Budget Travel Hacks
A friend recently asked how I can afford to travel as much as I have in the past year. My secret? Chasing deals and being flexible!
A lot of people have a dream destination list—places they have to visit. I used to be that person too. I had a running list of places like Japan during cherry blossom season or Amalfi in the summertime. While these trips would be incredible, they usually come with a hefty price tag.
Instead of planning the "perfect" trip, I’ve shifted my approach. Now, I search for deals on apps like Skyscanner (seriously, my favorite app ever), Hopper, and Kiwi. With Skyscanner, you can search by specific dates, or even by month or "anytime," and it will show you a list of locations sorted by price. Right now, for example, there’s a $128 round-trip flight to Puerto Rico in October!
Be Flexible
The biggest way to save? Be flexible with when and where you travel. You might be surprised by the incredible places you discover when you're open to going anywhere! A recent deal led me to a spontaneous trip to San Diego for fun, and I used points to visit friends in Minneapolis — both for next to nothing!
Use the Right Travel Apps
Here are a few of my go-to tools:
Skyscanner: Great for comparing flights by price and being spontaneous with destinations.
Hopper: Tracks prices and tells you when to book for the best deals.
Kiwi: Offers multi-city deals and alternative routes that other platforms may miss.
Credit Card Hack: Frontier Airlines Mastercard
Another way I saved this year? The Frontier Airlines Mastercard. I know Frontier gets mixed reviews, but the low fares combined with the card’s perks have been a game changer for me. When I signed up, they were offering 50,000 bonus miles for spending $500 in the first three months. I knew I had a big purchase coming up, so I applied—and those 50,000 miles scored me 9 flights (not round-trip, but still)!
I’ve flown to San Diego and Minneapolis using points from this card. One trip for fun, the other to visit friends, plus many more in between. Even better, I’ve been upgraded to include a free carry-on, which is huge considering baggage fees are one of the biggest complaints about Frontier. Of course, where you go affects how many flights you can get with miles, but this card has been totally worth it for me.
I’m not saying everyone should get a travel credit card, but if the scenario fits, it can be a great tool. Just be sure to read up on what works best for you - especially if your home airport has a major airline hub.
Final Thoughts
Budget travel looks different for everyone, but I hope these tips give you some fresh ideas. Whether you’re chasing deals, being flexible, or finding a credit card that works for you, affordable travel is possible!
Have any advice you want to include? Drop it below to share.
