Travel

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If Memorial Day 2023 was any indication, travelers should brace for big Fourth of July crowds at airports. On the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened roughly 2.7 million people at U.S. airports, the highest checkpoint volume thus far in 2023.

And summer travel is only just getting started. In 2019, the Friday before Memorial Day was the third-busiest day at U.S. airports for the entire year, losing only to the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the Sunday after July Fourth. This may indicate that airports could be even busier around Independence Day than Memorial Day weekend.

Making Fourth of July travel predictions is tricky this year because the holiday falls midweek, on a Tuesday. Some folks may take Monday off to enjoy a long weekend, while others may save their vacation time for a different holiday.

With that in mind, here’s some guidance around booking July Fourth weekend air travel and how you might be able to avoid the crowds (and potentially save money on airfare).

The best and worst days to fly July Fourth weekend

TSA collects data daily to capture the number of passengers screened at its U.S. checkpoints. NerdWallet analyzed the past four years of this data for the seven days before and after July Fourth.

In each of the past four years, the Friday before July Fourth was the busiest travel day ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. If that trend continues this year, travelers should expect U.S. airports to be especially full on Friday, June 30.

Are airports busy on July Fourth? The data shows the holiday is the least busy day to fly, with airport crowds averaging just 81% of what they are relative to the busiest travel day.

Based on an average of the past four years, here are the worst days to travel around July Fourth weekend, ranked from most to least crowded.

Pre-holiday:

  1. Friday before.

  2. Thursday before.

  3. Monday before.

Post-holiday:

  1. Sunday after.

  2. Monday after.

  3. Thursday after.

Instead, consider these options. Here’s what the data showed as the best days to travel over July Fourth, ranked from least to most crowded:

Pre-holiday:

  1. Saturday before.

  2. Tuesday before.

  3. Sunday before.

Post-holiday:

  1. Saturday after.

  2. Friday after.

  3. Wednesday after.

The smarter, cheaper Fourth of July travel itinerary

Based on recent historical trends, most people will kick off their Fourth of July weekend as early as possible, jetting off on Friday, June 30 — or even ducking out of the workweek early by departing on Thursday, June 29. Most travelers will likely maximize their weekends, waiting until Sunday, July 9, to fly home.

But following typical July Fourth holiday travel patterns could mean costs in terms of airfare and time spent waiting in line at the airport. Deviate from that schedule to find lighter crowds and perhaps better July Fourth flight deals, too.

Try these travel days instead:

Embrace Saturday travel: Rather than rush out from work on Friday afternoon to jump on a flight, relax at home that evening and depart Saturday morning instead. Simply shifting your trip by one day could likely result in going from one of the busiest to lightest travel days of the July Fourth travel period.

The same goes for traveling back home. While it can be tempting to extend your trip as long as possible before work starts on Monday, skip the Sunday flight and fly home on Saturday instead. Bonus: You’ll give yourself a day at home to rest and recover before you hit the next workweek (how responsible of you).

Fly on July Fourth: If you don’t mind traveling on the holiday, you’re looking at the single emptiest air travel day of the period.

Do one better by flying out early on the holiday. Travel booking app Hopper’s spring 2023 Flight Disruption Outlook found that flights that depart from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. are half as likely to be delayed versus flights with scheduled departure times after 9 a.m.

Plus, a morning flight improves your odds of catching the fireworks at your final destination.

Fly on Wednesday, July 5: Will July 5 be a busy travel day in 2023? Likely no. This year, July 5 falls on a Wednesday, one of the cheapest days to fly year-round. Plus, according to TSA’s data, July 5 has been a consistently light travel day. In 2019, July 5 was the lightest travel day for the week after the holiday (July 5 fell on a Friday that year).

Moreover, for U.S. domestic economy tickets in 2022, Wednesdays were about 22% lower than peak prices on Sundays, according to a NerdWallet analysis of Hopper data.

July Fourth travelers in 2023 can feel confident that a July 5 flight itinerary will afford them cheaper airfare plus less congested airport queues.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

Imagine for a moment that it’s morning and you’re about to wake up: Your alarm rings and you grab your smartphone from the bedside table. You’re still disoriented, but you decide to check your emails and something you see on the screen jolts you wide awake.

It’s a cheap flight alert to Japan from a subscription service you’d signed up for ages ago.

The deal looks too good to pass up, but there’s one problem: You don’t have a passport. So you wonder, “Can I book an international flight without a passport?”

Whether someone has never held a passport or they’re still waiting on a passport renewal, not everyone has a passport on them at all times.

So, can you book an international flight without a passport? Let’s take a closer look.

Do you need a passport to book an international flight?

Thankfully for daydreaming travelers, the answer is no.

In most cases, U.S. citizens don’t need a passport to book an international flight. However, you do need one to check in for your flight and get on a plane, and the document has to be valid. For instance, European countries that are in the Schengen area require at least six months of passport validity. Otherwise, you won’t be able to board a plane to countries in the region.

