How to Save Money on Travel

Taking a vacation is actually very important, whether you love or hate your job. Whether you travel for a few days or a few weeks, you will come back energized and in better health with more focus. Whether you plan to travel locally to visit family or internationally to take in the sights, the costs can quickly add up. With advance planning though you can save money on almost any travel plans.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check with your employer to find out if there are discounts for which you are eligible. Many companies and organizations have contracts with car rental companies that will let you save money or receive upgrades. Be sure to check if the discounts apply to personal travel or if they are only for business trips.

2. Sign up for discount programs from hotels and airlines. Loyalty programs offered by hotels and airlines can earn you hotel stays or tickets at a reduced price based on how often you purchase from the same company. When making reservations, be sure to provide your membership number so that you accrue points toward your rewards.

3. Search for hotels that offer a refrigerator in your room. This will let you either purchase food from a grocery store that can be placed in your refrigerator for later consumption or save leftovers from meals at restaurants.

4. Maintain flexible travel dates to save on airfare and hotel rooms. If you are not locked into specific days of the week for your vacation, you can purchase airline tickets to travel at a lower price. If you can travel during off season, you may find airfares and hotel rooms available at prices below those during the peak season.

5. Purchase only the necessary travel insurance programs. Insurance is available for airline tickets and car rental. If you use certain credit cards to book travel, they may automatically provide you with insurance coverage, letting you save money on these travel costs.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to rent a car while you are traveling, check with your auto insurance company to see if the auto insurance policy that you maintain will cover your rental.
• Avoid making your travel plans through a travel agent. A travel agent will often charge a commission or service fee. With careful searching, you can find airline and hotel fares for prices that are as low or lower than those found by travel agents.

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on 4/22/2009 I found 3 solutions for saving money while traveling that cut the price of my last business trip in half over at http://ExploreRoutes.comThe guy used to be a travel agent but was fired, no he's pissed and wants to get back at the company he worked for lol