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A current account with extra benefits

To apply, you must be 18+ and a Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar or Isle of Man resident. Applicants from Gibraltar must be an existing customer. £18 monthly fee.

On this page

For £18 a month, get more with gold.

• Arranged overdraft with preferential rates and an £100 interest-free buffer available (subject to status). 
• Credit interest on current account balances
• Travel insurance for you and your family, including winter sports cover
• 24/7 dedicated concierge service
• Private Motor Excess Insurance and car rental loss damage waiver insurance

Only available to Gold account customers. 

Why choose a Gold account?

Travel insurance in detail.

One of the primary Gold benefits is the travel insurance. The built in travel insurance offers comprehensive cover when travelling and includes winter sports cover.

If you experience difficulties while abroad, you have access to 24/7 emergency medical assistance. Wherever you are in the world, one simple phone call will provide you with instant help and support, day or night.

• Family cover includes you and your partner, plus any dependent children under age 18 at the start of the journey, (under 23 if they’re in full-time education). 
• Children must be living at the home address (or with the other parent), and be neither married or in a civil partnership.
• Your partner is the person you, the account holder, lives with at the same home address in a relationship, whether married or cohabiting.

Medical conditions

If anyone covered by the policy has a medical condition, you may need to pay an additional premium or accept that your cover may exclude certain conditions. 

For full details about exclusions and limitations please  read our insurance guides

For more information on how coronavirus (COVID-19) affects your Gold account travel insurance, please review our  frequently asked questions .

Emergency medical assistance and claims

If you are injured or ill while you are away, please contact us on:

Contact number until 16th July 2024

020 8763 3040

Call +44 (0) 20 8763 3040 from abroad

Using Relay UK? Call 18001 020 8763 3040

Contact number from 17th July 2024

020 3433 3988

Call +44 (0) 20 3433 3988  from abroad

Using Relay UK? Call 18001 020 3433 3988

email: [email protected]

Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls may be recorded.

Non-emergency claims

For non-emergency claims, please contact us on:

023 9267 6060

Call +44 (0) 23 9267 6060 from abroad

Using Relay UK? Call 18001 023 9267 6060

email: [email protected]

Lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded.

What the concierge service offers

NatWest International has teamed up with Ten, a leading lifestyle management company to bring Gold account customers a 24/7 concierge service.

Our members enjoy a whole host of exclusive dining, travel, entertainment and retail benefits that have been negotiated with world-leading brands by our team of specialists.

• Unlimited dining, travel and ticket requests
• Savings on flights departing from the UK with Ten’s partnered airlines including various long-haul destination flights with British Airways.
• Access to the experts at Ten concierge

How to get started with Ten

Call or email Gold membership services on:

+44 (0) 2392 676060

email: [email protected]

When emailing Ten concierge, please remember to include your full name and details of how they can help you.

Lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm. If you’re calling outside of these hours, please call 0207 479 3447.

Private Motor Excess Insurance

The insurance works alongside your existing car insurance. It covers the cost of your excess if you have to make an ‘at fault’ claim where the damage to your vehicle is greater than your excess limit. Should you need to make a claim on your car insurance, you pay your excess as normal and then claim it back. Cover is available for persons who own and insure their private motor vehicle. £3,000 is the limit under the policy.

To notify the insurer of a claim:

Policy number: NWI - PME

Membership Services:  02392 676060 Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

email:  [email protected]

You must give all information or help that you are asked for. Further details of how to claim are included in the policy document.

Car Rental Loss Damage Waiver Insurance

£50,000 (or equivalent in local currency incurred as a result of damage, fire, vandalism, theft of use of the rental vehicle. £20 per day (up to a maximum of £200) if the car rental is cancelled or cut short on the advice of a physician. £200 to pay for drop-off charges incurred through the car rental station following an accident or illness. £50 for calling out a locksmith if a named beneficiary unintentionally locks their keys in the rental vehicle.