Other countries have different rules. For example, Mexico only requires your passport to be valid at the time of travel, so make sure to check the U.S. Department of State website for your destination’s requirements before traveling abroad.

Domestic trips within the United States don’t require a passport as long as you have a state ID or are enrolled in Clear.

How much does a U.S. passport cost?

The cost of a U.S. passport depends on whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing an expired passport.

First-time adult applicants will pay the following to get a new U.S. passport:

  • Passport book: $130.

  • Passport card: $30.

  • Passport book and card: $160.

  • Execution (acceptance) fee: $35.

The execution/acceptance fee must be paid for first-time applications, so all in: First-time passport book applicants can expect to pay around $165 total.

Applicants requesting to renew their passport will pay less because the acceptance fee doesn’t apply, so they’ll just pay the passport book or passport card cost listed above.

If you need a fast turnaround, expedited service costs an additional $60, and two-day delivery is listed for another $19.53.

How to apply for a U.S. passport

If you’re applying for a passport as a first-time applicant, follow the steps for an in-person application at a passport acceptance facility.

  • Fill out a form (new passport, renewal, data corrections, name changes).

  • Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship (with a photocopy).

  • Present ID (with a photocopy).

  • Provide a photo.

  • Calculate fees and provide a check or a money order payable to the U.S. Department of State (debit or credit cards aren’t accepted).

  • Submit all the documents to a passport acceptance facility.

  • Track your application status online.

Note that the acceptance fee will be charged separately. To locate a passport acceptance facility in your area, enter your ZIP code on this page.

In most cases, it’ll be a public library, a post office or a local government office.

Some states have passport agencies that can process your passport application within 14 days of international travel or within 28 days if you need to apply for a visa, but they’re open by appointment only.

How to renew a U.S. passport

Renewing a U.S. passport requires sending an application by mail. In fact, it’s not possible to renew a U.S. passport at a passport acceptance facility unless you don’t qualify for a mail-in renewal.

To be eligible for a renewal by mail, the following must be true:

  • You can submit your old passport with your application.

  • The passport isn’t damaged.

  • It’s never been reported lost or stolen.

  • It was issued in the last 15 years.

  • It was issued when you were 16 or older.

  • It was issued in your current name (unless you have a marriage certificate or a divorce decree to support a name change).

  • It wasn’t limited to fewer than 10 years because of multiple issues with passport theft, loss or damage.

Note that once you renew your passport, you’ll get a new passport number, so if you saved your passport number in a frequent flyer account, you’ll have to update the number and the expiration date before you can check in for an international flight.

The U.S. Department of State also has tested online renewals, but the service has been put on hold for now.

How long will you wait for a U.S. passport?

In 2023, the U.S. Department of State is on track to set the record for the number of passports processed. The department estimates 10 to 13 weeks for routine passport service and seven to nine weeks for expedited service.

It’s worth noting that mailing times aren’t included in the estimate, so you’ll have to account for that as well.

In short, you will need plenty of lead time to receive it before the travel date.

The bottom line

You don’t need a passport number to book an international flight. However, make sure to leave enough time for a passport renewal or a new application because it can take a while to process.

If you think you’re going to travel internationally, we recommend applying as soon as possible to have a passport ready. You don’t want to miss out on a great flight deal to Japan — or anywhere else — simply because you don’t have the required documents for international travel.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

I’ve been traveling for more than a month now. While much of this travel has been for pleasure — I spent three weeks in Turkey with my cousin — there’s been plenty of work involved too. While I’ve been traveling, I’ve also been writing — and networking with other bloggers. Over the past month, I’ve attended two conferences, and spent three days meeting with folks in New York.

Note: Some of you have been craving more of my voice around Get Rich Slowly. That’s not going to happen. But if you’re really wanting to read what I write, check out More Than Money, where I’m writing about travel, blogging, and anything else that tickles my pickle.

FinCon 2012
In early September at FinCon 2012 (the financial blogger conference), I spoke about the future of financial blogging. While there, I reconnected with many of my colleagues, including Jim from Bargaineering, Flexo from Consumerism Commentary, Adam from Man vs. Debt, Ramit from I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Neal Frankle (the Wealth Pilgrim), and Kylie Ofiu (an Australian personal finance blogger).

At FinCon, I also met two new people who really impressed me.

First up was Pete, whom many of you know as Mr. Money Mustache. He has a hot early retirement blog, and for good reason. He offers solid advice in a strong personal voice. I loved his presentation at FinCon; his blogging philosophy and mine are closely aligned.

Second was Paula Pant, who writes at Afford Anything. Paula is remarkable for two reasons. First, she’s one of only a few female bloggers in a niche dominated by men. Second, Paula focuses almost exclusively on making money instead of saving it. Her blog is about building wealth, with a particular focus on rental properties. She’s sharp, and she now has me as a subscriber.

