How to avoid travel planning mistakes and save money

Everyone dreams of exciting adventures before they go on vacation, but not always can they afford to go on a full-blown adventure. However, don't despair, because there are many ways to make a trip inexpensive and unforgettable.

KimKomando takes a closer look at budget travel strategies. Read on to learn how to book tickets and save money at every stage of your adventure.

Booking in person

Many credit card companies offer various perks, including fancy booking tools as bonuses for an annual fee. However, these tools do not always justify their cost.

The prices offered through your credit card companies are often higher than when booking directly. Airlines and hotels try to encourage customers to book tickets and accommodations through their websites by offering better conditions and special offers.

Points to pay for your trip

You've probably invested a lot of money to accumulate those reward points. They are far from free. On top of that, if you don't have enough points to pay for your trip in full, you'll still have to pay extra for the rest of the bill.

To put those points to good use, you can redeem them for gift cards in stores.

Check the prices

Your credit card company doesn't control the prices of hotels or airline tickets through their portals. Most of them are not involved in managing travel booking functions.

For example, the American Express travel site is operated by Expedia, and the most popular tool, Hopper, is owned by Capital One. It is important to remember that hotel and airfare prices are subject to change, and websites do not update their prices at the same time. Therefore, it is important to check several sources to avoid overpaying.

If you have accumulated loyalty points with a particular hotel chain, you should use them directly when booking. Keep in mind that hotel loyalty points cannot be cashed out through third-party booking sites, and using them directly may give you additional privileges depending on your status, such as discounts at the spa or early check-in.

Want to cash out your points and have a real adventure?

First and business-class tickets often offer maximum use of your points and miles, so don't miss the chance to experience real in-flight comfort.

In addition, credit card companies sometimes offer special discounts on travel for their members, so be sure to check out all available offers.

If you're traveling in a large group, you can use only a small fraction of the points required for luxury options for extended stays, which will allow you to save on accommodation.

And finally, if your trip is planned during the peak season, redeeming your points can help you significantly reduce costs and make your trip even more enjoyable.

When is the best time to book a flight?

Sunday is the best day of the week to book flights. On this day, you can save up to 15% off the ticket price.