13 Tips and Tricks for Saving Money on Travel

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Let's face it: Traveling can be expensive. But it doesn't have to break the bank. 

There are plenty of sneaky tricks and easy tips that will help you explore the world without emptying your wallet.

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1. Set a Google Flights Price Alert

You probably already know that Google Flights lets you search for ticket prices across various airlines. 

But did you know that it also tracks the flight price history? You can see if the price you’re seeing is higher or lower than average, and then plan accordingly.

If flight prices are currently out of your range, you can set price alerts that will notify you when prices drop for your desired route. 

2. Use the Flexible Destination Trick

If you don’t have a particular destination in mind, you can let Google Flights pick one for you! 

To use this nifty Google Flights trick, just input your departure city and travel dates — leave the destination blank. Google will then show you the cheapest flights worldwide. 

From there, you can zoom in and out on specific regions, or change your dates to see if prices fluctuate.

RELATED: How To Find Cheap Last-Minute Flights

3. Be Tech-Savvy With Your Booking

There’s no shortage of tech tricks out there to score the cheapest flights — some people swear by booking after midnight on a Tuesday; others say you need to clear your browser’s cookies.

While these methods might work sometimes, they're not guaranteed. Pricing algorithms are a mysterious beast.

Still, these tips are worth trying and could potentially score you better prices.

• Browse in incognito/private mode: It’s a long-held myth that flight prices will jump if you keep checking them. That's not really how it works. Still, some people swear by searching incognito. The results are inconsistent, but it can’t hurt to try.  
• Use a VPN to search from different locations: You may be able to find cheaper fares by searching via the airline’s home country or a country with less demand. Use a VPN like ExpressVPN to “spoof” your location and see what fares you can get.

4. Use Travel Credit Card Rewards

If you don’t have a travel rewards credit card yet, get one. These cards earn you points or miles that you can redeem for discounted flights and hotel stays.

Some even offer additional perks like complimentary airport lounge access, a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, or early check-in for partner hotels.

The key is to use your credit card instead of cash or debit to make your regular purchases, like groceries and utility bills. Don’t use rewards as an excuse to go on a spending spree! 

Then, be sure to pay your balance off each month so you aren’t charged interest, which would negate the value of the rewards.

I’ve booked practically free flights to Thailand, Czechia, Iceland, and more on points I collected just from my regular spending. 

Pro tip: Some cards offer bonus points for travel-related purchases, so use your card strategically to maximize rewards.

COMPARE: Best Travel Credit Cards

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5. Check Your Insurance Benefits Before You Book

Before you buy travel insurance or say yes to the insurance offered by a rental car company, check your credit card’s benefits. If it’s a travel card, odds are these are already covered. 

Depending on the card, you could have emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, rental car insurance, or all of the above.

However, to take advantage of the insurance, you must have booked the trip with that credit card.

So, if you have multiple credit cards, check your benefits before you buy your ticket or book a car, so you know to use the right card.

COMPARE: Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

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6. Upgrade at the Last Minute

If you’re patient, you may be able to score a sweet upgrade to business class at the last minute. 

Many international airlines release premium seats for bidding if they’re not full by the departure date. Basically, they’d rather receive some money for these seats than nothing.

Bidding can happen in two ways:

1. You may be contacted by the airline a few days before your flight (usually around 72 hours) notifying you that bidding is available.
2. You can check the upgrades section of your airline’s website. (The easiest way to find it is to google your airline and “upgrade bid”). There’s usually a form to input your booking details. For example, here’s what it looks like for Cathay Pacific:

If your ticket is eligible, you can then input a dollar amount of your choice. If your bid is chosen, you’ll pay that amount and get the upgrade. If not, you’re still stuck in economy, but you’re not out any money.

It’s a gamble and there are no guarantees your bid will win, but if you’re open to whatever you can get, it could be worth it.

