Consumer Reports: Tips to save money on flights ahead of busy travel season KOMO News
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Four tips on how to save money on your next holiday – Travel Daily News International
Four tips on how to save money on your next holiday Travel Daily News International
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Ryanair passenger shares ‘genius’ luggage hack to save money on flight | Travel News | Travel
A TikTokker has gone viral for posting a video of herself sharing a tip on how to make the most of luggage space on a Ryanair flight. Kristen Black, who goes by the username @kristenashleyblack on TikTok, shared the tip to help others fit more clothes in their Ryanair carry-on bag.
Passengers flying with Ryanair are only allowed one carry-on bag with them on a flight.
To take more clothes with them on holiday, they must pay extra to put a bag in the hold.
This can sometimes cost passengers more than the flight itself, and so it’s worth trying to pack light to try and fit everything in one bag.
Kristen has shared how passengers can make more room in their bag.
READ MORE: Simon Calder shares essential tip amid passport chaos
The captions accompanying Kristen’s video read: “How to pack for your Ryanair flight when you have zero luggage allowance.”
She then went on to share another hack, with the text in her video reading: “Use your hat for the souvenirs you bought during ya trip.”(sic)
Kristen put a souvenir gift on her head and placed her hat on top of it.
Lastly, she put items in the pockets of her coat, with the video’s text reading: “Stuff those pockets.”
Jackson commented: “Pretty similar to what I did on my easyJet flight. Was wearing three pairs of trousers, four t-shirts, hoodie, jacket with pockets for days.”
Sinead added: “You cracked the code girl.”
User xg00sebomps wrote: “So helpful and one of my favs right now thanks guuuurl.”(sic)
Travelgirl_lasvegas said: “This is….genius.”
However, user ii.szymon said: “Just get priority with a suitcase, it’s not even expensive.”
User bay said: “I’d rather pay the extra fees than look like you.”
Cracktoosie added: “But if I did this I’d get tackled to the floor.”
How to save money: 13 errors travellers make on holiday and how to avoid them | Travel News | Travel
8. Overweight luggage
Airlines have weight limits when it comes to luggage, so travellers should ensure that their bags meet the requirements before the dreaded weigh-in, to avoid further charges.
“Try and wear all bulky items of clothing and footwear such as jackets or trainers, to avoid having to pack them.”
9. Not checking rules on liquids
Airlines are also stringent when it comes to liquids, and carry-on luggage can only hold liquids in 100ml bottles.
They must be sealed in a single, transparent bag that measures around 20cm x 20cm.
Jonathan warned: “Remembering this rule and purchasing these bags prior to your flight will allow you to check whether your liquids fit at home, avoiding a situation where you have to throw away any products.”
10. Visiting attractions and travelling at peak times
“It might seem more convenient to book a holiday over a weekend, especially if you are trying to save up your annual leave at work.
“However, it is worth doing some research prior to travelling in order to find out the best times to visit attractions.”
Tourist attractions may charge visitors more at peak times – which usually fall on weekends – or at certain times of the day.
Check when the off-peak visiting hours are for tourist attractions to potentially get some cheaper deals.
How to avoid inflation, save money when booking travel this summer
Virtuoso managing director Misty Belles shares top tips for booking travel to avoid inflation.
During an interview on “Mornings with Maria” Virtuoso managing director Misty Belles shared her top tips on avoiding inflation when booking travel this summer.
RISING GAS PRICES AFFECTING OVER HALF OF CONSUMERS’ SUMMER PLANS
Inflation is hovering near a 40-year-high. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer / AP Newsroom)
MISTY BELLES: So a couple of things you can look for. Right now, there are multi-night stays are multi-promotion. So stay two nights, get a third night free, stay for the fifth night free. So if you’re not looking to move around, you can actually look for those kinds of promotions and save some on your hotels. Also, look for prepaid rates because those are going to usually save you some money. Just make sure you read the fine print because a lot of them don’t have a cancelation policy attached to them. There are other things you can do too, like we recommend working with a travel advisor. I’ll just tell you from the Virtuoso perspective, our hotels and resorts program can save you up to $550 a night because of the value added amenities that cost the consumer nothing additional to book that way. It’s just an additional advantage you have working through a travel advisor who has access to those kinds of programs.
