Do you have to do some traveling this holiday season? Don’t let the seasonal prices get the best of you! This chat featured tips and tricks to help you save money on your travel expenses. Our panel included: Tonya Rapley- Certified Financial Educator, Millennial Money Coach and Founder of MyFabFinance.com, Paul Moyer- Founder of SavingFreak.com, Rod Griffin- Director of Public Education at Experian, and Mike Delgado- Social Media Community Manager at Experian. This deck featured tips from: @suddenlyfrugal, @SavingFreak, @DebbiKing, @MyFabFinance, @robert_harrow, @KOFETIME, @care4yourfuture, @WealthwithMina, @payoff, @wisebread, and @MiriamSCross.

1. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
How to Save on Holiday Travel

2. Join our #CreditChat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
This week, the community shared some great tips on saving
during holiday travel.
ex.pn/holidaytravel

3. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
What are the expenses you need
to think about when traveling
this holiday season?

4. If you’re traveling with presents
and want to wrap them ahead of
time, ship them to your destination.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Leah Ingram
@suddenlyfrugal

5. Transportation, food, lodging,
and getting your presents there.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Paul Moyer
@SavingFreak

6. Theusual-carrentals,flights,gas.
Butdon’tforgethotelrooms,foodand
airlinefees.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Debbi King
@DebbiKing

7. Watch for last-minute Christmas gifts
that you might feel tempted to buy.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance

8. Baggage fees are a real drain on the
wallet! Last year, airlines racked in $3.5
billion through these fees.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow

9. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
When is the best time to start
looking for travel deals and where?

10. For flying, eight weeks out is
prime, but you can still get good
deals up to five weeks out.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Paul Moyer
@SavingFreak

11. My favorite tool to use is the
Google flight calendar grid,
especially if your dates are flexible.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance

12. BookairfaresonaTuesday,dealsseemtobe
lower.Also,SouthwestAirlinesoffersgreatfreebies.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME

13. Use websites like Skyscanner and
Kayak to find the best deals on flights.
Also, purchase your tickets on Tuesday
or Wednesday.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

14. Clear your cookies every time.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Debbi King
@DebbiKing

15. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
How do you decide the best
form of travel for your family?

16. Figure out what’s best for your family
situation. If you have a lot of kids, then a
lot of plane tickets might not make sense.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

17. It depends on where you’re going,
but if it’s domestic, nothing beats
Amtrak for travel with a toddler.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Mina Ennin Black
@WealthwithMina

18. Ifyoutravelwithfamily,trytotakeadvantage
ofairlinecompaniontickets.Somecreditcards
evengivethemoutasperks.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow

19. For college students, carpool with
friends who live in the same city.
Megabus and Greyhound are good,
cheap options as well.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

20. It’s based on how much time we
have to travel. For longer trips, we
consider driving. If it is a quick
turnaround, we fly.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance

21. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Would you consider getting an
airline credit card that rewards
you with miles? Pros/cons?

22. As long as you’re responsible with the
card, sure! Bonus if there are no foreign
transactions fees and a microchip.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Miriam Cross
@MiriamSCross

23. I have the American Airlines card, and
I enjoyed the waived checked bag fee.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance

24. Onlygetanairlinecreditcardiftherewardsyougetfrom
itmakeupfortheannualfee-thinkofthelong-termcosts.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow

25. Only if you can pay it off and in full
every month. That way you receive
the maximum benefits from the card.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

26. It all depends on how much you
travel! An air miles card might be better
because they offer a variety of perks.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff

27. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
How can you save on
food when traveling?

