Do you have to do some traveling this holiday season? Don’t let the seasonal prices get the best of you! This chat featured tips and tricks to help you save money on your travel expenses.
Our panel included: Tonya Rapley- Certified Financial Educator, Millennial Money Coach and Founder of MyFabFinance.com, Paul Moyer- Founder of SavingFreak.com, Rod Griffin- Director of Public Education at Experian, and Mike Delgado- Social Media Community Manager at Experian.
This deck featured tips from: @suddenlyfrugal, @SavingFreak, @DebbiKing, @MyFabFinance, @robert_harrow, @KOFETIME, @care4yourfuture, @WealthwithMina, @payoff, @wisebread, and @MiriamSCross.
2. Join our #CreditChat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
This week, the community shared some great tips on saving
during holiday travel.
ex.pn/holidaytravel
3. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
What are the expenses you need
to think about when traveling
this holiday season?
4. If you’re traveling with presents
and want to wrap them ahead of
time, ship them to your destination.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Leah Ingram
@suddenlyfrugal
7. Watch for last-minute Christmas gifts
that you might feel tempted to buy.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance
8. Baggage fees are a real drain on the
wallet! Last year, airlines racked in $3.5
billion through these fees.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow
10. For flying, eight weeks out is
prime, but you can still get good
deals up to five weeks out.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Paul Moyer
@SavingFreak
11. My favorite tool to use is the
Google flight calendar grid,
especially if your dates are flexible.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance
13. Use websites like Skyscanner and
Kayak to find the best deals on flights.
Also, purchase your tickets on Tuesday
or Wednesday.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture
14. Clear your cookies every time.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Debbi King
@DebbiKing
16. Figure out what’s best for your family
situation. If you have a lot of kids, then a
lot of plane tickets might not make sense.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture
17. It depends on where you’re going,
but if it’s domestic, nothing beats
Amtrak for travel with a toddler.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Mina Ennin Black
@WealthwithMina
19. For college students, carpool with
friends who live in the same city.
Megabus and Greyhound are good,
cheap options as well.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture
20. It’s based on how much time we
have to travel. For longer trips, we
consider driving. If it is a quick
turnaround, we fly.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance
21. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Would you consider getting an
airline credit card that rewards
you with miles? Pros/cons?
22. As long as you’re responsible with the
card, sure! Bonus if there are no foreign
transactions fees and a microchip.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Miriam Cross
@MiriamSCross
23. I have the American Airlines card, and
I enjoyed the waived checked bag fee.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance
25. Only if you can pay it off and in full
every month. That way you receive
the maximum benefits from the card.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture
26. It all depends on how much you
travel! An air miles card might be better
because they offer a variety of perks.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff
28. Save on travel food by booking a
hotel room with a kitchen, so you can
cook some meals there.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME
29. Try and cook as much as you can, or
make things that you can take on the road.
The grocery store is your best friend.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff
31. We always look for “kids eat free”
restaurants. I have a huge list on my site.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Paul Moyer
@SavingFreak
32. If driving, pack sandwiches,
wraps, snacks and bring the cooler.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance
33. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
What are some frugal ways to
keep kids entertained on
long flights/car rides?
34. Books from the library, travel
games and coloring pages.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Debbi King
@DebbiKing
35. If you have an iPad, then there are
a multitude of free games and apps to
keep them entertained on the car trip.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture
37. Travel Scrabble, Bananagrams,
cards; treat them to one comic book
or magazine at the airport.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Miriam Cross
@MiriamSCross
38. YouTube videos on repeat are a
sanity saver.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Mina Ennin Black
@WealthwithMina
40. Stay with family or friends!
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Ashley Jacobs
@wisebread
41. Use the bidding process on
Priceline. You are leaving money on
the table if you aren’t using it.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Paul Moyer
@SavingFreak
43. If traveling with family, try to get a
suite/multi-bedroom to share the cost.
Or borrow/rent a friend’s timeshare.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME
44. See if you can stay with family or
friends. Otherwise, look at sites like
Kayak, Priceline and other such sites.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture
45. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
What are some financial emergencies
you can encounter when traveling?
How can you be prepared?
46. Be prepared for travel financial
emergencies. Carry enough extra cash and
two days of extra clothes in case your
flight gets cancelled.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME
47. If you booked your vacation with a
credit card, you can use travel
insurance to help pay for emergencies
or cancelled flights.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow
49. Lost luggage, car accident, the list
goes on. Make sure to have a copy
of your passport and some extra
cash on hand.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff
50. Car troubles! That’s why we have AAA.
Also, Geico has roadside assistance.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Leah Ingram
@suddenlyfrugal
52. When you travel, you’re on vacation,
not your wallet. It’s easy to overspend
when having fun, so set a budget and
stick to it.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow
53. Use credit instead of debit on your
bank card so you are covered for fraud.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Debbi King
@DebbiKing
55. Create a holiday budget. Plan out
your expenses and look for deals to
save money on your holiday expenses.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture
56. For safe travel finances, use
traveler’s checks, prepaid debit cards
with a set amount to control your
budget and only take what is needed!
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME
58. Don’t forget to have fun and
remember what matters most, spending
time with the people you love!
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff
59. Take the time to plan your holiday. Using
the right credit cards to pay or booking at
the right time can save you hundreds.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow
61. Remember how important your time
is this holiday season. That gift is more
important than any monetary gift.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture
62. Make your home look “lived in”
while away (stop paper, mail), have
someone shovel walk and put your
lights on timers to avoid theft.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Leah Ingram
@suddenlyfrugal