Travel Tips: How to Save on your next vacation

October 3, 2012
Are you already planning a trip for next summer (I am!) I travel frequently but I don’t have a major, unlimited budget for travel (but that would be fun, wouldn’t it?) I previously spoke about how I’m seeing a lot of Southeast Asia while saving money here.  But how does one save money for a vacation from any location? Here are a few tips that will have you flying somewhere fun, while saving you money (which you can of course spend on vacation!):
1. Be prepared to plan in advance or be willing to take a last minute trip
One of my best travel deals was an airfare from NYC to Japan for about $500.  Seriously right?  It was a last minute deal from either American Airlines or United Airlines pre-bankruptcy days in 2005.  I was able to get vacation time for the next week and enjoyed a fabulous week in Tokyo and Osaka.  Most airlines have last minute deals so look around and sign up for deals in your area.  Track airfare through sites like Yapta that can track airfare changes.  If you are willing to plan ahead, research an area and check out the off peak times.You may also be able to negotiate a rate with the hotel or owner and even cash out an air travel reward if you are lucky!
1a. When you are planning, also research the best routes to get to  your destination – plane, train, etc.  Find the local and regional operators to get to your destination and compare prices.  See the section below on my favorite travel websites as well (Travelzoo has great last minute deals).
We took a last minute trip to Chiang Mai on a regional airline

2. Take part in, consolidate, and cash out travel rewards

I’ve had a Hilton Honors American Express card since I was 25 (I was traveling up to 100% then as a consultant and literally lived in hotels).  I’m not saying you should run out and immediately open up a new credit card account. But if you value travel and are good about paying your credit card in full, then why not direct your spendings towards a credit card that will earn you travel rewards?  I chose the Hilton Honors American Express card because I stayed at Hilton affiliated hotels and wanted to earn free hotel nights.  I am diligent about signing up for different travel loyalty programs and being aware if a hotel is part of a frequent traveler program.  I cashed out once for a 6 night stay in H’awaii and have enough points for a week in any Waldorf Astoria hotel!

Each major airline is also part of a frequent flyer alliance so choose to consolidate your flying in one alliance so that you can redeem rewards within that alliance (just remember to select only one airline when you choose to earn miles!)  Each airline also has tiers of status starting at 25,000 miles flown per year so you may get bonus miles and free upgrades for flying on an airline.

When you have accumulated points or miles through hotels, airlines and even third party programs (e.g. e-miles or MyPoints), cash out your reward and book the trip!

2a. Third party hotel booking sites like hotels.com and agoda.com offer points and rewards if you book hotels through their website.  The cool thing about this is that it enables you to choose from hotels in very different locations and across hotel loyalty programs.

3. Check out local travel  and travel exclusive websites
Local travel resources can really help you hone in on getting a good deal.  Check out the local travel agencies in your area and see which areas they specialize in – is it a certain country or type of tour?  I like to browse a mall here that has a few travel agencies to see their current promotions.
If you’d rather do things online, remember to visit the big travel agency websites (Orbitz, Expedia-use the fare comparison feature across different websites) and research hotel and flight packages.  We definitely saved a few hundred $ on a trip to Mexico by booking a packagesvs. booking the hotel and flight separately.
Check out travel flash sale sites.  ImpulseFlyer offers discounts on getaways in SE Asia and sometimes North and South America while SniqueAway has more continental US, North America, and European deals.  Travelzoo also aggregates travel deals and has great deals to a variety of destinations.

4. Keep an eye out for travel deals on flash sale site

A group buying or flash sales site is also a great start for finding a travel package.  Look at the big sites, like Gilt because it will also have a travel section, albeit a small one.  Flash sale sites like Groupon would also be a good place to start looking at flight and hotel packages (the price can be really low – just check out the hotel reviews on an independent site like Tripadvisor!)  Also start researching in country websites for a location in that country.
We got a flash sale deal on our hotel in Phuket and even got an upgrade to a two bedroom suite!
little luxury list

All posts
  • honeymyheart October 3, 2012 at 04:05

    thanks for the tips. i really need to utilize these resources for future trips.