Policy Number: NWI - LDW

Membership Services:  02392 676060 Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

This insurance provides cover for rental periods of up to 31 days. Cover is available for persons aged 21 to 84, at the time when the car rental booking is made.

Only available to Gold account customers. Private Motor Excess Insurance and Car Rental Loss Damage Waiver Insurance provided by AWP P&C SA and administered in the UK by Allianz Global Assistance.

Switch your account to us

The Current Account Switch Service makes switching from one bank or building society to another simple and stress-free. You can choose a switch date to suit you, just make sure you allow a minimum of 7 working days.

The Current Account Switch Service is not available for accounts held in Gibraltar.

Important information

We recommend that you read these documents before contacting us to start the switch.

• Current Account Switch Guarantee (PDF, 40 KB)

Day to day banking from your screen

Online banking

Manage your finances 24/7

Online banking is a fast and secure way to manage your everyday finances with features including:

• Make sterling and international payments
• Manage your Direct Debits and standing orders
• Create text alerts and more

Online banking available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest International account.

Banking any time

Banking has never been so convenient with our simple mobile banking app.

• Get cash without your debit card
• Transfer money and make payments
• Find your nearest branch or cash machine and more

App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK or international mobile number in  specific countries .

Common questions about insurance cover and benefits

How has the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic affected the gold travel insurance.

Working with our Travel Insurer provider Allianz we have made improvements to your travel insurance cover for claims arising from epidemic or pandemic diseases.

For more information on how coronavirus (COVID-19) affects your Gold account travel insurance, please review our  frequently asked questions .

Who can I contact about a claim on the Gold travel insurance?

Policy Number: TRVNGOLD

Key information about your Gold travel insurance (PDF, 59 KB)

020 8763 3040 Call +44 (0) 20 8763 3040 from abroad

Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Only available to Gold account customers. Gold travel insurance is underwritten by AWP P&C SA and administered in the UK by Allianz Global Assistance.

How do I get Concierge assistance?

Email Ten concierge: [email protected]

Call our Membership Services:  +44 (0) 2392 676060

Lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm.

If you’re calling outside of these hours, please call 0207 479 3447 .

How do I make a claim on the Private Motor Excess Insurance or Car Rental Loss Damage Waiver Insurance?

Membership Services:  02392 676060 Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

email:  [email protected]

Membership Services:   02392 676060 Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Ready to apply?

Before you apply, we've outlined the eligibility for the account below, along with our terms and conditions so you can make sure it's the right account for you.

You can apply for a Gold account if you are:

• permanently resident in Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar or the Isle of Man, and;
• applicants from Gibraltar must also be an existing customer.

Please review our important information about the account

By clicking continue you’re confirming that you’ve been provided with, and have acknowledged our important documents. By proceeding with your application you also agree that you’ll receive your statements in a paperless format. We'll send you an email when your statements are ready to view in Online Banking.

• Personal Banking Account Terms and Fees (PDF, 293 KB)
• Fee information document for Gold (PDF, 161 KB)
• Current account interest rates (PDF, 54 KB)

Insurance product information for our Gold account

We're making some changes to Gold account travel insurance on 16th August 2021. Please review the following documents to ensure our policies fully meet your needs and the cover is right for you.

• Insurance product information (PDF, 211 KB)
• What you need to know about the insurance cover (PDF, 56 KB)
• Key information about Gold travel insurance (PDF, 58 KB)
• Private excess motor insurance & car rental loss damage waiver guide (PDF, 188 KB)
• Travel insurance guide (PDF, 303 KB)

How your information might be used

It's important for you to understand how we use and share your information. Please read this short summary  before you continue with your application.

Let's get started...

To speed up your application, we need to run through some quick questions with you. They'll only take a few minutes.

Start your application now

Just a heads up - we'll ask you to log in to your Online Banking at the next step.

