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Many hotels provide free breakfast for their guests; this benefit is included with the room rate or with status. For other establishments, an additional charge may apply to access breakfast.
For our part, we always check what the hotel offers with additional fees. Often, a quick trip to the grocery store is necessary to save money while traveling.
Furthermore, we tend to dine at restaurants while traveling. It’s a great way to treat ourselves and break from our routine of grocery shopping, cooking, and washing dishes.
However, this expense category can quickly inflate the travel budget. Therefore, we often eat on the go for lunch and at a restaurant for dinner. This way, we do not lose much time waiting for table service and can enjoy tourist sites while the number of visitors decreases.
It’s a great way to reduce travel food expenses while still treating yourself! A gyro in Greece costs only €2.50. I still dream about it, as it was truly delicious.
Ultimately, if your trip lasts several months, it is more economical not to eat at restaurants every day. This is also better for your health. Indeed, eating at restaurants every day for a three-month trip is completely different from doing so for two weeks!
It is worth earning 5 points per dollar with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, while keeping in mind that conversion fees apply to foreign currency purchases.
Loyalty to a third-party booking site (Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia.ca, etc.) can prove beneficial in the long run. Indeed, these platforms receive a commission from the hotel if you book your accommodation through their site.
Thus, they want to encourage you to remain loyal, since prices are generally similar from one third-party site to another when you do not have an account.
After some time and a few bookings, one realizes that rates begin to vary slightly. Vous n’avez rien à faire pour vous inscrire aux programmes de fidélité. Cela se fait automatiquement quand vous ouvrez un compte.
For example, following multiple bookings on Booking.com, I reached Level 3 of the Genius program. Thus, I can always save on travel. I receive discounts of 10% to 20% on most of my nights.
With Hotels.com, logged-in members save a minimum of 10% on over 100,000 hotels worldwide.
If you wish to reduce the cost of your accommodation while continuing to earn rewards, opting for an Airbnb can be an excellent alternative to hotels. In addition to often being cheaper, especially for family stays or multiple nights, it allows you to enjoy a larger space and cook on-site to save on meals. And good news for Scene+ members, you can earn and redeem Scene+ points on your Airbnb or comparable accommodation bookings by paying with a credit card such as the Scotia Passport Visa Infinite Card, which can be an excellent way to turn your expenses into rewards for your next trips or outings.
Finally, by using Rakuten, you can earn additional cashback of up to 10%. Rakuten is a shopping portal that provides cashback on your online purchases. Registration is free, and you can even receive a welcome bonus by using our referral link!
Cashback is not the only reward that can be received through portals! For example, consider the eStore for Aeroplan points.
Exploring a place on foot or by bike is the best way to save on transportation. Some cities are perfect for this. I am thinking particularly of Istanbul or San Francisco, which I explored on foot.
Most major cities have a well-developed public transportation system. A simple and effective way to save money while traveling is to get around like the locals. If locals take a tuk-tuk or walk, follow their example!
Another tip to save time and reduce your travel expenses is to opt for overnight transportation, whether by train, bus, or plane. You travel while you sleep, saving on a hotel night.
When you use your credit card for a purchase in foreign currency, a 2.5% foreign transaction fee applies. On the other hand, some credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees. This allows you to save on every expense. These fees seem small and harmless, but they accumulate quickly.
If you can pay in local currency or Canadian dollars, choose the local currency. This will cost you less.
Next, we advise you to use credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card. This will allow you to accumulate points. However, it is not always possible to pay by credit card in certain places or to avoid merchant surcharges. Therefore, you will need to turn to ATMs or currency exchange offices. The fees to be paid are generally:
Choose your ATM carefully to save on travel, as bank fees can be high. Then, try to withdraw a larger amount compared to making repeated withdrawals, since fees are charged for each withdrawal.
However, agreements exist between several banks worldwide where ATM and institutional fees are waived. For example, Tangerine chequing account holders can make free withdrawals at branches.
