When planning a getaway I think we all run some of the same questions through our minds at least once, "How can I plan my dream vacation without breaking the bank?", "Is ____ really worth the cost of this flight?" "Should I wait until next year?". This past month I spent 4-weeks traveling around Southeast Asia, and then going north to visit Seoul and Tokyo, something that I've wanted to do for years. During my travels, the question that I was asked the most was "How can you afford to travel so much? Teach me your ways." This question is so funny to me, because just a few years ago I had never even been out of the country! In that time I've learned a lot of ways to save, because if you know me personally, you know I'm cheap as hell. SO, I'm going to share a few tips and tricks that I use when organizing a vacation! Will this make your getaway practically free? No (Though I wish I could say yes!). What it will do, is provide a couple of tools and tricks to cut costs along the way!
Brace yourselves, this will be a lengthy post! Are you ready...? Let's get it!
1) Be Flexible
Flexibility. Flexibility. Flexibility. Being flexible when planning a trip is SO important for many reasons that I will discuss throughout this post, but the most important -- saving money. If you can be flexible with your dates, potential destinations or even departure airport you can save a good amount of money! And who doesn't like saving money? I know that not everyone can be as flexible to rearrange dates, but it doesn't always have to be on that level. You can be flexible by choosing to pack lighter to save on checked baggage costs. You can choose to stay in a nice 3-star hotel instead of paying for the name of a 5-star resort. By no means are any of those things necessary, but just have an open mind to the different options available!
2) Google Flights
Okay, if you've been following my travels I know you guys are probably tired of me discussing Google Flights, but it really is one of the best tools that you can use! Since I've already written a post (click link to read) on how to utilize their platform, I won't go into great detail on that aspect here, but more-so on the fact that it can save you literally hundreds of dollars. For example, when I map out a trip I try to be as flexible as possible with the dates. Google will allow you to look at a calendar and compare the prices amongst different dates. What I love about Google Flights is that you can not only compare dates, but if you're very flexible, you can even compare destinations. There is also an Explore tool, that will provide information on the history, average costs and activities of a selected destination. This platform will also allow you to track flights. This is usually the first tool that I check when planning a vacation, simply because of all the information that it provides you. It is a very good starting point, even if you have no set information about your trip except for a budget.
3) Agoda
Agoda is a hotel booking platform that provides you with not only hotel options, but hostel and resort options as well. If choosing one of these options as my accommodation, I will do a quick Google search to narrow down where I'd like to stay, but instead of booking through Google or directly on the hotel website I will generally book on Agoda. Why? Agoda is well known for their great discounts, sometimes even up to 80% off! Agoda is also reaaaally good for coming through with the decent last-minute options. When traveling through the Philippines I hadn't booked any of my accommodations, but thanks to Agoda I was able to find really nice options for as low as $12 per night. I was even able to book a VERY nice resort in Bali, while still saving about $30 thanks to Agoda. Is $30 a ton of money? No, but for $30 in Bali you could get a nice dinner and treat yourself to some yummy wine and dessert. Money saved in one place, is money that can be used in another!
4) Student Discounts
I know this is a super simple one, but you'd be surprised how many places offer student discounts as long as you have either a student ID on hand or a student e-mail that you can use to purchase the item. Student discounts can typically be applied to tours, attractions, some amusement parks, museums and at times even restaurants! Even if the ticket is cheap, don't be afraid to ask! There are some museums that will even admit students for free. Every penny saved counts! Even if you're no longer a student, but you still have your student ID.....FINESSE BABY FINESSE. Who gone check you?! Y'all better use that ID!!
5) AAA (or other membership) Discounts
How many of you guys are AAA members but never even THINK to look at what they offer outside of towing assistance? Don't lie. I've been guilty of it also! You're paying for it, utilize their resources! AAA offers hotel, resort and cruise discounts. They also offer bundle deals in which every detail of your trip will be planned out for you. I am not a huge fan of being restricted to a schedule so I've never used that option, BUT they generally outline their destinations and details on it via their website. Just because you're not purchasing a bundle doesn't mean that you can't use some of the information they've provided to start planning and incorporating things into your own trip! Think smarter, not harder! Another good thing about AAA is that they offer lower-level discounts also. What do I mean by "lower-level"? Smaller purchases - gas, rental cars, restaurants, amusement park tickets etc. When renting a car through AAA, they will generally provide you with coupons that you can use in combination with your AAA discount. For the amusement park/theme park tickets be sure to call in advance and see what's necessary before hand as sometimes it requires going in-person to a local office.
