Traveling is on everyone’s dream list right? But often it is unavailable to many because of budget restrictions. At least on a regular basis. People save for years to take their once in a lifetime dream trip. Let’s explore some tips so you can travel for free or at reduced rates in 2020! How do you save money when you travel with free or reduced rates?
There are some tips and tricks that will allow you to see the world more often if you are willing to think outside the box.
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Everyone is doing it?
Travel hacking is the new buzzword out there on how to get free or reduced rate travel, lodging
I personally started a travel and lifestyle blog, Born to be Boomers, to be able to write about my travels, that would appeal to the over 50-
Frankly, it is starting to get a little annoying. Everyone and their brother is calling resorts and other favorite locations trying to gain access for free by offering a social media post on their Instagram. It never works that way.
The process to get free travel this way can be lucrative but it often takes years of hard work and sacrifice to get to a point where this can happen.
Typically bloggers work long hours and put in their own money to get started. It is like any other business. It takes hard work and capital to make it work. Blogging is not a get rich quick scheme by any means. TRUST ME! lol
So How Can You Get Started Looking for Free or Reduced Travel?
There are a few ways to get free accommodations and reduced travel rates if you are willing to think outside of the box. They also may involve you working while overseas.
You can often find part-time work that allows you to still feel like you are on vacation even though you are serving others. Let’s go over them below!
Tips for Free or Reduced Travel
- Pet Sitting Services – Trustedhousesitters.com and Rover.com are the two most popular ones. This innovative idea brings travelers and animal lovers together to solve one big problem. I want to travel but who do I find that I can trust to watch my pet. By signing up and these sites everyone wins! The pet owner saves money on expensive boarding costs with a vetted pet sitter. The pet sitter gets to travel to a new place that they want to visit.
- Credit card points – Now this one can be a little trickier, but essentially you can search out which travel cards offer the most points. This changes on a regular basis. You need to be careful though as opening and closing cards will affect your credit. Make sure you go to one of the many credit reporting sites. Check what will happen to your score if you open a new card. This tactic is for those who are mature enough not to run up a bunch of debt to get points and are able to pay it off immediately. Sorry, the banker in me is coming out! There are tons of articles out there showing you which travel cards have the best offerings. You will need to do some research but if it means getting tickets to Europe for free it is worth your time!
Always check the hotel or airline’s website before you book and see if they are running any promotions that can earn you bonus points or miles. To track all of your points look into Award Wallet. This is a very slow way to get free travel but I know people who put EVERYTHING on their card they can to garner points! You will get there! - Volunteer – This option is a little less luxurious but gives you all the feel-good emotions. Many lives are transformed after volunteering overseas. The two best organizations for this are the Peace Corps and International Volunteer Headquarters or IVHQ.
Stay with a Host Family at Workaway.Info. Building a sharing community of global travelers who genuinely want to see the world while contributing to the places they visit. - Teach English overseas – TEFL is an organization that facilitates your certification and has a job board as well. Although it is easier to get work with a degree it is not a deal-breaker!
- Next Vacay is how you get discounted flights. This is a new service that was started to be able to scan the different travel sites looking for the best pricing on flights. I have seen airfare as low as a few hundred dollars to Europe. In exchange to access the software, you pay a very nominal fee of $25.00 per year.
- Travel Zoo is another great source for the lowest prices on great travel and there are no annual membership fees!!
- Matrix -ITA Software is something I just learned about. Recently purchased by Google it shows you the lowest fares on a calendar. No more guessing which is the best day to leave. Check out their website here. Just one last tip! When searching for airline tickets search incognito! Your cookies will prevent you from seeing cheap fares more than once. A little trick the airlines use to get you to book right away.
PIN IT for later!
Wrapping it up!
There are many options to get free or heavily-reduced travel. I even saw where a wealthy family was willing to pay someone to travel with them for a year….. If they were willing to help with the kids. Not my cup of tea …. but it could be yours!
Be sure to let me know if you have other great ways to travel for free or next to nothing! I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
Before you go be sure to look at Don’t Make These 5 Travel Mistakes!
74 responses to “7 Tips For Free or Reduced Travel Rates in 2021”
These were all new to me so thank you for that comprehensive and informative list. 🙂
You are welcome, Susan!
Great tips! I’m always looking for ways to travel affordably.
Thanks Cindy!
Thank you Tricia for the tips…loved it!
Thank you for looking Yasinta!
Such a good idea to teach overseas!! My cousin did that right out of college! She loves it!!
