'Tis the typical season for holiday travel, although with the COVID-19 pandemic, it most likely won’t be the holiday travel experience we’re used to. If you’re still planning a trip to see family and friends this holiday season, then you’re probably also looking for ways to keep costs down. After all, the less money you spend on travel, the more you have left to spend on gifts. So how can you go about saving on holiday travel without sacrificing the experience or your safety? Here are a few top tips.
Look for travel credit card signup bonuses.
The holiday season is a time when you're likely to do a lot of spending, and credit card companies know this. Look around to see if you come across any credit cards that are offering signup bonuses. For example, one credit card may give you an extra $200 cash back if you spend $2,000 in the first month. Another one may give you a substantial number of airline miles if you meet a certain spending limit. You may want to sign up for one of these cards, put all of your holiday and holiday travel expenses on the card, and then put the bonus towards your travels. You'll save a bundle just by spending money you were already going to spend.
Be flexible with your dates.
When looking for flights, plug in a few different dates to see when it's most affordable to fly. Some booking sites even have an option where you can automatically see comparable prices for three days before and after your selected date. You may be able to save a significant amount by leaving a day or two later or earlier than you initially planned.
Ship your gifts rather than paying for checked luggage at the airport.
Most airlines charge for each checked bag now. Some charge as much as $100! If possible, buy your gifts online and have them shipped directly to your recipients. You'll save a lot on baggage fees, especially if you are able to travel with a carry-on bag only. Just tell your recipients not to open any boxes that come in the mail before the holidays!
Be willing to take a longer layover.
While sitting in an airport for four hours may not be your idea of a good time, you might be able to save a lot of money by booking a flight with a longer layover. If you do find a cheaper flight that involves spending extra time at the airport, just plan ways to use that time wisely. Can you get some work done remotely from your laptop? Is there a book you've been wanting to read that you can read during this time? A long layover is not so bad if you can save $200 and keep yourself entertained.
Saving on holiday travel is not that hard if you put in the effort. If you can be a bit flexible with your dates, sign up for a credit card with bonus rewards, have your gifts shipped, and sit out a layover, you can enjoy holiday travel for less. Whether you head out of town or stay close to home this holiday season, stay safe!