20 Ways to Boost Your Travel Savings in 2022

Travel was already expensive, but the pandemic and labor shortages have made it worse. In fact, car rental and hotel prices are up anywhere from 20 to 30 percent depending on who you ask. So, if you feel like your travel dollars aren't going as far as they used to, you're not imagining it at all.

But, you don't have to let sky-high prices stand in the way of your travel plans. By taking steps like starting a travel fund, getting a travel credit card or utilizing the services of a professional travel advisor, you can save big on your next trip.

If you're ready to save money on travel in 2022, read on to learn how to pay less for hotels, rental cars, cruises and more.

First off, make sure you open dedicated savings account that only funds your travel budget, and pick an account that offers a generous rate of return. By keeping your travel savings separate, you can make sure your vacation money doesn't get spent on groceries and other bills.

Also, know that your travel fund won't grow itself. To make sure you're growing your travel savings at a steady pace, try setting up direct deposits from your regular account each payday. By paying your travel fund like a regular bill, you can slowly but surely build up your account.

You can also grow your travel fund by earning cashback as you shop. With an app called Ibotta, you can earn cashback for nearly everything you buy online. You can even download the Ibotta browser extension so you're notified each time you visit an online retailer that offers cashback through the app.

If you have unused frequent flyer miles or hotel loyalty points, see about using them to cover all or part of your next vacation. If you don't have any miles yet, start earning travel rewards right away, either through paid travel or a travel credit card. With enough airline miles, you can easily book a few free flights within the U.S. or abroad.

Ready to get some help booking awesome vacations you can actually afford? Booking with a travel agent makes things easier, yet you can get the best pricing along with added benefits like room upgrades and resort credits. Best of all, travel advisors offer their services for free.

If you're considering a new resort brand or airline for an upcoming trip, don't forget to check if they have a loyalty program. Some resort brands do, even if you have never heard of them. For example, Iberostar's loyalty program, called Horizons, lets you earn elite status and score special savings on future bookings at their hotels and resorts.

Locking in your travel now can be advantageous when it comes to pricing, and flexible booking options make it so you can cancel if you have to. If you hope to pay less for hotels, vacation rentals, rental car bookings or flights, your best bet is shopping sooner rather than later.

If you travel abroad often, you should make sure you have a credit card that lets you avoid pesky added fees. Fortunately, plenty of travel credit cards let you skip foreign transaction fees with no annual fee. The vast majority also let you earn travel rewards points on everything you buy.

Cruises are pretty cheap right now, and for some pretty obvious reasons. For example, Carnival Cruises is advertising Caribbean cruises starting at $309 per person, and with extras like onboard credits. Meanwhile, MSC Cruises is currently offering three-night cruises starting at $189 with upgrades like free drinks and onboard credits.

Speaking of MSC Cruises, did you know joining their loyalty program comes with an automatic discount on cruises? When you sign up for the MSC Voyagers Club, you get a cruise discount of 5% to 15%, as well as perks like a welcome back cocktail and a dedicated onboard customer service number.

Another way to boost your travel savings involves never getting your heart set on a specific destination. By considering multiple vacation spots for your next big trip, you get the benefit of being able to shop around and compare pricing ahead of time. This makes it considerably easier to pay less for flights and lodging.

Airfare is often one of the priciest components of any trip, so it's only natural that flight-free vacations can be cheaper. For the best chance at savings, book at least one road trip to somewhere you love at least once every year. Need some inspiration? Check out these awesome road trip destinations throughout the United States.

If you have any flight credits left from pandemic-related cancellations in 2020 or 2021, you should check to see when they might expire in the future, if at all. From there, piece together a trip somewhere special, whether you want to travel to see family or go somewhere new.

If you're buying stuff and paying bills anyway, why not pay with a card that lets you earn travel rewards? Many of the top travel credit cards let you earn points you can redeem for hotel stays, airfare and other travel. Plus, some come with travel-related perks like Global Entry or TSA Precheck membership or airport lounge access.

Want to boost your travel savings without sacrificing your other financial goals? Consider picking up a side gig that lets you earn money in your spare time. Drive for Uber or Lyft, deliver groceries or get a traditional part-time job. Whatever you decide, make sure your extra cash makes it into separate savings account for travel.

Saving on travel is easier if you share some expenses with family or friends. With that in mind, you can score a cheaper vacation if you book a vacation rental with a group or a few other families and if you all contribute to the cost of lodging, food and drinks.

House sitting offers another way to see new places and stay for free. You just have to agree to watch someone's home (and usually their pets) for a specific length of time, and you get your lodging covered. To check out house sitting opportunities, check out the website trustedhousesitters.com.

If you live in an area other people love to visit, you can also consider swapping your home with another family. With home swapping websites like Home Exchange, you can connect with other people who want to ditch traditional vacations to try something new.

As you shop for travel in 2022, also make sure you're looking at pricing from every angle. For example, consider vacation bundles that include airfare, your hotel stay and sometimes a rental car for one low price. In addition to saving your money, vacation packages can make booking travel a whole lot easier.

Finally, make sure you check for hidden fees anytime you book a traditional hotel or resort. For example, "resort fees" and "destination fees" often add another $35 to $50 or more to each night of your booking, and you may not know about them unless you specifically check.