Awesome! I know lots of people who have been very successful with teaching overseas!
These are so good to know! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Lina!
We love using our credit card points for travel!
It is a great option for so many!
My younger sister wants to teach English overseas. She might find this very useful!
Awesome! Let me know how she does!
We are in the process of trying to utilize our credit card points for our next European adventure!
Awesome! I need to get better at utilizing CC points myself!
I’ve done pet sitting and had someone pet sit for me while I traveled. It works both ways! Great tip!
I love it! Thanks Shirley!
Great tips! I didn’t realize people swapped pet-sitting like that in order to travel somewhere new. Takes Rover to a whole new level!
I think it is a great program for those who are on a strict budget!
Thank you! Love your tips 🙂
Thank you Beatriz!
I look forward to house sitting in the future to see the world 🙂
Thanks Suzan!
I am all about the credit card points!!!
Me too! I need to get better at it!
Great Tips! My brother and SIL spent 10 months traveling Europe, spending very little by pet sitting as they traveled.
Wow! Great to see someone getting such great use of that system!
Thanks for the travel tips! I am going to look at Travel Zoo for a trip I am taking next year.
Awesome Jill!
As a travel addict, I agree! But I love, love, love the research!
Awesome Maria! Thanks!
I love traveling but I never feel like I can afford it. These are some great tips for reduced price travel!
Start making it a practice so when you get there you are ready!
Great tips! I love travel so as well!
Thanks Jen!
I love these tips. I learned a few I had never heard of from you.
Awesome Noelle!
Excellent tips and you are right, it doesn’t take a LOT of work but it does take a bit… and the payoff is always there! Ill be reviewing these again as I plan out 2020!
Let me know how you do Jen!
These are great tips and I didn’t know about most of them. I would love to travel some but yep, money is the biggest thing holdingme back.
Try getting in the habit with day trips! You will find yourself prioritizing travel differently if you start somewhere!
Thank you for the great info! Traveling on a budget can be difficult and this will really help!
Awesome Holly! Let me know what works!
I’m always looking for a deal, so I will be checking into these tips for free or reduced travel for sure! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for stopping by Amanda!
Great suggestions! I really love the idea of serving. I have experienced some amazing places while serving on missions trips. It’s also a great way to get to know the local community more than you would as a regular tourist.
Mission trips are a great idea as well!
Thank you I needed this! I love to travel but it can be pricey with 3 little ones
Welcome, Brianna!
I appreciate your suggestion for volunteering with travel. One is able to learn more about a culture when volunteering.
Thanks Missy!
I love this. You are right. If you put the work in, you can find the deals. I know I am guilty of being lazy, and it has cost me, and I have left money on the table.
I was the same way when I worked in banking. There are so many hours in the day!
Thanks for sharing. These are great tips for ways to save to travel. I’ve been contemplating the housesitting idea but haven’t gotten brave enough to try it yet. Maybe that should be a goal of mine for 2020 🙂
Definitely, Cynthia!
Truth! This is a perfect post that all new bloggers need to read to manage expectations. I may also share with those people who tell me it must be nice to be retired or not have to work much as a blogger. And these are great tips on how to establish yourself in this niche. I’m finding starting locally has been beneficial – for me and them.
Lol please do…. people have no idea!
Great list! I haven’t heard of Next Vacay. I will have to check that out! Thank you!
There is a small fee but it is nominal!
Interesting. I never really thought about the pet sitting being a travel opportunity.
Yes, you can sign up at the link and see the types of opportunities they offer. Totally worth a look!
Great tips! Thank you for sharing. Always on the look out for how to get some sweet deals
Who doesn’t like saving money?
These are some interesting ways to travel!
Thanks for stopping by Courtney!
I’m so glad you didn’t add blogging as part of the 7 and cleared up how time/money consuming it really is! I like tip 2, I can’t live without my travel lints and easily save a several thousands each year off Travel points !
Right? People think it is easy and it is not. Thanks, Hera!
Teaching English as a second language is how I lived in Europe. It was a great experience. I wish I had started my blog then.
There are so many things I could have put in my blog too. We just have to revisit them!
This is the way I travel. I love getting the best deal, using points, and getting to enjoy a getaway!
Exactly! So easy to find inexpensive travel!
Great ideas! Never heard of a few so thank you for the suggestions. I do think if you are young and don’t want to travel alone and get paid too, traveling nanny job sounds sweet.
Thanks Jennifer!