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WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE:
Virtuoso managing director Misty Belles discusses the top travel destinations and shares tips on how to save money when booking travel.
Tips on how to save money on gas
Experts warn that although drivers may be weary, gas prices will likely still go up in the near future. But there are things you can do to plan and save.
Houston gas prices: Tips on how to save money at the pump
According to AAA Texas, while Texas is still below the national average, the average cost of gas in the state is the highest its ever been at $4.29.
HOUSTON — Around town, drivers are seeing the numbers climb higher and higher at the pump.
“The gas prices are really hurting my pocket right now,” says Dominic Ballair.
According to AAA Texas, while Texas is still below the national average ($4.59 as of May 20), the average cost of gas in the state is the highest its ever been at $4.29.
“When we compare it where we were last year, more than $1.60 higher…” says Joshua Zuber who’s the Spokesperson for AAA Texas. He says a number of factors continue to impact the rising prices.
“Of course the war in Ukraine, a lot of countries banning or planning to ban Russian oil so you’ve got a tight supply of oil,” says Zuber. “Add to that increasing demand as we continue to see recovery from COVID-19, a lot of activities getting back to normal,” he continued.
With the Memorial Day weekend approaching, it’s making some drivers like Patricia Franklin think twice about traveling.
“Too expensive, I’m just gonna chill out at the house,” Franklin says.
AAA anticipates that over three million Texans will travel for Memorial Day and rather than cancel plans, they expect travelers to modify them.
“Whether that means dining out at maybe less expensive restaurants or maybe not dining out as often. They may modify their accommodations, maybe staying at a less expensive hotel or building their trip around staying with family or friends,” says Zuber.
If you’re looking to save some money, AAA has a few recommendations:
- Finding the cheapest fuel along your route using their “TripTik” website
- B.E.T. – Check your Battery, Engine, and Tires
- Drive the speed limit and use {using} cruise control when conditions allow
“You want to make sure that when you get to the gas pump you’ve shopped around,” Zuber says.
“I really have to use a credit card to pay for gas right now,” says Ballair.
The rising cost, for the foreseeable future, is likely something we’ll have to buckle up for.
“More than likely we are going to see these elevated prices over the next few weeks,” Zuber says.
Here are some more helpful tips from AAA:
AAA cautions drivers that allowing their cars to run out of fuel can not only put them in a potentially dangerous situation, but also could result in costly repairs.
Potential Costly Repairs from Running on Empty
Most modern cars have their fuel pump mounted inside the fuel tank. These pumps require a constant flow of fuel to lubricate and cool them during operation. Running a vehicle extremely low on fuel may allow air to be drawn into the pump, which can cause overheating and increased wear that eventually leads to pump failure. The cost to replace a fuel pump can be $500 or more in parts and labor.
Dangers of Running out of Gas
Running out of gas can put the personal safety of a driver and their passengers in jeopardy if the vehicle stops on the roadway. Power steering and brakes can be lost if an engine dies, and drivers may end up stranded in the middle of a busy highway. Fortunately, most out-of-gas situations can be avoided just simply by keeping an eye on the fuel gauge.
Finding the Lowest Gas Price Before Hitting Empty
AAA recommends drivers always maintain at least a quarter-tank of fuel. For drivers looking to save money when they fill up, the Auto Club can help with several free tools. Both the AAA TripTik Travel Planner and the free AAA.com/mobile app allow drivers to plan efficient routes and locate the least expensive places to stop for gas near their location.
