10 Ways to Stretch Your Travel Dollars

Since you might not have traveled in a while, consider this a quick refresher course for how to stretch your travel dollars before, during and after a trip, whether you are going solo or with the entire family.

Plan Twice, Book Once

Even though some airlines dropped change fees following the Covid-19 pandemic, other airlines charge $150 or more if you change your ticket after it’s been booked.

Also, many hotels now charge “no show” fees of $50 or more, even a full night’s price, if you are a no-show.

So, double-check the details before you book your flight or your room to avoid these potential added charges.

Pack Light

Minimize checked baggage fees of $35 or more for the first bag by packing less and checking less.

For longer trips, the cost of dry cleaning may be cheaper than checking extra luggage with additional clean shirts and pants.

Also look into overnight delivery and luggage forwarding services — for samples to bring on a business trip, or your skis, snowboard or golf clubs for a leisure trip.

Check Your Paperwork

Make sure your passport is current and that you have any necessary visas. Expired or missing paperwork can delay your trip and add expensive charges for expedited applications.

Some countries will not admit you if your passport has less than six months left, so if you are planning a trip later in 2021, get your passport renewed now.

See our article with tips on how to apply for or renew your passport.

Check visa requirements also – iVisa has a comprehensive list.

Be Flexible To Find Savings

For travel to or from an area with multiple airports, search alternate airports or use this option in your online booking tool.

For example, in New York City, fares may be less expensive enough at JFK to offset the incremental taxi fare difference for a trip to LaGuardia.

Check alternative airports such as Idaho Falls instead of Jackson Hole, Burbank instead of LAX.

Rental cars also may be less expensive at the alternative airports.

Watch for Waste

Millions of tickets go unused, even though most non-refundable fares are valid for travel for up to a year.

While there may be change fees, you can still save money by not letting these unused tickets go to waste.

Also check your frequent flyer miles for expiration. If you aren’t flying, using them to make a purchase such as a magazine subscription can extend the miles by another 6-12 months, or longer.

Stay Together, Save Together

If you are arriving on different flights than your co-workers, friends or family, plan ahead to arrive around the same time and meet at an airport lounge.

That way you can travel to the hotel together and save the cost of multiple taxis or shuttle services.

Big Ticket Items Can Mean Big Savings

If you are planning a complex international or multi-city US itinerary, use a travel agent.

It will save you time better spent on your family and/or your business, a travel professional is better equipped to find the best airfare deals to ensure you get the lowest fare, with or without a land package.

Plan Ahead, Stay In Touch – The earlier you book air tickets and hotel rooms, the more likely you’ll find a lower rate.

Ask for price guarantees

many airlines and hotels offer you a lower rate if the price for your trip drops after you’ve booked it.

Stretch Your Stay to Stretch Your Dollar

Some airlines are bringing back “minimum stay requirements,” so you can safe money by postponing your return trip from a Friday until a Sunday or Monday.

Or, take the overnight red-eye flight home — that’s usually the least expensive flight of the day for an airline.

Oldies But Goodies

If you are bumped, be sure to get a free voucher, and try to travel in the so-called “off-season” or “shoulder season” for lower travel costs.

And a final tip from me –buy travel insurance to protect you if you have to cancel a trip.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.