Travel Cheaper!

Travel Cheaper!

Most of us are in the habit of traveling a certain way. Some may use travel agents, discount sites, or airlines and hotels direct. But one of the best ways for me is to leverage my day-to-day spending into points. A lot of this write-up overlaps with the sister document, Loyalty Points.

In this section I will cover:

• Discount Sites

• Airline Travel

• Hotel Stays

• Cruises

• Alternative Travel

Discount Sites

There are an infinite number of discount sites on the internet. The more common include Expedia, Travelocity, Trivago, Kayak, Priceline, and Booking. The list is much more extensive. Be careful of all discount sites and especially those that simply list other discount site prices. It can be risky to use a discount site to buy a hotel or air travel. Don’t complicate it further by going thru a discount site to use a discount site! If a flight or hotel is overbooked, they will honor direct reservations first, then travel agents, then the discount sites. I have used discount sites sparingly, and only for hotels in areas without any major chains or direct reservation contacts. Nearly everyone I know that uses these sites extensively eventually ends up with a fight to get a flight or room. I very rarely pay for air travel, and the few times I have, reserved direct on the airlines site. So I have never used these sites for air travel and have limited information.  

Discount sites can be significantly cheaper on prices, but be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Many discounted rates thru these sites will not give loyalty points. Loyalty points usually average out to about one cent ($0.01) per point. Booking a room directly with a chain and especially if using the brand’s credit card could result in loyalty points of up to 17 points (Marriott’s current rate) per dollar spent. So if a $200 room rewards you with 3,400 points that would equate to $34 in value. So in this example you would want to use $166 as a comparison to a discount site that does not allow reward points. Nearly all examples are unique, but the terms and conditions should be clear on both the discount site and the chain hotel or airline site. Do comparisons and ensure your cheap rate is the cheapest rate. And what value is the risk assumed with the discount site?

One alternative to discount sites and direct reservations with the airline, hotel is to reserve thru some of the credit card travel sites directly. Be sure to compare prices. I have done this successfully and I have noted times where the prices were considerably higher than the direct reservation. Again, be sure to compare all benefits. Some of the credit card travel sites (e.g. Chase Sapphire) provide extra point boosts or other benefits by using their site. Consider the value of the points when this occurs to the net cost of the other options. The credit card sites aren’t the discount sites; they are equivalent to using a travel agent.

Lastly, discount sites may be the best research tool available to you. If you don’t have a preferred airline, or you’re trying to see other options available and compare prices, discount sites are great for research. You don’t have to buy to effectively use their sites and find the best travel options.

Airline Travel

As stated above, I rarely pay for airline travel. Well, that’s not 100% true. All airlines charge for airport fees on redeemed points travel. Some, like British Airways also charge a fuel surcharge. Between the fuel surcharge and the outrageous UK airport taxes, I have paid as high as $333 for a “free” ticket to London. I do not recommend British Airways to anyone except hated enemies. So if I ever recommend British Airways to you, you know where you stand with me! 

The key to free, or rather taxes/fees only travel, is maximizing points. The way to maximize points is regular use of the airline site or their partners. The best accumulation of points is thru an affiliated credit card. And the best credit card points are the sign-up bonus points. Most airlines have a primary direct card and relationship with general cards. For example, Chase Sapphire points transfer to United; Citi thank you points transfer to American, and Amex points transfer to Delta.

The best way to score the lowest point redemption for either air or hotel is to be flexible. Often, the middle of week will have discounted points, especially during off-peak times. Also, join multiple airline programs and download their apps. It costs nothing to join, and if you do earn some points, most now keep miles/points indefinitely. I have never flown Latam Airlines, but have almost 50,000 points with them. I have Machu Picchu, Easter Island on my bucket list and travel around South America is most extensive on Latam. When you fly an airline, the app is very useful, providing updates on the flight, boarding notification, and some will even track your luggage.