6) No Deposit Down Cruises
I have never been on a cruise before, but I have done ample research to try and plan one in the future and I am providing y'all with ALL of the resources that I've been able to find! Both Expedia and Priceline are booking platforms that will allow you to reserve hotels, flights, cars - nearly anything travel related. One thing that stuck out to me about Priceline is the option to not put a deposit down when purchasing at least 110 days prior to your departure date -- the only thing that you pay for is the $24.99 processing fee. This is a very good option if you want to be on a payment plan, as you'd just need to have the cruise paid off in full by two months or so prior to your departure date.
Expedia! I use Expedia from time to time to search for hotels whenever they send me coupons to use. Their cruises seem to be a little pricier, but a lot of the cruises that they offer come with some sort of discount deal. Currently, some of their cruises are offering to wave the taxes and fees on your cruise (which can typically be a couple hundred dollars). Another discount that some of their cruises are currently offering is BOGO (buy one, get one), with the 2nd person receiving 50% off. Both Expedia and Priceline are valid, credible websites. As with anything else, just be sure to book your research on the particular cruise line beforehand!
7) Coupons
I know that my generation in particular can be a little too "boujie" for coupons, but.... y'all better stop playing and save this money! If you're still reading up to this point then you can see where I've mentioned a few times already different companies such as AAA, Expedia and Priceline offering coupon codes. It doesn't stop there, Airbnb, Hotels.com, StudentUniverse -- all of these places will e-mail out coupon codes from time to time. Even if you're not on their e-mail list, google them. Sign up! Most places will even offer you $5-$10 off when you sign up as a new member on their website. Coupons aren't limited to online either. If you're staying in a hotel or hostel, ASK QUESTIONS! Ask them if they have any coupons available. Look around for the little stands that have flyers about the different attractions, because I guarantee you there are coupons in there. Does it sound like I'm being super cheap? Maybe so, but me being cheap has saved me quite a lot of money in the long run! If you're going to a museum or amusement park and you haven't found any coupons, don't hesitate to check their website directly. Even if there is no coupon available, you may find a discount for going between "off-peak" hours. Do your research! This leads me into the next tip...
A couple of online options to help you get started on this couponing journey are www.coupons.com and www.dealsplus.com.
8) Use Public Transportation
This may sound tedious and maybe even a bit intimidating but use public transportation. 9 times out of 10 Uber will be more expensive than just getting on the bus or metro. Especially when many cities offer travel passes that can be used from 24 hours to 3-5 days. If you're traveling with a group then Uber or a Taxi may be a better option since you guys can split the costs. If you're traveling with one or two other people then use public transportation. Another perk of public transpo is being able to see areas of the city that you may not have even considered beforehand! Buy a bus pass and get lost in the city, I can guarantee you won't regret it. If all else fails, use the maps that are conveniently located in most public transportation facilities to get you where you want to!
9) Book Hotels With hassle-free cancellation policies
I said tips AND tricks right? Here's a trick that I use from time to time. If you've found a hotel that you like, or even one that you don't like but you'd just like to have something secured, book it via a platform that allows you to cancel up to 48-hours before your check in date. I knoooow it sounds like I'm trying to finesse (and maybe I am), but let me tell you why this is a good idea. Though I love solo travel, I've done plenty of group trips and I'm sure we ALL know that planning a group trip can be so unorganized. You're waiting on everyone to get their funds together, agree on accommodation or maybe even destination. If you just need to have something secured, this offers you the flexibility to have one option set in stone, but still the option to cancel it if the group finds something better or finally agrees on something. You will lose no money in this process. At most, the selection will put a hold on your card for part of the booking cost that will be refunded upon cancellation.
Another good reason to book within the cancellation window, is.... (Okay I really am finessing here, but whatever you may save some money)... to look back at the nightly price during the week that you will be checking in. Many hotels tend to lower the nightly cost if they haven't booked many rooms during that period. You catch my drift now? If you've booked months in advance but paid $300, then the hotel drops the cost during your week of arrival or even a couple of days prior to your arrival, to where it would be $240, cancel that thang and rebook it for the lower price. Again, you're not losing ANY money in this process, you'll actually be saving.
