2023 Summer Activities

Travel Deals

Indonesia eyes visa waivers for 20 countries, including US, China, India

Indonesia is considering granting visa-free entry to nationals of 20 countries, including the United States, China, Australia, India, South Korea, Germany, Britain and France, …

Cost-Saving Tips And Strategies For Your Last-Minute Holiday Travel

A couple taking a selfie near Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

getty

The impromptu nature of last-minute travel can lead to higher expenses, as the luxury of time to research and compare prices is limited. Cost-saving strategies become crucial in this scenario to manage your expenses effectively while still enjoying the spontaneity of the trip.

Efficiently navigating the complexities of travel bookings and arrangements on a tight budget and time frame is an art that can greatly enhance your holiday travel experience.

Finding Affordable Flights Be Flexible With Travel Dates, Times, And Destinations

Consider traveling on weekdays rather than weekends, as fares are often lower on days like Tuesday and Wednesday. For example, a flight from New York to London might cost significantly less on a Wednesday than on a Saturday.

Additionally, being open to different destinations can lead to discoveries of cheaper flights. Using Google Flights' calendar view shows how prices vary day by day, helping you pick the cheapest travel dates.

Use Alternative Airports, Cities, And Routes

Flying into a lesser-known airport close to your destination can save money. For instance, landing at Oakland Airport instead of San Francisco can offer cheaper options for those visiting the San Francisco Bay Area.

Similarly, looking at different routes, like choosing a flight with a stopover, can be more economical than direct flights. Websites like Momondo help explore these alternate route options.

Leverage Frequent Flyer Miles And Credit Card Rewards

Make the most of frequent flyer programs like Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus. These programs often offer last-minute travel deals that can be redeemed with miles, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.

Credit card rewards, such as those from the Chase Sapphire or American Express cards, can also be converted into airline miles or used to purchase tickets directly, often with added benefits like travel insurance.

Booking Budget Accommodations Explore Alternative Lodging Options

Consider non-traditional accommodations like hostels, which can be found on sites like Hostelworld. These options offer budget-friendly prices and a social atmosphere, ideal for solo travelers or those looking to meet other travelers.

Vacation rentals, such as those found on VRBO, can also provide affordable options, especially for families or groups where you can split the cost.

Get Discounts In Less Touristy Areas

Staying outside major tourist zones can lead to more affordable rates. For example, choosing a hotel in a residential neighborhood in Paris rather than right next to the Eiffel Tower can save you money.

Websites like Hotels.Com often feature last-minute deals, and looking at properties in less popular areas can yield lower prices.

Utilize Booking Guarantees

Take advantage of booking platforms that offer price guarantees, like Orbitz's Price Guarantee, which ensures that if you find your reservation cheaper on another site, they will refund the difference.

It provides peace of mind and assures you of booking the best deal.

Transportation Hacks Choose Public Transportation, Ridesharing, Or Biking

Public transport systems in cities like Tokyo or New York are extensive and cost-efficient compared to taxis or car hires. Utilizing apps like Citymapper can help navigate these systems easily.

Ridesharing through Uber or Lyft can be cheaper than traditional taxis, especially when using carpool options.

In cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen, renting a bike is an affordable and scenic way to get around.

Use Local Transportation Passes And Bundled Packages

Many cities offer transportation passes that can save money for extensive explorers. For instance, the Oyster Card in London provides access to buses and subways at a lower cost than single tickets. Tourist passes, like the Paris Visite, offer unlimited public transport and discounts at various attractions.

In Japan, the JR Rail Pass can be a cost-effective way for you to travel extensively by train. These passes are economical and convenient, eliminating the need to purchase individual tickets.

Budget-Friendly Activities And Dining Explore Local Markets And Street Food

Visiting local markets can be a great way to save money on meals. Markets like La Boqueria in Barcelona or the Borough Market in London offer fresh and affordable food options. These markets often feature regional specialties at lower prices than restaurants.

Furthermore, cities like Bangkok and Mexico City are renowned for their street food culture, offering delicious and inexpensive meals.

Connect With Locals For Insider Tips

Platforms like Meetup or Couchsurfing can connect you with locals who can provide insider tips on where to find affordable dining and entertainment options. Engaging with locals can lead you to hidden gems off the beaten path and are less expensive than the typical tourist spots.

For instance, a local in Manila might direct you to a restaurant in Binondo, where the meals are much more affordable than in the more tourist-centric areas.

Packing And Additional Travel Essentials Pack Light And Bring Reusable Items

Pack only the essentials to avoid extra baggage fees, especially on budget airlines. Airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet have strict limits on free carry-on luggage, so packing light can save you from paying additional fees.

Reusable items like water bottles and tote bags can reduce daily expenses. For example, refilling a water bottle can save several dollars a day in cities like London or San Francisco, where tap water is safe.

Be Open To Spontaneous Changes

Embrace opportunities for changes that may lead to cost savings. Apps like HotelTonight offer deals on last-minute hotel bookings, and flexibility in your itinerary can allow you to take advantage of such offers.

Being open to changing your plans can also lead to discovering free or discounted events and attractions you may have yet to consider.

Buy Travel Insurance

Invest in travel insurance, which can be a lifesaver in unexpected events like flight cancellations or medical emergencies. Companies like World Nomads offer travel insurance tailored to different types of trips.

Be vigilant about hidden fees that can add up, such as resort fees in hotels or costs for international transactions on your credit card. For example, some hotels in Las Vegas charge resort fees that are not included in the displayed booking price.

Monitor Price Tracking Tools

Use price tracking tools for various travel expenses. Apps like Trivago for hotel prices or Skyscanner for flight prices can alert you to price drops, helping you book at the most cost-effective time.

