Shopper Deals: Save $$$ on Holiday Travel Costs
By LaTINA EMERSON, Special to The Coweta Shopper
During the holiday season, many people plan to travel across the country and even internationally to visit family and friends.
Travel costs can quickly add up, and it’s important to set a budget and find ways to save on holiday travel.
Follow these tips to reduce your travel expenses and avoid getting into debt:
Pack Light
When traveling by airplane, the more bags you pack, the more fees you’ll have to pay. If you’re only going away for a few days and it’s possible to pack light, try to fit your needed items into a carry-on bag, which is free of charge for many airlines. However, if you need to bring more items, remember that you must pay an extra fee for each checked bag. Also, the weight of the bag matters. Many airlines charge more if your bag exceeds a certain weight. When packing, try to eliminate as many unnecessary items as possible, such as numerous pairs of shoes. In addition, select basic clothing items that you can mix and match, according to NerdWallet.
Bring Snacks
Especially if you’re taking a road trip, stop by your local grocery store and stock up on your favorite snacks. By bringing snacks from home, you’ll avoid spending money on food and beverages from gas stations and airport retail stores, where prices are often more expensive.
Even when you reach your destination, if you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb, purchase basic food items, beverages and water at the grocery store to save money.
Arrive Early
Getting to the airport early can eliminate the risk of missing your flight and having to rebook at the last minute, which can be costly. Also, rideshare prices could be pricier for trips to the airport at certain times. To avoid surging prices, NerdWallet recommends allowing yourself more time to travel to the airport and possibly taking public transportation to reduce costs.
Get Travel Insurance
Travel insurance helps to cover the costs of unexpected events such as cancellations, trip delays and medical care. This insurance can be purchased out-of-pocket or accessed through certain travel credit cards as a perk, according to NerdWallet.
It’s important to note that travel insurance often only provides a refund if you cancel for certain reasons. To get more flexibility, travelers should purchase “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage, the only type of coverage that offers reimbursement when a trip is cancelled for any reason.
“Cancel For Any Reason” coverage is an optional upgrade added when someone buys primary travel insurance. It can’t be purchased on its own, and it’s not offered by every trip insurer, NerdWallet explains.
Get Reimbursed for Trusted Traveler Membership Fees
Trusted Traveler programs offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, such as TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, can help approved travelers to get through airport security lines more quickly. NerdWallet reports that certain credit cards will reimburse the application fees for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Use Rewards Points for Hotel Stays
When you accumulate rewards points through hotel loyalty programs, these points can be used to book hotel rooms. Using rewards points can also help travelers to avoid resort fees, or extra charges for certain amenities, such as the pool or fitness center, Wi-Fi or transportation services. Some programs might even offer additional discounts, such as one night free, if travelers book their hotel room on points and stay for an extended amount of time, according to NerdWallet.
