A third of Brits will leave it too late to take their full annual leave

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A third of Brits will leave it too late to take their full annual leave

40% of people leave it too late to obtain their preferred holiday options such as destination, resort or hotel

With just under a month to go before year end, research from RBS Royalties Premier Account reveals that nearly a third (32%) of people will have missed out on taking their full holiday entitlement because they are too busy at work and leave it too late to take their full annual leave. In addition, two fifths (40%) of those who have managed to book winter travel plans will have accepted a different option than the one they planned because they booked at the last minute.

The survey findings reveal that three quarters (78%) of people blame their lateness or lack of holiday planning on trying to cram too much in to their lives and working long hours. This is backed up by the 2003 New Earnings Survey from the National Office of Statistics which shows that Brits work some of the longest hours in Europe - around 40 hours a week, rising to 44 and 47 hours for manufacturing and construction industries respectively*.

Of those 40% who were not able to book their preferred holiday due to lack of planning, the RBS Royalties Premier Account research shows the factor that caused most annoyance was not being able to book the specific holiday they wanted. Over a quarter said the biggest irritations were not being able to visit their preferred destination (28%) and finding that there were no rooms available in their favoured hotel (15%).

Allan Hardie from RBS Royalties Premier Account comments: “It is a sad state of affairs that simple lack of planning is resulting in so much unused annual leave, especially around this time of year when families want to spend time with their loved ones. Of course our lives are so busy and we live in a 24-hour society but this means it’s all the more important to make sure we use our holiday wisely. The easiest way to ensure this happens is to get someone else to do the planning for you, which is something the Bank's Royalties Premier Account offers.”

Nick Isles, Associate Director of The Work Foundation, recognises the time constraints most people are under and says: "Despite a recent reduction in the average number of hours worked in the UK, full time workers still work the longest hours in Europe. RBS's initiative is to be welcomed as one way of alleviating work/life pressures and ensuring people take the breaks they have earned."

RBS Royalties Premier Account

One way to ease the time pressure associated with organising holidays is to use the travel adviser services of the Royal Bank's Royalties Premier Account.

Individuals can use the service to ease the burden of making travel arrangements by researching destinations, resorts and individual hotels, as well as booking bespoke holidays. The adviser can also build-up a history of holiday likes and dislikes and keep this on file to create tailor-made itineraries. The service costs just Ł15 a month and also provides account holders with exclusive personal services including a lifestyle manager and a dedicated home emergency service. The account also offers a range of discounts and deals on banking and insurance products.

Make the change – not just for Christmas, but for life…

We not only leave it too late to organise our holidays, but we also run behind schedule for a number of other life events: a quarter of Brits admit to having been late for a job interview and even if they are offered a new position, one in ten are late on their first day. 12% of people have also been late for a funeral, 5% of women for their wedding, and 9% of men for the birth of their baby.

The RBS Royalties Premier Account comprises:

up to 1% APR discount on personal loans. This discount is not available on online loans
exclusive mortgage deal
introductory rate of 0% for the first six months on our Platinum credit card and you also receive double AirMiles for the same period. 1% APR discount thereafter
interest-free overdraft of up to Ł500
preferential creditor interest rates
20% discount on our tax and wills services
20% discount on our telephone and online share dealing service
0.25% savings account interest bonus
Insurance
10% discounted home insurance
25% discount on new Norwich Union healthcare policies
Ł20,000 accidental death cover
competitive car insurance with complementary breakdown cover
24-hour payment card protection
two-year extended warranty on electrical goods

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