Get your online application started by clicking 'Start your application' below.  The full name you put on this form must exactly match the one on the photo ID you'll use to apply.

After you’ve finished your online application you’ll receive an email or secure inbox message within 2 working days asking you to:

• Complete our Customer Acceptance form, and;
• Upload your identity documents digitally.

Once we have everything, we’ll open your account and send your new account details to you within 5 working days.

Great, you're ready to apply

Get your online application started by clicking 'Start your application' below. The full name you put on this form must exactly match the one on the photo ID you'll use to apply.

Allianz Partners appointed by NatWest Group as travel insurance provider

Allianz Partners has been appointed by NatWest Group as travel insurance provider to their packaged bank account customers.  The partnership spans NatWest Group’s wider family of banking brands including NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank. Customers will have access to Allianz Partner’s travel insurance from February 2024.

The deal is a strategic partnership arising from Allianz Partners’ successful track record partnering with Coutts, RBS International and Isle of Man Bank, all part of NatWest Group. Allianz Partners has worked with Coutts since 2018, providing travel peace of mind to its high net worth clients.

As its packaged bank account travel insurance provider, Allianz Partners will leverage its digital offering to provide NatWest Group’s customers with access to a range of online services through the Allianz Assistance hub. The hub, which will be integrated with the bank’s own online banking app, will enable customers  to manage their insurance, purchase additional cover, request assistance and track claims.

Marcus Latchford, Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Allianz Partners UK and Ireland, commented: “Our partnership with NatWest Group is thanks to the excellent foundation we have developed over the past five years working with Coutts and other parts of the business. We’re delighted that we are able to extend the partnership to cover the whole Group.”

He continued: “Our digital innovation combined with the ‘human touch’ has enabled us to broaden our share of the UK travel insurance market and this collaboration exemplifies our customer focus and commitment to provide exceptional insurance products and services, embedded within our business partners’ products. We look forward to delivering peace of mind to NatWest Group’s customers.”

Barry Connolly, Managing Director of Every Day Banking NatWest Group, commented: "Travel insurance is one of the benefits that our packaged account customers tell us they value the most, and we're really pleased to be working with a global, long-standing trusted partner to enhance the experience customers have when taking the product and tracking their claims, giving them greater peace of mind ."

Allianz Partners’ travel insurance for NatWest Group customers will be available from February 2024.

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Complimentary overseas travel insurance

If you have a Bankwest Platinum or World Mastercard ® , you may get some complimentary benefits – like overseas travel insurance. See what's covered, where to make a claim and how to upgrade.

Are you eligible?

You, your spouse and dependent children may get complimentary cover – as long as you’re travelling overseas together and have an open and activated eligible credit card.

The best bit? There's no minimum spend – the cover applies automatically if you're eligible.

You’ll have the basic benefits, with the option to upgrade for extra protection. There are some limitations and exclusions – like if you’re 80 or over, or have pre-existing medical conditions. For more information, refer to the Credit Card Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDF) .

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 cover under the Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses benefit is now included for travellers whose journey commenced on or after 24 August 2022. If you have purchased any upgraded cover before 24 August, regardless of the date travel commences, COVID-19 cover is not included under Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses benefit. There is no COVID-19 cover for cruise travel or cancellation claims related to COVID-19. Terms and conditions apply.

There is no cover under any other benefit for claims related to COVID-19 for all destinations. For more information please refer to the  Credit Card Insurance PDS (PDF) .

What are you covered for?

Existing medical conditions and age limits.

Some existing medical conditions (like diabetes or asthma) and pregnancies are automatically included in your complimentary insurance - as long as you meet the specified criteria for the conditions. Check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to work out if you're covered.

If your condition isn't automatically included, or you don’t meet the criteria for cover, you can complete a health assessment online through Cover-More. If you're approved, you can then purchase additional cover.

If you’re 80 or over

Your complimentary overseas travel insurance doesn't include medical or health-related cover. If you like, you can call Cover-More directly to enquire about other travel insurance options.

