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If you love luxury but also appreciate good budget travel tips, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we will share 7 doable budget travel tips that will help you travel the world on a budget, specifically focusing on inexpensive airfare. Whether you’re a Thousandaire or a Trillionaire at heart, these tips will help you make your travel dreams a reality without breaking the bank.
1. Be Flexible
When it comes to finding the best rates on plane tickets, flexibility is key. Keep your travel dates open and search the entire month for ticket prices. In general, the least expensive days to travel are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. These days tend to have consistently good prices. Google Flights is a great tool to start your search as it allows you to search for dates over a longer period of time using the Date Grid and Price Graph functions.
2. Know When to Buy
Timing is important when it comes to buying airline tickets. While there may be mixed opinions on the best time to buy, it is generally observed that flights tend to increase in price closer to the end of the week. This is likely due to increased demand as people tend to travel more and get paid around that time. To avoid price increases, try to purchase your airfare earlier in the week.
3. Do Some Work!
To find the best prices on airfare, be willing to put in some work. Start your search on flight search engine sites like Google Flights, Expedia, or Orbitz. Keep in mind that some discount airlines, like Southwest, do not advertise on these sites, so you’ll have to go directly to their website to check prices. Don’t be opposed to purchasing two one-way tickets or tickets from different carriers to save money. Get creative and do what it takes to keep your coins while still reaching your travel goals.
4. Strike When the Iron is Hot!
To take advantage of sweet travel deals, be prepared to act quickly. Some travel deal sites, like The Flight Deal and Secret Flying, offer limited-time deals that can save you a significant amount on airfare. These deals may only last a few days, so be ready to purchase when you see one that fits your travel plans.
5. Create a Traveling Account
If you’re serious about budget travel, consider creating a separate account specifically for saving money for your travels. Deposit a few dollars into this account every week or so until you have at least $500 saved up. With $500, you can find some great travel deals and explore new destinations without breaking the bank. If you’re traveling with a family, save anywhere from $750 to $1000 depending on your family size. Some banks even offer cash incentives for opening an account, so take advantage of that to boost your travel savings.
6. Get to the Points
If you are responsible with managing consumer credit, consider utilizing travel credit cards to earn points for free travel. Many travel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses in the form of airline points when you meet certain spending requirements within a specified time frame. For example, charging $4,000 within the first 3 months of opening a credit card account may earn you 60,000 points. These points can go a long way in reducing the cost of your flights, depending on your destination and airline of choice. Just make sure to use credit responsibly and pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
7. Join Travel Rewards Programs
Loyalty pays off, especially in the travel industry. Consider joining travel rewards programs offered by airlines to earn points and perks for your loyalty. By accumulating status and points with one airline, you can use those points for free travel and enjoy additional perks like free upgrades and lounge access. This tip is most beneficial for frequent travelers who can accumulate enough points for significant savings. If you’re an occasional traveler, this tip may not be as relevant for you.
With these 7 doable budget travel tips, you can start traveling the world on a budget and make your travel dreams a reality. Stay flexible, be proactive, and take advantage of rewards programs and travel deals to save money on airfare. Remember, luxury doesn’t have to come at a high price. Happy travels!