There is one super powerful and effective travel tip—one thing you can do—to ensure that you save money on every trip. One thing? Yes, one thing!
Whether you want to get lower airfares, save money on hotels or lodging, find the best car rental rates, less expensive cruises or travel packages, or cheaper meals—you simply have to follow this one travel tip.
Only one cost-saving travel tip? Yes, and it is so simple.

#1 Travel Tip for Successfully Saving Money
If everyone followed this one travel tip, then I would have nothing to teach. Most travel agents would be out of business.
Travelers would be happier, because they would be saving money, time, and stress while having more fun.
Are you ready?
First a short explanation.
Consumers, in any industry but especially travel, save money when they open themselves to as many choices as possible. Make sense?
When a travel consumer uses the same travel supplier (airline, hotel chain, etc.), then he or she misses all the opportunities from other suppliers. Someone can be loyal to a brand because of a great prior experience, frequent user points, or familiarity (same brand that parents, friends, or company uses).
Avoiding other brands because of loyalty means potentially missing better rates.
If you want to save money, it makes sense to NOT be loyal to any brand.
Right?
Furthermore, the more open you are to other travel options, the better chance you have to save money.
For example, instead of always using the same airport, consider other nearby and even further alternate airports. Instead of always staying in a hotel, consider staying in alternate lodging.
These things are not scary. Besides being an effective cost-saving travel tip, doing such things will likely lead to more fun and memorable travel experiences.

Thank you for reading this far.
Without any more delay, here is the:
#1 Money-Saving Travel Tip
*** Be FLEXIBLE ***
Very simple. Very powerful.
But not always easy (just being real).
If you have attended any of my travel seminars or classes, you already know this. I start and close (or try to!) each session by referring to this—being flexible as the #1 travel tip to save money on your next and every trip.
In order to get the best travel deal, be FLEXIBLE regarding the supplier (airline, rental car company, cruise line, etc.), destinations, itineraries, and methods you use.
Here are a few ways to be flexible and save money, time, and stress on your next trip:
- search for flights during a range of dates instead of specific dates. See our article Travel Myth Busted: Lowest Airfare is Always Found {Here}
- compare vacation rentals and inns to hotels (prices and amenities). See our article 8 Great Airbnb Advantages Over Hotels
- create your own cruise excursion activity instead of booking one from the cruise line. See 8 Great Ways to Save Money on Cruise Excursions
- look at rental car rates from different companies, using different sources (like Costco Travel), and then also use Autoslash to track your rental car rate. See our article Car Rental Secrets to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
- travel to popular vacation destinations, such as the US Gulf Coast, in the off season rather than during the peak season.
It takes practice to learn to be flexible and look at alternatives to traditional travel solutions. But even varying your dates or times of travel can often make a huge difference.
Remember, the best travel tip is to BE FLEXIBLE.
For more powerful travel tips and strategies, see these travel tip articles:
Thanks for sharing this old post of yours. I can’t focus on anything right now but this point is still as good today as it was in 2010. You and Julie stay safe and well.
Thank you, Sue. Appreciate the note. Hope you are enjoying your next life in Portugal.
Thank you for the comment, Phil G. Tell your friends to visit the blog so that they can learn travel tips to save money and have more fun.
Great tip! I have been doing this for years without even knowing it. It’s amazing how airfares vary in price from day to day. Not having one set day to leave on has saved me a ton of money over the years. Be flexible!!