Ultimate Money & Time-Saving Vacation Hacks You Need to Know 🤑🌴✨

Do you want to ditch the grind and slide into vacay mode without the hassle? We got you!

Travel costs, planning, and all that jazz are stressful. It's a lot, from scoring the perfect flight to grabbing excellent rentals.

Let's be real, trips abroad can burn a hole in your wallet.

But guess what? We’ve put together undeniably effective hacks for a fulfilling trip that won’t drain your bank account.

Whether it’s a quick weekend escape or a month-long adventure, these tips will save you time and money. Let’s get you that dream vacation without the stress and guilt part.

But first, have a plan 🌟

Have you ever had a trip go haywire because you didn't budget right and ended up overspending? We feel you. 

Planning a vacation isn't just about picking a budget. It is much more. Ready to have a solid plan? 

Here’s your go-to blueprint for a flawless trip:

📍 Keep an Eye on Your Finances

✅ Set an overall budget (duh!)

✅ Break it into categories like flights, stays, adventures, and shopping.

✅ Do some research and allocate funds accordingly (spoiler alert: killer research tips coming up, so keep reading!)

✅ For international trips, match your budget with foreign currency rates.

📍 Schedule like a pro

✅ Choose dates that work with your job or when flights are cheaper.

✅ Peek the whole month's flight schedule to find the lowest rates.

✅ Plan your departure and return dates around these sweet spots.

📍 Research Your Destination

✅ Hunt the most incredible museums, adventure parks, and activities that fit your budget.

✅ Find affordable hotels, airports, and transport options.

✅ Check for any local laws or rules you must follow (for instance, you can't feed stray animals in some US states, and carrying certain common medicines is illegal in Japan).

📍 Pack Like a Boss

✅ Toothbrush

✅ Charger/Adapter

✅ Medicines

Are you thinking, “This sounds like a lot of work?” Pre-travel planning can be complex, but not with an intelligent vacation planner.

Imagine an intuitive planner with templates for everything from budgets to itineraries. You just fill in the blanks, and your perfect plan is ready.

Ready to make this a reality?

Book the best flight deal 🛫

Searching through incognito mode is an outdated trick. We have fresh tea for you.

Hack #1: Google Flights FTW

• Head over to Google Flights.

• Enter your current location and leave the destination box blank.

• Click on ‘dates,’ then ‘flexible dates,’ and pick your travel duration.

• Bingo! You’ve got the cheapest flights from your location to anywhere in the world right in front of you.

• Do you have a specific place in mind? Enter it, and Google Flights will show you the best deals from your home to your dream spot.

Hack #2: Skyscanner & Kayak Secret

• Hit up the Skyscanner and Kayak website for the lowest prices on domestic and international flights.

• Use Skyscanner’s ‘flexible dates’ feature to find the cheapest days to fly.

• Locate the best deals on Skyscanner, but book directly on the airline’s website to avoid cancellations and other hiccups.

Hack #3: Alternate Airport Rule

• Look for alternate airports in the same city or nearby cities.

• These lesser-known, less crowded airports often have cheaper tickets. For instance, if you fly back from Switzerland, Basel Airport might save you more money than Zurich Airport.

• Choose the airport that makes sense for you. If Zurich is closer to your destination, flying from there might be more imaginative.

Pack smart, bestie 😎

Did you know luggage charges can spike up to $150? Escape those sky-high luggage fees.

Here’s how:

• Roll, don’t fold, your tees, crop tops, and hoodies. Trust me, it’s a space-saver!

• Roll up your socks and stash them inside your shoes. Then, pop a shower cap over those kicks to keep things clean.

• Bring a backpack with multiple pockets. All your small essentials (AirPods, chargers, toothbrushes, medications) will fit perfectly in it, freeing up significant room in your main suitcase.

Ditch currency exchange at airports & hotels 💸

Airport and hotel currency exchanges are a big no! They raise rates and charge extra conversion fees.

Airport and hotel exchanges can cost you up to 12% of your cash, while credit cards usually only charge 1-3% on transactions. But wait, those credit card rewards and points cut down the cost. Cha-ching! 🤑

Head over to hotels with complimentary meals🍽️

Find hotels that offer free meals—it’s a game-changer. Some places offer complimentary breakfasts, while others offer even more. This might seem like extra effort, but it's worth it.

Search for "hotels with free meals in [your destination]," and you’ll be set to dine without spending a lot of money.

Travel Off-Season 🏖️

Everything is cheaper off-season — flights, rentals, and even local shops. Plus, there are no crazy crowds at tourist spots.

Guess what? You won't be standing for 2 hours in a queue before it’s your turn to go bungee-jumping. What else would a traveler wish for?

Use Credit Cards Like a Boss 💳

Credit cards can be your best travel buddy if you play it smart. Here are three hacks to milk those cards for all they’re worth:

Hack #1 - Use credit cards to rack up points

Regular cards rack up points you can use for flights or hotel stays. If you plan a vacation, you can optimize your points. 

The drill?

Make purchases through your credit card and repay the amount as soon as possible. Remember, when you delay repayment, the interest rates can be as high as 30%.

The more you use, the more points you earn. These points can be converted into cash. Besides, cashback and other rewards pile up to save significant bucks on your vacation.

Hack #2 - Compare options before owning a new card

Do you still need to become a credit card owner, or are you planning to get additional cards? Congrats! You are in a position to choose the card that supports your travel aspirations.

Now that you're up for a new card get it after your vacation schedule is confirmed.

Why? Because new cardholders are likely to get sign-up bonuses and incentives for spending a certain amount in the first couple of months.

Say your card gives $300 cashback on spending $2000 in the first three months; you've bagged a great deal.

Also, consider owning co-branded credit cards if your banks offer one. Certain banks partner with specific hotels and airline companies. They reward their customers with discounted or free flights and hotel rents. Checking the terms and conditions beforehand is a must.

Moreover, some credit cards come with zero or meager forex markup fees. See if you’re lucky enough to have a bank or company that offers one.

Hack #3 - Go Big with Travel Credit Cards

These credit cards reward you with travel-specific offers every time you use them. The rewards include free in-flight meals, lounge access, luggage fee waivers, and flight discounts. 

A travel card is your BFF if you’re jet-setting often. They usually have an annual fee of $350, but the rewards make up for year-long travelers.

Quick Recap:

📌Regular cards: Perfect for once-a-year or domestic travelers.

📌Travel cards: Ideal for frequent international flyers.

📌Co-branded cards: Best for people who like to stick to specific airlines or hotels.

And that, my girl, is this week’s sign to go on a vacation. You're all set to recharge yourself without draining your finances this vacation. Ultimate travel planner will keep you from the stress of vacation buzzkills, while these high-power hacks will keep travel costs at bay.

Happy travels.

Xo,

The Girls @Girls Who Excel