Money saving tips for road trips on a budget

Although not everyone can take advantage of all of these, some of them apply. They are great to use for budget road trips. For example:

• Do you have a family member who works in the hospitality industry? Some of the hotel chains offer family discounts as high as 40 and 50%. This is a good source for help with funding those trips.
• Do you have a Costco membership? Costco Travel is included and gives good prices on air fares, hotels, car rentals, and cruises.
• Are you a member of AARP or AAA? Most hotels offer at least 10% with these memberships.
• Military? Active duty military get the best offers (as they should). Retired veterans get fewer than active duty but typically more than those of us who served the typical two to six years. But there are often “deals” for any veterans.
• Others? There are many discounted travel sites. Especially important when the economy impacts road trips. Here is the first one I found when searching for the best: Money’s My Life (link). And here’s another one. It’s on “Travel Channel” web site. This next one is from Kiplinger which seems to be a trusted site. If you find a travel site that shows up on at least two or all three of these, it’s likely to be one of the better ones. (Always remember: If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.) But there are such things as “mistake” fares that are posted with the wrong price and then change quickly.

Rewards Credit Cards

Unless you have some of these already they won’t help now. But, keep them in mind. Here are two web sites that I follow that provide information on best rewards for credit cards. The Thrifty Traveler and Travel Freely. Three general classes: Rewards cards that build up their own rewards like Chase, Capital One, and American Express. Co-branded airline cards that accumulate airline points. Co-branded hotel cards that build up hotel points. Most have annual fees so you’ll have to determine which ones are worth the money. Some of the co-branded hotel cards offer a free night every year that will offset the annual fee. All of these can help funding those trips.

Camping to offset the economy impacts road trips

Of course, if you are into camping, you can also use that as a means for funding those trips. Not everyone is willing to sleep in a tent but there are other inexpensive methods. Renting a small RV when the economy impacts road trips works. Buying or renting a pop up camper is another option. State parks and national parks all offer many camping options as well as commercial campgrounds.

Other means of budget road trips

That’s always an option for some of you to encroach upon friends and relatives around the country. Your level of chutzpah will dictate how far you can carry this one! Carried out far enough can get you many nights much cheaper than hotels or Airbnb.

Another option: Probably for the young and adventurous people! Couchsurfing.com! Get the know the local people and customs. Hosts sign up for this and don’t expect any payment for it. They will typically expect you to spend some time with them to talk about experiences. You don’t offer money but are encouraged to cook, or help cook a meal; take your hosts out to eat; bring a bottle of wine, etc. I hadn’t heard of this until about a year ago. Apparently, it’s quite a “thing” among the adventurous, kinda wild and crazy!