Don’t Waste Your Money: Expensive Travel
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Summer travel is getting more expensive, and there seems to be no escape. Nearly every form of travel, from planes, cars, RVs and more, have seen a harsh increase in cost.
With gas at over $4/gallon, road trips will cost significantly more than in previous years. According to Hopper, the flight-fare comparison website, the average round trip plane ticket costs 30% more than it did a year ago, more than $300.
Once you get to your vacation destination, finding a place to stay may also hurt your wallet. The CPI index reported that hotel costs are 29% more expensive than a year ago. The average hotel room in Miami, Florida now costs $430 per night; Maui, Hawaii hotels have skyrocketed to an average of $600 per night.
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Even RV travel has experienced severe price increases due to gas costs. Filling up a ‘class A’ RV can cost as much as $600 with their 100-gallon gas tanks; Smaller ‘class C’ RVs can still cost upwards of $200 per tank. Tack on increasing campground prices, in some cases up to $100 per night, and your RV trip can easily break the bank.
How can you beat these rising prices? Shortening your trip or staying closer to home are simple ways to save money during your summer travels whether you are driving, flying or RV-ing.
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Save money on airport travel with these top tips
Travelling to and from the airport is one of the additional holiday costs that can be overlooked. But it pays to do your research before automatically jumping in the car and driving to the terminal.
Here are our top airport travel hacks.
Airport parking
It might seem like the easiest option but airport car parking is now more expensive than before the pandemic. The average price to park at a UK airport for a week is £57.99 if you book online in advance, according to the latest figures from Avanti travel insurance.
Generally it is much cheaper to pre-book in advance rather than pay on the day when you could end up paying twice as much. On average, the highest on-day price is £121.05.
Read more: What the passport backlog means for you and your family and how to beat the system
But there are some big variations across airports. At Aberdeen, for example, you can save a mammoth £246.21 by booking in advance. Meanwhile London airports are £18 more expensive than regional airports for a week’s parking so it might be worth considering where you are flying from.
If you do pre-book online then try to choose a non flexible deal if you can because these are usually cheaper, says consumer expert Lady Janey.
“Sign up to mailing lists to get cheaper parking and check for discount codes on sites such as voucher codes for your chosen airport,” she adds.
Using third party and price comparison websites can also be a good way to find the best deal. For example SkyParkSecure offer up to 25% off and has a range of exclusive discounts. Just make sure you read the customer reviews before choosing a deal because paying less may mean more hanging around.
Drop off or car share
If you can ask a friend or relative to drive you to the airport and cover the cost of their fuel then this may be the cheapest option. But remember in some airports you still have to pay a drop off fee. Airports that do not charge for drop offs are London City Airport, Cardiff, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey and Newquay.
If you are being dropped off then consider using long stay car parks. Heathrow Airport for example offers two hours free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminals.
Read more: Money: 5 things everyone should do today to protect their loved ones
Another option is to car share by finding people travelling at the same time as you. App In The Air is a travel assistant which can track flight delays, gate changes, and security wait lines.
But it also has a “nearby” function which allows users to connect with other travellers from the app’s community and find people who are on the same flight or at the same airport. This allows them to find nearby users making similar journeys and to share taxis or lifts.
Car hire
Zipcar has recently landed at Heathrow Terminal 5 so consumers can now take a Zipcar Flex to and from the terminal. Zipcar offers short term rental and you find the nearest vehicle to you via the app and then park at their designated spot at the airport. There is still a £7.50 airport fee and a short bus ride but the cost could be lower than standard parking or an Uber.
Rates start from £9 an hour for a small car and flex prices from 35p a minute. There is also a £10 joining fee.
Train travel
If you plan to travel by train then book in advance to get the best deals and also look at splitting your ticket.
Trainline have a feature called SplitSave which finds customers clever combinations of tickets to save them money on thousands of routes across the UK, by splitting their trip into multiple tickets, without the need to change trains. This can save customer around 40% of the normal ticket fee.
