Free Things to Do for Budget Travel

You don't want to pay for a business-class or first-class seat, but wouldn't it be nice to sit in one anyway? Sometimes, airlines will upgrade their passengers if those better seats are available. Obtaining such a free airline upgrade is not easy, and there is no surefire way of landing this privilege. But there are strategies that can improve the long odds. Take a look at some tips for landing a free airline upgrade.

Sometimes hotels will upgrade their guests to a nicer room than the reservation dictates. This free hotel upgrade can add significant value to a budget trip. It is not something that comes easily, but for those who learn to ask the right way it is possible. It's important to know the tips can that lead to a free hotel room upgrade. The first piece of advice: know when and how often to ask for the upgrade during the booking process.

There are at least eight U.S. national parks that can be visited without an admission charge every day of the year. Some are convenient and popular; others are distant and expensive (but rewarding) to reach. Even in these free-admission parks, there will still be fees for camping and other services. Find out how you can visit a U.S. national park without paying a penny in admission fees.