by: Lynesha McElveen
Traveling is one of the things I love to do most. Since I love to travel frequently, it was important for me to find ways to do it for less. I have used many of these tips to travel all throughout the US, as well as Japan, Bermuda, Spain, and most recently Dubai! I have taken the time to list some of these tips for you, and I hope they will help you on your quest to find fabulous deals.
1- Utilize travel search engines to find discount travel. There are many travel search engines to use including: Best Fares, Booking Buddy, Hotwire, Orbitz, Priceline and Travelocity.
2- Sign up to get weekly alerts on current deals emailed to you. Sites that do this include: Travelzoo, Vacations to go, and many airlines.
3- Sign up for frequent flyer programs. Pretty much all airlines offer frequent flyer miles, so make sure to sign up for their programs. You’re flying anyways, why not get rewarded.
4-Be willing to get bumped from your flight. This works especially when traveling for pleasure, or if you don’t have to be somewhere by a certain time. Give up your seat and earn a free ticket.
5-If you’re 18-22 years old, take advantage of programs geared towards college students, i.e. AirtranU.
6- Find credit cards and programs that offer travel incentives. There are many cards that offer frequent flyer miles, and other travel rewards, including American Express and VISA.
7- Take advantage of “last minute” sales on flights, hotels, and car rentals. These prices usually entail you traveling in the very near future, so you need spontaneity or a flexible schedule to take advantage of them. You can search travel websites or go directly to the airlines, car rental, or hotel sites for information.
8- Purchase airline tickets to depart on Tuesdays or Thursdays. These are the best days to buy tickets. You can also find cheap tickets by flying out on the actual day of the holiday for less, i.e. flying on Thanksgiving or Christmas day.
9- Be flexible on the days you can travel. Being willing to go on a trip a day early, or stay a day later can make all the difference in the world with pricing. Staying 7 days may actually cost less then staying 4 days.
10- Research restaurants, shops, and places to go that offer discounts prior to travel. Ask about discounts during off peak seasons, i.e. beach areas usually decrease prices after Labor Day through the weekend before Memorial Day.
11-Search for consignment shops, discount stores, and markets to shop at while vacationing. Also don’t forget to ask natives for places to shop that are not well known by tourist.
12- Find hotels that offer discounts to local shops and businesses. Ask the concierge for coupons booklets for products and services including massages, travel excursions, entertainment, and more.
13-Cut costs by ditching the luggage. Pack everything up in a backpack and travel via train. You can get great deals using a Europass or Eurail Pass all throughout Europe.
14-Don’t be afraid to try non-traditional lodging. Stay at a hostel. This option allows you to lodge very inexpensively and possibly form friendships in the meantime. You may also consider renting a home and splitting the costs amongst of friends.
15-Bring a carry on so you don’t have to pay the fee many airlines charge for baggage.
I hope these tips can help you plan a fabulous yet frugal vacation! Happy Travels!
