Today on the show I spilled my BEST Money Saving Travel Tips to help you save BIG on accommodations, transportation, & food when you travel. I also gave some pointers on the value of making a connection via phone calls and reaching out to the Visitors Bureau before you go. Check out all my BEST Money Saving Travel Tips in the re-cap below!!!
Family Travel Chat LIVE Tuesday-Episode 3 (Money Saving Travel Tips)
Seriously, guys, I am totally digging these chats. I LOVE sharing my tips with you and hearing all about your best money saving tips as well. Today we had a blast chatting about how to save tons of money on travel. Specifically, how to save money on accommodations, transportation, and food while you are traveling.
As far as accommodations go I plugged one of my fav ways to stay comfortably at a low price and that is with Airbnb or VRBO. Vacation rentals can save you a ton, especially if you are a large family and do not fit comfortably in just one hotel room.
We also chatted about how hopping on the phone and talking with the hotel staff can help get you a lower rate, learn about available room options and if things like rollaway beds portable cribs are allowed to be added to the room to accommodate your family.
I mentioned my friend from Flashpacker Family has an awesome post on how to score great rates with her trick for Priceline Express Deals. I suggest you check that out!
Next, we discussed the importance of researching transportation options before your trip. We discussed public transportation and how it typically is very affordable and also very effective way to get around. I mentioned trying to walk as much as possible to burn extra calories (you know you are over-indulging while you are traveling anyways), save cash and it is also a great way to soak up the sights too.
When it comes to rental cars I explained that I have had good luck booking early but without pre-paying. I like to watch the rates and if they drop I am able to cancel and re-book at the lower price without penalty. This is the only way we ever find affordable minivan rates in Hawaii FYI!!!
I mentioned some stuff I left out of episode 2 about Cheap Flights like taking advantage of Multi-City booking options and extending layovers. As well as how to find ‘Hidden Cities’ with Skiplagged.
Up next was saving money on food. My tips included asking the hotel to empty the mini-bar so that you can avoid the $7 snickers bar and instead use the fridge space for your own healthy snacks. I mentioned how purchasing milk and cereal is an easy way to save money on breakfast + it is nice to be able to feed your starving children without having to get everyone dressed first 😉
We also save money on food by stopping by the grocery stores, some even have amazing hot food which we buy and take with us to a local park usually. A few additional ways we save on food while traveling is looking up places that offer ‘Happy Hour’ on Yelp, eating at restaurants that serve family style and splitting meals at places that have larger portion sizes (hellooo… Cheesecake Factory).
I also mentioned how checking into concierge level can also be a great idea. We stay concierge when they offer a complimentary breakfast, snacks, appetizers at dinner and dessert. It is a great way to off-set costs. We do this quite often when we travel to Universal Orlando (Loews Portofino and Royal Pacific) and Hawaii (Grand Wailea).
Lastly, I discussed contacting local visitors bureaus for itinerary suggestions, discounts and for help finding the best hotel for your family. I also urged you to head to Pinterest to research FREE things to do in the city you are headed + sample itineraries that other traveling family’s enjoyed.
And, as always, I closed this episode of Family Travel Chat LIVE with some absolutely mind-blowing low rates on flights. Check them out below. *Rates were valid as of 01/30/2017.
LAX to Reykjavik (KEF) for only $270 round trip in February on WOW Airlines.
SFO to Stockholm, Sweden (ARN) for only $385 round trip in March with SkyTeam
LAX to Orlando, FL (MCO) only $57 one way on multiple airlines. Dates in Feb & March available.
LAX to Costa Rica for only $381 round trip mid-Feb- mid-March on Avianca Airlines.
Seattle to Shanghai or Beijing, China (PVG or PEK) for only $446round trip on Delta. Dates in March & April.
+ We Are Flying FREE with 2 of Our Kids all year in 2017 thanks to the SouthWest Companion Pass!!!
Read more about how it works in this article via The Points Guy.
Join Us EVERY Tuesday LIVE on Facebook at 10am (pst). I hope to see you there!
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highlights here is so informative!! awesome!!