delays.Danny Van Goethem, Head of Security at Brussels Airport says: "This is a pity on more than one level. Firstly, no passenger likes to be deprived of their drinks or toilet articles. Secondly, processing the many hundreds of bottles and containers is an immense task for our security services. Finally this leads to longer waiting queues at the security screening points, which again is bad news for the travellers".So, in order to clarify what you can and can't take through, we have answered here, some of the many questions travellers are asking:Q: How many of items of hand luggage can I take through airport security?A: From 7 January 2008 the one item restriction was abandoned at certain airports. However, some airlines such as Easyjet, regardless of airport rules, still apply the one bag rule diligently and may even refuse boarding if even if your other bag is your handbag. Make sure you find out in advance the rules of the airport you are travelling from and also the airline that will be carrying you.

However in the aftermath of the attempted detonation of an explosive device on a Northwest jet on route from Amsterdam to Detroit in the US, more security measures are being implement on US bound routes.

British Airways has advised that "only one item of hand luggage is allowed for all passengers traveling to the U.S. from Heathrow, Gatwick or London City. This applies to passengers whose journey originates in London, as well as those who are transferring flights."It adds that holiday presents in hand luggage will need to be unwrapped -- but only for U.S.-bound flights.

Our Advice: Make life easy, just plan for one piece of hand luggage per person.

Q: Can I take a drink through Security?

A: No

Q: Liquids are not allowed in, but can I carry through a bottle of water I am drinking at the time?A: No you cannot. This will be confiscated whether you are still drinking it, or unopened and regardless if this is a bottle or can. This includes coffee other hot drinks, and any other cold drink you are supping.

Our Advice: Finish your drink before you get to securityQ: I'm still not entirely sure about what liquids I can take through?A: You can take through various liquids in different containers, but the container itself should not be able to hold more than 100ml.These should be carried through the airport in a single transparent re-sealable plastic bag - like a freezer bag. The bag itself should not be carry more than 1 litre (20cm x 20cm).

All the containers should fit comfortably and the bag should be sealed. Inside there should be no more than 10 containers of 100ml bringing the combined volume to no more than 1 litre. Plus, only one bag per person and should be carried separately for easy examination.Our Advice: Do you really need to carry all those toiletries in hand-luggage? Anything more than 100ml will be confiscated anyway. So, if you have checked-in luggage, pack it. Alternatively, buy them at the airport once you have gone through security.Q: Okay, but what is a liquid? Is my mascara a liquid?A: Yes, your masacara and other make-up items like foundation, are considered liquids. So are your creams, lotions, oils and perfumes. Toiletries such as sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants, all types of pastes, including toothpaste, gels, including hair and shower gel and any other solution of similar consistency are all to be treated as liquids.

Our Advice: If in doubt, treat it as a liquid. If its more than 100ml, pack it. Or buy it once you have passed through security.

Q: What about my medicines?A: You can take this, but only as much as you need for the duration of the trip, even if this exceeds the 100ml limit. But you will be required to prove the need. You will need prior agreement from the airline you are travelling with and bring a doctor's note.Q: I need to feed my baby, surely I can carry baby food?A: You can take as much liquid baby food or sterilised water required for the journey itself. You will be asked to taste it. You can top up by buying more from the shops on the other side of security or at your destination.

Q: Can I take nail scissors and tweezers in my hand luggage?

A: No, these items will be confiscated. But you can pack these items into your checked-in luggage.

Q: Can I take hair straighteners through airport security in my hand luggage.

A: Yes, you can.

Q: Can I take my phone and ipod through security?

A. Yes you can. You will be asked to remove these from your pocket or bag and place it in a separate container along with any change and keys so that it can be scanned.

A Word About Prohibited Products

It is a sad fact that today's travellers do face security threats and it makes sense that security measures are taken at the airport. Apply a generous dollop of common sense to decide what you think can be reasonably taken through security and on board.

There are some items which cannot be carried in hand luggage or onto the plane and some that can be packed into check-in luggage. Here is a round up of those items:

Items not allowed in hand luggage but CAN be packed into check-in luggage:

- Scissors (except where both blades are round-ended)- Toy guns- Razor blades- Liquids

Items NOT allowed in hand or check-in luggage:

Explosives: e.g. Fireworks, flares, ammunition, party poppersGases: e.g. Propane camping gas, compressed gas cylindersFlammable Liquids: e.g. Lighter fluid, thinners, petrolFlammable Solids: e.g. Fire lighters, MagnesiumOxidisers: e.g. Bleaches, car body repair kitsToxic/Infectious Substances: e.g. Weed killer, infected blood samples, insecticidesRadioactive Materials: e.g. Medical or industrial sourcesCorrosives: e.g. Dry ice, magnetised material, Mercury

If you have questions relating please feel free to ask them here or post it below.