Looking for extra protection?

You can buy comprehensive and extended cover options through the Cover-More upgrade portal. Access it through the Bankwest App, otherwise you can call Cover-More on 1300 468 340 .

Comprehensive cover

Buy cover for cancellation (up to $15,000 if it’s just you or up to $20,000 if it’s your family too – this is already included if you have a World Mastercard), rearrangement and a range of other extras - like rental vehicle insurance excess cover and travel delay expenses. Limits apply.

Extended cover

If you have a Gold or Platinum Mastercard, you can extend your cover by up to two months. If you have a World Mastercard, you can extend it by up to six months.

Before you upgrade, make sure you check our Financial Services Guide (PDF) .

Check your cover

See your complimentary cover and visit Cover-More to make a claim or upgrade – all from the Bankwest App. Go to the ‘ Cards ’ screen from the bottom menu, choose on your eligible credit card then ‘ View insurance details ’.  

Credit card insurance terms & conditions

24/7 emergency assistance, before you call.

It helps to have info about the incident, plus any reports, valuations and photos handy when you call Cover-More.

Phone numbers

• USA - 1833 567 5339
• UK - 0808 234 1925
• Canada - 1833 567 5339
• NZ - 0800 735 915

Charges apply if you’re calling from a mobile or payphone. You can also call direct on +61 2 8907 5615.

Making a claim

Go to cover-more’s online portal.

To make sure you know what you can claim for, see the Credit Card Insurance Product Disclosure Statement and Information Booklet (PDF) . Cover-More can help you with questions about your cover and the claims process.

1. See what you might need to have handy

• The time, date and location of the incident
• A copy of the statement for your eligible card
• Your police report, receipts, valuations and photos relating to your claim
• Your phone number (so they can call you back)
• Details of other parties involved.

Call 1300 468 340

Frequently asked questions

1. which cards are eligible for overseas travel insurance.

Bankwest Gold, Platinum and World Mastercard credit cards are automatically eligible.

2. Who’s covered under my insurance?

If your spouse and dependent children are travelling overseas with you, they’re protected too.

You no longer need to meet the minimum spend ($500 per person on prepaid travel expenses) in order to make them eligible.

3. Do I need a return ticket booked before I leave Australia?

No, you can book it while you’re overseas. Just keep in mind that the insurance is for travelling, not living overseas.

If you make a claim that includes a ticket to get you home, and you didn’t book one before you left, the cost of the fare will be deducted from the claim.

4. Where can I find my policy number?

You can find your complimentary policy number, upgraded policy numbers and claim info by calling or emailing Cover-More. Otherwise, you can do it from the Cover-More self-service portal through the Bankwest App.

5. Are my children eligible for overseas travel insurance?

Eligible dependent children are only covered if they travel with you for the entire trip.

Here’s Cover-More’s definition of an eligible dependent child:

• All unmarried children, up to and including 18 years of age, who the cardholder has sole custody of and who live with the cardholder
• All unmarried children, up to and including 18 years of age, of whom the cardholder has shared custody
• All unmarried children, from 19 years of age up to and including 21 years of age, who are full-time students attending an accredited institution of higher learning in Australia and who the cardholder has/had sole or shared custody, and who are dependent upon the cardholder for their maintenance and financial support
• All unmarried persons who are physically or mentally incapable of self-support who the cardholder has custody of and who live with the cardholder.

However, accompanied child/children never means an infant born on the journey.

For more info, call Cover-More on 1300 468 340 .

Need more help?

For questions about your cover and the claims process, call Cover-More. For help with your card, we're here 24/7.

Things you should know

Insurance is provided by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited, ABN 13 000 296 640, AFS Licence Number 232507 through its agent Cover-More Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 95 003 114 145, AFSL 241713 (Cover-More) for Bankwest, a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Bankwest).

