Money Saving Tips To Help You Travel Even More

When I started Surf and Sunshine, I had high hopes for little ole’ me but I had no way of knowing that someday this dream job would lead me to over 22 countries in 4 years, with more being added to the list every month. It began simple enough, small travel opportunities within the continental U.S., but quickly I was racking up the frequent flier miles traveling to places outside of our borders. I’ve had the opportunity to play with and care for elephants in Thailand. I’ve been able to feel the sun on my face as I basked on the powdery beaches of the Caribbean. 

Alexander Sattler once said “I would rather own little and see the world, than own the world and see little of it.”  Well, with a few money saving tips, you can have more than a little and still see the world. 

Money Saving Travel Tips To Help You See Even More

1. Pick a place to stay with added benefits. Hotels are competing for your stay these days, so chose one that offers added amenities that you will use, like complimentary breakfast or a free fitness center. Sites like Hotels.com can be a great resource for pre-trip planning, and if you know you won’t take advantage of any of these add-ons, looking into truly living like a local at incredibly reasonable rates with Airbnb. (Get $25 off your first stay!)
2. Always travel with snacks and water bottles so you’re not spending extra money on items you can take from home, as long as you plan ahead. 
3. Taxi rides can add up, especially when traveling with a large group. See the city or town by foot instead and discover hidden gems….you’ll get some exercise while you’re at it! City Walking Guide provides walking tours of top U.S. cities. If you really need the help of a vehicle, try Uber. They often save me 50% or more compared to taking a Taxi. (Get $20 off your first ride!)
4. Not only is it usually cheaper to eat local, but you should travel local too. Be a tourist in your own city and explore new neighborhoods in your own backyard without having to drive or fly! 
5. Do your research to find a travel focused credit card that you can take advantage of its benefits and use that card for booking all expenses to obtain the most return for future trips. For instance, because I’m a loyal Delta flyer, I use the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Rewards credit card to earn miles for booking travel and spending day-to-day on the card. I even earned enough miles for a free ticket just for signing up. 
6. Travel off the beaten path. Don’t follow what’s “popular” or “in.” Instead of visiting major cities and popular countries, travel to less popular locations. For example, skip Brazil and head to Bolivia!
7. Don’t be afraid to ask if there is a AAA, Military or Senior discount when booking a hotel or car. Money is always better in your pocket, right? Also, if you must rent a car, rental companies usually have coupon codes that can be used just do a quick Google search. Also check your frequent flyer programs for partner deals. For instance, Delta partners with car rental companies so when I book through their portal, I save on my rental and earn Delta miles for renting with them. 

Today’s post is sponsored byAllianz Travel Insurance through the Bloggy Moms Network.

Sometimes travel is not always sunshine and baby elephants. Sometimes your host for the night is a hovel, a hotel so run down that I feared the crawling things that might find me in the middle of the night. I’ve been stuck in various cities across the country due to weather delays and missed connections. My destination wedding in the Dominican Republic alone was a borderline disaster at every moment. Weeks before the big day we were told our venue had been double booked. My parents didn’t receive the room they had paid for. The icing on the cake was when I was thrown from a moving golf cart while touring the property, suffering a (likely) broken toe and completely ruined Louboutin wedding shoes to show for it.

That alone might have been enough to make me a walking advertisement for travel insurance. Sometimes, it’s not what can go wrong, it’s what will. When I’m spending a hefty sum of my own money on airfare, hotels or resort accommodations and excursions, it can be scary to think about what will go wrong. Especially since so much of today’s travel fares are “non-refundable” to some degree. It’s things like this that make travel insurance invaluable.

Allianz Global Assistance is a leading travel insurance company that provides travelers with financial protection and 24/7 travel assistance. With Allianz Travel Insurance products travelers like me and you, can get a refund on any pre-paid travel deposits if we have to cancel a trip for a reason covered by our policy. Allianz Travel Insurance can also help with medical emergencies, travel snafus and more.