Airport Security - What Can You Take Through?

Airport Security - What Can You Take Through?

Top ten money saving tips by Alison Steed

1.  Borrow as much ski equipment as you can

Hiring – or worse, buying – ski equipment is likely to be a costly affair, and buying may not be worth it unless you plan on skiing each year.Buying salapettes, ski jackets, gloves, boots and the rest of the gear could easily set you back about £200-£250. If you are buying the same for each person in a family of four, you could find yourself paying more on the kit than the holiday.Find friend or relatives who have skied and may have the right bits and pieces for you to borrow.

 2.  If you have to, then hire equipment at the resort.

OK, some people will not know a single person who has skied, and if that is the case for you, then make sure you get the best deal on your ski and boot hire. Now that so few airlines give you free ski carriage – Swiss is the only one – it will cost you around £30 to get your skis out there, according to Alyn Morgan of the Ski Club of Great Britain. So you are better off hiring them at the resort, rather than in the UK.Ski hire for six days can cost between €95 and €124 for each of the resorts in the Ski Price Index.But if you are a member of the Ski Club of Great Britain you can get between 25 per cent and 45 per cent discount on your hire costs. A family membership for two adults and two

 3.  If you want to ski regularly, try online auction sites for bargains

Online auction sites are a great source of cheap ski gear, especially if you can plan ahead a little. While it is perhaps too late to do this for this ski season, it may be worth thinking about for later in the year, or next year.Even so, you can still get some bargain gear online. For example, salopettes for a three-year-old were going for £2.50 on eBay this week. Women’s Salomon Ski Boots were up for £31. They may not be the latest style, but considering you would be paying nearly £165 elsewhere for a pair of Salomon Divine 6 ski boots for women, you are making a real saving.

 4.  Choose a resort which is right for your expertise

Tempting though it is to go to the chic resorts of Chamonix or Whistler, you may find that you are out of your depth when it comes to some of the runs you can ski. So check each resort for the level of slopes available, and make sure you are not spending money unnecessarily.For example, the Ski Club of Great Britain recommends Bulgaria and Slovenia for intermediate skiers looking for a cheap deal, but you might be left a little disappointed by the après-ski. For budget ski holidays though, these countries are hard to beat.

See the Where to Ski guide by WhichBudget.com

 5.       Learn to ski before you go

With the recent cold snap across the UK, this has been easier this year than most. Outdoor ski facilities are available in more places than you might imagine in the UK, such as Raise, Helvellyn, Cumbria, which actually opened in 1936. You have to be a member of the Lake District Ski Club, which costs £34.50 for a family membership, and a day’s skiing costs £7. But even when the country isn’t covered in a layer of white, there are still plenty of places to learn to ski in the UK. The SnowDome just outside Tamworth is offering two junior ski fast track lessons for a total of £119 in January. Adults doing the same would pay £138. Members would be charged less, and for a family of four the membership cost is £110. So you could easily make that back with a series of coaching for the whole family. You can also learn on the dry ski slopes dotted around the UK. Compare that to the cost of lessons at the resort – at Meribel you would pay as much as €200 for 12.5 hours of skiing in group classes.   6. Shop around for your ski insurance

Not all policies are the same, and there are some nuances even with the same providers, so check what you are covered for before you signup.Prices on www.ski-insurance.co.uk varied enormously. A policy for a couple leaving for the slopes on January 16 and coming back January 23 cost was lowest with Axa Insurance at £40.75 for 10 days’ cover – even though you only need seven.However, if you took the cover separately, you would be charged £14.95 on the Elect Essentials Winter Sports Insurance from White Horse Insurance Ireland – so for two people, this would work out at just under £30. So always check the variations in price not just between companies, but also on how the policies might work out individually.Above all, you need to be sure you are comparing like-with-like, and that medical cover is enough, just in case you have a skiing accident.

