The past two years have been a roller coaster of emotions for everyone with the world coming to a complete stop in 2020. During that time we learned to appreciate our friends and family but started reminiscing about the times we could travel anywhere without any restrictions. As many of you start planning for your holiday vacations, I will share my tips on the best strategies for saving money on your next vacation.

1. Find the lowest airfareAnytime I start planning a vacation I look at Google Flights because it shows me all of the different airlines, how much I can save by switching dates and has a scale to show if the current flights are higher or lower than usual.
   

   Always make sure to check for nearby airports and compare prices

   Limit your luggage to a carry-on to avoid expensive fees that can add up to $80 per bag for a round trip.

2. Flexible DatesHaving a flexible schedule can save you a lot of money since flight prices are lower for overnight and middle-of-the-week flights. Traveling off-peak season can also save you a lot of money since flights and hotels can be 50% cheaper or more. One of the main things to remember is to book flights at least a month in advance!
3. Get a rewards credit cardThere are a lot of new rewards credit cards that offer great travel bonuses. I personally user Chase Sapphire Preferred that allowed me to earn a lot of points upfront ($650), earn points making everyday purchases, and double the number of points on travel expenses (Uber, restaurants, bars, hotels, and flights). So far this year I have earned over $600 in points that I will use for my next vacation.
4. Travel with friends and family to split costsTraveling in groups is a big way to save money by splitting the costs of hotels, Ubers, and car rentals. Some places have group discounts so your activities can end up being cheaper than buying individual tickets. The only downside is planning will be more difficult because you have to make sure everyone is on the same page. I have created a platform that will make this process easier by allowing users to create vacations, find activities, and share plans with friends and family.

At the end of the day, traveling can be an expensive endeavor but if you’re a savvy traveler and follow my tips you will be able to save money on your next vacation.