New York
After FinCon, I flew to Turkey to spend three weeks touring the country with my cousin. On my way home, I stopped in New York for business. I met with several colleagues, a few GRS readers, and my editor at Moneyland.

Also in New York, I practiced what I preach regarding conscious spending. You see, I’m a huge fan of musical theater. But good tickets to good shows on Broadway can be expensive. Very expensive. In order to be able to indulge my passion, I cut back in other areas.

For instance, I rented a cheap ($70/night) apartment on Airbnb and then walked everywhere in Manhattan. This saved me about $200 a day, money that I put into theater tickets. On Sunday, I joined Flexo (from Consumerism Commentary) and Ramit (from I Will Teach You to Be Rich) for a performance of The Book of Mormon, which was hilarious. I also saw Chicago (completely disappointing) and the achingly beautiful Once.

Sure, I had to stay in a tiny, tiny room (with barely room for a bed), but who cares? All I did was sleep there. With the money I saved, I had a great time in one of my favorite cities.

Note: On my last night, I had a beer with my hostess, a precocious young (26?) woman who’s found a clever way to reduce her cost of living. Rose’s apartment has three rooms. She lives in one and rents the other two out on Airbnb. “Are you able to keep the rooms rented?” I asked. She smiled and said, “My rent here is $3,600/month. Airbnb pays the rent for me.” Rock on!

Savvy Blogging Summit 2012
FinCon was fun, but I have to admit: My favorite blogging conference is always the Savvy Blogging Summit. Mostly, it’s attended by a group of remarkable women: stay-at-home moms who, in their spare time, blog about coupons, shopping, and other domestic concerns. They call themselves “dealbloggers”.

This topic may sound mundane, but more than any group I know, these savvy bloggers live the ideals I espouse everyday at Get Rich Slowly. Meeting these women is like seeing the Get Rich Slowly philosophy in action.

  • They actively work to keep their household expenses low.
  • They’ve found creative ways to boost their income. Most make money — sometimes a lot of money — from blogging. But I also talked to folks who earn income as spokeswomen, radio broadcasters, brand representatives, graphic designers, mobile app creators, and more.

And they do this all while raising families. In some cases, large families. These are stay-at-home moms who do a whole lot more. They aren’t just savvy bloggers; they’re also savvy entrepreneurs. (They’re also a hell of a lot of fun. They taught me to dance Gangnam Style this year!)

Early in the conference, I met John Saddington, an Atlanta-based blogger and entrepreneur. I’d never heard of him before Savvy Blogging Summit, but he and I had a chance to chat about business and blogging. I was intrigued by his vision, so I recruited him to help me present the “Blogging Exit Strategies” panel, which worked out well. I think the attendees got some great advice about building and selling a business.

Some of the other people I spent time with during this conference included:

  • Amy Gross from Vinesleuth, who has a free ebook called Dinner and Wine for $20 or Less.
  • Amber Bustanoby from Coupon Connections. Amber’s not just a coupon blogger; she can also bust a move on the dance floor.
  • Jennie Sanford from Bargain Blessings. I’d seen Jennie at three previous conferences but never talked with her before now, which is a shame. I want to chat with her more in the future.
  • Kimberlee, The Peaceful Mom, who taught me about Pinterest. (Sometimes I’m slow on the uptake.)
  • And on the plane from Atlanta to San Francisco, I spent five hours talking with Melissa Earl from Living a Frugal Life.

As always, I learned a lot at Savvy Blogging Summit, and did my best to impart some of my knowledge to others. I’ve already committed to speaking at SBS IV, which will be held next June in Cincinnati. I wouldn’t miss it.

Note: While in Atlanta, I reconnected with Paula from Afford Anything. I’d met her at FinCon at the start of the trip, and she was generous enough to offer me a ride. After picking me up from the airport, she showed me around Piedmont Park and told me all about her adventures in real estate. As I say, she’s sharp. If you’re interested in rental properties, you should read her blog.

Now I’m in San Francisco. Today, I’ll meet with the owners of GRS, have lunch at Twitter HQ, and stop by to meet the folks at Lending Club. Tomorrow, I get to meet my girlfriend’s family and friends.

I’m nearing the end of this marathon month-long trip, and thank goodness. I’m too old for all this travel!

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

My travel mantra holds that travel should be free — or as close to free as you can get! Budget travel tips usually focus on ways to find cheaper airfare or hotels, and these are a great start. But thinking outside the box can yield some extraordinary vacations that are surprisingly affordable. Here are the different ways I travel to save (and sometimes earn!) money:

Rent a House or Apartment
If you want to stay somewhere nicer than a hostel, but aren’t eager to pay hotel prices, consider renting a house or apartment. You’ll be able to cook for yourself and avoid the $5 bottles of water. You’re also more likely to get an authentic local experience, as vacation rentals are often located in neighborhoods, rather than in tourist areas.

Vacation rentals are a great proposition if you’ve got kids, since they can run around and eat Mac ‘n Cheese — the epicenter of childhood, by my memory — without disturbing hotel or restaurant staff.