 7. Hire a nanny for your children rather than using a ski school

Merinannies, a private nanny service covering Meribel, 3 Valleys, Val d’Isere, Serre Chevalier, Verbier and St Anton charges between £12 and £14 or CHF 22 an hour for one child, and additional children would add just £1 or €1 or CHF1 to the price of care. Given that the Magic Snowsports Academy ‘Kids Fun Factory’ will cost €425 in high season for 28 hours of group skiing for children aged between six and 17, there is a good reason to think about hiring a nanny, at least for part of the time. At these prices, a nanny would cost you £336 at £12 an hour for 28 hours of care, which is cheaper than one child going on the Kid’s Fun Factory school. For two children, at £1 extra per hour for an extra child, the nanny would cost you £364, significantly less than the €850 – or £764 – it would cost to send two children to ski school.But always be sure you are comfortable with who you are leaving your children with.

 8. Don’t use mountainside restaurants

Perhaps easier said than done, but the mountainside restaurants have something of a captive audience, and you are paying for the privilege. Make sandwiches, make your way to a cheaper eating place further from the slopes, or if you have to use them, then keep it to a minimum.

 9. Don’t overspend on the après ski

Apart from helping you to ski better, drinking less can save you a bundle of cash. Yes, you are on holiday, and you are there to have a good time, but spending hard on the après-ski is going to quickly burn a hole in your budget, as the resorts are not cheap.

 10. Use a prepaid card to help stick to a budget

Prepaid cards are just like credit cards to use, but the biggest difference is that you load them up with cash beforehand. Once you have used all of that, the card will no longer work, so it is impossible to overspend. But you can then load the card with more cash usually via your mobile phone, if you want to. Many companies do prepaid cards, including Teletext Holidays, but you should use a comparison service to make sure you are getting the deal that is right for you. Some will charge you to have the card, some to load the card, and others for transactions – or a combination of each. So do your homework before you head to the piste. www.mymoneydiva.com

How to save money on your next skiing holiday

To get better service in the USA, tipping is essential, but not so in Singapore where tipping is not allowed. But what do you tip on a cruise?

While it's tough trying to decipher what to tip from country to country, most travellers want to avoid the cold shoulder from the maitre'd, so it pays to find out what the norm is before arriving.

For example, in Japan if you leave a couple of coins on the table, the waiter may chase after you to return your forgotten change, but in New York if you leave less than 15 per cent, good luck making a reservation in the same restaurant ever again!

Here's a brief overview of tipping abroad:

ArgentinaIt is customery to leave 10-15 per cent at restaurants. Hotels generally charge around 10 per cent, but where that is not the case then tip housekeeping and porters 3 pesos. Taxi drivers expect between 5-10 percent and other like car-park, toilet attendants, cloakroom and bar staff expect 2 pesos. Find budget flights to Argentina

AustraliaTipping in Australia is starting to happen more frequently, but is still entirely optional. A 10 per cent tip in restaurants is acceptable. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers but this form of tipping is on the increase as tourism to Australia grows. [see comment below left by Katharina] Find budget flights to Australia

AustriaRestaurants charge 12.5 per cent service charge and diners leavea discretionary 1-2 euros extra. Where service is not included, leave around 10 per cent. Hotels charge 10 per cent and a small extra tip is expected for good service. Taxis expect 10 per cent and cloack staff and toilet attendants expect 1 euro and 50c respectively. Find budget flights to Austria

BelgiumRestaurants usually add on 15 per cent but leave a few coins for good service. Where service is not included, 15 per cent tip is expected. Tipping is not the norm in hotels and in taxis just round up the fare. Car park attendants receive 1 euros, cloakroom staf, 50c, toilet attendatns, 25c and bar staff just small change. Find budget flights to Belgium

British Virgin IslandsTipping iof 15-22 per cent is expected at restaurants and hotels. Taxis get between 2-4 per cent and 10 per cent discretionary tip for bar staff.

CanadaMost service staff in Canada expect something in the 10-20 percent tip range, depending on whether it's French or English Canada, and how good the service is - if the service is really bad, leave a few cents and they should get the message. Find budget flights to Canada

Czech RepublicTipping is not part of the culture here, but in restaurants and taxis just round up the bill. Find budget flights to the Czech Republic

ChinaYou'll never have to tip anywhere in China. It's the one comfort from the fact that foreigners are generally thought of as filthy rich, and therefore charged a lot more. Most government operated hotels and restaurants prohibit the acceptance of tips, but it is sometimes expected at the bigger hotels and by younger service personnel in the more open cities. Use your discretion. Find budget flights to China

CyprusExpect to be charged 10 per cent at restaurants and hotels plus small tips for porters and housekeeping. Taxis don't expect tips but cloakroom staff and toilet attendants expect 1 euro. Find budget flights to Cyprus

DenmarkTipping is not generally expected except for exceptional service. Find budget flights to Denmark

