Travel news in brief

Play your cards right

British holiday-makers waste ?495 million every year by using the wrong kind of payment card abroad, according to two recent reports. Withdrawing money from foreign cash machines using a bank card is the cheapest way of getting foreign currency, while doing so with a credit card is the most expensive. Using bureaus de change and travellers' cheques rank in between.

Yet more flights to Oz

Competition is hotting up on routes from the UK to Australia with this week's announcement of another new route. Qantas has been given permission to fly from London to Sydney via Hong Kong for the first time (it will code share with BA)- in direct competition to a new Virgin service on the same route announced last month. Both airlines will start services this autumn.

Kids' play time

Children can eat, stay, travel and go to the theatre for free as part of the Society of London Theatre 's Kids Week later this summer (0870 4446066, kidsweek.co.uk). Dates are August 20 - September 3, and offers are valid for young people up to the age of 19.