10) Follow Flight Discount Pages
This is an easy one for those times when you just don't feel like doing the research and/or have no idea where you want to go. There are quite a few pages that I've come across on twitter in the last few years that post either daily/weekly flight deals from various locations. Whenever they come across a cheap flight that's a steal, both domestically and internationally, they post it on their website along with the date window of the deal. You do generally need to act fast for these, as cheap flights don't tend to stay available long, but these guys will keep you covered. (SN: I am not affiliated with any of these people, nor do I know them personally, I've just been able to come across cheap flights based on their posts.) Even if they don't have any from your departure destination, it still doesn't hurt to look up from your departure airport to where the deal is they've posted. For example, if a page has posted a cheap deal from NYC to Aruba, but you live in Charlotte, still give a search for Charlotte to Aruba. You could luck up and still find a deal. I've linked the 'flight deals' sections of their pages below.
Suzz's Travel (she posts the flight deals more on twitter, but still give a look!)
The Flight Deal
Airfare Spot
Airfare Watchdog
I'm sure there are others also, but these are the ones that I've been following for a few years now.
11) Travel During Off Season
I know this is is one that may ruffle your feathers, but unless they're is a specific event that you're trying to catch during peak season then I suggest planning your travels for an off season. The price of nearly everything will be cheaper - flights, accommodation, food etc. Now, this is VERY dependent on the weather. If you're going somewhere that is hot year round, then I totally recommend going during off season. You'll have more beach to yourself and the tours won't be super crowded with foreigners. I learned this lesson when visit Puerto Vallarta -- everything was so much cheaper and the city wasn't congested as it would be during the peak season. If you're going somewhere that has set seasons and may be cold, then reconsider this. Research whether it will be cold or a rainy season. If the weather won't cause you trouble, then plan to go for the off season. In January, I visited Rome during their off season and though it was chilly it was so worth it. There weren't crazy lines to wait in, the tours weren't over crowded, and to my surprise some of the tours were discounted simple because it was the off season!
12) Loyalty Programs
This is a GREAT resource that has gotten me a free flight to Mexico, Thailand and a free nights hotel stay. All you have to do is sign up! For example, since I typically am flying out of Charlotte, NC (my hometown) I fly American Airlines. They have a hub in Charlotte, so most of the flights in and out of Charlotte are through them. When I purchased my first flight, I opted to sign up for their "AA Advantage" program which is nothing more than providing your e-mail address, and putting in your loyalty number, which will be provided to you after signing up, when you purchase a flight. For every flight purchased, your accumulate miles that can be redeemed for free flights. Almost every airline offers it and it's free. If you build up your miles you can purchase a free flight to a destination of the airlines offering. If you don't have enough miles, you can use the miles you have and then pay cash for the difference in miles. Airlines aren't the only ones to offer this, hotels such as IHG (holiday inn etc.) have loyalty programs too. If you see that a company offers it, sign up. It's not costing you anything at all and it doesn't take any additional time.
13) Be Patient
I know this probably sounds silly, but it's equally as important as all of the other things that I've listed above. Be patient. When planning a trip I never jump on the first flight or hotel I see, unless its a killer deal. For flights, I can sometimes search for weeks as I know that the prices will fluctuate. I will set up an automated tracker using Google Flights and I simply wait until the price has dropped before I make a purchase. In other instances, I may even switch up my destination if I find something that's cheaper. I say this to say, all good things come with time. If you have the time to wait, then do so. Use that time to research deals, coupons, etc.
