Brits are saving an average of £423 each by cutting out the middle man and booking the components of their holiday directly with providers.

We're not scared to haggle either – six million people asked for an upgrade last year according to research by Santander.

It found that of the 25 million adults who went on holiday abroad last year, 11.6 million (47%) saved money when booking their travel and accommodation by avoiding travel agents and tour operators, instead going online or calling directly to make their booking.

So how much money can holidaymakers save and how?

While holidaymakers estimated their average vacation spend over the year was £1,315, DIY holidaymakers calculated they had taken an average £423 off their holiday bill by booking themselves. Of these savvy travellers, 3.3 million estimated they had saved £500 or more.

The most popular money saving method was to book online (44%). The internet can also be a good source of information about destinations as well as a way to find cheap flights and accommodation – to do so check out the best five travel websites.

A third of holidaymakers cut costs by contacting hotels and accommodation venues directly, while 17% made the most of friends living abroad by staying with them.

The research also found that six million Britons asked for an upgrade in the past year, with the most popular requests being for hotel rooms (50%) and aircraft seats (43%). Of those who asked for an upgrade, 60% were successful.

Emma Roberts, director of Santander Cards, says: "It's not surprising that in the current economic climate, holidaymakers are increasingly looking for value and are prepared to do the homework themselves in order to get the best deal. It's very much a sign of the times too that Britons are no longer shy about asking for an upgrade."