VRBO is the most popular source for vacation rental listings, but the large number and inconsistent quality of listings can be disorienting. As much as possible, I recommend using local vacation rental sites operated by people in the region you’re visiting (Google is your friend). These sites are run by people passionate about their properties, whether it’s one house or 50 properties, and can offer local tips and personal attention.

Travel in Groups
One way to really maximize the value of vacation rentals is to rent them as a group. While it might sound crazy to pay $800/night for a fancy 6-bedroom home, the number to pay attention to is the cost per room (in this case, $133 per room). If you have six couples staying together, that’s only $67 per person. And often, the larger homes have amenities like hot tubs, pool tables, docks, fireplaces, or large acreage.

Last year, my aunt, boyfriend and I rented a gorgeous two-bedroom flat in Paris’ Left Bank, across from the Louvre. We shopped at the famous Parisian markets and cooked many of our own meals. Our flat cost $80/night each, so we splurged and stayed 10 nights. We leisurely toured the museums, took day trips out of town, and wandered the streets of Paris, pretending to be locals.

Visit People
If you know anyone who lives in a place you’d like to visit — heck, if you know anyone who knows anyone who lives in such a place — contact them. I’ve never regretted reaching out to someone in a foreign land I’m visiting, no matter how tenuous the connection. This generally works best for international travel, though even with domestic travel, you’re sure to get some restaurant and activity recommendations.

Most people are thrilled to show you around their town, and they can point you towards the cool, local spots off the tourist track (read: you won’t have to pay tourist prices). Making connections with others is what travel is all about, so don’t be shy!

Trade
There are people all over the world who want you stay in their place for free. All you have to do is reciprocate. Browse sites like INTERVac and HomeExchange.com, and search for people who want to visit your region. When I was a kid, every summer my family exchanged our home with a European family’s. We were able to explore new countries like France and Italy at a leisurely pace, rent-free.

Monetize Your Space
This tip is a bit more complicated and requires a bigger leap of faith. Whenever I know I’ll be out of town, I make my boyfriend’s and my San Francisco apartment available for rent. So while my boyfriend and I are off traveling, someone is nearly always paying to stay in our apartment. For example, we recently took a two-week trip to Boston and managed to find someone to rent our place the entire time we were gone.

Last summer, I generated enough money this way to fund all our major travel expenses. We traveled to New York City, Boulder, Sonoma, and Boston. After totaling the air, lodging and car rental costs, I was delighted to find we broke even. By hanging with locals and cooking our own meals, our entertainment and food costs were about the same as they would’ve been had we stayed home. We rented apartments, used hotel points or stayed with local friends to save money on lodging. We purchased in advance to save on airfare and car rentals.

Note: For that last tip, be sure to get your guests’ contact information (including where they’re from and what brings them to town), create a contract, collect a deposit, and trust your gut — if you have a bad feeling about someone, don’t rent to them. Also, in some parts of the country, short-term rentals are starting to be regulated. Ensure you’re aware of local laws and tax requirements.

Budget travel is often about hostels and last-minute airfare. But with some advance planning and a creative approach, it’s also possible to travel inexpensively, connect with friends, and experience local culture all at once.

J.D.’s note: One weekend every year, Kris and I rent a home in an Oregon resort community. We split the cost with five other couples. It’s a fun tradition that doesn’t break the bank. And when we were in Europe last fall, we spoke with many couples who were renting (or planning to rent) a flat in Rome or Paris for a week or more. Costs were lower than a hotel, and the situation was more convenient.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Choosing your cabin on a cruise can present a dizzying array of choices. Interior, ocean view or balcony? Low or high cabin? Forward or aft? What service level do you want? And each option comes with its own price point.

One of these decisions is whether to book a stateroom on the port side versus starboard side of the cruise ship.

If you have an interior room, this won’t matter much, but even in ocean-view rooms with only a window view, your choice can make a huge difference in your experience.

Here’s how to understand what is port side versus starboard side of a cruise ship and decide which is the right cabin for you.

What is port vs. starboard side?

For avid cruisers, port and starboard may be as natural as saying “left” and “right.”

But if port sounds like an after-dinner drink and starboard is what you feel after you’ve had too much port, here’s a quick primer.

Port and starboard are terms for direction relative to the front of the ship. When facing the front of the ship, the port side is on your left and the starboard side is on the right.

The terms come from Old English and how boats were configured in the early days of boating. Port and starboard are on the same sides of the ship, regardless of your orientation. If you face the rear (aft) of the ship, port is on your right and starboard is on your left.

When does the choice matter?

Your choice of the starboard or the port side of a cruise ship may not matter if you select an interior room or have a lower stateroom with only a small window. Typically, your choice of ship side will start to matter if you opt for a higher room offering a balcony.

Some cruises offer an equal experience for those on the port side and travelers on the starboard side. If your cruise is a closed-loop or a round-trip beginning and ending at the same port, your cruise is likely to be equally scenic on the port or starboard side. You may just see different things at different parts of your journey.

