Traveling can be a lot of fun – but spending wisely as you travel is a bit more challenging.
Hidden fees and charges are all over the place, and like the boogeyman – they can pop up – sucking your finances dry, and the end of it all scares you at just how costly the entire trip was! These nasty little hidden fees can sometimes be the one factor that turns a joyous journey into an expensive one. But not to worry! With these tips and tricks, you can spend more wisely, save up on your funds, and have no regrets after your trip! We are going to cover it all – from having a nifty and handy little prepaid travel card to having a plan of attack!
The Prepaid Travel Card: Your Financial Companion
Being on a prepaid travel card forces you to always keep an eye on your spending ways. A prepaid travel card is one of the most amazing and revolutionary budgeting travel gear that you could ever have forget that passport! A prepaid travel card – sometimes described as a cash passport – can be used like a bank card or credit card, wherein you can load it up with an amount and use it. The best part? You can only spend the amount you choose – so you can be at ease and away from any overspending.
Prepaid travel cards are as easy and as dandy as they can get. You can simply load your travel destination’s currency directly to the card, saving you the headache of having to calculate the conversion rates. Unlike banks charging a hefty transaction fee for any transaction with their clients abroad these prepaid cards don’t have these eyewatering fees. As a matter of fact – shopping, travel, foreign exchange, utility, as well as daily transactions will be a breeze and worry-free!
It’s not just about avoiding temptation; it’s about the security that this card gives! If in case your prepaid travel card gets lost or even stolen, you can get that replaced pretty quickly. Just reload and you can back your way into dining, buying souvenirs, and having fun without regret!
Create a Travel Budget
Before you start packing your suitcase, let’s dive a little deeper into how to create a travel budget! When you know how much you have to spend per day, it’s easier to outsmart hidden fees. Break down categories like accommodation, dining, transport, tours, and shopping. First, take a look at the average costs for each category in your destination of choice. If you are wondering how to find that out? Tripadvisor and Numbeo give you a pretty good idea!
Use the previous step to figure out how much money you need to reserve for each category. Allocating your budget like this helps you manage your money on the go. But more importantly, it also helps you figure out where it’s okay to spend some extra dough. How good would it feel to be able to go out for that fancy dinner or thrill-seeking day trip without looking over your shoulder?
Stay Organized with Expense Tracking Apps
Now that you have a budget let’s put technology to work! Instead of trying to remember all the details, you can keep a travel diary with apps like Mint, YNAB (You Need A Budget), or TravelMapper. Entering all of your expenses as they happen, you have to categorize each dollar and can easily track everything to stay within budget. Isn’t loss a matter of bookkeeping?
Always Read the Fine Print
One of the best skills you can have as a professional traveler is to be able to read between the lines. Booking hotels, flights, rental cars… you name it! Read the terms and conditions! Hotels will offer an apparently cheap room, but the resort fee and/or local tax doubles or even triples the cost. A rental car sounds cheap enough, right? Watch out! The mandatory insurance and/or fuel offers might ruin your travel budget fast!
Take the time to understand the terms and conditions. You don’t get a ticket for asking questions! Even if you feel like you are being annoying! Protect your wallets! be informed! Outsmart hidden fees!
Use Loyalty Programs and Discounts
Who doesn’t love a great deal? Sign up for airline, hotel, and booking site loyalty programs. Not only can you earn points for free flights and rooms – but most programs also offer deals you can’t get anywhere else!
You might find a members only rate at a hotel, or airlines could offer loyalty members free points or rewards. Be sure to shop around!
Plan for Hidden Fees Ahead of Time
Now, it’s time to play detective. Make a list of “hidden fees” for your trip. Be sure to consider all aspects of your travels. Are you going to check bags on the flight? Are you going to pre-select a specific seat? When you get to the hotel are you going to need breakfast? Did the hotel charge a resort fee?
Will you need a rental car? Be sure to check out any additional fees such as gas, insurance, or roadside assistance. Do the research and plan your trip ahead of time. By doing your homework, you will be able to save yourself a lot of any unwanted drama that might come in the form of unexpected bills!
A Trip That Saves You Money
Never again will you come back from your travels stressed out about how much you spent with these hand tips and tricks!
