Unexpected travel expenses and how to avoid them
Traveling can be expensive. Unexpected travel expenses can ruin your budget while traveling. You could end up spending extra on the souvenir you needed or you could have to pay extra for your baggage while traveling with kids. No matter what the reason is, these extra expenses can spoil your mood. Also, if you haven’t planned, those pesky hidden charges during travel can hurt your wallet and throw off your vacation.
Here are a few unexpected travel expenses that you could avoid with proper planning.
Benefit from discounts by booking in advance
Early ticket purchases from several airlines can help you save hundreds of dollars on flights, particularly during the busiest season such as summer. If you reserve at least 60 days in advance with any cheap airlines or hotel—or even earlier—then you are sure to receive comparable discounts. When you’re making travel plans, the idea of unforeseen costs can make you anxious. An unforeseen medical emergency or a flight delay are both things that can happen to any traveler. There are, however, ways to stay out of these predicaments and travel cheaply. Plan if you are on budget travel.
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Currency exchange
Traveling overseas would prove to be costly if you are not sure what to expect in terms of currency conversion rates and local banking costs. While planning your trip, figure out how much money you’ll need so you can prepare and prevent unpleasant surprises when it comes to converting money at the airport or hotel lobby.
For instance, the exchange rate offered by an airport currency exchange kiosk might be greater than the rate offered by your local bank before your trip. There might also be unstated costs. Before boarding an international flight, consider if you can convert some of your dollars to another currency at your bank to save money.
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Baggage fees
Baggage fees could be tricky especially if you are flying multiple airlines. They all have different charges for baggage weight and dimensions. This could cost you a lot if you don’t meet the guidelines. Before stuffing your suitcase, you need to find out the size and weight requirements set by every airline you are flying with during your vacation. Cheap airlines don’t always cover free checked luggage or carry-on!
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Debit and credit card fees
There are thousands of banks operating across the world. This also implies that the non-members would be charged additionally for the transaction made by them. If you have not invested in a travel card, then you could end up paying a lot of money in the form of ATM or withdrawal transaction charges. If you are traveling internationally, then a few cards could also charge you a small percentage for each purchase made by you.
To avoid these pesky charges you need to invest in a quality card that reimburses these charges or one that can be used without any purchase penalties internationally. Also, make sure to notify your bank before traveling abroad to avoid your card being denied.
Uber charges
You may have to pay bear extra charges for that ride from the airport to your accommodation. This is especially applicable if you are using Uber or other cabs in a nation where the prices fluctuate often. For instance, cabs charge double the fare during a strike to enter the city from the airport. Also, Uber and other cabs charge surcharges in times of high demand. Know that there are flat charges for taxis and that they must adhere to these to avoid spending a lot of money. Learn these prices to avoid being taken advantage of. If Uber is extremely expensive, you might want to consider using the bus, metro, or shuttle instead.
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