We’re back with another Ball Out on a Budget- the series where we teach you how to enjoy the finer things in life without breaking the bank. Next up- a mini-series on travel to get you ready for all of those summer vacations ahead. For the next few installments, we will discuss how to travel on a budget. With airfare bleeding you dry, gas prices climbing higher, and vacation activities in general adding up, traveling is NOT cheap these days. We will walk you through how to save on airfare, hotels, and help build an itinerary while you are there, so that you don’t come home from a trip with no money in the bank.
First step- let’s get you there. These days, flights can cost an arm and a leg, so any savings you can find are big. In fact, flights have increased by 17.7% from last year to this year. Now, of course there are the budget airlines (Spirit the big yellow school bus in the sky, we’re looking at you) that may get you where you need to go but beware of the trap of budget airline hidden fees. Want to carry on a bag? That’ll cost ya. Want to select your seat so you can sit next to your S.O./friend/child? Sorry you’re both gonna have to buy that. Oh, you’re thirsty on this long flight? Nothing in this world is free, not even water, sir.
So how can you find a good deal that at the end of it all will STILL be a good deal? Here are our tips when it comes to booking flights:
Do your research– Set Google flight alerts. If you know you have a trip coming up, you can easily have Google track prices for you, and they will alert you when there is a significant drop in price. If there isn’t a drop, they will send you an email outlining the best available flight options.
Loyalty programs– Sign up for all of them! They are completely free and allow you to start building status from your first flight. Never fly without getting your airline points. They do add up, and eventually can lead to free flights. Some airlines provide better rewards than others, but it is worth signing up. Also, the airline will email you any special travel deals they may have.
Consistency- In the same vein as loyalty programs, try to stick to one or two airlines. That way, you are giving those airlines the majority of your business and can then start achieving status. The guy next to you that gets called up to First Class? That can be you. The woman who gets automatically booked on the next flight out after yours is cancelled and you’re stuck until the next day? That can be you. The man who doesn’t have to set an alarm to check-in 24 hours in advance because he knows he’s getting A boarding group? Yep, that can be you, too! Loyalty creates perks, and perks can save money (and headaches).
Check back- Once you book your flight, check back the next month, maybe a couple weeks out, and see if your flight price has changed. If it has, you can “reschedule” the exact same flight and get the return in cash or flight credit depending on the airline policy. Note this only works for cancellable flights.
Explore surrounding airports- Major airports tend to be the least expensive to fly out of, but sometimes you can find great prices for a smaller airport. Be sure to check surrounding airports for both your departure and destination. If they are far from your final destination, be sure to take into consideration any additional transportation fees that may occur.
To Drive or to Fly, that is the question- Our final tip, do the cost comparison to rent a car and drive vs. flying. Of course, there are times when there is no way getting around having to fly. However, if your destination is drivable, do the math! If one leg of the flight is more expensive than the other, rent a car and drive one-way, maybe stop in a city you’ve always wanted to visit along the route. Then you can return the car and fly back. Note that it is about 26% more expensive to rent/return a car at an airport vs a downtown/suburb location.
Now that you have saved money on your transportation, you can put that toward your hotel, vacation activities, or back into your savings- pay off that credit card balance?! Check out the next blog, we will go through tips on lodging and some great money saving activities once you get there. Money Athletes, always saving, investing, and making their money work for them- join us on our TMA Journey and become a Money Athlete today!
