Sometimes you spend months planning a vacation, and sometimes opportunities present themselves at the last minute.
If you’re traveling away from home on relatively short notice — for a spontaneous weekend getaway or to see family — you may expect to see higher prices for things like airfare or rental cars, hotels and more.
Fortunately, we’ve found a few ways to save on last-minute travel that can help.
Shop around! Use travel service websites like Expedia, Google Travel or Kayak to look up the cost of flights. Compare costs, times, fees and more when you’re looking to find the best fare. Some of those sites actually offer special “last-minute deals,” too.
If you’re in the unfortunate situation of needing to travel for a funeral, it may be worthwhile to call the airline directly. Some airlines still offer bereavement fares, which are discounted for people traveling unexpectedly for a memorial service.
If you’re driving to your destination, consider downloading a gas savings app like Upside to earn cash back when you fill up. Be sure to shop around, too, for gas by using your mobile phone to check local prices. (The Gas Buddy app or Google app can help with this!)
Seek out local discounts. Many destinations offer travel passes or city cards that provide discounted or free access to various modes of transportation, attractions and activities. Research and compare available travel passes at your destination to determine which best aligns with your travel plans.
Drive small. We aren’t just talking about shopping at local boutiques at your destination — we’re talking about your car rental. Choose a smaller car if you can, since those will cost less to rent. (And sometimes you can ask for a free car upgrade when you get to the rental agency to pick up your ride!)
Be loyal! Many hotel chains offer loyalty programs for you to earn points with each stay. Signing up for a loyalty program is often free, and it can be a great way to save money on future stays, particularly if you know that you’re comfortable staying at the same hotel chain in different areas. Many hotels offer discounts or perks for booking directly with them instead of through a travel site. These perks can include free breakfast, room upgrades and late checkout.
Save up! Just like having an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses like a car repair or a job loss, you should consider setting up a savings fund for travel. That way, the money for travel is there when you need to use it. CommonWealth One offers a Vacation and Holiday Club Savings Account designed for exactly this purpose.
If you do plan to travel, remember to let us know by setting up a travel notification on your debit and credit card. Setting up a travel notification can help prevent your card from being blocked when there’s a transaction at your destination.
Remember, we’re here for you, everywhere you go! Be sure to bring along your CommonWealth One debit or credit card on your trip. We look forward to seeing you when you get home!
