How to Save on International Travel

It’s always nice to save on any type of trip you’re planning, but international travel is a bit different than domestic travel in terms of the costs that can add up. Here are a few things to keep in mind before an international trip that can leave you with more money to spend when you get there!

Singapore's Chinatown
Singapore’s Chinatown

Find a good credit card. Most credit cards charge a fee for international use that can be up to three percent of any purchase that you make abroad. Since international trips are usually big events, you may be spending quite a bit while you’re away and that will add up quickly. Three percent of $2,000 is a waste of $60 that could easily be avoided.

Use your air miles. Some of the best redemption options for air miles involve international redemption. These flights usually require quite a few air miles, but when you look at the number of points vs. the cost of the ticket, your conversion rate is usually better for international trips. Even if you can only use miles for one of your tickets, it can shave a significant amount off of your expenses.

Plan ahead. Make sure your passport hasn’t expired, especially if you haven’t used it in a while. There’s no need to spend extra to expedite a passport renewal because you forgot to check the expiration date. Also, some countries don’t allow travelers to enter if their passport is set to expire in less than six months, another incentive to get it renewed early.

Do your research. In a lot of cities outside of the U.S., locals can spot Americans from a mile away and may try to take advantage of you in terms of transportation costs or entry into certain tourist attractions. Avoid this by reading up on your destination ahead of time so you know what to expect to pay and what to be weary of when you get there.

Annie Idea is a freelance writer focused on how to live large on a little living. She writes financial savings tips for QuickQuid, which provides short term loans. She enjoys taking any idea and making it easier or cheaper to complete.

 

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