The same is true if you are cruising across the open ocean. Your view of the ocean will be similar on both sides.

Ensuring spectacular coastal views

If it’s majestic coastal scenery you are after, consider booking the side that will face the direction of the coast for the majority of your trip.

Some captains will turn the ship around in particularly scenic locations like Glacier Bay in Alaska or Napali Coast in Hawaii so that all passengers can enjoy some views. But if you are cruising along the coast, one side of the ship will likely offer better views.

Whether the starboard versus port side of your cruise ship is more desirable depends on the travel direction and route.

For example, cruising from Vancouver, B.C., to Whittier, Alaska, northbound, you might prefer a starboard side room to get majestic views of the Canadian and Alaskan coastlines. Southbound cruisers will want to opt for a port-side room for the same views.

Here comes the sun

You may also prefer the port versus the starboard side of your cruise ship based on where the sun is.

If soaking up every warm ray of sunshine is your priority, a room facing the equator on an east-west cruise will provide the best sunshine all day long. In the Northern Hemisphere, book the starboard side of an eastbound cruise and the port side of a westbound cruise.

On the other hand, if you are sensitive to the sun, or want to ensure that your cabin remains cool, consider booking on the side of the ship that is likely to face the nearest pole.

On an east-west cruise in the Northern Hemisphere, you will get the most protection from the sun if you book the port side of an eastbound cruise or the starboard side of a westbound cruise.

If you’re cruising in the Southern Hemisphere, the north-facing rooms will enjoy the most sun, so take the recommendations above and swap the sides. Eastbound cruises get the most sun on the port side; westbound on the starboard side.

Watching a sunset over the ocean or seeing the sun slip behind distant islands can also be a reason for a side preference.

To catch sunsets, you’ll want to be on the port side on northbound cruises and starboard on southbound cruises.

If seeing the sunset from your cruise is a priority, ensure that your dinner time doesn’t conflict with the sunset. Cruise operators will often publish the sunrise and sunset times along your route. And dining in your stateroom is an option if you want to take advantage of the view.

Embarking and disembarking

Another consideration is the view you get when your ship is in port. But which side offers a better view is relatively unpredictable because cruise ships can dock on either side of the ship.

The direction a ship docks depends on port configuration, direction of travel, regulations and captain discretion. Even if you painstakingly research which ports you will visit, basing your cabin selection solely on this is unlikely to pay off with a great view.

The views from most ports aren’t typically spectacular and you’re probably going to spend most of the time in port on shore exploring. And at a larger busy port, any view is likely to be blocked by other cruise ships.

The bottom line

There is no one side of a cruise ship that is always “the best.” Whether a cruise ship’s port versus starboard side is better for you on a given itinerary will be a personal calculation based on preferences, route and what you want to see.

The best way to determine the best side to book is to examine the planned route, consider your preferences for scenery and sunshine, and book the side likely to give you the experience you value most.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

Airbnb is a vacation rental website that changed the travel industry in many ways by building a home-sharing community.

With Airbnb, you can book an entire place or reserve a room in someone else’s home for family getaways, workaways and group travel. Whether you’re looking for a boutique hotel, a forest cabin or a UFO-shaped home, Airbnb has got you covered with its more than 6 million listings.

Does Airbnb offer discounts?

For years, Airbnb offered cash bonuses through its referral program to both the referee and a first-time Airbnb user. Unfortunately, the referral program is no longer active, and you can’t share referral codes with your friends anymore.

Now that the Airbnb referral program is done, you might wonder, “How can I get a discount on Airbnb?” Luckily, you can take advantage of several money-saving methods.

How to get discounts on Airbnb

Reserve a longer stay

Many hosts offer discounts when you reserve their place for a week or a month, so if you’re wondering how to get discounts on Airbnb, one of the answers is to book a longer stay.

If you have a lot of time off or work remotely, we recommend booking an Airbnb for at least seven days to get a weekly discount or at least 28 days to get a monthly discount.

The discount isn’t a fixed percentage and varies. Some hosts don’t offer it at all, so the only way to find out how much a long-term discount will be is to start your search on Airbnb.com.

The discount is applied automatically, so you won’t see it reflected until you click on the listing. Under price details, you should see the nightly price multiplied by the number of nights, a weekly or monthly stay discount, a cleaning fee (if one is charged) and an Airbnb service fee.

The monthly discount is typically much higher than the weekly discount, so you can save a lot of money by booking a longer stay.

Extend your trip by a few nights

Use the trick above to your advantage and extend your stay by several days even if you don’t need that many nights. Sometimes, broadening a booking window can decrease your total price if you fall into the sweet weekly or monthly discount spot.

Let’s take a look at an example. We found a 24-night stay at an Airbnb property that costs $1,127.

However, by extending the stay to 31 nights instead, the price drops to $612, which makes a huge difference for your budget.