For other withdrawals, the fees charged to Tangerine clients are minimal when compared to other institutions. Tangerine promotions often recur for new checking or savings accounts. Welcome bonuses range from $150 to $200.
Did you know that you can help the Milesopedia website by using our links? Whether it’s credit cards or bank accounts, you’ll get the same or even an exclusive offer!
For Tangerine, our orange key to receive $50 is: 39634222S1
Finally, the Wise card, Wealthsimple Cash card, and EQ Bank card are excellent choices for saving money on cash withdrawals while traveling. Finally, the Wise card, Wealthsimple Cash card, and EQ Bank card are great options for minimizing fees on cash withdrawals while traveling. Wealthsimple Cash offers a debit card with no foreign transaction fees, making it easy to spend abroad without any unexpected charges. The EQ Bank card also offers a favorable exchange rate and has no annual fees, making it an ideal option for frequent travelers. With these cards, you can save on fees and fully enjoy your trip without worrying about cash expenses.
In most major cities, there are free walking tours. These are tours guided by a local. You can choose whether or not to tip, and book them online, often from sites like Civitatis and GetYourGuide.
From experience, they are excellent at showing us the main points of interest. They also advise us on places to eat well at a low cost. Very important tips for saving on travel!
It is also an excellent way to meet other travelers and share costs for certain activities. Indeed, operators sometimes offer group discounts compared to a solo traveler.
Furthermore, inquire about free days! Admission fees for certain attractions may be waived on specific dates, which is another tip for saving money while traveling.
Is it really necessary to have a guide to visit the Louvre with you? The fees for guided tours can increase very quickly.
For excursions outside the city, consider doing it yourself instead of booking an organized tour. For example, most of the 7 wonders of the world are accessible by public transport. So instead of booking an excursion to see the Great Wall of China, you can easily go there on your own!
Then, for all activities where you have to pay, the strategy is the same as for low-cost accommodations. You should turn to travel points applicable to expenses.
Certain activities and excursions can be booked on the GetYourGuide platform.
Finally, as these costs will be in foreign currency, you can save an additional 2.5%. Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
Regardless of your type of accommodation, checking out a youth hostel can be worthwhile. Excursions are sometimes cheaper, and you can easily meet people to split costs!
Traveling during the low season allows for savings across all categories, which directly reflects on your travel budget. Even if the weather is not always ideal, the low crowds clearly work in your favor, and the chances of enjoying sites almost alone are much greater!
During the low season, airline tickets and hotel rooms are generally cheaper, making this period ideal for traveling at a lower cost.
A compromise would be to travel during transition seasons or shoulder seasons. Indeed, during this period, the majority of the experience will be almost identical to the peak of the high season. In fact, we always prefer to travel during this time window, as it is less expensive and the weather is more pleasant.
By traveling during the low season, you have a better chance of finding less crowded flights. Thus, you will not need a business class seat if you can spread out across several seats in economy class!
One generally starts by choosing a destination before looking for ways to make the trip economical. On the other hand, if one does the opposite, one immediately eliminates the biggest cost. This is often the price of the flight ticket for holidays. Let the price of the flight ticket dictate your destination. Indeed, the ways to save on travel for accommodation are less limited than for flights.
First of all, the Google Flights tool shows all flight prices from our airport. Use the filters to adjust the results according to your needs! This tool is ideal if you want to pay as little as possible. You can also use your travel points to purchase the flight ticket.
Next, Air Canada also has an interactive map to determine the Aeroplan points cost for several destinations at once.
If you earn travel points, it is often possible to reduce the cost of your flights and accommodation by using them wisely. For example, some programs like Scene+, Aeroplan or other travel credit cards allow you to convert your spending into points that can then be applied to your travels.
To maximize your savings, platforms like Roame make it easier to book flights and accommodation with your points. In addition to comparing prices for regular tickets, Roame allows you to see where your points can get you the most value, and thus plan a more economical trip. You can consult our complete guide on using points for travel to learn all the tips and strategies.
