Cheaper Travel Tip #2

All right! Are you ready for my next tip?

Join their team!

That's right! In my last travel tip I suggested signing up for mailing list and liking your favorite places on facebook but if you do your research you can go one step farther. Many places have customer loyalty perks just waiting to be used.

I will remind you that the suggestions I make here are ones that Ben and I have actually used so it's like I am an expert. Many hotels, in particular, will offer discounts and free night stays if you stay with them often.

Vagabond Inn offers the tenth night free AND they are pet friendly! We have stayed with them a number of times and are very close to getting that tenth night.

Best Western offers a night free after three stays with them. We have only stayed at Best Western once in Arizona but we have no complaints.

Sheraton offers a plan called Starwood Points that allows you to earn free nights (among other things) just by staying at their hotels. We stayed at the Sheraton in San Francisco and it was worth every penny (and also pet friendly!).

Of course, the most beneficial to us, has been Alaska Air Miles. Check with your airline to see if they have a frequent flyer program and USE IT!

You may be thinking. "But we don't travel that often. It will take us forever to earn anything free." To that I say, Quit being a poop! It may take months or even years but when you get your free flight or free night in a hotel it will be worth it. Trust me!

Cheaper Travel Tip #1

I know, just the thought of a vacation sends the credit card farther into debt but let's face it, some of you are going to take a vacation and see something new. Might as well get the best deal.

Ben and I travel often and we usually travel cheap. Vacations are going to cost a fair amount of money but there are ways to make it a little easier on the pocketbook. I have a few suggestions that I will be share throughout the next few weeks. ALL of these suggestions have worked for Ben and I and saved us money.

Here is Cheaper Travel Trip #1!

If there is a some place you like to visit do your research! Go to their websites, join their mailing lists and LIKE them on facebook if they have a page. How does this help?

Well, hotels and airlines often send out e-mails letting you know their latest deals. They will offer deals when you book far in advance. They will offer deals when you book last minute. They will offer deals to return guests. They will offer deals during their off season. They will advertise contests for discounted travel!

AND most of the time you get the deals first if they have a way to contact you.

Here's an example. Ben and I just booked a trip to Vegas. We searched expedia and used all of the e-mails that we had received from our favorite hotels to find the best deal. I noticed that expedia showed the best price at the Sahara so I found them on facebook, liked their page, used their link for facebook fans and saved $30 on our trip. That's $30 less than going through their regular site or expedia!

I am on mailing list for Alaska Travel, Alaska Airlines, Carnival Cruises, Stratosphere, Sahara, and more. Even if you have never been to these places, join their mailing list and you may be there sooner than you think!