You can apply the same thinking to shorter stays (around a week). Extending your stay by a day can either yield savings or get you another night for the same price as before.

We found an example of a six-night stay and a seven-night stay charging roughly the same amount of money after the weekly discount was applied to the seven-night stay.

Book recently added properties

If booking an Airbnb with no reviews terrifies you, the platform offers a way to offset the fears by offering a special discount.

You can get a special offer by booking a stay for a recently added Airbnb listing. The first three bookings made on a new listing receive a discount. You can stack the weekly or monthly discounts with special offers, as well.

However, it might be risky, especially when you don’t know what to expect from the vacation rental or the host.

Scroll down to the host to see if they have other listings and read the reviews left for those properties. Seeing positive reviews for the host and their other listings can put your mind at ease.

Take advantage of an early bird discount

Some hosts attach an early bird discount to their listings. Each host sets their own timeline for how far in advance you have to book to get the early bird discount, but it can be as few as 60 days, so you don’t have to plan your next vacation a year in advance.

If you are booking far in advance — a year out or so — familiarize yourself with the property’s cancellation policy to avoid surprises in case you need to cancel.

Even if the discount is small, anything helps with getting a more afforable Airbnb.

Purchase discounted Airbnb gift cards

Another way to get a more affordable Airbnb is to buy discounted Airbnb gift cards.

Although this method won’t save you a ton of money, you can still save a few bucks, especially when you take advantage of the previously mentioned discounts too.

You can purchase discounted Airbnb gift cards on websites like Sam’s Club or Raise and save a little cash. For example, a $200 Airbnb gift card is going for $193.92 from Sam’s Club and for $188.69 from Raise.

Use a rewards card to pay for Airbnb

It won’t get you an immediate discount, but you’ll earn the rewards toward a future points redemption.

Another suggestion is to use specific credit cards to purchase Airbnb gift cards at stores and earn a rewards multiplier. For example, buying digital Airbnb gift cards from Staples will earn 5% back — on the first $25,000 spent — with the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card.

Book through an airline portal

This isn’t a direct way to save cash per se, but several airlines offer ways to earn frequent-flyer miles on Airbnb stays. Earning airline rewards is akin to getting a small discount on an Airbnb booking.

You’ll earn airline miles by making Airbnb reservations through the following airline programs.

Airline loyalty program

First-time Airbnb user bonus

Ongoing earning rate

ANA Mileage Club

A discount coupon for 3,000 Japanese yen ($22.70) and 2 miles per 200 yen ($1.50) spent with Airbnb.

1 mile per 200 yen ($1.50).

British Airways Executive Club

3 Avios per £1/€1/$1.

Delta SkyMiles

1 SkyMile per $1.

Qantas Frequent Flyer

500 bonus points on the first Airbnb booking.

1 Qantas point per 1 Australian dollar (67 cents).

Keep in mind that to earn airline miles, you must go through the airline’s respective portal they have in partnership with Airbnb. Make sure to enter your frequent-flyer number at the time of booking or no miles will be awarded.

Message the host

This is by no means a guaranteed method of receiving a discount on your Airbnb stay, but in the words of the great Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” It’s possible to contact an Airbnb host before you make a booking through their listing.

So, if you’re on Airbnb wondering how to get a discount, message a host and ask whether they’d come down on the price before you reserve a stay. If they agree, they’ll send you an offer via a special link, and you can see the new rate before you lock down the reservation.

This approach might not work with every host, but it’s worth a shot, especially on short-notice bookings.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Be polite and respectful to the host when requesting an Airbnb discount, even if they decline your request.

The bottom line

The cost of travel has increased significantly over the past year, according to NerdWallet’s Travel Price Index, so we don’t blame you if you’re looking to save money. If you’re looking for an Airbnb discount, you can get one by:

  • Booking an extended stay.

  • Adding some days to your booking.

  • Booking new-host listings.

  • Taking advantage of early bird pricing.

  • Purchasing discounted Airbnb gift cards.

  • Using a rewards card to pay for your Airbnb.

  • Booking an Airbnb through an airline portal.

  • Messaging the host.

At least one of these options, or multiple, will let you score an Airbnb property for less.

(Top photo courtesy of Airbnb)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Elite airline status can deliver frequent flyers a lot of perks, including free checked baggage, priority boarding access and even complimentary upgrades.

United Airlines has four published elite status levels. Of these, Premier Platinum is the second-highest tier. Here’s a look at United Platinum benefits, how to earn this status and how much it’s worth.

United Premier Platinum perks

United’s MileagePlus program provides those with elite status a variety of benefits intended to make flying simpler and more lucrative. Here’s what you get once you reach Premier Platinum status:

  • 9x miles on flights. For every eligible dollar spent on airfare, members will earn 9 United miles.

  • Free checked bags. Premier Platinum members get three complimentary checked bags weighing up to 70 pounds each.

  • Priority check-in. Take advantage of the Premier Access check-in desk, where it’s available. 

