Tips on getting the most out of your travel, even if you think it is not affordable
It’s hard to keep up with the Kardashians (or any other celebs you see travelling in style on the pages of glossies) when travelling on a shoestring budget. Or is it? Here are some not-so-difficult ways to travel like a millionaire even when you aren’t one!
Save it to the last minute
If you enjoy living dangerously, leaving your flight and accommodation bookings to the very last minute will see you getting far more bang for your buck. Lastminute.com are owning this sector with incredible deals which get better the closer you get to the date you need to redeem them.
Use reward cards
Air miles, shopper points, ebucks – the age of coupon-clipping is not dead, it’s simply evolved and everyone is making use of reward systems to save them cash. Rack up enough air miles and you could be flying for free or be upgraded to first class (where, who knows, you may be sipping champagne next to a Kardashian or two). Make sure you’re getting the most from your bank cards – there could be big rewards in it for you.
Slow it down
Speak to your bank about special access to airports’ slow lounges. Usually the lounges are only open to gold account holders, but there’s no harm in asking for a special pass. Some airport lounges also allow you to pay a small fee to use the facilities, which include free Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, showers and reading material.
Skip the hotel
In most places hotels charge more for an overnight stay than the average guesthouse, but quite often you can find the same luxurious quality of accommodation at a small guest lodge or bed & breakfast. Many guesthouses are AA star rated and are listed on TripAdvisor so you can get a good idea of the level of accommodation you’re booking before committing. Another place to hunt for excellent deals online is on Airbnb – you never know what you’ll find!
Arrive in style – Uber black
Uber has undoubtedly taken the world by storm, and with good reason. Safe, reliable transport you can book at the tap of a screen. Their pricing is also extremely competitive. If you have a few extra bucks to splash on upgrading to one of their high-end sedans you could see yourself reclining in the back of a Mercedes on your way to your 5 star guesthouse!
Travel in off-season
Plan your trip to travel on the cusp of high and low season and you could halve your travel expenses without compromising on great weather.
Let Groupon be your friend
When you touch down in your destination, take a look on Groupon to see whether any restaurants near you are offering any fantastic specials. You could be dining in a Michelin star restaurant for the cost of a burger at the local diner! It’s also worth asking the local tourism office which restaurants, hotels and activities are running specials.
Budget can be trendy when it comes to car hire
You might not get the luxury leather interior but sometimes you can find budget car hire that still sees you driving around town in style. Fun Care Hire in Cape Town for instance hires out convertible VW beetles for as little as R185 per day.
Don’t be afraid to ask for upgrades
Last, but certainly not least, this great piece of advice could change your entire holiday for the better. Don’t be afraid to ask for that flight or room upgrade. If you don’t ask, you don’t get – it’s as simple as that, and you’ve got nothing to lose by trying!
This article first appeared on Computicket Travel.