20 Genius Ways To Save Money At The Airport
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, about three million people come in and out of airports every day. With convenience stores, restaurants, souvenir shops, and more, it can be easy to spend more than you intended. In order to prevent yourself from going overboard, here are some hacks that can save you money at the airport.
Browse The Restaurant Options Before Arriving
One of the best things to do before heading to an airport is to check out the menu options. Oftentimes, people will be rushed to eat before their next flight arrives.
If you already know your choices, you'll be able to pick something that not only is cheap but is on the healthier side as well.
Come Prepared With A Reusable Water Bottle
There are various requirements for liquids when going through air travel, so most people usually forgo bringing water bottles.
One hack that can save you money is bringing an empty reusable water bottle. You'll be able to skip the vending machines or convenience stores and fill it up for free at a water station or drinking fountain.
Look For Free Wi-Fi
Not everyone has unlimited data. For those who are on the go, but need internet, getting wi-fi is crucial.
Before using up your data, consider researching where the free wi-fi is in the airport. There will sometimes be signs posted that advertise free wi-fi, but airport employees will usually know where to go.
The Cheapest Days To Fly
According to CheapAir, the best days to book a seat on an airplane for the cheapest price are Tuesday and Wednesday.
The cheapest days to travel are Thursday and Friday and the cheapest months are January and February. People who did this were able to save an average of $73 on airline tickets.
Get A Portable Weight Checker
Those who frequently travel probably know that if your luggage is too heavy, you will get fined. One way to make sure this doesn't happen is to purchase a portable weight checker.
These can easily attach to your bags and tell you their exact weight before you hand them over to security.
Pack Essentials In Your Carry On
Unfortunately, it's very easy for luggage to become lost while traveling. One suitcase you'll always be able to keep with you is your carry-on.
This one comes right to your seat on the plane, so it's best to pack all of your essentials that you can't afford to lose. These can be electronics, medicine, clothing, and much more.
The Cheapest Way To Rent A Car
One of the biggest hassles while traveling can be renting a car. Instead of booking the car at the rental place itself, book it online ahead of time.
Many car rental places allow customers to save money if they prepay. Booking online gives you enough time to make sure that the car you're renting will fit all of your needs as well.
Never Fly On These Days
Those who are looking to save money on airline tickets should avoid flying on the eve of major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or the Fourth of July.
Not only are these some of the busiest days at the airport, but ticket prices will also be at an all-time high.
Bring A Bunch Of Snacks
There will be no shortage of snack options at the airport, but these can add up quickly. Before paying high prices for chips or cookies, consider packing your own.
Being able to pack your own snacks will prevent you from overspending and you can prioritize healthier options for you and your travel companions.
Stop Your Luggage From Getting Damaged
The airport goes through so much luggage per day, so there's a chance that your bags may get damaged.
One way to keep your luggage intact is to keep it in shrink wrap. The bags are still allowed through security with shrink wrap. If shrink wrap isn't your style, consider buying a luggage cover.
How To Beat The Free Wi-Fi Time Cap
While it's convenient that many airports offer passengers free wi-fi, this comes with some restrictions. Airports will usually put a time cap on the free wi-fi, so people will have to pay once their time runs out.
One way to prevent this from happening is to roll back the time on your device, which tricks the time gauge to start over.
Keep An Extra Wallet
Things often go missing while traveling and one of the most important things people need to keep track of is their wallet.
Instead of keeping all of your cash and credit cards in one wallet, split them into two. That way, if one goes missing, you'll still have the other one.
Know How To Hide Your Cash
Thieves often target tourists because they aren't familiar with the area and will go for their valuables. Travelers need to know the best way to hide their cash.
People traveling with cash should hide it in different places in their bags, or create secret pockets throughout that are sewn shut.
Avoid Exchanging Currency At The Airport
If you're going to another country, you'll most likely have to exchange currency. It's important not to exchange all of it.
You might need extra in case of emergency or if you need to re-exchange, you don't want to pay another fee. Avoid exchanging money at airport kiosks and currency exchange shops because they have bad rates and high fees.
Don't Get Your Credit Cards Locked
Those who know they will spending their credit cards out of town should go ahead and call their bank first.
This will prevent them from getting their cards locked when they are in a new location. Also, if your credit card does get stolen, you can always call the bank to cancel it.
Join A Frequent Flyer Program
If you're someone who flies often, then it will be financially smart to join some kind of frequent flyer rewards program.
Someone who gets a certain number of points can get perks such as free upgrades, discounts on flight or baggage services, or cheaper flights. Frequent flyer programs usually help travelers save money over time.
Getting To The Airport: Drive Yourself Or Take A Cab?
Some may wonder whether it's better to either drive yourself to the airport or to take a cab. If you live close to the airport, then a cab or rideshare service should be fine.
Those who live farther away should consider driving themselves to avoid large fees. Also, some airport parking prices aren't too unreasonable.
Where To Buy Airline Tickets
Buying airline tickets can be really expensive, especially when people buy from common websites such as Kayak or Expedia.
Instead, try buying directly from the airline to find low ticket prices. If you still haven't found the best price, consider other travel sites such as Travelzoo, Hotwire, Priceline, or Orbitz.
Roll Clothes To Save Space In Your Suitcase
In order to save a ton of space in your suitcase, try rolling up your clothes and other linens. This provides a lot more room inside versus simply folding them.
Rolling clothes will not cause wrinkles and they will fit a lot better inside the suitcase. Having more room in your luggage can prevent you from overpacking and going over the weight limit.
How To Avoid Bringing Extra Luggage
Bringing extra luggage on a trip can really add up, but there's a way to prevent you from overpacking.
If you have a few extra items, try wearing them. It's best to wear your biggest or bulkiest clothing pieces, so you will have more room in your suitcase. Then, you can take off that huge jacket or hat after going through security.