  • Priority boarding. Members and their companions receive Group 1 boarding. 

  • Priority security. In airports with priority screening, Premier Platinum members have access to faster security. 

  • Free same-day changes. Free confirmed changes to other eligible flights within 24 hours of boarding. 

  • Better seating. Complimentary access to Economy Plus or preferred seating for the member and up to eight companions when booking. 

  • Unlimited, space-available complimentary upgrades. Upgrades to first class begin clearing at 72 hours before your flight. 

  • Instant upgrades on eligible fares. Those purchasing a Y or B fare class will receive an instant upgrade to first class if space is available. 

  • United Club membership discount. A $50 discount off the regular annual cost of a United Club membership.

  • Access to sold-out flights. Ability to purchase Y-fare-class flights up to two hours before departure. 

  • PlusPoints. Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints per year, which can be used to confirm upgrades to premium cabins starting when you book. 

  • More award availability. Those with Platinum status and above have access to better award availability for premium cabins. 

  • Waived fees. Fees charged for booking by phone are waived. 

  • Star Alliance Gold status. Includes benefits such as free checked bags, lounge access, priority check-in and more on eligible partner alliance bookings. 

  • Avis elite status. Complimentary Avis President’s Club elite status. 

How to earn Premier Platinum elite status

To earn Premier Platinum status with United, you’ll need to complete the following requirements within a calendar year:

  • Fly at least four segments with United or United Express.

  • Complete 36 premier qualifying flights (PQFs) and earn 12,000 premier qualifying points (PQPs). If you don’t meet the PQF threshold, you can qualify by earning 15,000 PQPs instead.

A PQF is determined by the number of flights you’ve taken with United or a partner airline. Each segment within an itinerary counts as a flight, so if you have a layover on a one-way trip you’ll receive two PQFs, whereas a nonstop flight would earn you one PQF.

The amount of PQPs you’ll earn is determined by the cost of your ticket (base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges), along with certain eligible upgrades you can purchase.

Award flights are eligible to earn PQFs and PQPs. Each flight segment is worth one PQF, and you’ll earn one PQP per 100 miles redeemed for your itinerary.

How much is United Premier Platinum status worth?

How much is United status worth? In general, airline elite status relies pretty heavily on luxury benefits such as priority check-in and faster access to phone agents that don’t have a price tag attached to them.

However, there are quite a few included perks you would otherwise generally have to pay for, such as checked bags, an upgraded seat and lounge access.

In our analysis of major U.S. airlines, NerdWallet ranks United Platinum second among similar high-tier statuses. It trails behind Alaska’s MVP Gold 75K, which provides a 63% return on spend in our calculations.

Premier Platinum status, meanwhile, provides a 49% return on your investment.

According to our analysis, it costs an estimated $12,658 to earn Platinum status. For that investment, you’ll receive perks worth roughly 49% of that amount, or $6,235.

What else you need to know

PlusPoints upgrades can be incredibly valuable. Upon earning status, Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints, which can be used to confirm upgrades on flights ahead of time.

Although it’s possible to use those 40 PlusPoints to upgrade two domestic flights to first class (they cost 20 PlusPoints apiece), it’s generally a far better value to use these for a long-haul international flight.

It costs as few as 40 PlusPoints to upgrade from an economy class long-haul flight to United’s Polaris business class, which features a lie-flat bed, superior food and drink options, and even pajamas.

Even better, there’s no limit to which flights are eligible, which means those 40 PlusPoints could be used on the longest, most expensive flights, where the price difference between economy and business class can be thousands of dollars.

United Platinum status is valuable

Although it takes work to earn elite status with an airline, it can often be worth it, especially if you travel often. This is the case with United’s Premier Platinum status, which provides a bevy of benefits to those who invest.

Along with perks such as free checked bags, better seating and complimentary elite status with other partners, Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints, which can be used for incredibly valuable international business class upgrades.

(Top photo courtesy of United Airlines)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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A cruise can satisfy the greatest wanderlust, satisfy your favorite (and newfound) food cravings and open new horizons and interests you never thought possible. But you can also fall for tourist traps or miss the authentic culture of the places you visit.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you’ve never cruised, talk to others who have more firsthand insights. Their perspective can shed even more light on the experience you can expect.

Going on a cruise has pros and cons, and it may be worth reviewing them before your next sailing. Let’s look at the pros and cons of cruises.

Pros

A good deal

Cruises can be costly, but you get more than just a great view of the ocean. Cruise bookings often include your:

  • Accommodations.

  • Some drinks.

  • Entertainment.

  • Recreational amenities like pools and waterslides.

  • Other onboard activities.

You can step aboard the ship and not spend a penny if you play your cards right.

There are plenty of ways for cruises to pull more money out of your pocket on board (think: spa, specialty restaurants, upgraded drink packages, shore excursions, shops and casino), but you can still have plenty of fun without spending an additional dime.

