Even though travel is back in a big way, it is still 20% less busy than it was in 2019. This has led to a shortage of airline seats, hotel rooms, and staff who are too busy to help everyone. But there is as much competition as ever to get people back on the road, and if you look in the right places, you can find a lot of good deals.

With the tools and tips below, you’ll be well-equipped to save money on your next travel costs.

How to travel for less money

Use websites that let you search for flights and find deals.
Rental cars
Hotels vs. Airbnb

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You can save money on baggage fees by paying with a credit card.
Go to a different airport by car.
Points and miles are important.

Bottom line

Use websites that let you search for flights and find deals.
You should always start your flight search on a site like Google Flights or Momondo that gathers results from other search engines. These websites put together a list of flights that fit your travel plans and then send you to an outside site, like the airline’s website or an online travel agency, to finish the booking process.

This is a great place to get an idea of how much your flight will cost and to find other options and booking ideas if you are flexible with your travel dates and times.

But if you are the kind of traveler who is always looking for a good deal, there are websites that will let you know when a good deal is available. Some of them cost money every month. Here are some of the most-used services:

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Cheap Flights by Scott
There are also a lot of social media accounts that regularly post information about cheap flights. Most likely, there is at least one page for your favorite airport. If you type “____ (insert your preferred airport) flight deals on social media” into Google, you should be able to find a regular poster.

The following accounts can help you find deals:

NewYorkFlightDeals is on Instagram (Flying out of JFK)
Instagram page for FlightsFromHome (Flying out of SLC)
Instagram’s account for MinneapolisFlightDeals (Flying out of MSP)
Instagram’s account for PhiladelphiaFlightDeals (Flying out of PHL)
Rental cars
Since the pandemic started, the car market has been off balance. In the past few months, prices to buy and rent cars have reached all-time highs, leaving travelers with few affordable options.

Before you book a rental car the old-fashioned way, you might want to check out these other options instead of booking directly with a big company.

Costco rental car
Many Americans like to shop at Costco, but did you know they also help people plan trips? If you need to rent a car, check out the Costco rental car website the next time you need one. By telling the site when and where you want to go, it will find the best deals for you. Costco members are also eligible for more discounts and free upgrades.

You don’t need to be a member of Costco to look around, but you do need one to rent a car and check it out.

Autoslash
Autoslash is a site that pulls together information about the best rental car deals at your destination. It is similar to the Costco rental car site.

Once you tell Autoslash about your travel plans and preferences, it will send you an email with the best rental car deals within minutes.

Autoslash is free to use and is known as one of the best places to rent a car for less money.

Turo
Turo is a place where people can rent cars directly from their owners. It is sometimes called the “AirBnB of cars.”

Through Turo, you can find a wide range of options, from regular, everyday cars to very expensive ones.

When you use Turo, prices don’t usually go up like they do at traditional rental car companies. If you want to save money, this can be a great option.

Hotels vs. Airbnb
Many travelers have different ideas about this. Yes, each one gives you a place to stay while traveling, but the amenities and experiences they offer are very different.

Yes, a hotel has services like housekeeping, amenities, and other services. Also, when you stay at a hotel, you can earn hotel rewards that you can later use to get free hotel nights. Using a hotel credit card can make the experience even better because it gives you elite status benefits.

Airbnb is a very different experience because every property doesn’t have a check-in desk or a staff member who is always there. Once you get to the property, you’re mostly on your own, but you can still get help from your Airbnb host before or during your stay.

Even though one is not always cheaper than the other, if you are flexible about where you stay, having more options can help you save money.

Most of the time, if you are traveling with a big group, it will be much cheaper to use Airbnb. Also, an Airbnb home will probably have a fully stocked kitchen, so you can cook meals there instead of eating out every night. And, unlike many hotels, you won’t have to pay for things like resort fees or parking.

You can save money on baggage fees by paying with a credit card.

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Many travelers have a strong opinion about whether to check a bag or bring a carry-on bag. Some people like having a carry on so they don’t have to worry about their bag getting broken or lost. For some people, checking a bag means they don’t have to carry or worry about as much during their trip.

Using an airline credit card can save you money on checked bag fees if you like to pack a lot or need to bring things that aren’t allowed in the plane cabin. Many airline cards, like some Delta SkyMiles credit cards, don’t charge fees for checked bags for cardholders and their traveling companions who are on the same flight. Often, that can save each person up to $60 on a round-trip ticket.

But if you don’t have a credit card for the airline, you’ll probably want a carry-on bag. Different airlines have different rules about what counts as a carry-on, but you’ll usually save money if you stick with a smaller bag.