It’s only October, but we’re already deep into holiday travel booking season, and that includes New Year’s travel.
New Year’s travel isn’t as popular a reason to travel as say Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it’s still an incredibly busy time at airports and other tourist hubs. According to WalletHub research, more than 107 million Americans have planned to travel for New Year’s 2022.
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New Year’s is already a big occasion for spending, with 65% of Americans spending at least $50 on New Year’s Eve food and drink, according to a WalletHub survey. Adding travel expenses to the card can add to the cost significantly.
So how can you travel cheaply around the New Year? Let’s explore.
Start Looking at Fares Now
“Some industry experts actually recommend asking for prices 8 to 10 months or even a year out, because most people aren’t booking then,” said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst for DealNews.com. “But that doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the best rate, so it’s best to use an app like Hopper or a site like Google Flights or something similar to track your preferred routes. The sooner you start tracking the better, as apps like Hopper will tell you when it’s best to book and when you should wait a little longer for a better deal. And if the price is unlikely to drop further, they will let you know about that too.”
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Be Flexible With Your Dates
“This is key to saving money on any trip, but obviously if you’re planning a trip around New Year‘s, you might think it’s harder to be flexible,” Ramhold said. “But the truth is, if you can be flexible even by a day or two, it could mean more savings than if you strictly stick to specific travel dates. The more flexible you are, the more likely you’ll be able to get a great deal on whatever trip you’re planning at the time.”
Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees
“If you’re traveling internationally, consider using a credit card that will waive these fees,” Ramhold said. “When you’re abroad, it can be easy to get caught up in the trips and experiences you’re taking part in and not worry about the costs until you see the bill later. On the same subject : Broncos was nominated as a finalist for ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year 2022. But things like foreign transaction fees can add up and make your trip more expensive, so consider using a credit card that avoids them to save on your trip.
Use Miles or Points To Book Flights
“If you’re a frequent flyer, you may have accumulated miles or points from your many trips,” Ramhold said. See the article : Philidelphians are traveling again, even if they feel it’s “inevitable” they’ll come back with COVID. “It’s worth using them to book a flight around New Year, as it means you’ll save cash on your actual booking and can use those funds for other things, like a nicer hotel to stay in or even an experience on your trip that makes it even more memorable.”
Use Cashback Apps
“Use websites like Rakuten to earn cash back on your eligible bookings,” Ramhold said. “For example, online travel agencies such as Expedia, Priceline, Hotels.com, Marriott.com, Hilton, IHG and others are on these sites with cashback rates as high as 4%. If you’re flexible, you can also jump on special promotions these sites offer – for example, Rakuten will sometimes have triple cashback days or select stores will have higher cashback rates.”
Book Through Your Credit Card Portal
“Select credit cards can offer travel booking benefits directly through their dedicated portals,” said Ramhold. “For example, you might find better prices, but that’s not a guarantee and you should also be careful if it means losing privileges if you’re a member of a loyalty program for things like hotels or car hire.”
Book Through Costco
“If you’re looking for alternative ways to book and you’re a warehouse club member, consider booking through those portals,” Ramhold said. “For example, Costco will have special packages as well as deals on hotels, cruises and car rentals, and you can usually get savings for Costco members on these reservations, and in some cases you’ll get other perks like Costco Shop cards, free nights, daily meals and free mini-bars and much more.”
Don’t Give In to Tourist Traps
“It can be so easy to get carried away by the popularity of certain places, especially around the holidays, so it’s worth booking any experiences before you actually arrive at your destination,” Ramhold said. “For example, if you’re traveling to New York, you might be tempted to go to Times Square for New Year’s Eve, but that’s an expensive experience. You may have to pay even to enter the square, and if you want to visit the bars or restaurants around the perimeter, expect absolutely exorbitant prices. You’ll save more if you book a hotel and celebrate elsewhere in the city, avoiding the tourist hotspots. When in doubt, check with the locals about how they celebrate and take a page from their book – it’ll be more authentic and usually far cheaper than following an out-of-towner.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How to travel on the cheap around New Years