  • mary jo October 3, 2012 at 08:29

    i always forget about shopping for last minute trips–i’m going to try and do that in the coming months, it could be fun! also love your tip for checking out local travel agents for deals. thank you–i’m such a travel lover, have to sharpen up ticket buying my skills!

    xo mary jo

  • Cafe Fashionista October 3, 2012 at 09:15

    This is the first time I am hearing about last minute deals at airlines, but I am so trying it out the next time I travel! 🙂

  • Johanna October 3, 2012 at 09:18

    Stop it with these photos. I am sad!

    Did you love Chang Mai? I really wish I would’ve gone there!

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living October 3, 2012 at 11:22

      Chiang Mai was more mellow which I loved and there are some beautiful temples there!

  • Kim October 3, 2012 at 09:52

    Great tips! We are using a local travel agent for our upcoming India trip. Neither of us fly enough to gather a ton of frequent flier points, but we sure to spend on our credit cards (and pay in full each month). I should definitely look into getting a travel rewards card.

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living October 3, 2012 at 11:22

      I love travel rewards credit cards and definitely recommend them if you are good about spending and paying your credit cards anyway!

  • Krysten October 3, 2012 at 10:45

    Awesome tips, thanks lady!

  • A Fine Balance October 3, 2012 at 12:33

    unfortunately Canadians dont always get the last minute deals that our friends in the states do : (

  • Emma (fluff and fripperies) October 3, 2012 at 12:54

    Some great tips here! Travel is my favourite thing and if I can do it for less I can do it more often, so thank you for sharing!

  • Stacey October 3, 2012 at 12:59

    Invaluable tips! Thanks for sharing. XX

  • Kim October 3, 2012 at 12:59

    These are excellent tips!!! A trip requires a lot of planning if you want it to be successful. These tips can save you a lot of money too. Because not everyone pays the same for a trip. I know I did this when I went to Las Vegas, so I can only imagine traveling outside the country. I need to click on GILT! I’ve heard of them, but never paid any attention. Thanks for the advice!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living October 3, 2012 at 21:16

      Yes Gilt and some of the other flash sale sites sometimes have great travel deals too. They have really expanded their offerings in a good way!

  • Meg October 3, 2012 at 13:50

    wow that is a great price!! i flew from los angeles to tokyo all the time so i know how expensive it can be and that is a great price! thanks for the traveling tips!

  • drollgirl October 3, 2012 at 16:34

    these are such good tips!!! almost every week (usually on mondays!) i come up with new travel ideas (fantasies). ugh! it drives me crazy! so many fabulous places to see, but this girl is forever on a tight budget. then again, if i didn’t shop so much i would have more money to travel! i guess it is all about priorities, research, being smart, and being flexible, and being on the ready!

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living October 3, 2012 at 20:30

      You can totally do it You’re right – research and flexibility are key!

  • Rowena @ rolala loves October 3, 2012 at 17:05

    Great tips coming from a seasoned traveller 🙂 Thanks! We booked our hotel in Chicago through Jetsetter last year and managed to get a pretty good deal.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

  • Sam October 3, 2012 at 19:21

    Awesome tips hun! I hadn’t even thought of these before, they will definitely come handy as I hope to plan a trip next year!

  • […] posted here: Travel Tips: How to Save on your next vacation – Chic 'n Cheap Living ← Travel – 6 Tips to a Better Vacation | Guibert […]

  • bravoerunway October 3, 2012 at 21:03

    These are great tips on how to save money on a vacation! I def agree if you have the flex, going last min is always a great $ saver.

  • Lyddiegal October 3, 2012 at 23:12

    I’ve never taken a last minute trip, I’m such a planner, I don’t know if I could handle it!
    but i would love to go to japan someday… with out it costing an arm and a leg!

  • MOSAMUSE October 4, 2012 at 00:41

    great tips! i always love ur travel posts!
    xo
    MOSAMUSE

    http://www.MOSAMUSE.com

  • ElsaD October 4, 2012 at 10:50

    Love it darling! I am obsessed with loyalty mileage programs… 🙂 I invest in loyalty…XOXO

  • Lately on Instagram

    ×
    WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com