Did you know that 53% of adults feel that they are deprived of the ability to use their vacation? In fact, 50% of Americans surveyed say they would give up alcoholic drinks for a week if it meant earning a single extra vacation day.

There are many reasons why people don’t use all of their vacation days. It could be that they feel like they’ll get left behind at work or it could be because they just don’t feel like taking the time off, hard as that is to believe.

But for many people, the reason they aren’t taking their vacation days and planning trips is because of the incorrect perception that vacations need to cost a lot of money. We’re here to tell you that that doesn’t need to be the case. Read on to learn about some foolproof money hacks when it comes to your next holiday.

9 Money Hacks That Will Help You Travel in Style Without Breaking the Bank

Booking last minute trips will run up the cost of your vacation very quickly but with some advance planning, you can save a lot of money when booking your holiday.

1. Search for Flights Using in Cognito Mode

Whenever you visit a website, a cookie is added to your browser. Without getting into a technical discussion, suffice to say that these cookies are meant to improve your experience the next time you visit the same website by remembering your preferences.

Unfortunately, airlines and flight booking engines use these as a tool to trigger price increases. Have you ever checked prices for a flight, only to have them increase in price a few days later? By using incognito mode of your browser, then you don’t have to worry about the website recognizing that you’re a repeat visitor.

2. Book Your Flights During the Week

Flights are generally the most expensive part of a holiday. Did you know that Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days of the week to fly on? Obviously, your ability to fly during the week will depend on your employer and your reasons for traveling but if you can have some flexibility when you’re booking your flights, you can save a lot of money.

3. Look for Repositioning Cruises

You’ll want to save this one for a big bucket list trip, but repositioning cruises are a great way to enjoy luxury travel for a fraction of the price. Cruise ships sometimes have to relocate for new routes and rather than sending it empty, cruise lines prefer to sell significantly discounted tickets for these one-way journeys.

You can expect to save up to half price on your cabins, a considerable savings compared to the normal price that you would pay for a return journey. Just be sure to check how much your one-way flight to get back home will cost.

4. Contact a Travel Agent

Many people stopped using travel agents as it has become easier to search for flights and book travel accommodations online, but there are many benefits of contacting a travel planner even if you can book everything yourself.

For one thing, travel agencies often buy bulk or advance tickets. With bulk tickets, the travel agents get a cheaper rate for everything from hotel rooms to museum or event tickets. Not only that but since travel agencies buy tickets in advance, there is a chance that they can get you tickets for last minute shows or other popular events. Read more about how a travel agent can help you plan your vacation.

5. Ask Your Hotel for an Upgrade

We’re always surprised by how few people try doing this. Instead of paying for a higher tier room when you’re making your hotel booking, pay for a standard room and get ready to turn on the charm when you arrive to check in.

Many hotels will actually upgrade you even without you asking. The tourism and hospitality industry live and die by reviews and upgrading someone when they’re checking in is a strategy that hotels use to improve the chances they’ll receive good reviews.

If you ask politely, the chances of getting an upgrade is very high, especially if you’re travelling when the hotel isn’t running at full capacity. Not only does it benefit the hotel, but the receptionists love seeing people get even more excited about their vacation.

6. Research Promotions for Tourists for the City You’re Visiting

Pretty much every city that is popular with tourists offers a huge range of promotions to help tourists see the best sites. This can include everything from subsidized tourist-only SIM card packages from the local telecommunications providers to reduced costs on transit. We’ve also seen that many cities offer ticket packages that include discounted tickets for common attractions including museums, zoos and the theatre.

7. Plan Ahead to Avoid Roaming Charges

The quickest way to ruin your post-holiday bliss is getting a giant phone bill with astronomical roaming charges because you were using your phone’s data while you were travelling. The best way to avoid this is by getting a cheap local SIM card at your destination.

If, however, you need to be reachable at your regular number and your phone doesn’t allow for dual SIM cards, then this won’t be an option. Instead, check with your phone provider and make sure you have a proper roaming plan in place.

8. Shop Where the Locals Shop

The fastest way to drive up your day-to-day living costs during your vacation is by doing your shopping in touristy areas. Shops in these areas charge a huge premium on everything from water to toothpaste. Instead, local for local shops so you can take advantage of paying the same prices that locals pay.

9. Travel Light

Airlines are charging an arm and a leg these days for any extra luggage beyond a carry-on suitcase. If you’re a chronic over-packer, check out some travel blogs that give advice and even packing lists on how to pack for a short-term trip. Let’s face it, if you’re going away for just a few days, there’s really no reason to bring your entire wardrobe and the kitchen sink with you.

Start Saving for Your Next Trip

Of course, when you want to travel there are some big expenses like flights and hotels. However, with a little ingenuity, these money hacks will help you save some of your hard-earned dough, so you can spend that money on vacation or start saving up for your next trip.

Not sure where to head for your next holiday? Check out this guide to London nightlife and you may just be inspired to take a trip to old blighty.