Travel Tips
5 ways you’re wasting travel money without realising it
For many of us, having a holiday is an excuse to treat ourselves, so we don’t mind spending a little bit extra if it means better accommodation, food, rental cars or whatever else. However, you can still get the best without breaking the bank – as long as you avoid these five common errors.
- Not joining a hotel loyalty program – A super easy way to save on your accommodation, hotel loyalty programs are usually free to join and offer their members lower rates.
- Only booking your accommodation online – Yes, it’s easier, but you could actually save more by contacting the hotel directly. If you’ve found a cheaper price elsewhere, ask them to match it. If they can’t, they might offer extras instead (e.g. free upgrade, breakfast or airport transfers).
- Booking your flights at the wrong time – The day (and even the time of day) could shave hundreds off your airfare. According to a report by Hopper, booking at midnight on Tuesday can reduce fares by 6 per cent. To save even more, try to schedule your departure on Wednesday – it’s the cheapest day to fly.
- Buying travel accessories at the airport – It pays to be prepared. Leaving your travel essentials shopping to the very last minute could cost you big time. Airports often charge up to 10 per cent more than the retail value of items like travel adaptors and neck pillows, meaning even duty free won’t help much.
- Renting a car at the airport – Of course it’s more convenient, but airport fees extend even as far as the rental car service. Simply by catching a cab or public transport to a rental facility outside the airport zone could save you up to $50.
What’s your number one money-saving travel tip? Share it with us in the comments below.