Brits have revealed their best summer ‘wins’ - including your suitcase coming off the plane first, getting a free hotel room upgrade and bagging a table in a busy pub garden.
Research of 2,000 adults* revealed eating dinner outdoors in the garden, turning up to a quiet beach with no one on it and managing to dry multiple loads of washing in one day were other top wins.
For those heading away, breezing through airport security, finding a restaurant other tourists don’t know about and avoiding sunburn for the entirety of a trip were other first pumping moments.
Closer to home, longer and sunnier evenings were favoured most by respondents.
The research was commissioned by Virgin Money as part of its ‘adding extra to ordinary’ campaign.
Andrew Carter, from the brand, which has also launched tips on how to ‘win’ at summer, said: “Summer wins can well and truly take it from being a good time of year to a great one, putting you in a brilliant mood while the sun is hopefully shining.
“The summertime typically puts a smile on your face anyway – but it seems these little moments do also happen more frequently at this time than any other.
“As a result, you feel like you’re getting that little bit extra in life over summer, and that can really give you a boost.”
When it comes to holidays, arriving early at a destination, getting a great currency exchange rate and not having to pay extra for data roaming were other top wins.
And not getting charged fees for using a debit card, collecting loyalty points for travel and getting cashback on paying for a trip with a credit card were little bonuses experienced with a trip away.
The study also revealed 62 per cent wish they encountered more summer wins than they currently do.
A third (35 per cent) appreciate the ones they weren’t expecting most, while 30 per cent prefer those that save them money.
Four in 10 (39 per cent) believe such wins are experienced more in the summer than any other time of year.
More than half (52 per cent) said they tend to spend more during the summer months – on eating out with friends and family, treating the family to days out and hosting.
While 50 per cent said the weather puts them in a better mood, so they’re more inclined to spend – and 52 per cent like to make the most of being out and about in the good weather.
Four in 10 (42 per cent) of those polled via OnePoll will save money throughout the year so they can enjoy the summer more – putting cash away for holidays, family activities and clothing.
Half of respondents get a sense of genuine satisfaction when they encounter such moments, while 17 per cent are left thrilled.
Andrew Carter from Virgin Money, which is offering customers its own ‘summer wins’ including travel perks, cashback offers and access to exclusive savings rates, added: “These moments add a little extra to the ordinary, which is what life is all about.
“The research has shown people typically spend more money during the summer to maximise the warmer weather and we want to give people a little extra when they do, so that no day is ordinary.
“By spending cleverly, they can make their own luck too – through cashback, discounts and dodging foreign exchange fees – which is a win-win for everyone.”
TOP 30 SUMMER WINS
- Longer days of sunlight and sunny evenings
- Having brilliant weather for the barbecue/garden party/picnic you’d planned
- Eating your dinner outside in the garden
- Getting a free hotel room upgrade
- Having a free seat next to you on the plane
- Getting multiple loads of washing dry in one day
- Turning up to a beach and there’s hardly anyone on it
- Your suitcase coming off the plane first
- Being bought an ice cream
- Breezing through airport security
- Getting a table in the busy pub garden
- Being invited to other people’s houses for a barbecue so you don’t have to cook
- Finding a great restaurant that other tourists don’t know about
- Arriving early to your destination
- Avoiding sunburn for the entirety of your holiday
- The rain holding off for a family trip to a theme park
- Having less traffic on your commute due to the school holidays
- A brand you love having a brilliant deal, cashback offer or sale on
- Getting a great currency exchange rate
- Not having to pay extra for data roaming
- Getting complimentary drinks and snacks on your flight
- People no longer talking about the general election
- Travel insurance costing less than you thought it was going to
- Your hold luggage coming in just under the maximum weight
- When the sun is out for the Euros match and the pub garden has a TV
- Not getting charged fees for using your debit card abroad
- Bagging a prime picnic spot
- Booking a holiday straight after coming back from your last one e.g. booking a cruise after a beach holiday
- Getting through an entire book on holiday
- Getting a better rental car than you’d paid for
*About the research
Survey conducted via OnePoll for Virgin Money, with a sample of 2,000 UK adults in July 2024