Maximize your travel budget

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfortable accommodations and decent flight times. In fact, experienced travelers already know how to maximize their travel budget and take advantage of low prices on travel packages, airline tickets and other travel-related expenses. Planning ahead will usually give you the upper hand when it comes to playing the vacation-booking game, and there are several tricks and tactics you can use to slash those costs even further.
按照預(yù)算旅行并不意味著舒適的住宿和理想的航班時(shí)間就必須讓步。實(shí)際上，有經(jīng)驗(yàn)的旅行者已經(jīng)知道充分利用旅行套餐、機(jī)票和其他旅行花費(fèi)來(lái)最大化的利用自己的旅行預(yù)算。提前計(jì)劃往往能讓你做好一手準(zhǔn)備，以應(yīng)對(duì)假日預(yù)訂，下面有一些能讓你狠狠削減開(kāi)支的小訣竅和小方法。

1.Fly to alternate airports

1.Fly to alternate airports
飛去備選機(jī)場(chǎng)

When you are heading to a major city or other hub with multiple airports, consider all your options. Flights to alternate airports can be slightly less expensive than flying into a larger, international airport in the same city. In some cases, you might also be closer to your final destination and can skirt traffic. Just make sure to calculate taxi fares from all airports before.
當(dāng)你要前往某個(gè)大城市或是去有多個(gè)機(jī)場(chǎng)的城市中心時(shí)，你要考慮選擇所有可選擇的目的機(jī)場(chǎng)。同城的大型國(guó)際機(jī)場(chǎng)，通常比備選機(jī)場(chǎng)要稍微貴一點(diǎn)。有時(shí)候，飛備選機(jī)場(chǎng)可能離你的終點(diǎn)站會(huì)近一點(diǎn)，還能避開(kāi)交通堵塞。只是在到達(dá)前要算一下從備選機(jī)場(chǎng)到你目的地的打的費(fèi)。

2. Book and fly on the right day of the week

2. Book and fly on the right day of the week.
在每周對(duì)的日子里訂票和起飛

Shop for airfare on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, suggests Travelzoo’s Senior Editor Gabe Saglie. Most airlines publish their sale fares on Tuesday, which is when competition to match those fares begins each week. You’re also likely to find a better deal when you fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday.
來(lái)自Travelzoo’s期刊的高級(jí)旅游編輯Gabe Saglie建議，在周二和周三購(gòu)買飛機(jī)票。大部分的航線在周二會(huì)發(fā)布折扣，就是在這個(gè)時(shí)間段開(kāi)始每周的價(jià)格競(jìng)爭(zhēng)。當(dāng)你選周二、周三或周六有飛行的時(shí)候，你就可能有一個(gè)好的折扣價(jià)。

3.Book group travel with a rewards card

3.Book group travel with a rewards card.
用積分信用卡預(yù)訂團(tuán)體游

Earn bonus miles when booking a group trip by paying for travel expenses using a travel rewards credit card. The best travel rewards card program will allow you to earn extra miles under your own account, and group members can pay you in cash for their portion of the trip.Buying airline tickets with a rewards credit card is a smart move, especially if you travel frequently and are planning to take another trip in the near future.
支付預(yù)訂團(tuán)隊(duì)游的旅行費(fèi)用時(shí)，刷旅行積分信用卡，就可以積攢消費(fèi)積分換里程。?最棒的旅行獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)積分卡項(xiàng)目這樣操作：團(tuán)體游的其他成員用現(xiàn)金支付給你代刷的旅行費(fèi)用，而你自己的積分卡賬戶下可以獲得額外的獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)里程。用高額旅游信用卡購(gòu)買飛機(jī)票是非常聰明的舉動(dòng)，尤其是如果你出行很頻繁而且計(jì)劃在不遠(yuǎn)的將來(lái)開(kāi)始另一端旅程。

4. Plan ahead for holiday weekends.

4. Plan ahead for holiday weekends.
提早計(jì)劃節(jié)假日的周末游

Holiday weekends are among the priciest times to fly, so unless you’re heading to a destination specifically to celebrate the holiday, steer clear of those long weekend trips. The weekend before or after a major holiday usually commands lower rates and fares.
節(jié)假日的周末機(jī)票往往是最貴的。除非你要去的地方是有特別慶祝節(jié)日安排，如果不是則避開(kāi)那些有公休假的周末旅行。在主要節(jié)假日前后一周，一般機(jī)票價(jià)格都會(huì)低些。

5. Seek out off-peak deals

5. Seek out off-peak deals.
尋找淡季折扣

Do your homework to find out which destinations are currently in their off-peak season. You’ll discover that many destinations around Europe have attractive package deals during the spring and early summer months. Traveling during the off-peak season could save you up to 50 percent or more on your entire vacation package.
仔細(xì)做旅游的攻略尋找出目前處在淡季的旅行景點(diǎn)。你會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)許多歐洲旅游點(diǎn)在春天和夏初幾個(gè)月都有很吸引人的旅游套餐價(jià)。淡季旅游能讓你節(jié)約50%的錢，甚至讓你的整個(gè)旅游套餐花費(fèi)更少。