If you absolutely have to pay for air travel, I highly recommend avoiding the discount sites if you fly regularly. If you have a credit card with an airline and use that credit card to pay, luggage fees are waived. Plus some cards (e.g. United Quest) give a credit back up to a fixed amount on tickets bought on the related airline. Other cards may rebate some air travel fees. One Bank of America card gives an instant statement credit up to $100 for air travel incidentals paid directly to the airline such as baggage fees, on board meals for purchase, and in-flight internet. Most quality travel cards issued by major banks will have some way to recover the annual fee thru a reimbursement.

For those who fly a lot, pick an airline, stick with it and get to a loyalty tier. Some airlines and hotels are partnering now. United will give you silver tier status if you have gold or higher status on Marriott. I am lifetime Titanium (1,136 lifetime nights per my account!) and that gets me silver on United. That doesn’t do much except I am always in boarding group 2. Which is the last third of the plane to board after 3-4 categories of pre-boarding and group 1. But it isn’t tier 3-5 (Losers!) who are often required to gate check luggage due to full overhead bins. As you progress thru the airline frequency tiers (silver, gold…) you accumulate more benefits and your point earnings get a multiplier effect.

To reiterate, the discount sites will probably not give you credit on the airlines for points or tier status and will not exempt you from luggage fees. If the plane is overbooked, you may be walking. Never say never, and if your preferred airline isn’t available and there aren’t optional airlines you would use in the future, then the discount sites may be your best option. 

Hotels

Just like with airlines, hotel reward programs and loyalty points can provide free hotel stays. Most of these are completely free of taxes or other fees, but some brands are starting to charge resort fees. And inner city parking fees can be outlandish. As I covered in the link Loyalty Points, while airline points can be fairly close in value, not all hotel are created equal. Choice Hotels and Hyatt Hotels routinely have the lowest point requirements for a room. Marriott and IHG can have good value. Hilton has become ridiculous on their devalued points. Just like with airlines, the best point accumulation outside of paying for rooms is the branded credit card. And also like air travel, some bank cards allow transfer of points directly to a program.

For longer stays or multiple room stays, don’t hesitate to call the hotel directly. Not the chain reservation desk, but the hotel and ask to speak to the manager or reservations person. Request a lower rate. If you have competitor’s rates, bring it tactfully into the conversation.

If you are traveling to a location you’re not familiar with, consider Googling area events or holidays. Rates generally rise due to high hotel usage during area events, so try checking rates a few weeks before or after. I know people without kids that have showed up in Florida during spring break absolutely shocked at the large crowds, or in a Latin America country during Carnival and the non-stop party. Traveling to a country with a heavy Muslim population during the 29-30 days of Ramadan can present problems getting meals during daytime hours.

Cruises

Cruises can be a great way to see new places every day and stay in the same room the whole time. I am trying to get to 100 countries (As of January 2026, I have been to 87) and my Bride of 45 years doesn’t have confidence I can find my way out of Walmart. She doesn’t like flying into a new country with me and meandering around viewing the sites. She is convinced we will end up in a Syria ISIS encampment. Even if we started out on foot that morning in London. She needs organization and structure and third party guidance. I tend more toward spontaneity. So we cruise a lot.

Cruises can be available from a variety of airline, hotel, and credit card sources for points. I have not redeemed points for cruises but have friend that uses his Marriott points very effectively to cruise. All cruises are not created equal. Some cruisers like the huge ships, like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, with lots to do on board and may not even explore at the ports. They view it more as an all-inclusive resort stay. I prefer the cruises going to new destinations and prefer the smaller ships with fewer people. Either may be right for you, but know which you want.

I highly recommend cruise research on vacationstogo.com. They have the best search engine for ocean and river cruises and even land tours. You can limit the search by specific companies, type of room, destinations, and sort by price. You can also purchase from them, but be aware there are other options available. I have a Chase United credit card and I use United Cruises. Yes, I can redeem points, but here, I tend to save my points for air travel and hotel stays before or after cruises. (American, Delta, Marriott and many others also have their own cruise agencies.) I also get up to 10 United Miles for each dollar spent. Plus two points additional points on my Sapphire card. I accumulate enough United points that I am able to fly for free to the starting and ending points of any cruise. Most of our cruises start internationally, so this is particularly beneficial.

