A financial expert reveals some handy ways for families to make big savings on travel costs.
Lost in transition
Have you ever wondered where your suitcase that was lost in transit and never came back to you ended up? Well, there’s a good chance that it was sent to an auction house somewhere in the US or overseas. Incredibly, there are auctions every week around the world where buyers can bid on bags and suitcases, sight unseen, and then sell the cases and contents on eBay for a profit.
Anyone can go to these auctions; you just need to know where they are. You can check for baggage auctions around the world here.
You can also check out auction houses near your local airport to find out if and when they hold theirs.
Most luggage auctions offer the bags sight unseen, so it’s a bit of a game of luck. You could bid on an expensive-looking piece of Louis Vuitton only to find it contains a few books and a pair of flip-flops. Also, the really valuable stuff is taken out beforehand and auctioned separately. Still, this means these auctions can be good places to get cheap skis, cameras and iPads. And there’s always the possibility of picking up a suitcase full of designer clothes.
Save on travel during school vacations
Everyone knows it’s cheaper to travel duirng off-peak times of the year, but for families restricted by their children’s school vacations, that’s often impossible. Research by Santander has found some family trips to resorts during summer vacation were almost double the cost of the equivalent trip taken during the school year. However, there are a few things families can do to “time the market” and get a cheaper deal.
Travel search sites found flights on a Tuesday were the cheapest, followed by those on a Wednesday and Monday. They also looked into the best time to book a flight. Analyzing the most popular flight routes, it was found that the cheapest prices could be found, on average, 59 days before the date of departure.
The time of the flight can make a difference, too. One airlines said that nighttime flights are cheaper than those during the day. And anyone who has ever booked a no-frills flight will know that the ones that leave very early in the morning cost less than those that depart at more convenient times later in the day. Flexibility is also key to finding a cheap flight. Those not bound by specific dates or destinations will get the best deals.
Pre-book your vacation extras
You can save serious cash at the airport by booking ahead. Here are just a few tips:
Airport parking works in a similar way to low-cost airlines: the earlier you book, the cheaper it is. Make sure you can compare multiple parking garages and their rates, then choose the best deal.
Use a comparison site to find the cheapest deal on foreign currency and order it online. It’s often cheaper and most convenient to order from one of the companies that are represented at the airport and just collect when you’re there.
Pre-paying for your baggage online can also save a substantial amount depending on the airlines you’re flying. A family travelling with multiple bags can save a significant amount if the airlines has discounts for paying when you book instead of waiting .
Similarly, shop around on the Internet for travel insurance and you will definitely save on high-street prices.
Avoid extortionate data roaming bills when abroad
One of the first things any savvy traveller does when abroad is to switch off the data roaming on their cell phone due to the cost.
Now, though, you can pick up emails or surf the Internet abroad from just 2p per MB thanks to Globalgig.com’s Wi-Fi hotspot creator. The device can be connected to up to five devices at once – and you can take advantage of low rates in any of the 40 countries the company operates in (including all, the US, all EU countries, Hong Kong and Australia).
There’s also a cheaper, SIM-only version available.
More bang for your buck
If you travel abroad regularly or transfer dollars frequently, it is useful – and cheaper – to have a foreign currency account. Look for one that’s free to one (sometimes they have a minimum balance amount), and gives you free cash withdrawals when you’re in the foreign country and a free checkbook.