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COVID-19 put an end to travel for many people for several years. But with the end of lockdowns and the safe vaccines and boosters now available, it’s very likely that you’ll be traveling again. While that may be good for your psyche, it’s not necessarily good for your wallet.
If you don’t want to overwork your credit cards to make up for lost time, you can check out these tips from financial expert Dave Ramsey to help you save on travel costs.
1. Consider baggage costs when choosing your airline
Ramsey recommends taking a carry-on rather than a checked bag when you can, as fees are generally lower for carry-ons you bring on board than for checked bags. However, if he needs a bag, Ramsey suggests checking out airlines that make it cheaper to bring one, like Southwest, which actually allows two free checked bags.
Packing light and paying attention to baggage fees is excellent advice worth following, as paying to bring a lot of luggage can sometimes double the cost of your flight (especially if you’ve gotten discounted tickets).
Another way to reduce this expense (and one that Ramsey wouldn’t recommend due to his anti-credit stance) is to sign up for a travel card that offers free checked bags as one of its benefits.
2. Book your ticket at a strategic time
Your air travel booking timeline can actually determine the price. Ramsey suggests buying a ticket around three and a half months before departure, or three weeks in advance.
If this works with your timing and you know in advance where you want to go or aren’t afraid to book last minute, this advice is also worth listening to. There’s no reason to pay more than necessary for a flight just because you don’t know the optimal time to buy your ticket.
3. Travel on cheaper days
If you can be flexible when you go on vacation, Ramsey says this can also help you save money. Flights taken on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays tend to cost less than planes that depart on other days of the week.
It can be difficult to implement this tip depending on your job’s vacation policy and whether or not you have children in school. But if you don’t care when you leave, traveling on these days can help you cut costs and allow you to avoid large crowds.
4. Avoid the big tourist attractions
Ramsey suggests that you’ll generally pay less to go on vacation if you select areas off the beaten track rather than major tourist destinations.
This can be a great tip if you want to avoid crowded places and do something different. Of course, popular tourist destinations are often popular for a reason, so don’t give up your desire to visit your dream city or island paradise just to save a few bucks.
5. Ask for free updates
Finally, Ramsey’s last big tip is to simply ask for free updates. You can do it at the airport and at your hotel. If she makes her request polite, she never knows when someone might give her a better seat or a nicer room, especially if she’s celebrating a special occasion.
Each of these tips can go a long way to help make your vacation cost less, so give them a try the next time you travel.
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