What are some ways to save money when you’re planning – or taking – a holiday? We asked our Spaceship community. Here’s what they said.
Before you book
1. Make use of your points
You could maximise your points balance by doing things like signing up for supermarket programs, shopping at specific service stations, or even downloading the Qantas Wellbeing app and getting points for your steps.
Once you have a points balance, you can spend it on flights or other rewards.
Christine’s a points hacker.
“I earned points from signing up to supermarket rewards programs, using credit cards with bonus points, and shopping through referral links.
I’ve used points to fly to places like Melbourne, Singapore, Japan, Shanghai (where I only had to pay the tax portion, which is a small percentage), and sometimes I’ve gotten business seats by redeeming points + around $250 to Singapore/Japan.”
2. Buy travel insurance just in case
If you lose your phone, miss your flight, catch Covid overseas or break your arm white water rafting, travel insurance can make it hurt less.
“Greyhound ‘lost’ my bags on a Greyhound bus from Toronto to Seattle (four day trip!) in 2003,” said Bryna.
“I never got them back. I used my insurance when I was back in Australia and got $1,000 to cover the loss.”
3. Make sure you read the terms and conditions
Travel policies can have exclusions including participation in high risk activities, travelling against government advice, and leaving your belongings unattended.
Aaron learned this the hard way.
“I had my suitcase and passport stolen out of the back of a car in Malaysia, tried to claim travel insurance but they wouldn’t cover anything stolen from a parked car after dark.”
4. Book in advance
The best holidays have healthy doses of good luck and timing. If you’re a long-term planner, booking in advance could get you the sweetest deals.
“My mum worked in a hotel in a tourist destination and people often reserved their stays 1-2 years in advance, especially if they loved the place or planned to visit family each year. This allowed them to secure substantial discounts,” said Mavis.
5. Budget, budget, budget
It’s easy to get swept up on holiday – and keeping a record of expenses can help you balance your budget as you go, so you know if you can, or can’t, afford the three course meal with matching cocktails, or daily massage you’ve been planning.
Here’s what worked for David, from our Spaceship community.
“Always have a written record of expenses. This should help with spending. Do this with cash, credit and debit cards.”
When you get there
6. Use the local public transport app
Finding the public transport provider of the city you’re in, and downloading their official app, can help you make sure you’re using the most up to date information.
You can often buy tickets and day passes through these apps, too.
“When I was in Munich recently I used their MVV app for using public transport to get around the city,” said Zach.
“You can easily buy a day pass that allows travel on all modes of transport for a set price. This was great for the short amount of time I was in the city and allowed me to get to see more than I would have just walking. It also had trip planning features that tended to be more accurate compared to other apps.”
7. Use Google Maps & Google Translate
You can use Google Translate for help getting around – and getting the best deals.
“There was a restaurant in Osaka that didn't want us to use Google Translate on the Japanese menu as the western menu increased the prices with a western tax,” said Blair.
This Google Ad shows you how you can do it:
@live_thedash How to find secret menus using google translate 👀 | ad #googlepixel #manchesterfood #chinatownmanchester #secretmenuitems #chinatownfood ♬ original sound - Live_TheDash
Source:
https://www.tiktok.com/@live_thedash/video/7243005164381162778
8. Book local travel locally
Some people find it’s cheaper to book and pay for experiences when they’re closer to their destination. It could help you save money, and lessen your chance of travel scams.
Stephanie swears by it.
“When overseas, book day trips/tours at your destination via a local travel agent e.g. at your accommodation - it's usually always cheaper to do so when actually in the country!”
9. When it’s safe to, walk!
Not in a rush when you’re sightseeing or shopping?
Consider walking, like Abigail from our Spaceship community does.
“Walk instead of getting an uber/taxi etc! You'll get a much better feel for the place you're in, and uncover some sights/cafes/beautiful buildings along the way you never would have otherwise seen.”
At your hotel
10. Replace the minibar with your own snacks & drinks
We love this tip from Maeve. Who amongst us hasn’t thirsted over a fully stocked minibar?
“Find a shop and buy drinks, snacks etc. If there is a fridge in the room, take out hotel drinks, fill with your own. Return hotel supplies before you leave.”
11. Life’s too short not to stay in a 5 star hotel
Or the best accommodation you can afford. That’s what Zach did when he stayed in Antarctica.
“Everything was blue.”
When you get home
12. Start planning your next trip
And when you get home, still in your holiday state of mind, it’s time to start planning the next trip. Holidays are good for us.
Mike learned this first hand when he quit his job, went travelling, and met people doing the same.
“I met a guy from Adelaide living of $30 AUD a day. He said he was semi-retired and living in Nicaragua.”
