Start With Our Essential Travel Tips

1. Book In Advance: Finding cheap flights and hotels is like finding Elon Musk at a Dollar Store store. The early bird still gets the worm, or in this case, the cheaper flights and accommodations. Mark your calendar and set a reminder for three months before you travel within your own county and six months ahead for international travel.

2. Be Flexible: Life is all about flexibility, and so is saving money on travel. By being open to traveling on different dates, you'll have the power to make those flight prices drop faster than your jaw when you see the accrued interest on your student loan. So, loosen up, embrace the unexpected, and save hundreds of dollars on airfare.

3. Travel During Off-Season: Forget about summer. It's time to embrace the shoulder season like a warm sweater on a chilly day. Less visitors and colder weather mean more savings in your pocket. So, pack your coat, grab your umbrella, and travel between September and April. You'll get the best deals and have enough money left over to buy your youngest a souvenir from Target because you forgot during the trip. We won’t tell.

4. Choose the Best Search Tools & Track Prices: When it comes to finding the best travel deals, you need the Avengers of search tools. Enter tools like Google Flights, Expert Flyer and Booking.com, the superheroes of saving money on airfare and hotels. With their powers combined, you can easily cross-reference prices and be a master of frugality. And don't forget to enlist Skyscanner as your trusty sidekick, keeping an eye on airfare prices like a hawk. Together, you'll conquer the realm of budget travel.

5. Earn And Use Credit Card Rewards: Transforming your everyday spending into huge savings isn't a fairy tale - it's the reality of credit card travel rewards! By mastering the art of earning reward miles and points, you'll witness your travel expenses take a nosedive like the Velocicoaster at Universal Studios. It's time to scout for the ideal credit card that aligns with your spending patterns and take advantage of those rewards. Check out apps like Expert Flyer to help you find reward availability on bookings.

6. Sign Up For Free Loyalty Programs: Who said loyalty doesn't pay off? When it comes to hotels and airlines, loyalty programs are like winning the lottery without buying a ticket. Join these programs for free and start earning points and rewards like a champion. You'll feel like a VIP with exclusive deals, complimentary room upgrades, and flight discounts. It won’t cost you anything but the time to sign up.

7. Use Public Transportation: Forget about taxis and expensive rideshares. It's time to hop on the budget bandwagon with public transportation. Buses, trains, and light-rail will not only save you money, but they'll also give you a taste of the local culture. Embrace the wild side and explore the city as the the natives would. Plus, you'll have some hilarious stories to share about squeezing into a crowded bus while listening to someone else’s music escape their headphones. Memories!

8. Take Advantage of Special Rates: Being part of a special group has its perks, and I'm not just talking about getting discounts on group therapy sessions. If you're a senior, an AAA member, or a military personnel, you're in luck! These groups often get special rates on hotel rooms. So, when you're booking your stay, look for those specialty rates. You'll be a travel-savvy hero and you’ll earn a little bonus for life’s trials. It’s Win Win!

9. Don’t Over Book Your Trip: It's tempting to go all-out on your vacation and squeeze every activity into your itinerary like trying to fit into your high school jeans. But here's the secret to avoiding a budget catastrophe: focus on your "must-dos" and save the "nice to-dos" for another day. By being mindful of your budget and prioritizing your top choices, you'll enjoy your vacation with less stress and you'll have plenty of amazing adventures to look forward to in the future.

10. Start a "Travel Fund": Saving money for your dream vacation doesn't have to be as painful as trying to assemble IKEA furniture with no instructions. Seriously, we loathe furniture assembly! Create a separate travel account or even a good old-fashioned jar in your house. Every time you resist that daily latte or skip that new Star Wars box set with even MORE restored footage, toss the extra cash into your travel fund. Level up your funds and unlock the ability to jet-set across the globe…or galaxies if you’re still thinking about Star Wars.

11. Use Shopping Portals: By using shopping portals like RebatesMe and Rakuten. These portals transform your ordinary shopping into a money-saving magic. Just sign up, install these free programs on your computer, and watch the cash back roll in as you shop at your favorite stores. It's like getting a refund for every dollar you spend. Just remember not to spend money you wouldn’t spend anyway, that would defeat all purpose. Sign up with our Rakuten referral code and you can earn a free $30 when you spend $30 at virtually any store online.