At the beginning of each new year, About Budget Travel posts some resolutions. These suggestions for saving money on travel are easier to keep than more traditional new year's resolutions, and perhaps for that reason they have become popular with readers. These lists of resolutions are organized by year, but remember that suggestions from several years ago are likely to be valid today--even if it isn't New Year's Eve, check out the resolutions. See how many you've already tried or might be willing to try.
Before you commit to a travel rewards credit card, you need to ask yourself some tough questions, and then turn the questions on the card company. Likewise, it pays to be updated on the latest street scams in the place you plan to visit. Updates on deals can be found regularly on the social media network Twitter, where you should also consider posting any complaints you might have about a travel situation. If you have lots of time and low-budget expectations, why not consider a freighter cruise? On land, be sure to avoid add-on charges in hotels.
If you save money on a cruise, please don't pay for overpriced shore excursions. You can also cut back on theme park and baggage fee expenses from home with a few simple steps. Then take a few minutes to consider the benefits of social media connections with budget travel. Consider what you can learn from other travelers and from the misfortune of those caught in an airline bankruptcy.
Is visiting a national park in your plans for 2009? If not, you're missing out on an experience that will be good to your budget and your senses. When you do head to the big cities, shop for attraction passes, four-star hotels (if you must) and home exchanges.
Resolved: To consider hiring private guides to save time and enrich travel, minimize exchange expenses, look carefully at so-called duty-free deals, visit Europe's medium-sized cities and check into voluntourism opportunities.
These resolutions include seeking out free pleasures in your destinations, consider a train trip, seek better communication with people of different cultures, embrace cities with expensive reputations and look for new airfare rules that might save money.
New resolutions: seek out lesser-known, less expensive cities, consider flights on Europe's budget airlines, stay alert for travel scams, and manage food costs on the road.
Resolutions for 2005: target and cut mundane travel expenses, consider low-cost cruises based on per diem standards, volunteer to be bumped from a flight in exchange for free travel, strive for better fuel economy and shop for travel insurance on expensive itineraries.
For 2004, readers were urged to de-emphasize heavy sightseeing, look at car purchases that include free European trips, spend less time and money on travel shopping and choose a frugal destination.
Resolutions for 2003: shop for airports, visit sites off the beaten tourist paths, skip one restaurant meal each day on the road and bid for travel.
This first edition of resolutions urges readers to strive for one-bag travel, improve management of frequent flier miles, travel in the off-season and consider alternatives to conventional travel arrangements.