No luggage, no fees!
When traveling with only carry-on luggage, one saves on baggage fees for each of our flights. So, if you have fewer clothes, you can avoid checked luggage. When traveling, there are many accessible laundromats and laundry services!
Baggage check fees can easily be avoided with certain credit cards, such as simply being a holder of an Aeroplan credit card if the flight is operated by Air Canada. Otherwise, other travel cards provide credits to reimburse your baggage fees.
By traveling in a group, you can reduce baggage fees by decreasing the number of suitcases. Indeed, use the maximum allowed weight among yourselves! Thus, you will only have one or two bags to check in and carry!
When booking a trip, one should always obtain travel insurance. However, one is often already insured for unforeseen events by having paid for our trip with our credit card.
Several credit cards offer good travel insurance. This is true if the trip is paid for in part or in full with the card. In case of a problem, if you cannot start or continue your trip, your travel insurance may cover the costs.
One often tends to purchase travel insurance from a private company. This could be Blue Cross, Manulife, or others. However, our credit card may already offer good coverage. For example, with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, the best credit card for travel insurance.
To avoid paying twice and being over-insured, check what you already have. Look at what your credit card offers. Also consider your work or school insurance policies.
Another interesting option is to turn to SoNomad, which offers very competitively priced insurance, tested and approved by the Milesopedia team members. To learn more, read our guide and feedback on SoNomad.
Car rental can represent a significant portion of your travel budget, but certain credit cards allow you to reduce these costs while enjoying exclusive benefits.
To maximize your savings, consult our guides on how to get discounts on car rentals and how to use your points to rent a car.
Traveling can quickly become stressful and expensive, but certain travel credit cards offer benefits that make the experience more pleasant and economical. Among the most interesting: free or priority access to airport lounges, which allows you to wait comfortably while enjoying snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and workspaces.
Among the most advantageous cards:
Other premium credit cards also offer multiple lounge accesses, as well as travel insurance and discounts on certain airport expenses, which can quickly offset the annual cost of the card.
To learn how to access lounges for free or optimize your points to enjoy them, consult our guides:
By using these strategies, you can turn airport waiting time into a pleasant and productive experience, while reducing your travel expenses.
This point is a tip that I find very important for saving on travel. When you are on vacation with a tight budget, feelings of regret or unfinished business should not occur. You are where you are because you wanted to be. There were things you wanted to see, do, and experience.
Never leave a place with unfinished business solely because of the price. If it truly is unfinished business, you will want to return. You will have to pay again for airline tickets, accommodation, and more.
I do not encourage traveling on credit, but rather prioritizing what you truly want. I did not do the hikes on the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. It was too expensive for my student budget. Of course, I returned to Franz Josef later, but I paid the price! In hindsight, I should have cut back on more restaurant meals at that time, instead of cutting back on my excursion.
Even to this day, I prioritize the goal of completing a trip rich in experience, but low in costs. However, I adjusted my strategy to continue to travel on a budget, but by ‘turning left’.
And you, do you have any tips for saving on travel? Come share them with us in the Milesopedia Facebook community!
To save on flight tickets, compare prices with online tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner, book during off-peak hours, and search from multiple airports if possible. Furthermore, using a points credit card can help you further reduce the cost of tickets.
To find affordable accommodation, explore options like Airbnb, youth hostels, and off-season university housing. Using comparison sites and booking in advance can also lower prices.
Loyalty programs allow you to accumulate points or miles that can be redeemed for airline tickets, upgrades, or free hotel nights. Choosing a program tailored to your travel habits maximizes your savings potential.
To save on car rentals, book in advance, compare offers on different sites, and consider joining a car rental loyalty program. Using a credit card that offers car rental insurance can also reduce your expenses.
Reduce food costs by eating local, cooking your meals in equipped accommodation, or taking advantage of local markets. Using a guide like Yelp or TripAdvisor can help you find affordable and well-rated options.
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