Top 10 Proven Ways to Save Money on Family Travel: Expert Tips from Travel Babbo's Eric Stoen
We love traveling with our three kids. Each year, I take them on one-on-one trips to destinations they choose, maximizing school breaks to explore the world. We couldn't afford this without avoiding full prices and hidden fees.
Here are my top 10 strategies for booking and traveling to stretch our budget and visit more amazing places.
1. Master the Mileage Game
Get credit cards that earn miles or points on every purchase, redeemable for free flights and hotels. Rules change, but accumulate points and redeem promptly. We redeem for at least 15 tickets yearly. Stay loyal to one airline for higher status, bonus miles, and fewer fees.
2. Book Early, Monitor Prices Constantly
This works best for hotels and rental cars, not always flights due to change fees. Set weekly reminders to recheck rates. Rebook if prices drop, mindful of cancellation terms. I rebook elements of half our trips, saving $50+ per rental or $50/night on hotels.
3. Buy Plane Tickets at the Optimal Time
CheapAir.com analysis shows the sweet spot is 1-3.5 months before departure. Use fare prediction tools. Wendy Perrin shares great advice on her website: Avoid booking too early, consider unusual connections, or split family reservations for savings.
4. Travel Off-Peak
Opt for weekdays or shoulder seasons. Swap Hawaii for Venice during spring break; visit Greece or Europe in May/September. Work around school breaks—head to Europe early June if possible. Consider brief school absences for deals like Galapagos. Fly Friday after school, return Sunday after 10 days. Check foreign school calendars, e.g., avoid Bali during Australian holidays (early April, late June, late September).
5. Use T-Mobile for International Connectivity
Avoid shock bills from data roaming or hunting SIM cards. T-Mobile's Simple Choice plans include free 3G/4G data and texting in 120+ countries, with calls at 20¢/minute—no extra plan needed.
6. Choose the Right Credit Card
Skip cards with 3% foreign transaction fees. Chase, credit unions, HSBC, Amex, Citibank, Barclay, and Bank of America offer fee-free options. Confirm with your issuer weeks before travel.
7. Use ATMs Strategically
ATMs offer the best currency rates, but know your bank's fees. International banks like HSBC waive them; locals might too. Withdraw larger amounts less often. Avoid airport exchange booths with poor rates despite 'zero commission.'
8. Always Pay in Local Currency
Decline dollar conversions at checkout—let your card handle it for better rates, saving 2-3%. Same for PayPal: choose local currency with a no-fee card. Tests show PayPal's USD option costs 2.1% more on average.
9. Opt for Apartments
Book via Airbnb, VRBO. Cheaper than two hotel rooms for families, ideal locations. In Paris, we target the 7th Arrondissement near Rue Cler markets, metro, and Eiffel Tower—plenty of apartments, few hotels.
10. Embrace Picnics
Dining out is pricey and time-intensive with kids. From Santiago to Florence, we picnic with bakery, market, and take-out foods in parks. Kids play, we relax, flexibility reigns. Apartments enable home cooking and market visits.
Other savings: AAA/alumni discounts, Skype calls. Share your tips in the comments!
