Going on vacation soon? Save your money and avoid these common travel expenses!
Traveling is becoming more and more expensive now with all of the added fees hotels secretly added onto your bill. These fees alone can almost stop you from traveling at all. Luckily for you, I have compiled a list that will help you to avoid common travel expenses and make your vacation a little more enjoyable.Avoid airport parking fees.
Airport parking is sometimes a necessity but if you can, we would avoid it at all costs. Some airports can charge up to $20 a day just to park. If you are gone for only five days, that's $100! If you can have someone drop you off, that would be the most ideal. Bank that $100 instead, and maybe use it for a beach excursion or a nice dinner! You'll be happy you did.
Dodge hotel fees.
While hotel fees are inevitable most times, there are some ways you can get around them. Calling ahead before booking a room can help because you will be aware of the fees up front so you can budget or find another hotel with lower fees. If you are trying to completely avoid fees, we suggest you join a loyalty program. Most hotels have loyalty programs, such as Marriot and Hilton, that are most likely free to join. As you stay in the hotels associated with the loyalty program, you will receive more and more perks. This is a great way to have unnecessary fees comped!
Foreign transaction fees are a "NO NO".
Traveling abroad is already an expense in itself, so the more you can save on the little things, the more wine you drink in Italy. It's as simple as that. Many major credit card companies and banks will charge you for withdrawing cash from an ATM. However, now there are many credit cards available that offer that as a perk. The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card and the Capital One 360 checking account and debit card allow you to withdraw money anywhere for FREE.
Don't pay for your carry-on.
It's difficult to avoid this one as well because almost all airlines charge for a carry-on or check-on bag. The one major airline that "bags fly free" is Southwest. Their rates are generally reasonable AND you get a free checked bag/carry-on. Therefore, prior to making flight reservations we would suggest that you fly Southwest. If flying Southwest isn't an option, some airline credit cards allow card holders to receive free checked bags. American Airlines Citi AAdvantage Mastercard is one of these!
Try booking your hotel room wisely.
To save a little extra cash, you can always skip a few nights of dining out. If you book a hotel room with a small kitchenette, you can always cook for one or two nights. This will significantly cut down on cost!
Don't book during the busiest times of the year.
This may come as a no brainer to you, but if you book when everyone else wants to travel, you can expect to pay a premium price. These times can include all major holidays and spring break. Try to take a vacation during the off season. You will get the same experience at nearly half the cost!