Cruise lines are reinventing their onboard options, and specialty restaurants tap in to the talents of well-known chefs and restaurateurs. This can take some of the boredom away from the same dining rooms, but it comes at a cost.

For the most part, however, if you find a good price on the cabin, the number of inclusions that come with it can quickly drive down the cost of an overall vacation. Of course, the more you spend on the cabin (some of those luxury suites, for example), the lower the bargain you’ll get.

Entertainment and education galore

You read that right — you can learn something educational on a cruise.

Many cruises have port talks, destination immersion lectures covering the history and culture of a place, art galleries and trivia games. You can learn something on board, and then when you’re ashore, you can explore the destinations you visit.

Cruises are a great way to learn more about the world, meet new people and learn from them, too.

And there is more entertainment than you can shake a stick at on board and ashore. From musical performances to game shows and cinemas, you can easily fill up your schedule.

Every ship is different, so it is important to review what is available on your sailing if staying busy is your goal. Otherwise, bring a book and watch the world float by from the deck.

On sea days (when the ship is traveling between ports), it’s like having your own resort with pools and activities included in the overall cost of your vacation.

Maximize your time

A cruise can introduce you to many places at once without your worrying about unpacking and repacking between destinations or paying for transportation between cities.

You unpack once and then are on your way, with all of the details handled for you — from immigration protocols to where to go and when.

The cost of a cruise includes a preplanned journey to some of the most popular points within a region and your transportation between them.

For example, your itinerary may have multiple Mediterranean cities or several European capitals.

There’s something quite relaxing about waking up each morning in a new city. And when you return after a day of exploring, housekeeping has cleaned your room.

A cruise may be a great option for less-frequent travelers because the cruise line is essentially “holding your hand” along the way.

Even better, some stops may be hard to reach by land — like many Alaskan ports — or expensive to reach independently, like some Greek islands or pricy ports in the Caribbean like St. Barts.

Family and group travel come easy

Cruises are an easy option for groups traveling together. Unlike on land, where it can be hard to find restaurant reservations for large groups or find one activity that suits every interest, cruises have something for everyone.

People can branch off to do what they like on the ship and then meet back up an hour later without worrying about traffic or safety issues for kids.

Cons

Lots of people

While this varies by ship — some enormous ships have so much space that there are plenty of areas where you’ll be one of only a few people — crowds may flood popular areas.

For example, people vying for their moment in the sun may swarm the pool deck and families may descend on the water park area simultaneously.

Lines can form at popular buffets or restaurants at meal times, and when it’s time to go ashore (or disembark after the cruise), you’ll be one of many waiting in line.

Repetition

If you’re not willing to pay for specialty venues or you’re on a smaller ship that doesn’t have many free dining options, you may find that the dining rooms become repetitive. Menus change daily, but the setting does not. The window views at dinner will vary by destination, though, adding a bit of pizzazz.

If you make an effort, it is possible to find different things to do each day on almost all larger ships. River cruises, on the other hand, are much smaller and tend to feel more repetitive.

The same premise appears with the destinations for repeat cruisers. Because the cruise line plans itineraries, you may visit places you have been to multiple times if you sail often enough. It becomes harder to exclusively visit “new-to-you” places.

If it’s the latter you’re after, planning your own trip may be a better option.

One price is not always just one price

If you loosen your purse strings easily, spending more than you realize aboard a ship is possible.

A few cocktails by the pool each day, an extra tour or specialty restaurant dinner another, and before you know it, you’ve paid twice as much as you thought. It’s wise to board a ship with a budget in mind and plan your sailing accordingly so you don’t overspend without realizing it.

Tourist traps

Cruise lines are often important economic engines for destinations. You may find yourself dealing with tourist traps, such as shops by the port, and beginner tours organized by the cruise line.

If you want the most authentic experience, it might be worth studying local guides and tour options online in advance to find something more authentic without falling for what’s waiting for you right at the port.

If you’re going on a shore excursion through the cruise line, you can count on being carted to places designed for large groups rather than hidden gems. Many tours often include a stop at a local shop or business that may be presented as authentic, but locals will tell you it is not.

This trend is amplified because travelers usually have only one day at each destination. As a result, time is of the essence to visit the most important sights without wasting it at tourist traps.

Frequent cruisers, however, will tell you that you should use a cruise to determine places you want to return to by using it as a sampler to explore many destinations. They also suggest planning what you want to do so you can hit the ground running.

Exploring independently or with a local guide (not booked through the ship) can often be your best bet. It also has the added benefit of directly supporting a local business or guide rather than funneling that cash through the cruise line.

The pros and cons of cruises, recapped

It’s unfair to decide how you feel about a cruise without trying one. Even those who insist they wouldn’t like one may end up having a good time.

Perception is not always reality, and you can be better prepared by considering all of the pros and cons of a cruise in advance. Talk with people on either side to get answers to your questions.

Not every type of travel is for everyone, but the ever-expanding cruise industry keeps adding amenities, perks and destinations. That alone speaks for itself.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com