Travelling is one of the greatest joys in life, and while planning a bit trip is undoubtedly exciting, it’s important to approach every holiday or getaway with some caution and thought. After all, there are many different facets that are involved in planning a big trip, and if you’re not careful, you’re burn crazy amounts of money along the way. Think carefully, don’t be whimsical and always doubt check for a better detail before you enter in your credit card details. With that in mind we’ll take a look at some of the main things to keep in mind when planning a big trip overseas.
Purchase Your Flights With a Travel Credit Card
If you don’t have one already, your first step before you buy flights is to sign up for a travel credit card. Many cards offer huge bonuses to first time users such as points (which eventually equate to free flights), hotel rooms and discounts when they spend a certain amount of money within the first few months of acquiring the card. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred gives you the equivalent of $625 towards travel when you spend $4000 in the first three months of purchasing. The logic goes that since you’re going to spend this month while travelling anyway, you may as well spend it on the credit card, pay it back instantly, and reap the rewards that follow. There are a number of different cards all with their own unique benefits, so it’s important to shop around for the one that fits your needs best. Check out this more comprehensive list by Forbes here.
Stay Away From Travel Packages
Travel packages are notoriously expensive and mainstream. They offer tourists the chance to catch glimpses of popular sights and jampack a ton of activities into a short space of time. They’re ideal for those who are short on time or who don’t enjoy organizing their trips, but they’re one of the fastest ways to throw your money away. Instead, try planning the trip yourself. There is a ton of content available online through which to wade through, and in the end you’re going to not only save yourself a lot of money, but you’re likely to find activities and sights which are more curated towards your interests.
Keep All of Your Documentation
From flight tickets, to train tickets, to proof of purchase for hotel rooms - it’s important that you keep all of your documentation that you accumulate throughout the trip. This is important for a number of reasons. If you’re a freelancer or self-employed then it’s pretty likely that you’ll be able to use at least some of this for a tax rebate. On the other hand, if something goes awry during your travels, you’ll want proof and confirmation that you’ve paid for everything. For example, if your flight is delayed in Europe due to certain circumstances, then under Article EC261, you’re entitled to compensation, but only if you have supporting documents to back it up.