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Whether you’re going on a short trip, or off on a family vacation, the cost of travel can soon add up. Once you have paid for your flights and accommodation, you will want to find ways to keep the costs down while on your trip. Here are a few simple ways on how you can save money on travel expenses, helping you keep hold of your hard-earned cash.
Air Miles
Accumulating a set amount of airline miles can be a great way to save money on travel expenses. Many airlines provide loyalty programs to their customers in the form of an air miles card. To get the full benefits, you will need to be a frequent flyer which can help you accumulate a set amount of air miles which can be exchanged to buy tickets. There are two ways that you can receive points, either by signing up to a service that’s provided by the airline or signing up for a credit card that rewards customers with air miles. The more miles you fly, the more benefits you can receive!
Travel Credit Cards
When in a different country, it can be all too easy to rely on the ATM machines that are dotted around the area. However, you may not realize that many machines charge withdrawal fees which can soon add up and eat into your spending money. Therefore, using a travel credit card can be another great way to save money. Not only are there no foreign transaction fees, you can also receive a ton of rewards as you spend. What’s more, all your purchases are protected, giving you confidence and security when on your trip.
Hotel Points
Before you book your accommodation, you should do your research into hotel points. For example, companies like Hotels.com have specific loyalty programs which can see you get an extra night’s stay for free! When signing up to a loyalty program, there are other great perks that you can take advantage of too including free upgrades and unlimited Wi-Fi. It always helps to be in the know when it comes to securing the best hotel deal.
Free Entry Days
If you are visiting a popular destination, instead of forking out a ton of money on attractions that charge an arm and a leg, you may want to visit a museum instead. Many museums are free to visit, helping to save you money. When planning your itinerary, there are various excursions that you can go on without the need to carry your wallet with you. If you are going somewhere hot, there are plenty of parks and outdoor activities that you can participate in for free too.
Turn Off Your Phone Service
If you are heading overseas, you may want to consider purchasing an international SIM card. Whether you are going away for a couple of days or a few weeks, many of us rely on our phones to stay in touch with our friends and family. If you can’t access Wi-Fi, even sending a text message can cost a fortune so buying an international SIM card can be a much cheaper alternative and means that you don’t have to be faced with a huge phone bill once you get home.
When to Travel
The time of year you travel can make a huge difference in the overall cost. If you are travelling when school is out, expect to pay more for your vacation. If you are going away for Thanksgiving or Christmas, the prices can also be significantly higher. If you can, try and travel out of season. Not only will you save a ton of money, but you will also be travelling when it’s less busy. We all know how crowded popular destinations can get, so avoiding the peak season can help you get around with ease.
Speak to the Locals
When you travel to popular tourist destinations, it can be easy to find yourself in tourist traps which can see you spending a fortune on food and drink. Instead, why not chat to some of the locals who will be able to give you some handy tips and advice on where to eat? If a restaurant is full of tourists, the chances are it’s not going to be cheap. There are tons of street food markets located across the world where you can find excellent quality food at affordable prices. You should also ask your hotel for suggestions of where is good to eat.
Use Coupons
Once you get to your hotel, there are plenty of travel discounts and coupons that can be found in tourist booklets and brochures. Whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, with friends or as a family, there are tons of attractions that offer special discounts. No one likes to pay full price for a ticket, so being in the know can make a huge difference and keep your money in your back pocket.
Get a Loan to Take Advantage of Limited Time Deals
If you need some extra cash for your trip, you may want to consider using a direct payday lender. When on the Bonsai Finance website, simply input how much money you need and whether it’s an instalment, cash advance or personal loan. There are various reasons to take advantage of a loan, such as being able to afford limited time price discounts on flights and hotels.
Whether you take advantage of your air miles card or you use hotel points to get an extra night’s stay for free, there are all sorts of routes that you can go down to help cut down on costs when on your trip away. If you are visiting a destination that’s popular with tourists, try and avoid dining in the restaurants and cafes there as they are likely to charge more. You may also want to take out a payday loan to help cover costs and ensure your journey goes off without a hitch. However you go about it, stay safe, have fun and relish how much money you will be saving!
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