Many travelers have their eyes on summer getawaysbut with everything baggage fees To reduce fuel costs that impact the price of a ticket, “Good Morning America” asks travel experts to share tips for booking can't-miss destinations on a budget and saving money along the way.
Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, senior content director for The Points Guy, offered his tips for affordable travel techniques.
Travel experts share tips for saving on summer travel
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Where to find the best flight deals
Kelvin encourages travelers to use Google Flights and other free price trackers to compare prices and find the best deal.
He also suggests using both Google Flights' calendar and map features to see which airports, dates, and destinations have the lowest fares.
From the Google Flights home page on a computer, click “explore destinations” and select a departure city without adding a destination. Then zoom out on the map to see the best prices for destinations around the world.
Make the Most of Free Travel Loyalty Programs
Travelers should earn points for everything they buy or book, from airlines to hotels to car rentals, Kelvin said.
In addition to points that can help travelers earn free flights and hotel stays, Kelvin said there are additional perks to look for just by joining.
Hyatt Rewards, for example, offers all guests free breakfast.
For Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Car Rental, he said you can add your spouse or domestic partner as an additional driver for free.
Loyalty programs are also interesting for airlines. JetBlue, for example, allows registered customers – even if they don't have enough points for a flight – to use their points for discounts. Plus, with any airline, as you earn points toward status, you can earn free seat upgrades.
Travel credit cards with cash back benefits
In addition to earning points, travel credit cards give you protection for your trip, such as insurance to help with lost or damaged luggage and trip cancellation protection.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.
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When it comes to credit cards, the Points Guy team suggests the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card as an all-around choice: You get 75,000 miles after hitting your minimum spend in the first three months. Which Kelvin says is worth over $1,300.
If you're looking to earn the most miles, he said, look at the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
“This is where you’ll earn the most points on all your purchases,” he said.
Finally, if you want a no-fee credit card, Kelvin suggested the Bilt Mastercard, which he said is especially great for renters because you can earn points on what's likely someone's biggest expense.
Save on international phone plans for summer travel
If a person's trip takes them out of the country, using a cell phone abroad can cost between $10 and $15 per day. For a family of four, that's more than $400 per week.
If your phones support eSIM, Kelvin suggested purchasing a data plan for your destination through an app like Airalo, Truphone, or GigSky.
For example, one of Airalo's global SIM plans costs $9 for a week, which could save a family almost $350, depending on their existing international coverage.
