8 Tips to Save on Travel Expenses
Almost everyone wants to travel if they can afford it. Many in the USA and other countries travel to other places, whether in their own country or to another country. This helps to make the travel industry a huge industry. When traveling it always helps to Save on Travel Expenses.
It’s a complex industry loaded with lots of insider travel secrets. Never before has it been faced with the challenges of today. With the endless increase in fuel prices and the constant threat of terrorism the travel industry has been forced to make cuts and changes. Any price hikes are invariably passed on to the consumer.
A few years ago one of my best friends was a travel agent working from home. She used to book airline travel and clients could go to her and get competitive priced tickets. However, that changed when the airlines reduced the commissions to too a low amount for small operators like my friend to make a profit.
Hongkong Lantau Island
Changes keep happening in the travel industry. When they do, it sometimes means it is more expensive or harder to find good deals that you can personally take advantage of or to save money on your travel expenses.
If the consumer is to be able to function affordability within this industry he must learn as much as possible of their policies, practices, procedures and even their vulnerabilities. The savings will go to the educated and the persistent.
If you can find a travel agent who actively seeks out the best deals, that’s even a better way to go, since it saves you the hassle of searching for yourself.
Here are a few tips to save on travel expenses.
1. Flying can still be cheaper (and faster) than driving even with soaring gas prices. This is particularly true of longer flights when you consider the cost of gas to drive, food and possibly hotels. Because prices and gas prices keep changing tally up the numbers before you make a decision.
2. Two round-trip tickets can sometimes be cheaper than one. You just use the leg of the ticket you need, one going and one coming. This is called back to back ticketing and is frowned on by the airlines but is legal in most cases. Check the legality of this method before using and of course the cost savings to make sure it is worthwhile.
3. Lots of discount deals are found on the internet. However, just because they indicate discount savings they’re not always the best deal. You really need to shop and compare. Some websites collect a volume discount fee which affects the price of your ticket. Check the newspaper for travel specials especially in the Sunday travel section.
4. Buyer beware is always a good policy when checking out potential travel deals. Where you book and buy your hotel room could determine the quality and location of the room you get. A hotel determines the room you receive based on what you paid.
If you got a deep discount you could be placed in a less desirable location such as near the ice machine or elevator. They would never admit this but to avoid the situation deal directly with the hotel’s website.
5. Use alternate airports and save. Many large cities have two or even three airports. Some are cheaper to fly into and out of than others. In smaller cities it may pay you to drive a few miles (even a hundred miles) to another city and utilize their airport.
This practice can save you hundreds of dollars. The smaller airports are usually more user friendly and offer cheaper or even free parking.
6. Check alternate airlines for best destination airports. Sometimes where you want to go is not served by your preferred airline. In those cases it is sometimes better to take a different airline that lands closer to where you need to go. It can sometimes be lesser cost than your preferred airline.
Example; I needed to go to Colorado Springs, Colorado, from Ontario California, but several airlines that I preferred all landed at Denver Colorado, well over an hour from my destination. I found another airline that went directly there and the cost was cheaper. Result was I had a short trip and saved about $50 round-trip.
7. Car rental insurance is usually unnecessary. Check before you travel to see if your present auto insurance has you covered. If you charge the rental to a credit card most companies cover you automatically.
Rental employees get a commission on insurance sold so beware of double coverage. This coverage of rental cars on your present auto insurance may not cover travel to Mexico or Canada if you live in the United States so if this applies to you be sure to check it out.
8. Last minute deals on airlines and hotels can save you a bundle but you must be flexible. Empty seats or vacant rooms bring no revenue so it’s a win-win situation for both parties. Keep tabs on these by signing up for e newsletters or search the web.
A temple in Phuket Thailand
Travel services today are rarely complimentary. With higher overall costs of business almost everyone is trying to at least cover their costs. The more you know, the more you’re able to do for yourself, the more you’ll be able to save.
If you ever find yourself wanting to go on a real African Safari try this travel agent who loves each safari so much that she personally accompanies her safari group on her safaris.