14) Travel/Rewards Credit Cards
I mentioned this on Instagram a couple of weeks ago, but lets touch on it again! Getting a travel rewards card is one of the greatest things I could have done. A year ago Chase Bank ran a HUGE deal offering 100,000 flight miles after spending $4K on the card within 3 months. Now, if you're not familiar with flight milage, 100K miles can easily get you a couple of free domestic flights, or a couple of international flights if you take your time in searching and planning for the best deal. I know spending a few thousand dollars on a credit card sounds crazy, but let me tell you how I did it. Instead of spending aimlessly, I paid an extra $20 a month to charge my rent to my credit card. You have to pay rent monthly regardless anyhow right? If you can, throw it on the card and then pay it right off. Boom, you've got your flight milage in the bag. They no longer offer that deal, but they do offer 50K miles which is still a great come up! I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve which comes with a ton of perks! For every dollar you spend on something travel related you get 3 points/miles. It also comes with free access to tons of airport lounges which offer free drinks (alcoholic and non-alcohol), food, showers and areas to relax. Having this card also qualified me for free global entry. I would recommend this card to ANYONE who travels frequently. If you're interested in signing up, use my referral link so that we both enjoy flight miles!
15) Pack Light
Another simple one, but I feel it's worth addressing. Paying to check a bag isn't super expensive if you're traveling domestically, but generally it's about $25 each way. Why not save an extra $50? I know it can be super hard to not pack every piece of clothing you know when going on vacation, but when packing, try to be realistic about what you will actually where. Pack things that you can where some of the same pairs of shoes with. If you absolutely cannot slim your bag down, then let me tell you how to finesse lol. Don't check your bag. On almost every flight I've ever taken, they claim (which may indeed be true), that there is no room for everyones bag. They will offer to courtesy check your bag at the gate. If they don't offer it up front, then wait to be one of the last few people to board the plane. 9/10 by that point they will be asking people to check their bags.
NOW, if you're flying Spirit or WOW Airlines then don't try this. I repeat, do not try to finesse if you are flying Spirit or WOW Airlines.
16) Airbnb / Hostels
I know sometimes we all love to live lavish on vacation, but try to consider some other options from time to time. Many Americans have a very obscure idea of hostels, but I've had MANY great experiences staying in a hostel. Hostels are typically the cheapest option out there as far as accommodations. You'll generally be sharing a room with 8 other people or more, but if you're a solo traveler it's an awesome way to meet new people. Nearly all hostels offer lockers to place your belongings in so you don't have to worry about anything getting stolen. They will typically offer free breakfast even if it is just cereal and fruit. Many hostels will do nights out as a group, or if there's a bar there will do a happy hour for their guests to mingle and get to know each other. Another good thing about hostels, is that since they know their market is budget travelers, they generally will have exclusive discounts for things to do in the city. I generally use www.hostelworld.com to search for hostels, but you can also find them by doing a quick Google search.
Now, Airbnb. I love love love love Airbnb so much. In some cities it is much cheaper than a hotel, while in others it is about the same cost. More often than not, Airbnb will be cheaper than a hotel, and definitely cheaper than a resort. Airbnb gives you the comfort of being in a home while on vacation. The good thing about Airbnb is that you have privacy, the comforts of your own shower (unless you've chosen a shared house) and the flexibility to still be close to major attractions. If you've never used Airbnb before, then click here to sign up! It's so worth it.
17) Free Tours
Almost every city offers free walking tours. Now, these usually aren't the most exciting thing in the world, but I always recommend it to others because it gives you a chance to see highlights of the city for free. Once you've seen some of the areas and learned about the history, it can shed some lights on things you may be interested in doing. Walking tours are a good way to feel the vibes of a set neighborhood. For example, I went to Dublin with no plan on what I wanted to do, so I did a walking tour with some girls that I met in the hostel. During the walking tour, they took us to a neighborhood that had a lot of bakeries, cafes and a few bars that I was interested in going back to later. Had I not done the walking tour, I probably would've never stumbled across that neighborhood. Give it a shot! They are generally not too long, maybe an hour or so since they're free.
18) Sky Scanner
Another good tool to use when searching for flights is Sky Scanner. In a way, it's very similar to Google Flights but it doesn't offer as many capabilities, such as learning about activities in the city or the use of an explore map. This doesn't take away from the highlights of Sky Scanner though! Sky Scanner is pretty awesome because the only firm piece of information you need to enter in your search is your departure destination. You can leave the dates wide open, as well as your arrival destination. Sky Scanner gives you the option to search by a month and by "the entire world" as your end destination. This gives you the option to see where the cheapest flights are from your city, without doing a bunch of research! Sky Scanner also offers searches for hotels and rental cars as well.
