internet videophone that’s free to download and use. Then sign up to an agency such as verbalplanet.com, where you’ll find 300 tutors teaching 20 languages for around £20 an hour. They’re all star-rated and the first lesson is often free. It’s even cheaper—only £8 an hour—to learn Spanish with 1to1languages.com, but their tutors are Colombian, so you may end up with a South American accent. If you want an online tutor, look for a Lancelot-qualified one (Language Learning with


Certified Online Trainers) who understands how the system works. And if you just want to brush up your vocab, try languagehelpers.com compiled by volunteers, or the free courses on the BBC website—the “Cool” sections will make you street-smart in four languages.


...avoid cheap air traps HOW TO


airline will make its profit another way. If you let them. “You can’t afford to make a single mistake when buying tickets,” he warns. • Avoid credit card


CLICK ON TO IHATE RYANAIR.CO.UK and you’ll be amazed the airline is still in business. But no one makes you fly Ryanair, points out Simon Calder, travel journalist and author of No Frills (Virgin, £9.99): “I use them because I know I’ll get where I’m going safely, cheaply and reliably.” No, he’s not on the


payroll. He simply accepts that if you’re flying for the price of a bus fare, the


charges—save £10 (£5 each way) by paying with the specified cards. Bmibaby, easyJet, Flybe and Jet2 ask for Visa Electron, while Ryanair insists on a Mastercard prepaid debit card. • Reduce check-in


charges—save £40. That’s what Ryanair docks you if you fail to print out your boarding pass. And if you’re going away for a month, find an internet cafe before you fly home as Ryanair won’t let you check in more than 15 days ahead. • Beat baggage


restrictions —save £80. You’ll pay double to check


in your cases at the airport, so do it online. Even then it costs you each way—up to £20 for 15kg with Ryanair. If you’re going for a short break, cram everything into your cabin bag (easyJet sets no weight limit) and wear your cold-weather clothes. • Ditch fast boarding—


save £10. First on the bus is often last on the plane. • Decline travel


insurance—save £9. • Take a picnic—save


£12 and your digestion. • Get compensation for a cancelled flight— save £1000s. Don’t accept a refund! If your flight is with an EU airline (or flying from the EU) you can insist they find you another. You can also claim for meals and accommodation if you’re stranded, says the Air Traffic Users Council.


VARIO IMAGES GMBH @ CO. KG/ALAMY


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