Expert Article

WALLET - FRIENDLY TRAVELING 

Sick of being stuck at home? Find out how you can travel without eating away at your savings.

I’m sure a lot of us are hoping to be literally any other place than our homes right now. We can’t wait for that magical moment when the CDC or WHO announces that it’s finally safe to travel without wearing a mask. But for now, we’re left planning for our future trips and adventures. We’re dreaming BIG because after the year we’ve had, WE DESERVE IT! So now I ask you: if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

I would go to Finland, stay at an igloo, and watch the northern lights. Traveling to Finland or other destinations can be extremely expensive so here are some tips to travel big without making a big dent in your wallet: plan ahead, research, and find alternatives. 

Advance, Advance, Advance.

Spontaneity can be fun and exciting, but also pricey! It means booking last-minute flights and expensive accommodations.

According to CheapAir.com's study of more than 350 million airfares, the average best time to book flights is 2-4 months in advance (cited in Saiidi). It is important not to be too early or late to arrive at that sweet spot. I like to be on the lookout for cheap flights at least 6 months in advance so that I can keep track of airline discounts and promotions.

Do Your Research! 

You don’t want to be the clueless traveler who spends thousands on a trip because he didn’t know that there was a cheaper alternative. Do your research on the following: 

• Flight Costs: Find out how much cheap, average, and expensive flights are to your destination. Make sure to consider the season — peak or lean. Holiday average prices can greatly differ from lean season prices. When you understand what a cheap ticket can cost, you will immediately recognize it when you come across a great deal. 

• Flight Date: When booking a flight, be flexible. Check flights for different nearby dates. Some airlines will have an option for you to easily compare rates from different dates. Below is an example from Cathay Pacific.

 According to Peter Thornton in his article on the cheapest day to travel, mid-week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) flights are cheaper than weekend flights. However, note that this is not always the case. As can be seen in the example above, flights on Wednesday are actually more expensive than flights on Friday.

Know Your Options! 

• Connecting, Direct, or Nonstop? First, it is important to know the difference between direct and non-stop flights. Nonstop flights tend to be the most expensive flight because it brings you to your destination without making any stops. Direct flights may stop at other airports, but you don’t need to disembark the plane. There may be instances where you have to change aircraft, but the flight number does not change. Connecting flights tend to be the cheapest because you’ll have to do a layover/s in different airport/s before reaching your final destination. But, this is also not always the case. When comparing flights from different airlines, you may find that the connecting flight of one airline may be more expensive than the direct or nonstop flight of another airline. When booking connecting flights, it’s important to consider if the amount you’re going to save will make up for the extended travel time. Note that some layovers can result in a travel time of more than 48 hours.   

• Loyalty Program or Nah? Loyalty programs are a great way to earn miles and eventually redeem a free flight! It also comes with perks like ticket upgrades, use of airport lounges, and use of priority lines. Sounds great, right? YES… well… in theory it sounds amazing, but loyalty programs are primarily targeted towards frequent fliers (Motivforce). This means that it requires multiple flights before you can redeem a free flight or get upgraded to business/first class. If you’re a frequent flier, this may be a perfect way for you to save some money. But if you aren’t a frequent flier, it may be best to just book from the cheapest airline every time.

• Hotels vs. Airbnbs? For years, hotels have been the primary place where travelers stay. But now, more and more people are opting to stay at Airbnbs. Why? Well, because it’s cheaper! Airbnbs are generally cheaper than hotels. 

The Wherever Writer writes an excellent piece on how you can save money on Airbnb. Some of her key points are to negotiate with the host, stay for a longer period, and check other sites. Instead of making a reservation right away, message the host with your specific dates and ask if they can offer a discount. Make sure to only do this when you are staying for a long period or when you are booking last minute. It may also be cheaper to book an extra night when you are staying for 6 or 27 days because some hosts will offer discounts for weekly or monthly stays. Also, don’t forget to check other sites before booking. Sometimes, you can get a cheaper price for the same listing if you book through a different site.  

If you’re worried that staying at an Airbnb will ruin your trip, don’t worry! It won’t. Staying at an Airbnb will allow you to discover a different country as a local. You will be living with the locals and will be gaining a unique insight into their culture. Just make sure to read the reviews and research the neighborhood before booking an Airbnb because Airbnbs are not as regulated as hotels.

• Moving Around. There are many ways to get around a city or any vacation spot. You can rent a car, ride a taxi, or ride trains. In most countries, trains are the cheapest way to get around the city. It’s also the best way to live like one of the locals. Every country is different tho. For example, in the Philippines, the best way to get around is probably to use Grab (similar to Uber). It isn’t the cheapest way, but it is the most cost-effective. If you wait around for the train, you’ll probably be waiting in line for hours. In Europe, their trains can get you almost anywhere and it’ll be the most cost-effective form of transportation. Riding public transportation is a good rule of thumb for cheap transportation, but make sure to do your research. 

Another way to move around is to simply walk. If the places you’re hoping to visit are all centered on one area, it may be best to book a more expensive hotel in the center than to pay for transportation every day. You can save a lot if you cut down on transportation costs.

Plan, Plan, Plan. 

If there’s one thing you should take away from this article, it’s plan, plan, plan. Planning ahead and researching can save you a ton of money when planning a trip. Don’t be lazy and do your research. Once you’ve done all the planning, don’t forget to enjoy your trip. Enjoying a trip is what will truly make your trip worth your buck! Now what are you waiting for, it’s time to plan for that big trip!

Works Cited:

Motivforce. “Who Should You Target with Your Loyalty Program? - B2B Loyalty Marketing Blog.” Motivforce, B2B Loyalty Marketing Sales Incentives Rewards - Motivforce, 3 Nov. 2019, www.motivforce.com/blog/who-should-your-loyalty-program-target. 

Saiidi, Uptin. “Here's the Best Time to Book a Flight, According to a Massive New Study.” CNBC, CNBC, 11 May 2017, www.cnbc.com/2017/05/11/whens-the-best-time-to-book-a-flight.html. 

Thornton, Peter. “These Are the Cheapest Days of the Week to Fly (2021).” Airfarewatchdog Blog, 9 Apr. 2021, www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/22702034/the-two-cheapest-days-of-the-week-to-fly/. 

The Wherever Writer. “6 Secret Airbnb Tips That Will Save You Money.” The Wherever Writer, 22 June 2020, www.whereverwriter.com/airbnb-tips-save-money/.