FranceIn France service must be included in the price of a restaurant bill by law so no need to tip, although it is customary to round your bill to include a little more. At hotels leave a euro or two for housekeeping and porters. This is not true of bars so you should use your discretion if you feel you have got particularly good service or not. Find budget flights to France

GermanyService is not generally included at restaurants but a discretionary tip of 10-15 per cent is expected. At hotels housekeeping and porters expect 2-3 euros. Taxi drivers expect 10-15 per cent tips. Find budget flights to Germany

GreeceAt restaurants a discretionary charge of 4-8 per cent is expected. At hotels, a discretionary tip of 4-5 per cent is the norm. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. Find budget flights to Greece

HungaryTips are generally around 8-15 per cent. Find budget flights to Hungary

IrelandTipping is not de rigueur in Ireland, however it is customary to tip of between 12 and 15 per cent in restaurants or hotels, if there is not already a service charge included. If you receive good service then a 10 per cent tip would be about the right amount for taxi drivers, porters and hotel staff. Find budget flights to Ireland

ItalyNo tip is expected in restaurants throughout Italy, as you will normally be charged a coperto (cover charge) on top of your bill. However it will be much appreciated if you have had a good service to leave a bit extra. Find budget flights to Italy

MaltaAt restaurants expect to pay 10-15 per cent tips. At hotels a discretionary tip of LM5 for housekeeping and for porters and bar staff LM1 is adequate. Taxi drivers expect LM 1-2. Every one else between 10-50c. Find budget flights to Malta

NetherlandsRestaurants charge 10% but where service is not include leave a tip of 10%. At hotels, tip as you please but taxis expect 5 per cent or round up the fare. Find budget flights to the Netherlands

New ZealandTipping is not part of the culture unless service is exceptional. Find budget flights to New Zealand

PortugalAt restaurants leave around 5 per cent. Hotels tend to charge between 5-19 per cen. Where service is not included leave the concierge and porters 2 euros. Taxi drivers expect 5-10 per cent. Find budget flights to Portugal

RomaniaAt restaurants include service at a rate of 5-10 per cent. Where it is not, a tip between 5-10 per cent is expected. Hotels charge around 5% but where it is not included leave housekeeping and porters 100,000-150,000 lei. In taxis, round up the fare and cloack room, car-park and toilet attendants expect between 25,000-30,000 Lei. Find budget flights to Romania

RussiaRestaurants charge anywhere between 5-20 per cent service charge but where they don't leave between 10-25 per cent tips. Hotels charge 5-20 per cent but a small tip is expected by porters and housekeeping. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip. Find budget flights to Russia

SingaporeAccording to government notices in the Lion City, tipping is not allowed. Officials encourage tourists not to add to the 10 per cent service charge that many high-end hotels include on the bill. Hotel porters are one exception to the no-tipping rule, as they usually receive a couple of dollars for lugging bags. Find budget flights to Singapore

SpainIn Spain most restaurants and bars will expect to receive a tip from tourists, although it is really is still a mater of personal discretion. Bills will usually include a service charge in restaurants and as a general rule if you are served a drink in bar at your table you should leave a small tip, as with porters and chambermaids in your hotel. Find budget flights to Spain

Sri LankaA 10 per cent tip is generally expecte. Hotels will charge this amount, but where they don't tip the concierge, bar staff and housekeeping 100Lkr and porters 30LKr. Taxi drivers expect 10 per cent or up to 100LKr for a short journey. Car park and toilet attendants and bar staff expect 50-100 LKr. Find budget flights to Sri Lanka

Thailand Everything goes in Thailand, and that rule applies to tipping as well. Some places expect it and others don't. In general, the more Westernised the place is, the more likely you'll be expected to leave a gratuity. Cabs are now metered in Bangkok, so there's no haggling over your fare, but local custom is still to round the fare up to the nearest five baht. Find budget flights to Thailand

United StatesThis country is the tipping capital of the world where not tipping can easily offend. Restaurants in the USA usually call for a 15-20 percent tip, which supplements a normally meagre wage. This is true of everyone in the service industry, so the rule is, if someone helps you out, from porter to bar tender it pays to leave a small tip! Find budget flights to the United States

WHAT ABOUT TIPPING ON CRUISES AND COACHES AND ALL-INCLUSIVE HOLIDAYS?

CruisesPassengers are a captive audience on a cruise ship and tipping is imperative. This is often a cause for stress and embarrassment. Most cruise brochures have a guide to recommended gratuities but it is pretty random and varies. Budget for an extra £85 per passenger on a two-week cruise. Many cruise lines also add a 15 per cent charge to any bar bill and sometimes add $10 for a general kitty.