Limitations, exclusions (including for pre-existing medical conditions and persons aged 80 years or over) and eligibility criteria apply. You need to upgrade your overseas travel insurance in order to have a comprehensive or extended level of cover. Before acting on this information you should consider the appropriateness of the product with regard to your personal circumstances. See the Credit Card Insurances Product Disclosure Statement and Information booklet (PDF) and Financial Services Guide (PDF) for details.

Bankwest and its related bodies corporate do not issue or guarantee this insurance. It does not represent a deposit with or liability of either Bankwest or any of its related bodies corporate. We do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. If you purchase an upgrade policy, we (Bankwest) receive a commission which is a percentage of your premium.

Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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What is my travel insurance policy number?

You don't need your policy number to make a claim. However, if asked for it by your travel operator please use the generic policy numbers below:

Select Silver / Reward Silver account

Policy number: AP21840319 Download a copy of your Select Silver / Reward Silver Account Travel Insurance policy (PDF 167KB)

Select Platinum / Reward Platinum account

Policy number: AP20840119 Download a copy of your Select Platinum / Reward Platinum Account Travel Insurance policy (PDF 316KB)

Black / Reward Black account

Policy number: AP21840319 Download a copy of your Black / Reward Black Account Travel Insurance policy (PDF 364KB)

Select Silver / Reward Silver : 0345 601 5219 (Relay UK 18001 0345 601 5219 ) Overseas: +44 1252 308 792 Select Platinum / Reward Platinum : 0345 609 0453 (Relay UK 18001 0345 609 0453) Overseas: +44 1252 763 658 Black / Reward Black : 0345 6017 188 (Relay UK 18001 0345 6017 188) Overseas: +44 1252 308 794

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Top help questions

What are the different balances in online banking.

Recently we’ve changed the way we display your accounts and balances in Online Banking to give you a clearer view of your money.

How do I register for Online Banking if I don't have a debit card?

If you do not have a debit card, you can simply leave this field blank and carry on with your application.

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To protect you and your accounts, we constantly monitor our Online Banking and mobile app services and it may have been necessary for us to temporarily disable your service.

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A card reader gives you an extra level of security when using Online Banking, and you may need to use it to confirm your identity when logging in if you don’t have a mobile number, or you’ve recently updated it with us.

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Money latest: TSB announces big increases to mortgage rates - as 'market thrown into turmoil'

TSB has followed other major lenders in hiking mortgage rates. First-time buyer, mover and remortgage rates are going up by as much as 0.45%. Read this plus all the latest consumer and personal finance news below - and leave your thoughts in the box.

Wednesday 24 April 2024 20:19, UK

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Ask a question or make a comment

MPs have voted in favour of the government's Renters' Reform Bill - despite it including an indefinite delay to the end of no-fault evictions.

A debate on the legislation ran throughout Wednesday afternoon, including around a new clause from the government which would hold off outlawing Section 21s until a review of the courts system had taken place.

But despite outrage from charities, campaigners and opposition parties around the measure, it got the backing of the majority of MPs - and the bill passed its final stage in the Commons shortly after 6.30pm.

A Section 21 notice is the legal mechanism allowing landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, which creates uncertainty for those who rent their homes.

The government first promised to ban the notices five years ago, back when Theresa May was still in Number 10.

But it has faced numerous delays amid threats of rebellion from Tory backbenchers - some of them landlords - who said they feared ending Section 21s would see the courts overwhelmed with more complex eviction cases.

Ministers agreed to amend the bill to ensure no ban was enacted until a probe into the courts had been held.

But the clause offers no timeline - leaving no clear date for when Section 21s will actually be scrapped.

Read more here... 

By Daniel Binns , business reporter

Ryanair is suing air traffic control body Nats over last summer's flight chaos when more than 700,000 passengers were hit by cancellations and delays.

The low-cost carrier's chief executive Michael O'Leary said his company had been forced to pay out around £15m in compensation following the  widespread disruption  around the August Bank Holiday Monday.

