Holidaymakers save hundreds booking direct

CUTTING out the middleman by booking directly saved UK holidaymakers an average of £423 last year, research has claimed.

Nearly half of the 25 million UK adults who holidayed abroad saved a total of 4.92 billion by booking their travel and accommodation directly, without going through travel agents or tour operators, according to Santander Cards.

Those bypassing the middle men estimated they had chopped an average 423 off their holiday costs, with 44 per cent booking online and a third contacting accommodation venues directly.

Britons are also increasingly prepared to ask for upgrades, with 50 per cent asking for a superior hotel room and 43 per cent requesting better plane seats, according to the research, which claimed 60 per cent succeeded in their bid.