CoachesThere is no standard etiquette for tipping the driver. It is really up to you but some say anything between £5-£30.

All Inclusive HolidaysTravel agents generally agree that tips are not necessary on an all-inclusive holiday, expect at the a la carte restaurant.

BEWARE!

If your bill includes a service charge, then don't fill out credit slips with space left for a gratuity - don't pay this twice.

Top Tips About Tipping

Airline Gone Bust? What Are Your Rights?

In the last sixteen years, holidaymakers have enjoyed a newly found freedom and unprecedented choice in holidays thanks to the low cost airlines and the internet.

Searching the net for the best deals on flights and accommodation became popular, unsurprisingly so, as this is a highly flexible and convenient way of arranging a holiday. So far so good. But what happens when things go wrong?

In the last two years alone, 27 airlines have failed, including three business class only airlines: EOS, Maxjet, Silverjet, as well as Oasis Hong Kong and the Canadian low-cost airline Zoom.

Then there was XL Leisure Group, with their charter airline, which has gone bust. The latest casualty is SkyEurope and more recently Flyglobespan. All blame fuel charges and the credit crunch.

This week independent tour operator Goldtrail Travel Ltd went into administration leaving 16,000 stranded and 50,000 without dashed holiday hopes.

Whatever their reason, for holiday makers this means chaos and misery. This is especially true for the thousands of holidaymakers who travelled with XL last year and booked Flyglobespan without any ATOL protection (Air Travel Organisers Licensing) and may well be stranded abroad.

So what are your rights when an airline goes bust?

I booked through a Travel Agent/Tour Operator

All tour operators and travel firms selling air holiday packages in the UK are legally bound to hold an ATOL. This means that if a travel company, airline or hotel goes bust, help is at hand to get you home or if you can't travel you will get a refund.

So, travellers that booked their flight and accommodation as a package through an ATOL/ABTA or AITO bonded agent or operator will find that they are covered for the worst and that the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) will be responsible for getting you home. 

Passengers will either get a full refund, or if they are already abroad, they can continue enjoying their holiday with the peace of mind that ATOL will be sorting out their homeward bound travel plans.

But consumers should be aware if they are booking only flights from a travel agent even if they ARE ATOL-protected. If you purchase a scheduled flight and are given either an e-ticket or paper ticket immediately or within 24 hours of the airline going bust, you will not be covered and the travel company is not legally bound to refund or repatriate you.

I booked through a travel agent or third party website

Protection depends on whether or not the agent has ATOL (Air Travel Organisers License ) bonding. If they are, you are entitled to a full refund but its not clear-cut. Some agents will only refund the cost of the flight if it was booked in conjunction with a hotel (in effect it became a package). Request for refunds for flight-only bookings may fall on deaf ears.

I booked my flight online via the airline's own website with a credit card

If you paid using a credit card, you are probably protected under the Consumer Credit Act, as long as the transactions is over £100, but it depends on the card issuer. Contact your card provider or bank and they will send you a claim form. You will need to provide evidence that your flight was cancelled.

So if you are not due to fly yet you must wait and see whether the administrators can get the planes flying once more.

However, there is no provision to cover the costs of getting home.

I booked my flights online via the airline's own website with a debit card

If you paid using a Visa or Maestro Debit card you may be protected on transactions over £100. You will have to check that your individual bank has signed up to the 'chargeback' procedure. However non-visa debit card payments will have no such protection.

Travel Insurance - Does it assist in getting a refund?

Unlikely. If you have stipulated this as a condition of your insurance you will be okay. Standard travel insurance policies, generally, won't have this provision.

Does Travel Insurance cover a package holiday?

Travel Insurance policies tend to favour package holidays over stand alone flight bookings when the firm goes bust. But it is worth checking. Your travel insurer will tell you to go to ATOL first.

Does Travel Insurance cover scheduled flight only travel?

It is not safe to assume that your travel insurance will cover airline insolvency. If the policy contains SAFI, then you are covered, but this is hardly ever the case.

Should I go ahead and book another flight, stay at my hotel and chase down the cost of the original flight later? Or should I wait for my refund to come through first?

If you are travelling quite soon, then go for it. Consumer Credit Act refunds can take several weeks and the same applies to travel insurance claims. So buy now and chase claims later.

Have you got a question not answered above? Leave a comment below.

What To Do If Your Airline Goes Bust

What To Do If Your Airline Goes Bust