6. Keep your passport updated.

6. Keep your passport updated.
保持護(hù)照更新

Don’t wait until the last minute to update your passport information if it’s expired. The application process can take up to six weeks, and you’ll pay a set of fees for the service. If you’re an avid traveler, make sure your passport never gets too close to the expiry date before you request a renewal.
不要等到護(hù)照過(guò)期的最后時(shí)刻才去更新護(hù)照。護(hù)照更新的申請(qǐng)需要6周左右的時(shí)間，你需要為此付費(fèi)。如果你是一個(gè)熱愛(ài)旅游的人，在你需要更新護(hù)照前，永遠(yuǎn)都要確保離過(guò)期的時(shí)限不是太遠(yuǎn)。

7. Subscribe to deal sites

7.Subscribe to deal sites.
折扣網(wǎng)站上訂購(gòu)

Groupon Getaways, Travelzoo and LivingSocial Escapes are three major travel deal sites that will keep you in the know about the latest deals and discounts. You can also sign up for free, membership-only sites like Jetsetter to get exclusive, prenegotiated rates for many luxury hotels and travel packages throughout the country.
Groupon Getaways, Travelzoo 和 LivingSocial Escapes是三個(gè)主要的旅游折扣網(wǎng)站，它們會(huì)讓你知道最新的交易動(dòng)態(tài)和折扣。你也能免費(fèi)注冊(cè)，不過(guò)一些會(huì)員制的網(wǎng)站類似于Jetsetter（耶特塞特），能夠提供全美范圍的奢華酒店和旅行套餐的高級(jí)別議價(jià)。

8. Learn to pack properly.

8. Learn to pack properly.
學(xué)會(huì)打包行李

Overpacking can lead to extra checked baggage fees, so make sure you’re packing only what you need. If you’re planning an extended stay trip, get quotes from shipping service providers that will ship and pick up your items to your destination. In some cases, shipping your belongings instead of carrying them in a suitcase will be less expensive.
過(guò)多的行李會(huì)導(dǎo)致在檢查的時(shí)候收取行李費(fèi)，因此要保證你帶的物品僅僅都是你需要的。如果你計(jì)劃一段很長(zhǎng)久的旅行，從航運(yùn)服務(wù)供應(yīng)商那里搜集些航運(yùn)報(bào)價(jià)，把你的東西航運(yùn)到目的地。有時(shí)候，海運(yùn)你的物品比把它們用旅行箱隨身攜帶要便宜一些。

9. Negotiate hotel rates.

9. Negotiate hotel rates.
洽淡酒店價(jià)格

If you can’t find a great deal on a hotel and flight package through a third-party travel site, call the hotel or resort directly and inquire about the best available deals. Sometimes the rates extended by the hotel are lower than those published online. Hotels may need to fill rooms at the last minute, and some will be open to negotiating a rate or package deal.
如果你通過(guò)第三方旅游網(wǎng)站沒(méi)有找到好價(jià)位的酒店和折扣多的機(jī)票套餐，你可以直接打電話給酒店或者旅游景點(diǎn)，詢問(wèn)最優(yōu)惠的價(jià)格。有時(shí)候酒店的實(shí)際價(jià)格要比在網(wǎng)上公布的價(jià)格要低。酒店在最后時(shí)刻可能需要讓游客滿員入住，這時(shí)有飛酒店就會(huì)同意議價(jià)或者提供協(xié)議優(yōu)惠。

10. Research ground transportation options.[

10. Research ground transportation options.
研究地面交通方式

Don’t wait until you arrive at the airport to figure out how you are going to get to your hotel or resort. Research taxi service providers and rental car companies before you leave so you can negotiate a rate or book a great deal.
不要等到到了機(jī)場(chǎng)再去分辨如何坐車去酒店或者旅游景點(diǎn)。在你出發(fā)之前研究一下的士服務(wù)提供和租車公司，這樣你能同他們協(xié)商一下價(jià)格或者預(yù)定優(yōu)惠價(jià)格。

11. Look for freebies and deals at your final destination.

11. Look for freebies and deals at your final destination.
在你的目的地找免費(fèi)消費(fèi)和贈(zèng)品

Search for free attractions, events and guided tours at venues throughout the town or city you’re visiting. Keeping activity costs low means you can spend more on a great meal and splurge on other travel expenses. You could also check the daily deal sites at the city you’re visiting to see what types of discounts are available for local activities, events and dining destinations. Consider buying a city pass or similar activity card that lets you visit several attractions for one low price.
在你旅游的鎮(zhèn)或城市，尋找免費(fèi)的景點(diǎn)、活動(dòng)和導(dǎo)游。保持日?；顒?dòng)低消費(fèi)意味著你能有更多的錢吃大餐和在其他旅游花費(fèi)上揮霍。你也可以在當(dāng)?shù)氐娜粘＝灰拙W(wǎng)址找找有什么當(dāng)?shù)氐膬?yōu)惠活動(dòng)或者折扣餐廳?？紤]買一張城市景點(diǎn)通行卡或者類似的優(yōu)惠卡，這能讓你用低價(jià)格參觀好多景點(diǎn)。