From airfare and lodging to Ubers and shopping, travel is expensive. Even a quick weekend getaway can cost upwards of a thousand dollars. But rather than cutting corners on your trip or just staying home, there are several ways you can save money, including seeking out free perks. Be on the lookout for these travel freebies.
Book with Cash Back
You can start saving money on your trip before you ever leave the house by getting cash back for booking your travel online using a browser extension such as Rakuten, Honey or RetailMeNot. Simply go to these sites first to see who they’re partnered with, then connect with a booking site like Priceline or Expedia to reserve flights, hotels, rental cars and more. To make it even more worthwhile, book on a credit card that offers cash back, points or travel miles.
Free Food
Food costs add up quickly when you travel since you don’t have access to your own kitchen and a pantry full of snacks. Look for lodging options that offer a free continental breakfast or breakfast buffet, as well as snacks throughout the day such as fresh fruit or freshly baked cookies. These tasty perks can leave more money in your travel budget for other things.
Tech Perks
Unless you’re going on a getaway with the intention of taking a tech break, you’re going to want access to reliable, free wi-fi while you’re on your trip and it’s not always easy to find. Right now, JetBlue is the only domestic carrier that offers free in-flight wi-fi, but several major airports offer it in their terminals. You can often get free wi-fi in the hotel if you sign up for their rewards program. And several chains now offer additional tech perks, like smart TVs with free streaming services.
Free Activities
What’s on your itinerary? If you do a little research and planning, you may find a lot of free activities. Before you go, look up museums and other attractions in the area and see if they have free or reduced-admission days. If you’re traveling to a college town, check out free on-campus activities like student theater and musical performances. Plus, many national parks have free admission days, and some offer free admission throughout the year. And don’t be shy about asking the locals what there is to do, you’ll probably find some cool things you’d never know about otherwise.