It’s a fact: travel is a luxury. When you add up accommodations, flights, baggage fees, and transportation costs, many trips are already way beyond most people’s budgets. But as a full-time travel writer and (self-proclaimed) travel expert, I’ve learned that traveling doesn’t have to be as expensive (or headache-inducing) as I previously thought. Sure, travel can still be expensive, but there are ways to save both money and time, no matter where you’re heading. From my favorite free apps to clever ways to shorten your time in the airport, here are the best travel tips I’ve learned on my travels around the world.
1. Get a travel credit card
ICYMI: If you don’t have a credit card with great rewards, you’re missing out. For those who want to travel, a credit card with travel benefits is a must. The main idea behind these cards is that every time you swipe your card, you earn points or miles that can be redeemed at hotels, resorts, and airlines (essentially like free money). ). In addition to financial benefits, some cards also offer perks like airport lounge access, priority boarding, and free upgrades. Additionally, using credit card points to book flights often gives you more flexibility when it comes to airline selection, travel dates, and destinations, which everyone will definitely appreciate.
As a frequent traveler, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Platinum cards are two of the best travel credit cards in the industry. Both require an annual fee, but the benefits often pay for themselves. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a great rewards program that allows cardholders to earn extra points on travel and dining around the world. Plus, points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel (I used them to score a free flight!). AmEx has a hefty annual fee of $695, but it’s only for frequent travelers. One of my favorite features is access to his over 1,400 airport lounges around the world. Additionally, this card has generous travel credits, including up to $200 in annual airline fee credits and up to $200 in Uber credits per year. In addition, cardholders can earn elite status with various hotel and rental car loyalty programs (like Hertz and Marriott Bonvoy), as well as receive complimentary benefits like Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee refunds. Please use all means.
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2. Book directly on the hotel website and get special benefits
While you can sometimes find cheaper hotel room rates on websites like Expedia and Booking.com, we’ve found that booking directly through a hotel’s website actually offers more benefits. One of the main benefits is that direct bookers often have access to exclusive deals and promotions. We’ve earned special discounts, bonus travel packages, and even perks like free breakfast and room upgrades just by booking through the hotel. Plus, when you book directly, you can earn loyalty points and rewards from the hotel’s loyalty program (make sure everyone is signed up). The best part? These points can be redeemed for future stays, upgrades, and other perks.
3. Book your trip in advance
please listen. You save money (literally) by booking your flight in advance. For domestic travel, I always try to book flights at least a month in advance. If you book before then, there’s a good chance the price will go up (often by as much as 25 percent). If you’re traveling abroad, it’s important to book even earlier. A good rule of thumb is to book your flight approximately 60 days in advance of your departure date to get the best itinerary options and prices.
However, just because you book in advance doesn’t mean you’ll see extremely affordable ticket prices, especially during peak travel times (oh, we know that). Mid-June to mid-August is always pretty busy, as is Thanksgiving through New Year’s, so keep that in mind when making your plans.
4. Sign up for hotel rewards programs
Before becoming a full-time traveler, I never really thought about hotel rewards programs. And I was missing out. As I quickly discovered, these programs have lots of ways to save money and some pretty great perks for frequent travelers. When you sign up through a certain hotel chain, you’ll earn points on stays, meals, and other purchases at that property, which you can redeem for free nights, room upgrades, and on-property experiences. Some programs also offer elite status tiers with additional benefits such as late checkout, lounge access, and bonus points. Some of the best programs to sign up for include Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG Rewards Club, and Wyndham Rewards. Oh, and did I mention these are all free?
5. Track your prices with Google Flights
Most people check Google Flights to compare airline prices, but its flight tracking feature may be more important to you. Set alerts for your next trip so you can track exactly how much airline ticket prices change and get notified as soon as prices drop. As soon as I start planning a trip, I like to start tracking potential flight prices to see how much they increase or decrease before I actually book. This feature has saved me immeasurable amounts of money on flights by ensuring I always book at the best time.
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6. Don’t take checked baggage unless you need it
I understand. Packing light is difficult. However, in my experience, carry-on baggage is much better and more cost-effective than checked baggage. Checked bags usually cost extra (unless you use your travel credit card points wisely). This can add up quickly and increase your travel costs. Additionally, keeping your luggage on the plane will save you time and hassle at the airport, as you won’t have to wait in line to drop off your luggage or worry about it being lost or delayed. My advice? Curate your capsule wardrobe all year long so you have reliable go-to pieces.
7. Download Mobile Passport Control (free)
If you haven’t used Mobile Passport Control on your international trips, this travel tip could change your life. Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is an app authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help eligible travelers expedite entry into the U.S. Simply download the app before you go through customs and submit your passport and customs declaration information electronically. Once you’re there, you can skip the line, scan the QR code, and off you go! (It’s essentially like Global Entry, but completely free.) Trust me, this is a game changer.
8. Get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR – it’s worth it
As a wise man once said, time is money. Wasting time at the airport is never fun, especially if you need to get there during your vacation. To avoid having to arrive extra early or deal with long security lines, get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. TSA PreCheck costs $78 for a five-year membership, but it’s a real bargain when it means the lines are much shorter and you don’t have to take off your shoes, belt, or laptop. CLEAR, on the other hand, is a little more expensive at $189 per year, but just as valuable. With CLEAR, you can skip the traditional ID check process and go through security. Simply check your ID and boarding pass at the kiosk and an agent will escort you to the front of the line.
