The Ultimate Cheat Sheet: Smart Fourth of July Travel Tips to Beat the Holiday Rush
With Americans expected to hit the road and take to the skies in record numbers this holiday weekend, keeping your budget intact might feel like an uphill battle. Thankfully, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy your holiday. By deploying a few clever Fourth of July travel tips, you can stretch your dollar further—whether you are dealing with crazy airport parking rates or looking for a break at the pump.
REUTERS/Chris Aluka Berry
The Secret Airline Hack for Cheaper Airfare
If you have already booked your flights, you might think your ticket price is set in stone. Think again. According to ABC News chief transportation correspondent Gio Benitez, one of the most overlooked Fourth of July travel tips is checking for post-booking price drops.
If the current price of your exact flight has decreased since you bought it, call your airline immediately. Most major carriers will issue you a travel credit for the fare difference. Just keep in mind that this sneaky saving strategy won’t apply if you booked a non-refundable basic economy ticket.
How to Score 50 Cents Off Per Gallon at the Pump
For the road trippers keeping an eye on the fuel gauge, gas prices are slowly trending down, but you can do even better. Amazon Prime members are getting a massive holiday bonus this year: a whopping 50 cents off per gallon on one fill-up between July 2 and July 5.
To lock in this deal, simply link your Amazon account to BP’s earnify loyalty program. The discount hits at over 7,500 participating BP, Amoco, ampm, and Thorntons stations nationwide. Combine this with the GasBuddy app to locate the absolute cheapest stations along your route, and you’ll save serious cash before you even hit the highway.
Ditch the Airport Parking Fees for $4 a Day
Airport parking during peak holidays is notoriously expensive, but a little outside-the-box thinking can save you a fortune. Instead of pulling into the airport’s official economy lot, look into nearby airport hotels. Many hotels allow travelers to book parking spots on their property for as little as $4 a day—complete with a complimentary shuttle straight to your terminal. Always run a quick search for online coupon codes before booking, and ensure you download your airline’s official app to easily manage any sudden rebookings or delays.