Once you have determined the cruise you want, check around for prices. I find the price on vacationstogo.com generally agree with booking direct with the cruise company or with one of the airline or hotel cruise sites. But each can have some benefits that vary. Some will offer on-board credits. If you are planning on buying an internet package to stay in touch, or the drink package or speciality dining, on-board credits my be your best benefit. Since I use United Cruises, my benefits are normally more miles and smaller on-board credits. So again, planning is paramount!

Any company you use to reserve a cruise will strongly encourage you to buy trip insurance. That is because it almost always pure profit to them. I do not recommend blindly purchasing trip insurance. I use my Chase Sapphire card to buy the cruise because it covers trip cancellation under terms and conditions extremely close to the trip insurance being offered for sale. And it’s included for free if you use the card for purchase. Other credit cards have trip insurance, including the Chase United card, but so far, I have found Sapphire to have the most extensive coverage.

Alternative Travel

Trains/Ferries

If you are planning a trip, don’t overlook alternative travel. Trains and ferries are used extensively in many parts of the USA and world, but may be overlooked in planning to those unfamiliar with them. Both of these methods can be less expensive than air travel, even with upgrades to first class. The internet and AI can be your best tools in planning travel if you inquire as to other methods of travel. Both trains and ferries tend to be more relaxing, less crowded, and the terminals are usually much less stressful than airports in most locations.

Cruises for Travel

If you have the time (I am retired!), cruises can be used for cost effective transportation. Last year, we had a cruise in the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas. Air was going to cost a lot of points. But using vacationstogo.com, I found a cruise from Fort Lauderdale with stops in The Azores, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, ending in London. We spent a day in London, then flew to Italy to catch the next cruise. So we had two cheap flights and a cruise going and one long flight home. And the trans-Atlantic cruise cost just a little more than coach tickets would have. Cruise lines tend to move their ships to and from various climates and those cruises can be significantly discounted. We caught a very low cost Panama Canal cruise last year when Royal Caribbean moved a ship that had been cruising Alaska during the summer to Florida for winter cruising. There are cruises that relocate from Southeast Asia or Australia in winter to Alaska in the summer. Plan a vacation that starts or ends with one of these cruises and use them for travel.

Ride Share

If you never used ride share, you really should! It is overcomes all the challenges I use to face with taxis: language barriers, drivers not familiar with the city, reckless drivers, etc. Uber and Lyft are the main ride share apps. You can check ahead of time to see if these are available. Some countries will only allow their own ride share programs. The only time I have experienced trouble was in Reykjavik, Iceland with their specific app, Hopp. I was trying to get from the cruise port to the hotel and continued to have a driver select my ride request, then dump me after 10-15 minutes. After 45 minutes, I canceled the request and got hit with a cancellation fee that I contested and got back thru my credit card. Hopp is used in other countries, buy the version in Iceland is specific to them. Uber and Lyft allow you to put in your destination, then they tell you the price by size of car available and time to pickup. You select what you want, then wait 1-2 minutes until a driver accepts your request. The app then shows a map of both your position and the location of the driver and estimated time of arrival. The driver knows exactly where you are going, the app has mapped the route, and the fee was determined in advance. Drivers and riders are rated, so you can refuse a driver with a poor rating or lack of drives. The app shows a photo of the driver, a description of the car, and the license plate.

Subways/City Trains

I know some that are unfamiliar with subways or trains and refuse to ride them. Both are easy to use. First, locate the stop where you will board, then locate the end stop. Note the trains of each. If the same, then you just need to determine the correct direction. Directions are usually indicated by the stop at the end of the run. When the train comes, just be sure it has the end destination you want. If your end stop is on a different train, you will need to find where the two lines intersect and switch. It is just like making two trips instead of one. Buses are similar. Most mass transits will have an app that does all the planning for you and provides instructions. I have used subways, trains, and buses all over the world (London, Paris, Istanbul, Rome, Florence, Vienna, Monoco, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore…) and found them easy to use and inexpensive.

Conclusion

I hope you found this helpful! If you’re thinking about getting a Chase United Airlines or Sapphire Credit Card and feeling particularly generous, I can get a referral bonus if you send me an email at run.with.scissors.shuffler@gmail.com and use the link in the return email to apply.