An investigation into the meltdown found it was caused by a  National Air Traffic Services (Nats) technical glitch .

Around 300,000 people suffered cancellations, while approximately 95,000 endured delays of over three hours, and at least a further 300,000 were hit by shorter delays.

Airlines lost a total of £100m in refunds, rebookings, hotel rooms and refreshments.

Mr O'Leary told Sky's  Business Live with Ian King : "When things go wrong in the airline industry, we have to compensate our passengers and we want to recover those costs directly from Nats."

A spokeswoman for Nats told Sky News: "Our legal team is reviewing the claim and will respond as required."

Yesterday we reported on a Which? survey ranking Virgin Media as having the worst overall customer service among broadband providers...

Virgin Media hit back - saying the annual survey used a sample size of 0.01% of its customer base, and on average 95% of customer complaints were resolved during a customer's first initial call.

And they told the Money blog improvements were being made to customer service...

"We are investing and making changes across our business to deliver tangible customer service improvements and ensure all customers receive the best possible service," the company said.

"For example, we're multi-skilling our teams and rolling out new IT platforms that make it easier for customers to get support and have issues resolved the first time they get in touch." 

Our comments section has been bombarded with people saying they are Virgin Media customers and sharing their experiences - all but two were negative.

Here's a selection...

Virgin Media broadband keeps dropping down in speed, sometimes it drops out all day. Phoning them makes no difference. We will change supplier when our contract is up. Alan Francis

I completely agree. I've had a year of unbelievably bad service relating to the installation of broadband in our new house. It's impossible to communicate with Virgin Media without severe trauma. Everything goes through one number into an automated system that simply doesn't work. Frank

Been with Virgin Media for 13 years and they have really dropped in customer service, they don't value loyalty and all their call handlers seem to be working from home. If there is a problem they transfer you to somebody else who you have to explain your issue to again. Plumby

We moved from Virgin Media for our broadband/TV a few years ago for precisely that reason - very poor customer service. Carol Bell

I left Virgin this week too. New customers get a good price whilst existing customers see prices triple. Non-UK call centre that just pass you around when anything goes wrong. Just cancelling took an hour on the phone. Glad there are new fibre providers in my area. Digger

Current Virgin Media customer and it gives me anxiety knowing I have to call them as it takes too long to get anyone on the call or they have disconnected me, or they say they cannot help and transfer me to another department and then drop the call. LisaJ

A reader calling themselves GH was more positive, saying: "I have just renewed with Virgin Media, great customer service."

And Wells85 said: "I am a Virgin customer and have been for the last nearly seven years and I think their broadband service is top notch and their customer service."

There are only a few weeks left until all cats in England need to be microchipped.

From 10 June, every moggie must have a chip and be registered on a database by the time they are 20 weeks old.

The numbered device, which shows up whenever an animal is scanned, is placed under the skin, usually around the shoulder area.

It is likely to cost £20-£30 and will be used to identify your cat if it gets lost.

Owners who miss the deadline could be fined up to £500.

There are also fears that pet insurance may be affected - if, for example, your cat is stolen and you make a claim.

There are more than nine million pet cats in England, and up to 2.3 million are unchipped, the environment department said.

Your feline's microchip "must be fitted by a trained professional", the government website says.

Vets, local councils, rescue and rehoming centres may all be able to help.

Owners are asked to keep the chip information up to date - for example, if they move house.

There are various databases that meet government standards on which to register the chip, including Animal Data, Animal Tracker and Lost Paws.

TSB has followed other major lenders in hiking mortgage rates this week - and theirs are pretty big.

First-time buyer, mover and remortgage rates are going up by as much as 0.45%.

Shared ownership/equity products will rise by up to 0.75%.

The lender is also withdrawing some tracker mortgages - and all house purchase and remortgage products (two and five-year fixed) without a fee.

