Money-saving travel tips for your next adventure.
According to The Black Traveler report, black travelers spent $129.6 billion on domestic and international travel in 2019. If your next destination requires a passport upon entry, The Department of State Travel provides a wealth of information on how to travel and protect your money, health, safety, and security. Your preferred mode of transportation can not only save you money. It can also allow for maximizing time while someone else does the steering. ‘
Non-stop destinations from Cincinnati
- Train Travel Destinations on the Amtrak Network from the Cincinnati Museum Center
- Bus Travel Destinations on Greyhound Bus Service from Downtown Cincinnati
10 Money-Saving Travel Tips
The following tips will ensure you do not break the bank during your next trip. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling by plane, train, bus or automobile. Remember to plan your itinerary and book long ahead of time to get the best experience possible. If you are going to spend money on a trip to your dream destination, you might as well get the best bang for your buck:
Reserve a rental car before booking travel plans
Hertz, Avis, Budget and Enterprise sold off inventory during the pandemic. Rental cars are scarce, options are limited, and prices have increased. Also, consider picking up your vehicle from an off-airport location near your hotel to save approximately 15% on taxes and fees. Some travelers have resorted to renting non-traditional travel vehicles such as U-Haul and other light-commercial modes of transportation during their travels. Autoweek offers more details about renting automobiles.
Redeem frequent traveler rewards and credits
Frequent flyers often have a stockpile of sky miles, hotel points and rental car vouchers. Leisure tourists usually prefer to earn travel rewards for day-to-day credit card purchases, and most businesses in the hospitality industry offer credits for canceled vacations. These travel rewards might yield free, reduced-price or upgraded accommodations for your next destination. Travel and Leisure offers more information about airline miles redemption mistakes.
All weekdays are not created equal
The cheapest days to travel are Tuesdays or Wednesdays, depending on the route and mode of transportation. Other more affordable travel days are Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Depending on the carrier, the most expensive travel days are typically Fridays and Sundays. TSA offers more travel tips.
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Early birds and night owls typically secure the cheapest travel costs
Early morning and late evening trips are usually less expensive than trips scheduled during the middle of the day. If time permits, travelers can also receive compensation, credits, upgrades, accommodations and meals. Be willing to give up a seat on an overbooked carrier in airports, buses, or other public transportation!
Pack your lunch
When traveling by plane, train, bus or car, bring lunch and snacks before you leave for healthier and cheaper meal options. Read more about Healthy Foods to Pack When You Travel.
Use hotel ground transportation when flying
See if your hotel offers free ground transportation to and from the nearest airport instead of paying for taxis, rideshares like Uber or Lyft, tolls and airport driver fees.
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Beware of the hotel minibar
Weary travelers can be tempted by the readily available chocolate bars, cookies, potato chips, wine, soda and bottled water. These comfort foods are usually marked up 3-4 times the usual price. They will drastically increase the price of a hotel stay. Save money by picking up a few groceries at a local market. You can have them in your hotel room during your vacation.
Before you go, count the cost
When planning a trip, be sure to budget for the cost of transportation (airfare, train or bus ticket), parking at the airport, rental car and gas, lodging, tolls, food and tips (maid service, baggage attendants, bartenders). These travel costs do not include enjoyable activities like shopping and entertainment while traveling.
Consider travel insurance
Understand which aspects of the trip refundable and what coverage are provided by the credit cards used to pay for travel and accommodations. Remember, U.S.-based health insurance policies offer coverage only within the United States. Get protected before you travel the world. Learn more at the United States Travel Insurance Association.
Save for future travel
Establish a travel savings account to protect against going into debt when planning the next getaway or dream vacation.
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Still unsure about traveling? The Better Business Bureau offers a list of travel tips for best travel practices. Make sure to stay informed and prepared whether you’re traveling abroad or somewhere you’ve never been. From travel schemes and vacation scams to tips on saving money and getting your passport, BBB Travel Tips has it all.
About the author, Al Riddick
Al is founder and president of Game Time Budgeting, an award-winning financial fitness company that assists others in developing behaviors to improve their short- and long-term financial outcomes. For over a decade, Al and his wife, Lesia, have been living debt-free after eliminating $150,000 of financial obligations.
As a highly sought-after speaker, Al delivers passionate and inspiring presentations that educate audiences about saving more, spending wisely and maximizing their financial potential. Al has been featured in Black Enterprise and Money magazines, on radio and ABC, CBS and NBC affiliated television stations. His book, The Uncommon Millionaire: Financial Success Begins with Behavior, was published in 2016.
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Travel Tips photo provided by © [Alexander Image] /Adobe Stock
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