How to Save Money on Travel if You Don’t Have a Credit Card

We rarely get guest posts on this blog, but when we got approached by Club Thrifty, we can’t help but say yes! Long before we had this site, I had been following Holly’s website for her travel hacking ideas and her other personal finance posts. It is an honor to have them on our site!

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Credit card rewards are a wonderful way to see the world for less. Heck, we’ve used them to travel the world for pennies on the dollar. But, how do you save money on travel if you don’t have a credit card with bazillions of points?

I’m glad you asked!

The good news is you don’t need a credit card to save some serious skrilla on travel. You don’t need to be a frequent flyer or seasoned travel hacker either. Just follow the tips below before booking your next trip, and start traveling the world with some extra change in your pocket!

Be flexible

If you’re not a seasoned globetrotter, it probably doesn’t matter where you take your next vacation (unless you have to be somewhere specific for a wedding or work). Likely, there are tons of amazing places you’ve never been and would really enjoy.

If you’re willing to be flexible and have fun in a new location, you’re already on your way to saving hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars. Why not save some cash and consider some of the cheapest places to travel for your next trip?

It pays to be flexible with your travel dates, as well. Traveling “off-peak” can save you as much as 50% on the cost of flights and hotels. Instead of traveling over weekends or holidays, booking a mid-week flight and stay can also save you some significant money.

Check out Groupon

Groupon has been around for a while, and some of the deals aren’t as good as they used to be. But, before you pooh-pooh on Groupon, they’re definitely worth checking out.

Nobody wants their inbox to be spammed, but by signing up for their travel related emails to specific destinations, you’ll usually get one daily email with some great offers and some amazing savings. Once you’ve book your trip, simply opt out of the emails.

Even if you don’t book your flight or accommodations through Groupon, you can still find some amazing deals on restaurants, entertainment, and pampering at your final destination. Just be sure to read the fine print and ask any questions before you book.

Consider driving rather than flying

OK, I know it’s not as fast or convenient to drive as it is to fly. For some destinations, it isn’t even possible. However, if you have the whole family and a pet hamster to take with you, driving can be a lot cheaper than remortgaging your house to pay for airfare. For the cost of gas and a few nights in a Motel 6 (if need be), you can save hundreds of dollars on airfare and baggage fees – especially when you’re traveling with a larger group.

And, by driving, you can save on more than just the hamster cage in cargo. Why not save some money on eating out as well? I mean, how painful is it to order your kids order their favorite breakfast only to watch them leave 90% of it cold on their plate when you receive the hefty bill? Take some food with you and use the extra cash to help pay for your trip!

Want to save yourself some money and watch their eyes light up on your next car trip? Pack some coco bombs or a favorite cereal that they can’t have at home every day. Toss the cereal, some milk, bowls and spoons in a cooler. While you’re at it, throw in some yogurt, cheese, fresh muffins, and your favorite coffee and real cream! (If you’re not the driver, you can even add some Bailey’s!) Then enjoy a relaxing wake-up on your trip, enjoying your favorite cuppa while the kids munch on cereal and watch cartoons.

Buy a city or sightseeing pass

If you’re traveling somewhere you’ve never been, chances are good you’ll want to do some sightseeing. Many popular tourist destinations offer sightseeing passes to help you save money on the most popular activities and sites in the area. Grabbing one of these passes can be a terrific way to see and do a variety of things while keeping more of your hard-earned money.

Many passes, like the London Pass, include entry to local attractions, guided tours, museums, entertainment, dining, and more. Some offer only discounts while others provide a combination of both. Find out what’s included on each card to determine if you’ll get enough value from the pass before you buy it.

Limit your meals out

Are we talking about food again? Yep, we sure are!

After transportation and accommodations, food is typically the biggest money drain when you travel. While part of the travel experience is eating out and trying new foods, eating out for every meal gets old real fast – especially if you’re traveling for more than a few days.

Rather than hit a restaurant three times a day, create a meal plan instead. Decide which meals to eat out each day, such as lunch or dinner, then plan cheaper ways to eat your remaining meals without “going out”.

For example, we typically grab some fruit and cereal from a local grocery store for breakfast each morning. Rather than paying for breakfast AND lunch, we sometimes eat brunch to save money. Eating mid-morning means we usually don’t need to eat again until we go out for dinner! We’ll typically carry some light snacks with us, just in case we get hungry before then.

To save even more, take these items with you in a cooler if you’re driving to your destination. If you’re flying, pack dry goods like boxed cereal in your suitcase and buy the remaining groceries when you get there.

If you’re staying in a hotel, be sure to take advantage of any free continental breakfasts. (You may want to take this into consideration before you book!) In many cases, you can even grab some fruit, yogurt, or muffins from the continental breakfast bar to enjoy as free snacks throughout the day. No one minds provided you don’t empty the breakfast bar into your backpack.

As you can see, there lots of ways to save money on travel without having a piece of plastic in your wallet. So, what are you waiting for? Use these tips to book that trip and save money today!

Have you used any of these tips before? Which are your favorite?

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Greg Johnson is a personal finance and frugal travel expert who leveraged his online business to quit his 9-5 job, spend more time with his family, and travel the world. He is the co-owner of the popular blog Club Thrifty, where he teaches others how to spend less and travel more.