28. Save on travel food by booking a
hotel room with a kitchen, so you can
cook some meals there.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME

29. Try and cook as much as you can, or
make things that you can take on the road.
The grocery store is your best friend.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff

30. Preparemealsbeforethetrip.
Thatway,youdon’tstopforfast
foodandthefoodislikelyhealthier.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

31. We always look for “kids eat free”
restaurants. I have a huge list on my site.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Paul Moyer
@SavingFreak

32. If driving, pack sandwiches,
wraps, snacks and bring the cooler.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Tonya Rapley, CFEI
@MyFabFinance

33. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
What are some frugal ways to
keep kids entertained on
long flights/car rides?

34. Books from the library, travel
games and coloring pages.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Debbi King
@DebbiKing

35. If you have an iPad, then there are
a multitude of free games and apps to
keep them entertained on the car trip.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

36. Bringsomefungames,
makesuretocheckyourlocal
thriftstoretostockup
beforethetrip!
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff
.

37. Travel Scrabble, Bananagrams,
cards; treat them to one comic book
or magazine at the airport.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Miriam Cross
@MiriamSCross

38. YouTube videos on repeat are a
sanity saver.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Mina Ennin Black
@WealthwithMina

39. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
How can you save on
lodging when traveling?

40. Stay with family or friends!
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Ashley Jacobs
@wisebread

41. Use the bidding process on
Priceline. You are leaving money on
the table if you aren’t using it.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Paul Moyer
@SavingFreak

42. RentoutahomeonHomeAwayor
Airbnbtosplitamongfamilyand
friends.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Miriam Cross
@MiriamSCross

43. If traveling with family, try to get a
suite/multi-bedroom to share the cost.
Or borrow/rent a friend’s timeshare.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME

44. See if you can stay with family or
friends. Otherwise, look at sites like
Kayak, Priceline and other such sites.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

45. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
What are some financial emergencies
you can encounter when traveling?
How can you be prepared?

46. Be prepared for travel financial
emergencies. Carry enough extra cash and
two days of extra clothes in case your
flight gets cancelled.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME

47. If you booked your vacation with a
credit card, you can use travel
insurance to help pay for emergencies
or cancelled flights.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow

48. Reviewyourcreditcard
benefits,youmightbe
surprisedwhatitcoversinthe
eventofemergenciesfor
rentalsorluggage.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

49. Lost luggage, car accident, the list
goes on. Make sure to have a copy
of your passport and some extra
cash on hand.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff

50. Car troubles! That’s why we have AAA.
Also, Geico has roadside assistance.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Leah Ingram
@suddenlyfrugal

51. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
How do you safely and securely
manage your finances when traveling?

52. When you travel, you’re on vacation,
not your wallet. It’s easy to overspend
when having fun, so set a budget and
stick to it.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow

53. Use credit instead of debit on your
bank card so you are covered for fraud.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Debbi King
@DebbiKing

54. Useacreditcardthathasgreatfraudprotectionand
alwayshaveabudgetforeveryitemonthetravellist.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Paul Moyer
@SavingFreak

55. Create a holiday budget. Plan out
your expenses and look for deals to
save money on your holiday expenses.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

56. For safe travel finances, use
traveler’s checks, prepaid debit cards
with a set amount to control your
budget and only take what is needed!
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
KOFE
@KOFETIME

57. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Any final tips for
holiday travelers?

58. Don’t forget to have fun and
remember what matters most, spending
time with the people you love!
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff

59. Take the time to plan your holiday. Using
the right credit cards to pay or booking at
the right time can save you hundreds.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Robert Harrow
@robert_harrow

60. Payoff
@payoff
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Payoff
@payoff
Safeguardyourhomewhileaway.Spendlesstime
worryingandmoretimehavingfun.

61. Remember how important your time
is this holiday season. That gift is more
important than any monetary gift.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
CARE
@care4yourfuture

62. Make your home look “lived in”
while away (stop paper, mail), have
someone shovel walk and put your
lights on timers to avoid theft.
#CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Leah Ingram
@suddenlyfrugal

63. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Check out all the resources and tips shared:
ex.pn/holidaytravel

64. #CreditChat
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Join Us Every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
experian.com/creditchat

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