We're all going on a stressful holiday

Forget the image of happy families singing jolly songs as they set off for their two weeks in the sun. New research from American Express Travellers Cheques reveals that around two in three British holidaymakers (65%) have fallen out with their family or companions before the plane even takes off - and it is young travellers that have the most arguments before reaching the airport.

At a time when there have been widespread fears over the adverse impact UK fuel and price rises will have on holiday trends, the new American Express Travellers Cheques research shows that 80% of Britons are not willing to give up their beloved summer holiday and for many, family arguments will prove to be a bigger holiday challenge than rising prices.

American Express Travellers Cheques asked a GB representative sample of more than 2,000 Britons what they argued with family or holiday companions about during the build up to their summer holiday.

The number of arguments: Most families and couples have had more than three arguments before they have even taken off. Young travellers are the most argument prone (average of 4 arguments), whereas the over 55 traveller is the most chilled out (average of 3.1 arguments).

The most common arguments: Whilst men are most likely to lose their temper about the amount their partner tries to cram into their suitcase (53%), there were a range of common causes of holiday friction:

Top five holiday planning rows

How much is being packed into suitcases 48%
Getting to the airport on time 40%
Whether we can afford to go on holiday 29%
What dates we're booking for the break 17%
The quality and type of accommodation booked 17%

Terminal arguments

In addition to planning their holiday, most families then added to their argument tally at the airport with the five key causes of friction including:

Needing the toilet on the way to the airport 17%
Finding a place to park 13%
Finding the right check-in desk 13%
Getting into the wrong check-in queue 10%
Losing a family member/ holiday companion at the airport 4%

Tension on the Tyne

People from the north east proved to be the most argumentative during the holiday countdown, having over four arguments before taking off for their holiday, whereas people in the West Country were much calmer, suffering an average of just over two arguments in comparison.

Yorkshire Disorganisation

Those who live in Yorkshire are most likely to bicker about having to turn back to pick something up, with one in five (21%) forgetting something back home on the way to the airport. This is the case for just 4% of those who live in the South.

Tight City Schedules

Perhaps due to busy life in the capital, Londoners are those most likely to argue about the dates booked for their holiday with 19% getting irate about it, compared to just 8% of those in the South West.

Kirstie Bayley, Director at American Express Travellers Cheques said: "The research has shown that holiday makers have a lot to think about when they go away and the last thing they are going to want to worry about is money. Sorting your travel money in advance of your holiday can alleviate this and buying travellers cheques can mean you have one less thing to worry about. Travellers cheques are just like cash, but insured against loss or theft so you can relax that bit more; they also help you stick to a budget as you can visually see how much you have left to spend. American Express Travellers Cheques are actively campaigning this summer to encourage holidaymakers to include travellers cheques as part of a mixed travel wallet - a mixture of cards, cash and travellers cheques to cover every eventuality".