14 travel tips to follow to help you save money, and have a more premium experience
Every journey should start with some basic planning. That’s why you’re searching for tips on the internet, right?
There is so much information out there, it’s hard to know where to start.
This guide has pulled together some of the best, together with our first-hand knowledge.
How to save money
1. Choose your timing
The cost of an airfare is often variable throughout the year.
Try to time your travel to “shoulder seasons” (which is between peak and off-peak).
It can sometimes be cheaper to book separate fares for different legs of your trip (use Google Flights for research), though if you do so with different airlines, try to organise a stopover of a few days in the city that you’re changing flights in.
If you book with one airline and then your flight is late, and you miss your flight with the next, you’ll find yourself far more out of pocket than you would have been if you had just booked your return trip with the one airline.
2. Book attractions in advance
Got that Lonely Planet book handy, with marked out pages of all the attractions you want to visit on arrival?
Do some research online and book in advance of possible.
It can often mean you get to skip the ticket lines, and it also keeps your credit card firmly in your wallet, which is often a safer place for it to be than out in the open when overseas.
If you cannot find how to book with the attraction directly, one of the best apps you can download to us for advance bookings is Klook.
3. Book hotels direct
While online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Hotels.com and Expedia make our life easier by consolidating thousands of hotels onto the one website, the hotels you’re staying at will have to pay anything from 15-25% just for the benefit of accepting your booking via that channel.
Anyone else that books direct will often get the preferred treatment like free breakfast and Wi-Fi, and often also save money.
So, while these sites are great for research, if you find that the price being offered is the same or similar to that available from the hotel direct, contact them and ask for a slight discount.
They’ll almost always say yes.
4. Avoid loading money on travel cards in a different currency
Please get yourself a credit card. Please.
Prepaid travel cards are hardly ever worth the effort.
Yes, you lock in currency at a set exchange rate, but we can almost guarantee that you’ll end up paying more than you would have if you just used a credit card and paid a 2-3% currency conversion charge.
5. Never forget to purchase travel insurance
While we hope you will never have to use it, it is important that you always purchase travel insurance.
There is an age old saying called, “if you cannot afford travel insurance, you cannot afford to travel.”
This remains true even today, and the coronavirus travel cancellations showed how important it is to purchase at the time you book travel, and not just a few days before your flight.
If you’re booking travel using your credit card, you may have complimentary insurance, but just make sure you’re carefully reading any terms and conditions to make sure their product is right for you.
6. Cut down on global roaming fees
Check what type of global roaming packages your mobile phone provider offers before you depart, as the last thing you want is some chronic bill shock when you return.
Often, you’ll need to set this up or book some sort of package before you depart.
If you’ve forgotten, don’t be tempted to just switch your phone on when you land and have the messages and emails come flooding through—wait until you’re in the airport terminal and have Wi-Fi.
7. Always pay in the local currency
When you’re shopping at a department store in Singapore, and the cashier asks whether you’d like to pay in your home currency, make sure your answer is a firm but polite no.
You’ll get hit not only with the currency conversion charge from your credit card, but also an extra padding charge on top for the ‘convenience’.
It’s a wonderful way for the business to make some extra cash, but it’s at your expense.
Get the premium experience for less
8. Sign up for hotel membership programs
Before you book directly with your hotel as we’ve recommended above, first make sure you sign up for an account with their membership program.
You’ll often get an extra discount, plus freebies like Wi-Fi or free drink vouchers.
You’ll often also earn points, which can either be redeemed for future stays, of converted into frequent flyer miles.
Point Hacks offer a handy quick guide on the hotel loyalty programs you should join.
9. Use Virtuoso for luxury hotel stays
Virtuoso is a website that connects travellers to travel advisors that can secure extra benefits at luxury hotels beyond what you would receive just for booking direct, and typically at the same price.
Benefits can include up to US$100 of credit to spend on dining or spa, along with space available room upgrades, and free daily breakfast.
While if you’re staying at some of these properties you’ve got a bit of money to start with, there is no harm in getting something extra for no additional work.
10. Dine at fancy restaurants for a discount
Did you know that there are many ways to get discounted dining offers?
In Australia, New Zealand and Bali, the Entertainment Book is a good option, which is now available as a downloadable app.
First Table offer half price dining in numerous other countries including Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
The Entertainer is useful when travelling across the Middle East and Asia incuding Dubai and Singapore.
11. Use an airport lounge - but compare pricing first
Airport lounges are great because they offer travelers a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the airport, providing a peaceful environment to relax, work, or simply enjoy complimentary food and drinks before a flight.
At LoungePair, we pride ourselves on being the premier web app for easily accessing single-use day passes to airport lounges globally.
With our user-friendly platform, travelers can conveniently compare all available options online, ensuring they make the best choice for a premium pre-flight experience.
We also offer direct access to over 450+ lounges worldwide, with flexible passes that can be used on any time or day, without being locked.
12. Bid for a flight upgrade
Some airlines like Qantas and Etihad offer the ability to bid to upgrade to a higher cabin on eligible domestic and international flights.
For longer trips, spending some extra cash on what could otherwise be an empty Premium Economy or Business Class cabin could be an easy way to have you arriving at your destination feeling fresh and relaxed.
The airlines that offer this feature will usually use a tool called Plusgrade.
To see if the airline you’re flying with uses Plusgrade, have a look at their partner page.
Just make sure you don’t end up bidding so much that you’re paying the equivalent of what would have been a full price fare.
13. Flying Premium Economy or Business Class could be cheaper than you think
Most people default to searching for Economy Class fares as that is all they expect that they’ll be able for afford.
However, it can often be just as cheap to book a Business Class fare particularly if there is a sale.
An example are select fifth-freedom flights, like that operated by LATAM between Sydney and Auckland.
One-way Business Class fares on this route can often be had for around $350, which is an exceptional price for a fully flat bed, with airport lounge access, and priority boarding.
14. Check your credit card benefits
Most people have a credit card that has been issued by either Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
Even the most basic of these cards will often come with select travel benefits, but even more so if you have a Platinum or above.
For example, Visa offer travel perks including for accommodation, car hire, and dining.
Mastercard have their Priceless campaign which offers a range of discounted experiences across the world.
Make sure to always do a bit of a search to see what is available at your destination.
