Little-known discounts your boarding pass can get you on holiday which save you hundreds of pounds
DID you know there’s an advantage to keeping your boarding pass after you’ve used it?
While your expired ticket might be useless when it comes to hopping on another plane, it can bag you some big discounts once you get to your destination.
Select airlines offer deals in various countries from Dubai to Istanbul and Korea.
Wherever you are headed, take a look at the boarding pass discounts before you fly as they are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels for a limited number of days after your flight.
All you need is your boarding pass (take a screenshot if it’s electronic in case it expires), photo ID and you’re good to go.
Air Serbia
Anyone flying with Air Serbia gets to enjoy offers up to 25 per cent off for up to 7 days after arrival in Belgrade with a boarding pass.
Lots of hotels will allow money off booking with a boarding pass from the Hotel Mona Plaza to the Crystal Hotel Belgrade.
Eight restaurants in the city also accept a boarding pass for discounts, as well as four cafes and pubs.
There are also three museums to explore and three spas, with taxis and car rental also taking part in the scheme.
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines have a whopping 148 discounts and offers available across the globe.
You can use what they call your ‘Magic Boarding Pass’ from 7 days to one month from your boarding date.
From Korea to Northeast and Southeast Asia, America, Canada, Europe, Oceania and Mongolia – there are discounts all round.
Access child-friendly attractions like the biggest aquarium in Korea, Aqua Planet Jeju with 20 per cent off admission.
They also have discounts on museums, art galleries, attractions, and activities like skydiving.
For getting around, they also have discounts on the Airport Railroad Express that connects Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport.
Emirates
With what they call your Emirates Pass (your boarding pass), you can save money on some of the biggest attractions in Dubai.
By using an Emirates boarding pass you can save when going to At The Top Burj Khalifa observation deck.
The Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Parks & Resorts and City Sightseeing.
They’ve also added an offer of free access to Vision Pavilion at Expo City Dubai.
Check the full list on their website, but you can also save money in shops, restaurants, spas, golf courses and kids’ attractions.
The offer applies to anyone who is flying or has flown with Emirates between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025 – which is when the offer ends.
Etihad Airways
The boarding pass scheme with Etihad, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, means you could save hundreds across Abu Dhabi.
You can get 15 per cent off entry tickets in Warner Bros and Yas Water World theme parks as well as Ferrari World – which is home to the fastest rollercoaster in the world.
Their discounts also include up to 25 per cent off in hotel bookings, restaurants, spas and adventure parks.
Etihad Airways boarding passes are valid for 30 days after travel for discounts on Abu Dhabi attractions.
Turkish Airlines
For anyone travelling from the UK to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, there are plenty of discounts to indulge in.
Passengers can use the discounts valid for 15 days from arrival in Istanbul.
The Pera Palace Hotel offers a 15 per cent discount on stays in their Agatha Christie themed room as well as a 10 per cent discount on afternoon tea.
Anyone eating at the Zennup 1844 can pick one item off the menu completely free with their boarding pass.
Turkish Airlines also have seasonal deals with brands like Dyson where you can get a 5 per cent discount off regular priced items.
Holiday packing tips
Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday.
1. Write a list
Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase.
Or for complete ease, try Google’s AI app – Gemini – which will create a list for you and help you not over pack.
2. Involve your kids
Jemma said: “My girls are getting older, they’re 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say ‘this is what you need’ and they follow the list.
“And then I give them a rucksack each – and say to them ‘you can have whatever you want in there as long as it’s not liquid’, and they can take that on the plane. And that’s their ‘home away from home’ items.”
3. Try a hack or two
She said: “I think they all work, but for different reasons – and you’ve just got to pick the right one for your trip.
“Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you’re trying to get a lot of items into your case, it’s a space saver.
“Packing cubes are great – for example, I’m going on holiday with my three kids and we’re all using the same suitcase for our clothes.
“These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked.
“I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we’ve arrived.”
4. Decant beauty products
Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets – which are much lighter and smaller.
Or, if you’ll be popping to the shops when you’re abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive.
5. Get organised before you come home
Jemma said: “When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes.
“Also pack it in some form of order – so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person.
“Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don’t leave it.”