It follows upward moves from NatWest, Barclays, Accord, Leeds Building Society and HSBC on Monday, and Coventry last week.

They are responding to swap rates - which dictate how much it costs to lend money - rising on the back of higher than expected US inflation data, and concerns this could delay interest rate cuts there. 

US trends often materialise elsewhere - though many economists are still expecting a base rate cut from 5.25% to 5% in the UK in June.

Ken James, director at Contractor Mortgage Services, told Newspage: "As lenders scramble for safety, the mortgage landscape appears increasingly grim. 

"With swap rates on the rise, lenders are transparent about their need for profit margins, prompting them to hike up their rates accordingly. 

"The significant uptick in rates for shared ownership mortgages suggests that TSB is distancing itself from this sector, leaving aspiring homeowners with even fewer options. 

"While TSB may be the latest target of criticism, they are not alone in seeking refuge in lifeboats, as more lenders follow suit.

"The mortgage market is once again thrown into turmoil, echoing past upheavals."

Holiday price increases may be starting to ease heading into the summer as competition heats up across the sector, Jet2 says.

Trips booked for this summer have seen "a modest increase" in cost compared with last year, the tour operator says - but prices have recently become "more competitive, particularly for April and May departures".

Russ Mould, an analyst at AJ Bell, said: "This could be a sign that the pricing power enjoyed by the sector, with people prepared to pay whatever it takes to get their week in the sun, is starting to ease."

People visiting Venice for day trips will have to pay a tourist tax from tomorrow.

The €5 charge is being implemented in part to tackle overtourism in the picturesque Italian city.

It won't be in place every day - the first charging period lasts from 25 April to 5 May. 

It will then come back into play on May 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26, June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, and July 6, 7, 13 and 14 - between 8.30am and 4pm.

Some UK banks have potential loopholes in their security systems which leave customers at risk from online scammers, according to consumer champion Which?

The group looked at the apps and websites of 13 current account providers with assistance from experts.

Despite all using multi-layered security to try and prevent security breaches, some still fell below the expected standard.

Which? gave TSB a score of 54% for its mobile app security and 67% for online security - the lowest and second-lowest scores respectively.

The Co-operative Bank placed last for online security, with a score of 61%.

A lucky EuroMillions player in the UK has just one week left to claim their £1m prize.

The punter, who bought the ticket in Northumberland, won the cash in the UK Millionaire Maker draw on 3 November 2023.

Ten UK players were made millionaires that night - but one is still yet to come forward and collect their prize.

If the money is not claimed by 1 May, 180 days from the draw date, it will be put towards funding National Lottery projects across the country.

Andy Carter, senior winners' advisor at The National Lottery, said: "While there is still time, there is still hope - we've received valid claims on major National Lottery unclaimed prizes right up to the very last minute before - but time is running out fast. 

"Our appeal is simple, take five minutes out of your day to dig out and check your EuroMillions tickets. Those five minutes could be the most profitable five minutes of your life!"

The Northumberland player is not the only one missing out on a life-changing sum of money - four more major prizes remain unclaimed with just weeks to go.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

The index, of the 100 most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange, hit a record closing high of 8,023 points on Monday. It then went one better on Tuesday, when it closed at 8,044. And now it has achieved an all-time intraday (during the day) high of 8,090 this morning - and looks to be on course for another closing record this afternoon.

The score, up around 0.5% this morning, is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

The figures will help boost investors and London markets after a disappointing few years, commentators have said.

However, as Sky's business presenter Ian King pointed out yesterday , the gains are modest in comparison with other stock markets around the world.

The highs are also the result of a fall in the value of the pound, rather than the UK's improving economic outlook. Currently, £1 buys $1.24 US or €1.16, a slight improvement on the five-month lows seen earlier this week.

One of the best-performing companies on the FTSE 100 this morning is British firm Reckitt Benckiser. It makes health, hygiene and nutrition products - including well-known brands such as Cillit Bang, Durex and Nurofen.

