Travelling can be costly, whether you’re paying high gas prices on a road trip or the rising costs of hotels and airlines due to increased demand.
It doesn’t need to be as expensive as you think. People often end up spending more money than necessary by making mistakes which are not immediately apparent. Some people waste time, which is just as frustrating if you consider that time is money.
In an episode, NerdWallet Smart Travel hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle discussed some common mistakes made by travellers.
You can save money by avoiding common mistakes. That’s not it. Below, we’ve outlined 12 other ways to save on travel:
1. Pack light
Packing light isn’t just about avoiding checked-bag fees. With a lighter suitcase or backpack, you’ll be more agile and less likely to need to take a taxi.
How can you pack a lighter? Pack clothes you can easily wash in the sink. Choose clothes that can be mixed and matched, and look for clothes that dry quickly. You don’t have to pack four pairs of shoes if you choose basic items.
NerdWallet also recommends the 10-$10 rule, which discourages packing items “just in case” and can prevent you from bringing things you may not use.
Packing light will also help you avoid buying souvenirs, as the limited space in your luggage or backpack may discourage your impulses.
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2. Local grocery stores are a great place to shop
Local markets are an adventure in themselves. A trip to the local market is a great way to discover new foods. Grocery stores are embracing local products and high-quality hot foods. It’s often cheaper than the same quality food in a restaurant with server service (and you won’t have to pay tax or tip).
Los Angeles is embracing grocery store tourism, both in high-end shops like Erewhon, which are not cheap, and cultural markets such as Mercado Gonzalez, a Mexican market located just south of Los Angeles, Costa Mesa.
You’ll also save money by having your food since you won’t be tempted to purchase the overpriced, stale muffin at the hotel café just because you are hungry.
3. Pack snacks
Packing snacks from home can be a good alternative if you don’t have time to visit the local market. Protein-rich items such as jerky or protein bars can keep you full without taking up much room in your luggage.
Unfortunately, some items that are high in protein require refrigeration. For example, deli meats and Egglife egg-white wraps. However, both do not require any cooking. If you have a small fridge, you can still enjoy these items even if your hotel doesn’t offer a kitchen.
Bottled water can be an expensive option when you are on the move. If you can access clean water, bring your canteen and consider a compact water bottle.
4. Airport lounges are available for you to use
The best way to get food when travelling is in airport lounges. As a perk, many premium travel credit cards provide lounge access. This is usually through Priority Pass membership. The quality of the food varies by lounge. However, you can expect to find light snacks such as fruit, cookies, chips and coffee. Some lounges offer a full buffet meal.
Top cards with Priority Pass
Big banks run some of the world’s best airport lounges. Capital One offers cardholders unlimited access to its lounges with the Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card. Other options include the AmEx Centurion and Chase lounges.
In addition to food, airport lounges offer Wi-Fi that is typically faster. Some lounges also offer massages, showers, or exercise rooms. Arrive early at the airport to take advantage of the best amenities.
5. Arrive early
Allow plenty of time for getting to the airport. You might panic and call a cab at a high price instead of using public transport, which is usually cheaper. You might also discover that the rideshare price is higher at certain times for routes to airports. You can avoid surge pricing by having more time.
Avoid having to rebook your flight at the last minute if you arrive late.
6. Reimburse your TSA PreCheck and Global Entry membership fees
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are two programs that can help you get through the airport faster. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers two types of Trusted Traveler Programs.
If you are approved, you’ll have the option to use expedited lines. These lanes usually have shorter and quicker lines, as travellers don’t need to remove their shoes or laptops. They also won’t be required to remove belts, jackets, or belts. TSA data shows that 94% of TSA PreCheck travellers waited less than 5 minutes in December 2021.
7. Get a free night certificate with your credit card
Some hotel credit cards, even those with annual fees below $100, offer certificates for a free night stay. If the cost of the hotel room exceeds the yearly fee of the card (which is very likely), then it might be worth getting one of these cards in order to save money.
Enjoy free nights with Marriott Cards.
These cards also offer additional benefits, such as elite status that makes your stay more enjoyable, and bonus points, which can be used to make future stays cheaper or free.
8. Booking hotel rooms with points
It’s always better to use your bonus hotel points than to save them. It’s a good idea to book rooms with points rather than cash, as it will help you avoid having to dip into your savings. But there are other advantages:
Avoid resort fees. Resort fees are annoying and can cost more than $50 per night. Some hotel loyalty programs like Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt don’t charge for rooms booked with points.
Staying longer could unlock extra discounts. For example, you can get the lowest-valued night for free when you stay five nights in a row at a Marriott hotel funded by Marriott Bonvoy points. Hilton offers a similar program whereby members who have at least Silver Elite status receive a fifth night for free when booking with points.
9. Travelling during shoulder or off-season
You can get a better price if you travel in the off-season. NerdWallet’s analysis of 1,110 airfares revealed that holiday travel was more expensive than other booking windows.
Booking Window
Cash fare for economy class
15 Days Out $576.51.
180-day out $464.77.
During the Holiday Season (Dec.22-29) $655.32.
Flights booked six months in advance during the non-holiday season are 41% more expensive.
The shoulder season is even better than the off-season because it offers the best of both: the lower prices of the off-season and the improved weather conditions with less likelihood of closings of peak season.
10. Visit free tourist attractions
Even expensive destinations like San Francisco, New York City and Walt Disney World are not out of reach.
Disney World, for example, has a lot of cheap and free things to do. At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you can ride the monorail or view fireworks from the beach. You can also find walking tours for free in many major cities.
You should prioritize free attractions over those that charge a fee. Tickets to San Francisco’s de Young Museum, for example, cost $15. However, you can visit the Hamon Observation Tower to get a free view of the city.
There are many excellent cultural institutions to visit in St. Louis. Start with those that offer free admission, such as the Saint Louis Art Museum and Saint Louis Science Center. Then, if time allows, you can visit the attractions that charge a fee.
11. Tourist tax is a scam!
You can avoid being charged a “tourist fee” by knowing the average prices.
Look up the average cost of a taxi before you go so that you can be prepared. Research the average prices of items in the market to be able to haggle confidently. Know how to buy official bus tickets in advance and avoid overpaying for a fare.
12. Travel insurance is a good idea
Travel insurance can protect you from the loss of your travel expenses. You can purchase this optional insurance separately from your airfare.
You may not need to pay anything out of pocket for trip insurance, as many credit cards include travel insurance in their benefits for customers who use the card to pay for travel expenses like flights or hotels.
Sometimes, however, even trip insurance does not guarantee a full refund. If you haven’t purchased the Cancel For Any Reason Policy, which is typically more expensive, then you are only entitled to a full refund if your cancellation was due to an approved reason.
Travel Savings
Travel costs can be expensive. When you add up all your expenses, you may find that the airfare offer you saw was not as affordable as you thought. Once you are on vacation, your budget can quickly be blown out of the water.
These tricks will help you save money on your travels so you can spend it on the things you want.