For instance, setting a flight alert from your home city to a desired destination can notify you when the airfare drops, allowing you to book immediately to secure a lower price.

Final Thoughts

It's important to remember that advanced planning is still the best strategy for achieving financially efficient travel this holiday season. Booking well ahead of time ensures lower prices, a broader set of options, and ultimately more significant savings.

Nonetheless, with a little flexibility and resourcefulness, your vacation can be memorable and budget-friendly even if you planned it at the last-minute. Safe travels!

The Points And Miles Deals To Score Before The Year Ends

Fabian Gysel/Getty

As 2023 rolls to a close, don't let your mileage and points balances wane. These December travel deals will come in handy, whether you're traveling for the holidays or staying cozy at home. Now is the time to add to your accounts, use them for maximum travel benefits—for now or later—or simply keep them alive with extra activity. (Remember: A lot of mileage programs have it set up where your miles expire if you don't earn any new miles, so be sure to keep track.)

Here are some December travel deals and a selection of the latest points and miles promotions and perks to know about for your holiday travels—or your trips in 2024.

You can get bonus miles and points for the winter

There are plenty of chances to plump up your points balances so that they stay warm for the winter. One of those is for travelers who have yet to link their Uber (or Uber Eats) and Marriott Bonvoy accounts. Connect the two, and you can score 1,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after your next trip between now and the end of the year. (The offer ends on December 31.)

IHG has its own promotion between now and the end of the year that awards you 2,000 points for every two qualifying nights you stay in one of its hotels. Be sure to register before check in, otherwise it won't count. Similarly, Hilton Honors is dishing out 4,000 bonus points for staying just one night before the end of the year; registration is required. (Both offers end on December 31.)

If you're traveling to Maui this winter, Marriott Bonvoy has a surprise in store when you redeem points. The hospitality giant will take 10,000 points off the cost of a redemption at seven of its hotels including The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali. If you plan to take advantage of these deals, a reminder never hurts: As West Maui rebuilds and reopens after this summer's wildfires, remember to visit thoughtfully and respectfully.

Use your points to bid on unique experiences

Marriott Bonvoy points are not just for hotel night redemptions; you can also use them for home and villa rentals and experiences through Marriott Bonvoy Moments. This month, there are some limited-time redemptions for special Super Bowl LVIII packages. Members can bid auction-style with their points for the chance to meet the players, tickets in a special stadium suite, and hotel accommodations. Some packages include pre-game hospitality suite access, too. Act fast as these are only available through December 14.

Snag premium seats thanks to big award availability on certain routes

You'll need to book quickly as award seat availability can change quickly. For now, TAP Portugal flights are available on many routes from North America to Lisbon and Porto via award programs like United MileagePlus and Air Canada Aeroplan. United's London-bound flights in Polaris Business Class are available from the airline's northeastern gateways of Newark and Chicago for 80,000 United MileagePlus miles each way, or as few as 60,000 Aeroplan miles.

Next summer, Singapore Airlines also has excellent award availability on routes from North America to Singapore and beyond. You will want to redeem points from Aeroplan to take advantage of the cheapest deals (87,500 points each way). These won't last long.

Don't miss out on 2023 loyalty and credit card perks

The Platinum Card from American Express offers lots of seasonal benefits, but they must be used within a certain timeframe. For example, there is the $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($50 in the first half of the year, $50 in the second) that needs to be used before the end of December. Another Amex benefit you must use or lose is the $200 airline credit. Cardholders must designate their preferred airline at the start of the year, but you have the entire year to use it. This is your last chance to spend the $200 on things like inflight snacks, bags, or even bonus miles at check-in.

If you achieved elite status with airlines like American and Delta, they offer threshold awards (rewards you get for achieving a new level of status) that allow you to choose benefits like upgrade certificates and bonus miles. You will need to select these before the deadline though, and for many of these programs, December or January are the last chances to do so.

Looking ahead, World of Hyatt just announced some major changes to its Milestone Rewards (the benefits you receive for reaching certain stay or spending thresholds). New for 2024 is the ability to gift your status to someone else for a particular stay, a perk the loyalty program calls Guest of Honor, and more options to choose from when earning a reward. They include credits for Hyatt's FIND Experiences program as well as a free night certificate to use at a Hyatt property.

Members in Ennismore's Dis-Loyalty program have some creative competitions and prizes up for grabs this month as part of its Dis-Loyalty Drops campaign. On December 9, the first four members to arrive to one of its London hotels (the brand will reveal the address that day on social media) with a packed suitcase and passport will win an immediate getaway for two aboard a Eurostar train to either Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Lille with dinner and hotel included. Even if you're not in London, members can win a free annual membership to Dis-Loyalty (major travel discounts and free coffee every day of the year, which normally costs about $183) on December 21 and a designer suitcase from Scandinavian outdoor brand Db.

Buy your way to elite status

If you are short of elite status earning for the year, not all hope is lost (at least with some travel brands). American Airlines awards Loyalty Points for using its online shopping mall for holiday shopping or by registering for offers via its SimplyMiles platform. This is the only airline program that gives out next year's elite status based on this year's spending. But you will need to have one of American's co-branded credit cards to benefit from SimplyMiles.

If you want to buy miles, some airlines make that an option too. United has its Premier Accelerator program, which gives members the chance to purchase additional elite-qualifying status points to get them to the next elite tier. For those that favor flying private, Delta's new partnership with Wheels Up doles out Medallion status to members that fund an account for flights in the coming the year.

Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler

View comments

---