It has been a while since my significant other and I traveled together. For the first time in a long time, we shall be booking an overseas trip at the last-minute. With two weeks to spare, we need to find ways to stretch our dollar.
Conventional wisdom states that you must book months in advance to save money. Last minute purchases usually lead to expensive airline tickets and lodging arrangements. However, this is not always the case.
#1: BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR DESTINATION
Since you are being spontaneous, consider letting the deals decide your destination. Let the fate guide you! Who knows? You may be in Haiti for less S$200.
If you do not have your heart set on a specific place, you may go to websites that enable you to check the best travel deals. For instance, Kayak Explore is a great tool to see which countries offer the best deals at a variety of travel dates.
#2: BOOK A LATE TIME-SLOT
Use the scarcity of time to your favor by booking really late. Interestingly, you may score the cheapest flights by pushing your booking way back. The closer the date, the more desperate airlines are in trying to fill the plane’s capacity. Go big or go home, right?
#3: SEARCH FOR FAVORABLE EXCHANGE RATES
One way to maximize your dollar is to compare the Singapore dollar to the rest of the world. If you are eyeing a trip abroad, you may look for a destination with favorable exchange rates. Which local currencies are weaker compared to the Singapore dollar? Perhaps, there are countries experiencing momentary economic instability or other conditions that decline their currency values. Consider traveling to these countries.
#4: OPEN THE INCOGNITO MODE
Keep your searches in private. When you surf the Net in Incognito Mode, your browser does not collect cookies. This means that third parties cannot identify the website you have visited before. Without the ability to track your movements, travel websites will have a harder time guessing your intentions. You see, these websites tend to raise prices to people who are not on “private” mode.
Another option is for you to use a VPN or a Virtual Private Network, which will conceal your geographical location and encrypt the data you send.
#5: PACK THE LIGHT ESSENTIALS
Make minimalist packing your lifestyle by traveling light. No matter how long you plan to be away from the country, it is best to pack no more than a week’s supply of fresh clothes. Packing light basics and weather-appropriate gear ensures that you save money and space.
Do not forget other essential accessories such as travel-sized hygiene items, chargers and USBs, power adapters, and padlocks.
#6: BE FLEXIBLE WITH THE TRAVEL DATES
Aside from the destinations, you can save more money by being flexible with the travel dates. People travel less in these unconventional days. Traveling in the middle of the week is cheaper than traveling towards the end of the week. You will get the best deal by flying on a Tuesday and leaving the following Wednesday as compared to flying on a Friday and leaving next Sunday.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Keep these tips in mind the next time you book a last-minute flight! ?