5. Do Your Own Competitive Shopping
While sites like Orbitz have a low-price guarantee — they’ll refund you the difference between your ticket cost and the lowest ticket price paid for the same flight — you can create your own guarantee. Every price is negotiable from car rentals to hotels when companies are competing for a smaller pool of customer spending. Simply call the hotel where you’d like to stay or the rental car company you want to use and get their lowest price. Then call their competitor to see if they’ll beat it.
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6. Don’t pass on the city pass
Check out citypass.com for the half-off admission prices to the biggest destinations and attractions in 10 U.S. and Canadian cities. They’re good for up to nine days and can seriously trim your travel budget.
Walk, bus, subway, bike — the locals are likely moving through the city or town the cheapest way. So should you. Some cities have bike exchange programs, others have discounts on packaged bus fares. Even buying a monthly subway pass could be cheaper than taking cabs for a week. Find out the best commuter options before you go. Not only will you save money, you’ll probably see more of the city than you would in a taxi.
8. Host an Après-Travel Party
In lieu of pricey souvenirs, invite friends over for a night when you return to share stories and make a dish from the area you visited using a local ingredient or two (think jams, chocolates, jerk spices). Everyone shares in the food, and guests can leave with a print out of the recipe. Trust us, they’ll love it more than another snow globe from Miami Beach.
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