Read more: Everything you need to know about travel compensation schemes
Once you know what tickets to buy, purchase them directly from the operator so you don’t get charged a booking fee.
Coach travel
If you don’t mind taking your time in getting to the airport then a coach can offer the best value for money. FlixBus offers affordable options to Heathrow from a number of locations across England and Wales, starting from £4.99 a ticket.
National Express tickets are often a quarter of the train fare price but the disadvantage is they can take twice as long because they usually stop at multiple locations. A two hour car journey could easily become a five hour coach trip.
Watch: Airline refunds: What are your rights as a consumer?
Save money on airport travel with these top tips
Travelling to and from the airport is one of the additional holiday costs that can be overlooked. But it pays to do your research before automatically jumping in the car and driving to the terminal.
Here are our top airport travel hacks.
Airport parking
It might seem like the easiest option but airport car parking is now more expensive than before the pandemic. The average price to park at a UK airport for a week is £57.99 if you book online in advance, according to the latest figures from Avanti travel insurance.
Generally it is much cheaper to pre-book in advance rather than pay on the day when you could end up paying twice as much. On average, the highest on-day price is £121.05.
Read more: What the passport backlog means for you and your family and how to beat the system
But there are some big variations across airports. At Aberdeen, for example, you can save a mammoth £246.21 by booking in advance. Meanwhile London airports are £18 more expensive than regional airports for a week’s parking so it might be worth considering where you are flying from.
If you do pre-book online then try to choose a non flexible deal if you can because these are usually cheaper, says consumer expert Lady Janey.
“Sign up to mailing lists to get cheaper parking and check for discount codes on sites such as voucher codes for your chosen airport,” she adds.
Using third party and price comparison websites can also be a good way to find the best deal. For example SkyParkSecure offer up to 25% off and has a range of exclusive discounts. Just make sure you read the customer reviews before choosing a deal because paying less may mean more hanging around.
Drop off or car share
If you can ask a friend or relative to drive you to the airport and cover the cost of their fuel then this may be the cheapest option. But remember in some airports you still have to pay a drop off fee. Airports that do not charge for drop offs are London City Airport, Cardiff, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey and Newquay.
If you are being dropped off then consider using long stay car parks. Heathrow Airport for example offers two hours free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminals.
Read more: Money: 5 things everyone should do today to protect their loved ones
Another option is to car share by finding people travelling at the same time as you. App In The Air is a travel assistant which can track flight delays, gate changes, and security wait lines.
But it also has a “nearby” function which allows users to connect with other travellers from the app’s community and find people who are on the same flight or at the same airport. This allows them to find nearby users making similar journeys and to share taxis or lifts.
Car hire
Zipcar has recently landed at Heathrow Terminal 5 so consumers can now take a Zipcar Flex to and from the terminal. Zipcar offers short term rental and you find the nearest vehicle to you via the app and then park at their designated spot at the airport. There is still a £7.50 airport fee and a short bus ride but the cost could be lower than standard parking or an Uber.
Rates start from £9 an hour for a small car and flex prices from 35p a minute. There is also a £10 joining fee.
Train travel
If you plan to travel by train then book in advance to get the best deals and also look at splitting your ticket.
Trainline have a feature called SplitSave which finds customers clever combinations of tickets to save them money on thousands of routes across the UK, by splitting their trip into multiple tickets, without the need to change trains. This can save customer around 40% of the normal ticket fee.
Read more: Everything you need to know about travel compensation schemes
Once you know what tickets to buy, purchase them directly from the operator so you don’t get charged a booking fee.
Coach travel
If you don’t mind taking your time in getting to the airport then a coach can offer the best value for money. FlixBus offers affordable options to Heathrow from a number of locations across England and Wales, starting from £4.99 a ticket.
National Express tickets are often a quarter of the train fare price but the disadvantage is they can take twice as long because they usually stop at multiple locations. A two hour car journey could easily become a five hour coach trip.