I’ve been able to upgrade myself to a lie-flat bed from Budapest to Dubai and a business-class seat from Toronto to Glasgow with bids of around $200. And by using points to book my original tickets, I essentially got airfares worth well over $2,000 for a couple hundred bucks.

Or, you could ask (nicely) at the check-in counter if any premium seats are available. I was able to score a bulkhead window seat on a flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok for free just by asking.

One downside: American Airlines, Delta, and United currently don’t offer bidding. You’re more likely to find it with international carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Etihad, Air Canada, and Qantas.

READ MORE: How To Upgrade to First Class Without Paying Extra Fees

7. Breeze Through Customs with Mobile Passport Control

The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app is a free app by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and allows you to expedite your entry process at many major U.S. airports and seaports.

Here's how it works: After arriving in the U.S., open the app and answer standard customs declaration questions. The app generates a digital receipt with a QR code that you can use in a dedicated, usually shorter customs line.

Unlike TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, MPC doesn’t require any pre-approval and is completely free.

8. Get a No-Foreign-Transaction-Fees Card

A foreign transaction fee is a surcharge that credit card issuers tack on when you use your card for a currency other than your home’s currency (i.e., other than U.S. dollars if you’re American).

Foreign transaction fees are usually around 3% of each transaction, and while that may not sound like much, those small amounts can add up quickly. 

Check your credit card’s terms. If you already have a travel credit card, you could be in luck — many of them don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

COMPARE: Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

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9. Use Banks Instead of Currency Exchanges

Those airport currency exchange kiosks are notorious for having mediocre exchange rates and super-high fees. 

Instead, change your money at a bank or withdraw from a bank’s ATM. (But avoid random ATMs that aren’t part of an official bank network or are tucked away in an area where they could easily be tampered with.)

Also, it’s a smart idea to arrive with at least some local cash in your pocket. While credit and debit cards are becoming more internationally friendly, I’ve had friends who’ve been stranded on a weekend with plastic that local ATMs wouldn’t accept.

10. Stay Connected With an eSIM

Gone are the days of hunting for local SIM cards or paying astronomical roaming fees. 

Instead, use an eSIM (I’m personally a fan of Airalo — plus, you can get $3 off with the code ERIKA3). An eSIM is a digital SIM card you can download directly to your phone, allowing you to purchase and activate cellular data plans for specific countries or regions instantly. 

Before your trip, simply download the Airalo app, choose your destination, purchase a data plan, and activate it when you land. No more swapping physical SIM cards or dealing with complicated activation processes. 

Plus, you'll save serious money compared to traditional international roaming charges.

11. Escape the Tourist Traps

Want to save money and have a more authentic experience? Stay, eat, and drink outside the tourist zones. 

Restaurants and accommodations just a few blocks away from major attractions can be significantly cheaper. 

Not only will you save money, but you'll also get a more genuine feel for the local culture. Local neighborhoods often have charming cafes, family-run restaurants, and hidden gems that tourists miss — and at prices that won't make your wallet cry.

12. Always Choose Local Currency at Checkout

Here's a rookie mistake many travelers make: When a payment machine asks if you want to pay in USD or the local currency, it might seem logical to choose U.S. dollars. Resist that temptation! 

Always select the local currency. When you convert to USD at the point of sale, you'll be charged additional fees by the processor and you’ll likely get a worse exchange rate through them than through your own bank.

13. Embrace Public Transit

While taxis can be convenient, they can also be very expensive. But many major cities have trains or buses that will take you straight from the airport to downtown for a fraction of the cost.

Before your trip, research local transit apps and payment systems. Many cities now offer digital passes you can purchase and store on your smartphone. Some even provide tourist-specific transit cards that include museum entries or discounts.

You'll see neighborhoods tourists miss, interact with residents, and get a real feel for the city's rhythm.

TL;DR: How To Travel Better for Cheaper

Traveling smart isn't about being cheap — it's about being strategic. These tips can help you save money, reduce stress, and focus on what really matters: creating incredible memories.

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.