Shares in the Slough-based company have leapt more than 5% following the publication of its first-quarter results, which showed it beat like-for-like sales estimates despite price rises.

In contrast, shares in Lloyds Banking Group slipped 2% in early trading after the lender reported that pre-tax profits for the first three months of the year fell by 28% . However,  it has since made a modest recovery.

Section 21 notices allow landlords to evict tenants with two months' notice after their fixed-term contract ends. They don't have to give a reason - hence the "no fault" eviction label.

The Renters (Reform) Bill, which is set for its final stages in the  Commons today, includes a promise to ban them - but now Michael Gove, the housing secretary, has refused to recommit to his pledge to act before a general election.

Compounding this, the Renters Reform Coalition says several rounds of "damaging concessions" have "fundamentally weakened" a bill which will maintain a "central power imbalance" in favour of landlords.

Labour has suggested the no-fault eviction ban is "collapsing under the weight of vested interests".

Research from Sky News has found more than 100 MPs have earned over £10,000 a year as landlords over the course of this parliament.

A total of 83 Tories have declared they received the sizeable rental payments since the last election in December 2019, along with 18 Labour MPs, four Liberal Democrats and one member of the SNP.

Read that story here ...

Housing Secretary Michael Gove told the BBC he "hopes" the bill will become law ahead of the general election, but it was up to the House of Lords "to decide the rate of progress that we can make".

He said: "If opposition parties are supportive - and I believe that while they have some quibbles, they are supportive of the essential principle that we're bringing forward - then we can have Section 21 ended before the general election. That's the aim."

Research by YouGov, commissioned by homelessness charity Shelter, showed 943,000 tenants had been served Section 21 notices since April 2019.

Consumer champion Jane Hawkes, also known as  Lady Janey , has explained when Britons should use holiday booking and comparison websites - and the circumstances when it's advisable to book directly.

Jane tends to book her UK-based trips directly through the accommodation provider , because you can...

• Get lower rates as the host saves money on any online commission and agent fees;
• Negotiate additional benefits such as upgrades, late/early check-in and free add-ons;
• Take advantage of last-minute availability bookings with discount prices;
• Have one port of call for changes/cancellations/refunds;
• Avoid third party processing fees;
• Accrue loyalty points. 

Jane says she does this herself when booking one of her "go-to" self-catering holiday cottages in Wales, and benefits from reduced rates as a returning guest. 

"We have built a relationship with our hosts over the years and we appreciate being able to contact them directly to discuss bookings," she says. 

If you're booking a holiday cottage, she recommends choosing the letting agency carefully as many online platforms are simply affiliate or listing sites for other companies. 

"If you make a booking using an affiliate or listing site things can get confused and complicated if things go wrong. Always ask who takes responsibility if there is a problem and check the terms and conditions of contracts carefully," Jane says. 

What about trips abroad? 

Conversely, Jane doesn't recommend booking directly for trips abroad as "you will have far less financial protection should one of the elements go wrong". 

You'll have more protection when something goes wrong if you book a package holiday with a reputable travel agent, she says, so your holiday is covered under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements 2018. 

It is also advisable to pay by credit card for additional Section 75 protection or debit card for chargeback. 

"They are also a direct port of call for help when you need it, unlike third party online booking sites."

If she is just booking a flight , Jane says she will use comparison sites to compare prices but then book directly with the airline . 

"Third party booking platforms may be able to offer cheaper flights due to bulk-buy discounts from the airlines. However, the discount might not be worth it should any issues arise," she says. 

Jane explains that if there are cancellations or changes to bookings, additional fees may be applicable for both the airline and the third party. 

"Refund or compensation requests for cancelled or delayed flights tend to be more difficult when a third party is involved," she says. 

Plus, contacting third parties to discuss a claim can prove a challenge as many companies offer customer service support online only, she says. 

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