Tricks to Travel More With Less Money and Time
If you love the idea of traveling, but don’t think you have enough money or time to get away, it’s time to reframe your mindset about chasing adventure. Whether you can only get away for long weekends or take extended tours, find out the tricks experienced travelers use to see the world on a budget.
Laura Adams, MBA
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Tricks to Travel More With Less Money and Time
If you love the idea of traveling, but always seem to find excuses not to book your next trip, it’s time to reframe your mindset about chasing adventure. Whether you only get away for long weekends or take extended tours, it’s possible to do it all on a budget.
The trick to traveling for less, known as travel hacking, is to tap multiple tools—credit cards, alerts, and reward programs—and to be creative. Often, assembling your trip piecemeal, rather than buying a package, is the secret for snatching the best travel deals.
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To learn more travel secrets, I interviewed Jen Ruiz, who wrote The Affordable Flight Guide: How to Find Cheap Airline Tickets and See the World on a Budget. After realizing that travel made her happy, she decided to make it a priority before turning 30. In 2017, Jen set out to take 12 trips in 12 months, while holding down her full-time job as an attorney for a non-profit.
Jen surpassed her goal and completed 20 trips to destinations including Greece, Argentina, Thailand, and Iceland. And she did it on the cheap, with flights that cost as little as $5 one way and averaged $300 roundtrip.
Jen’s budget travel tips have been published in many top outlets, including the Washington Post and ABC News. The Naples Herald named her on their Top 40 Under 40 list. She documents her travels and budget tips on her site, Jen On a Jet Plane.
Some money-saving topics we cover include:
- How she flew to New Zealand for less than $38
- The fastest ways to accrue airline points for free fares
- Smart ways to use credit card travel rewards
- Tips for using one-way flights to your advantage
- The best ways to let deals and error fares to come to you
- Best search tips, including Google Flights and going incognito
- Why you should get all airfare deals, not just those from nearby airports
I decided that I wasn’t going to let not having a travel companion stop me from traveling. – Jen Ruiz
[Listen to the interview using the audio player on this page or on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify]
The following tips were contributed by Jen Ruiz.
Flight Myths Debunked: 7 Common Booking Misconceptions That Are Costing You Money
There is so much misinformation circling the internet about how to find a cheap flight that it’s easy for first-time travelers and frequent flyers alike to become overwhelmed by the prospect of hunting for a flight deal. When I first started booking airline tickets on a regular basis, I tested every strategy out there in hopes of stumbling across one magic solution that would reduce all my future flight costs in one click.
Through trial and error, I realized that great deals exist and are accessible to everyday people, but there’s no magic site or travel hack. Finding a valid airline ticket at a steal price requires a combination of opportunity, timing, flexibility and a willingness to put your money where your mouse is.
To help you navigate the flood of information, here are some common misconceptions about booking flights that are costing you big bucks.
Myth #1. The best day and time to book is “X.”
You may have heard that the best day to buy a flight is Tuesday, or that the best time to book is six weeks out from a trip. All that is conjecture. At the end of the day, the best time to buy is when a deal pops up, and not a second later. Don’t wait to share it with your friends or verify that you have the time off from work. Book first, ask questions later. Which leads me to my second point…
Myth #2. You can never get a refund.
Even non-refundable flights have a 24-hour refund window. If you book then change your mind, you can cancel the entire thing like it never happened. Also, some airlines will work with you to reimburse the cost of any subsequent price drop after you purchase, and all will refund your fare if there’s a delay or change in itinerary attributable to the airline.
Myth #3. You need a credit card to earn points or miles.
Many people are discouraged from travel hacking because they think the only way to earn bulk miles is by opening a credit card. Granted, credit cards are a great way to exponentially grow your miles, but they’re not essential. You can log miles for flights taken on partner airlines and earn points online by shopping through partner links or completing surveys.
Myth #4. Roundtrip fares are the best deals.
Roundtrip fares have long been preferred in the booking process, but I’m an advocate of one-way flights. You get more value for point redemptions when booking award travel, can customize your itinerary to add intentional connections, and they give you the flexibility to book your trip piecemeal, making your own travel lay-a-way plan.
Myth #5. You should be loyal to one airline.
JetBlue and Norwegian are two examples of budget carriers that won’t make you feel like you’re flying for cheap.
This may be a good tactic if you’re aiming for elite status or first class upgrades, but deal hunters are looking for the best price overall. It’s better to cast a wide net, across multiple search engines and websites to ensure you get rates for airlines that don’t show up in all results, like Southwest and Allegiant.
Myth #6. You can’t fly comfortably on a budget.
Budget airlines are often synonymous with discomfort, with seats that are unable to recline, minuscule tray tables and a general lack of in-flight entertainment. Not all airlines are created equal, however. JetBlue and Norwegian are two examples of budget carriers that won’t make you feel like you’re flying for cheap. You can also score first class tickets on the cheap with sale alerts or bidding for upgrades.
Myth #7. Error fares are for suckers.
A lot of people see error fares and steer clear, thinking it will be a waste of their time. While it’s true that there’s always a chance the airline won’t honor the ticket, your money will be refunded in the event it can’t be honored so you have nothing to lose. Just hold off on making any binding reservations at your destination until after you know for sure.
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Global Travel image courtesy of Shutterstock
About the Author
Laura Adams received an MBA from the University of Florida. She’s an award-winning personal finance author, speaker, and consumer advocate who is a frequent, trusted source for the national media. Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers is her newest title. Laura’s previous book, Debt-Free Blueprint: How to Get Out of Debt and Build a Financial Life You Love, was an Amazon #1 New Release. Do you have a money question? Call the Money Girl listener line at 302-364-0308. Your question could be featured on the show.