For my 40th birthday, my wife and I took a cruise to the Greek islands. We booked a Royal Caribbean ship well in advance, during the off-season for cruises, and shortly after pandemic restrictions were lifted, so we paid about a quarter of the usual price for what turned out to be a wonderful experience.
However, not everything was smooth sailing. In Cypress, the hotel we had booked wasn’t close to the cruise port, there were no taxis near our hotel when we checked out, and rideshare options weren’t available. Stressed out, we ended up offering to take the hotel manager to the cruise terminal, which he did—at about three times the normal cab fare.
Traveling on a budget is all about good planning. I am a digital nomad Over the past eight years, I have traveled to 88 countries in my lifetime. Some of my trips have been misfires. because I didn’t plan ahead and take advantage of the money-saving options. Others were perfect, getting all the options I wanted and enjoying the moments that make life worth living, like sipping coffee on the balcony of an Airbnb overlooking Cape Town, South Africa.
If you're looking for more of the latter, here are five summer travel tips to help you save money while still having a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Plan early
Summer is typically a time for family travel and longer vacations. When you factor in all those extra people flying, taking trains, and staying in hotels, spaces can fill up quickly.
The earlier you plan your trip, the more likely you are to find lower prices and get the booking options you want. When you can, plan and book early to get the best deals and availability. It’s much easier to change booked trips than it is to find last-minute options that both fit your itinerary needs and are affordable.
If you're short on cash, but know you want to travel often, consider looking into a credit card with good travel benefitsAlso consider setting up a sinking fund so you save all year round for summer adventures and can pay for them in cash.
Be strategic with where you book
I can't tell you how many times I've seen other travelers throw a tantrum because they booked their flight through a third-party service, and then when it's delayed or canceled, the airline representative in the terminal can't really help them.
How you book a trip is just as important as when you book. While services like Expedia, Priceline, and Kayak can offer a cheaper price on a flight, your options for help may be limited if something goes wrong with your itinerary. In my experience, it’s best to book flights directly with airlines when possible. (Hotels are less risky if you use a third-party booking site, though.)
Be strategic so that your travel plans are not disrupted by unforeseen setbacks.
Use your credit card points for free or upgraded travel
One way to save money on travel is to use credit card rewards programs. Many credit cards offer rewards programs that allow you to earn points on categories like gas, groceries, restaurants, shopping, rent and other everyday expenses.
Look for cards that offer a 2x or 3x bonus on points on categories you already spend money on each month. Then use those points to book free or upgraded travel, either directly with credit card issuers or by transferring the points to various rewards programs.
When I first started working as a digital nomad, I was strategic about which credit cards I applied for because I wanted to maximize points categories and welcome offers. These credit cards allowed me to book travel earlier and earn points on my everyday spending. Since I have a business, I also use business credit cards and earn points for your travels.
Some of my favorite credit cards that I use for travel are:
- The American Express Green Cardwhich earns 3x points for every dollar spent on travel (hotels, flights, third-party booking sites), public transportation (rental cars, tolls, parking), and dining (restaurants and dining apps).
- The Citi Strata Premier Cardwhich earns 3x points for every dollar spent on gas, groceries, restaurants and electric vehicle stations.
- Chase Preferred Ink Business Cardwhich earns 3x points for every dollar spent on the first $150,000 spent on travel, advertising, and internet and phone services.
- The American Express Platinum Cardwhich earns 5x points for every dollar spent when booking directly with the airline. Its benefits include access to American Express Centurion and Priority Pass lounges, as well as reimbursement of Global Entry and Clear fees.
- The Capital One Venture X Business Credit Cardwhich earns twice as many points for every dollar spent on everything, with no spending limits.
Additionally, I earned a 300,000 point welcome bonus with the Venture X card by using it for my everyday business expenses. I used those points to book round-trip first class tickets on Air France, and yes, it was awesome.
Also consider how much time you'll spend in the terminal itself. Airport lounges are a great way to rest and recharge in comfort, and perks like World Entry and Clear make security easier because they take you to the front of the line.
Opt for credit cards for more protection
On a trip I took to Medellin, Colombia, my debit card was blocked due to fraud protection measures. At the time, I didn't have another debit card, so I had to rely on my credit cards to pay for everything. This turned out to be a great learning experience, as I now use credit cards for all my travel purchases.
With a debit card, it can be difficult to get your money back in case of fraud. It is much easier to get your money back with a credit card. You never know what can happen when you travel and you can't go to a local bank branch in case of fraud. A credit card offers support anywhere in the world and gives you better protection.
For example, CitiBank sent me a new Citi Strata Premier card in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when I was there recently and had a fraud problem. You'll appreciate the extra hospitality of a good credit card when travel setbacks arise.
Plan long layovers to enjoy additional experiences
One strategy that has helped me travel more is to plan my layovers wisely between flights. A long layover is one that gives me enough time to leave the airport and explore the city, or even spend the night in the city between flights.
When booking an international trip, I look for itineraries with at least 12 hours of layovers in a country. Many major countries around the world have trains and buses that transport passengers from the airport to the city center. Overnight layovers allow you to explore multiple countries in one trip. For example, when I travel to Africa, I usually fly with KLM, so I like to book trips with overnight layovers in London, Amsterdam, or Paris. This way, I can explore multiple countries in one itinerary.
If you're considering using this strategy, remember to stay informed about your flight status and make sure the layover is long enough for you to explore comfortably and return in time to re-pass through security to board your next flight.
Use These Tips for Better Summer Travel
As you plan your summer travels, keep these strategies in mind for a more enjoyable trip. I learned each of them through experience and now use them regularly to fully enjoy my travels.
