Travel costs can add up quickly and significantly impact your overall trip budget. Thankfully, there are a few strategies I’ve used to cut down on costs, and they’ve worked wonders for me. Here are some of my favorite money-saving tips:
- Travel Credit Cards
At the beginning of 2024, a friend tipped us off about a great Southwest promotion (not a sponsor of this site). By signing up for their Chase credit card and meeting the spending requirement within the first 90 days, we earned a companion pass. My wife and I each got a card, meaning we ended up with two companion passes!
Friendly tip: Only sign up for credit cards if you can pay off the balance each month. Avoid interest charges to make sure you’re actually saving money. Always spend responsibly! - Costco Southwest Gift Cards
If you’re a Costco member, keep an eye out for occasional deals on Southwest gift cards (Costco isn’t a sponsor either). I snagged a deal where a $500 gift card was selling for $450, plus an extra $20 off per card online. I ended up buying two gift cards, worth $1,000, for just $860.
How it worked out:
- Regular price for 5 people to fly: $1,760
- After using the gift cards and credit card perks: $960
- Including the $69(x2) annual fee for the credit cards: Total flight cost = $1,097
- Savings: $663
Quick tip: If you don’t plan on keeping the credit card, consider canceling it before the annual fee renews.
- Use The Cruise Tracker (of course!)
My secret weapon for cruise deals! By tracking prices on The Cruise Tracker, you can not only find the lowest-priced cruises but also monitor trends. Sometimes, even the cheapest cruise isn’t at its lowest historical price, so keep an eye out for drops.
Have any tips you would like to add to this list? Leave a comment and share with others!