19) Avoid Restaurants in Tourist Areas
This probably sounds weird, because a lot of your time in a city may be spent in touristy areas, but try to avoid eating in those areas. For starters, the food is probably going to be trash as they are usually "we offer every kind of food possible" restaurants, that don't actually specialize in anything. Based on my experiences, unless it's a restaurant in a touristy area that you've probably heard about prior to even visiting the city, it won't be too great. On top of the fact that it will likely be much more expensive just because of the location. The restaurants that are in neighborhoods, or off the beaten path, are generally the best ones! Look for places that have lines, or ask some of the locals where they enjoy eating. The local cuisine is always always always better than the food offered in the touristy areas and cheaper!
You can apply this to other things also, if you're purchasing souvenirs you'll likely spend more purchasing them in tourist areas.
20) Timeshare Presentations
I know some people will tell you to stay away from these, but get some information before completely turning them down. If you're someone who is not easily swayed and have no problem saying no, more often than not I would say go for it. If you're presented with the option while on vacation to sit through a timeshare presentation, do it. They will tell you upfront what the offer is, because that's generally how they get you in. I went to Vegas last year, and due to a friend attending a 1.5 hour presentation, we were able to stay in a VERY nice suite, on the strip, with a jacuzzi hot tub and a downtown view for under $100 for 4-nights. Some timeshare presentations will offer you a discount to use after the vacation that you're on. Others will catch you in the airport when you've landed at your vacation destination to offer you major discounts on excursions during your time there. Will you have to sacrifice an hour or two of your time? Yes. Will they hound you about purchasing a timeshare? Yes. Are you obligated to do it? Not at all. If you say no will you still receive the offers they promised? Yes.
I will leave this one up to you guys as I know circumstances can be different for everyone! If you're crunched for time then it's probably not appealing to you, but if you have some time to spare and want to receive some worthwhile, travel-related goodies then go for it!
21) Utilize Your Holidays
If you're someone that is working full time, then this is super important! Use your holidays to your benefit so that you're not using up your PTO days. Especially if they're International getaways, try to plan them around holidays -- if it's an American holiday, the prices for hotels etc won't be hiked up if you're traveling abroad. Another good tip as far as not using up PTO days, is to plan the start of your trip in the middle of the week instead of a Monday. This minimizes the actual amount of days you need to take off, as you'll be using the weekend for part of your time instead.
22) Groupon
I'm pretty sure we've all heard of Groupon as they've been around for some years, but if you haven't let me tell you about it... Groupon is basically a platform that offers just about anything you can think of -- restaurants, activities, hotels, bundle vacations, socks, clothes etc, but for a discount. It's almost as if someone has gathered all the available coupons they could find and bundled them together in this cute, little website called Groupon. Groupon is also a great tool when traveling, specifically for restaurants and activities. I've found quite a few activities that I was interested in a little bit cheaper on Groupon. If you're going to Miami, Vegas, Amsterdam or any other party city still give Groupon a look because they tend to offer party buses that include unlimited drinks and/or free entrance to multiple clubs. If you're in a city where it doesn't seem like there's much to do, Groupon is also a good tool to give you some ideas. I've never purchased a bundle vacation from them as I like to plan my own, but that option is available also. From what I've seen, they're really good deals especially if you're close to a major airport (NYC, LA, DC). If you don't have an account on Groupon, feel free to use my link to sign up! Groupon can be used domestically or internationally, but for international use you will need to create a new account using their platform as it's not connected to the one in the USA.
23) Interact With the Locals
Ask the locals questions! Get to know them! Something that I've learned along the way, is asking a local how much the price of something should be. You'll quickly learn, if you haven't already, that when people can tell you're a touristy they will try to charge you much more. Having an idea of what the price of certain things should be is a great way to avoid getting scammed. Interacting with the locals can also lead you to activities, restaurants and nights out that you otherwise would have never stumbled across. I've met so many people while traveling that showed me around the city and invited me to nights out with their friends just from interacting with them. Get to know people!!!
I know that was a looooooot, but I hope that this benefits at least one person when planning their next vacation! As always, feel free to hit me up on Instagram @thewordswithin, or via e-mail through this here website if you have any questions or just want to have a chat!
Happy travels everyone!