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The demand for travel has risen steadily over the last year, even if the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. In the first nine days of August, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checked over 18 million passengers, almost three times more than in the same period last year.

Although traffic is still 20% lower than traffic in 2019, the rapid comeback of travel has resulted in a shortage of airports, hotel rooms and overwhelmed staff. However, the competition is fierce than ever to get consumers back on the streets and there are plenty of bargains to be found if you look in the right place.

With the tools and strategies listed below, you are well equipped to save your upcoming travel expenses.

This will save you money when you travel

Use flight search aggregators and deal websites

You should always start your flight search in a search aggregator such as Google Flights or Momondo. These websites will compile a list of flights to suit the needs of your itinerary and direct you to an external website such as the airline’s website or an online travel agent to complete the booking process.

This is a great place to get a feel for what your airfare is going to cost, and gives you additional options and booking ideas if you are flexible with the date and time.

However, if you’re one of those travelers who is always looking for a bargain, there are several flight deals websites that will notify you when a particularly great deal is available. Some have recurring subscription costs. Here are some popular services:

There are also dozens of social media accounts that regularly post flight deals. At least one page is likely curated for your preferred airport. On Google, put in “______ (insert your preferred airport) flight deals on social media” and you should find an account that posts regularly.

The following accounts can help you find offers:

Rental car

The auto market has been on the upswing since the beginning of the pandemic. Vehicle rental and purchase prices have been at record highs in recent months, leaving travelers with few affordable options.

Rather than booking direct with one of the major rental companies, consider these options as additional resources before reserving a rental car the old-fashioned way.

Costco car hire

Cost co is popular with many American buyers, but did you know they also offer travel services? The next time you’re looking for a rental car, take a look at those Costco car rental website. By entering your travel dates and location, the website will collect the best deals for you. In addition, Costco members are entitled to additional discounts and free upgrades.

You don’t need a membership to search Costco, but you do need one to check out and secure a rental car.

automatic slash

Much like the Costco car rental website, Autoslash is an aggregator that gathers information about the best rental car deals at your destination.

Once you’ve entered your travel information and preferences, Autoslash will send you an email with the best rental car deals in minutes.

automatic slash is completely free to use and is known to be one of the best places to get cheap car rental.

trip

Sometimes referred to as the “AirBnB of Cars”, trip is a peer-to-peer marketplace where you can rent cars direct from owners.

At Turo, you can find all sorts of options, from regular everyday cars to super-luxury vehicles.

The advantage of Turo is that prices usually don’t go up like traditional car rental companies do. Hence, it can be a great alternative if you’re looking to save money.

Hotels vs. Airbnb

This is a debate among many travelers. Yes, they all offer a place to rest during your trip, but the amenities and experience they offer vary quite a bit.

Yes, there are housekeeping, amenities, and other services associated with a hotel. If you’re staying in a hotel, so can you Earn hotel rewards which can later be redeemed for free hotel nights, and pair with a hotel credit card can make it an even more enjoyable experience due to elite status perks.

Airbnb offers a completely different experience as each property doesn’t have a check-in desk or dedicated staff. You’ll be mostly alone at the property, but you can get help before or during your stay by speaking to your Airbnb host.

Even if one isn’t automatically cheaper than the other, having more options can lower your costs if you are flexible about where you are.

If you’re traveling with a large group, it’s generally much cheaper to travel on an Airbnb. Additionally, an Airbnb home likely has a full kitchen so you can prepare meals in your Airbnb instead of going out to eat every night. And unlike many hotels, you won’t be faced with things like resort fees or parking fees.

Save on baggage fees with airline credit cards

Many travelers keep a checked baggage page opposite the carry-on baggage argument. For some, a carry-on bag means you don’t have to worry about your bag getting damaged or lost. For others, checking in one item of luggage means one less thing to carry and worry about while traveling.

For those who like to pack heavy or have to take items that are not allowed in an aircraft cabin, you can save on checked baggage fees by opting for a Airline credit card. Many airline cards, including several of the Delta SkyMiles credit cards, waive checked baggage fees for cardholders and companions traveling on the same itinerary. In many cases, this can save up to $ 60 per person on a round-trip ticket.

However, if you don’t have an airline credit card, you will likely prefer a carry-on bag. Every airline has different specifications for what qualifies as hand luggage, but you will usually have more cash in your pocket if you stick with a smaller bag.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On the safe side of American Express

  • reward

    Earn 2X miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases, 2X miles for every dollar spent in U.S. supermarkets, 2X miles for every dollar spent in restaurants worldwide, and 1X mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $ 1,000 on purchases with your new card in the first three months.

  • Annual fee

    $ 0 annual introductory fee for the first year, then $ 99

  • Enter the APR

  • Regular annual interest

    15.74% to 24.74% variable

  • Transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fees

  • Credit needed

Drive to another airport

If you don’t mind a road trip before your next flight, departing from an airport other than normal can save you real cash.

For example, if you live in Salt Lake City, you are only about six hours from Las Vegas and Denver. Or, if you live in San Diego, the short trip to LAX may be worth it. It can mean the difference between hundreds of dollars and multiple layovers in some cases.

When looking for flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (NRT) for September 18-25, the cheapest route is $ 610 in economy class with Air Canada with a four-hour layover in Vancouver. For the same dates, but departing from San Diego, you’d pay $ 947 on American Airlines and Japan Airlines with two layovers – one ironically at LAX.

Don’t forget points and miles

Chase Sapphire Preferred® card

  • reward

    $ 50 Ultimate Rewards hotel credit per year, 5x points on trips purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on food, 2x points on all other travel purchases, 5x points on Lyft trips through March 2022, and 1x point on all others purchases

  • Welcome bonus

    Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $ 4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening your account

  • Annual fee

  • Enter the APR

  • Regular annual interest

    15.99% to 22.99% variable for purchases and credit transfers

  • Transfer fee

    Either $ 5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Bottom line

As the demand for travel continues to rise, prices are likely to rise too.

Saving travel expenses may take a few extra steps or a bit more research, but it can prove to be beneficial to your bank account. Between credit card rewards, flexibility in accommodation, and using social media to your advantage, travel can still be affordable.

For prices and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here.

Note to editors: The opinions, analyzes, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are solely those of the Select editors and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by third parties.