Whether you travel for vacation, to visit family, or for work, you know that traveling isn’t always as stress free as you would hope. Traveling can get expensive, and once you’ve arrived at the airport, you could get hit with long lines and crowded spaces. But it doesn’t have to be that way, especially if you know how to hack the system. Here are some basic travel hacks you need to master before your next trip.
Using Credit Card Rewards
If you travel frequently and don’t yet have a travel rewards credit card, then you are leaving hundreds or thousands of dollars in savings on the table every year. There are dozens of travel reward credit cards out there that will give you rewards miles on every purchase you make. They often give more miles to the dollar on purchases directly related to travel and dining, but they will reward every purchase you make. Travel reward credit cards also often come with great benefits when travelling like access to hotel discounts, seat upgrades, free checked bags, and priority boarding. Some even give you airport club access that can make layovers and delays much more bearable.
Finding Cheap Flights
Flights can be crazy expensive – especially if you are traveling at peak holiday times or booking last minute. But there are some simple things you can do to make your flights cheaper no matter when you book. The first thing you should look at is where you are flying from and flying to. Flying to or from a small airport is often more expensive than using a major airport. If you live close enough to a major airport to forgo a closer, smaller airport, it can save you tons of money on your round-trip airfare.
Airport Lounge Access
If you are a frequent traveler, then you should consider purchasing a membership to an airport lounge service. Airport lounges offer a quiet space with complimentary food and drink where you can relax before your flight. This is especially important if you have long layovers or delays. Many travel rewards credit cards come with club access, or you can purchase day passes, or third party subscriptions, or a membership through a particular airline.
Traveling the world is one of the most rewarding experiences available in the twenty-first century. But that doesn’t mean it’s always hassle-free. If you can master these travel hacks, traveling will be a breeze. Give these hacks a try and you won’t be disappointed.
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