I’m currently in Hong Kong and really enjoying myself shopping and catching up with friends! Hence, I thought it will be good for me to write a post on how to fly on the cheap since the last four flights of mine have only cost me less than AU$130 each way.

Frequent Flyer Points

You do not have to be a frequent flyer to chalk up all the miles! Theses days, companies are joining ventures to provide consumers with more opportunities to accumulate the miles. From credit cards to grocery stores to auto shops and etc. It seems that almost everyone is trying to get in on the pie. However, most of the times, these service providers do tend to charge more for their services. I currently is the AMEX QANTAS card. It is a great card that offered me a bonus 10000 points at sign up plus every dollar that I spend translate into 1.25 points. This means that I often pay my groceries and shopping with this card. Any time that I’m able to use the card, I do it (this includes utilities too!). However, the AMEX card does come with an annual fee of $195. So before you go out signing up with different cards, remember to look at the fine print and check out their interest rates. The cards that offer frequent flyer points are typically higher in interest rates than other no-frills credit card. My recommendation is only to apply for these cards if you pay your statement in full. There is no point in chalking up all the miles if you are going to accrue interest! Your flight will only cost more.

Budget Flights

My partner and I flew into Hong Kong on separate flights this time around (he technically did not fly into Hong Kong). There is a little trick where you are able to save almost $500! This trick comes in the beauty of Fly Viva Macau. It is a budget airlines that services Sydney to Macau. Macau, like Hong Kong, is part of China but they are both classified as Special Administrative Regions (SAR).  Macau is often described as the Vegas of Asia. It is full of casinos and great food! Flying via Viva Macau will set you back approximately AU$600 for a return trip. Compare this to flying direct to Hong Kong, which will set you back $1200 for a round trip. So you say, how do I get from Macau to Hong Kong? Easy! This is via a 1 hour ferry that costs about $25 one way. All the savings from the flight can go into SHOPPING! Total cost of getting to Hong Kong is only $650. However, if you book ahead of time and keep an eye out for flights, you are often able to score cheapies that are about $200 one way.

Enjoy

Jess

Travel Light and Save

With the school holidays approaching, there is no need to fear the big “R”. By finding some easy ways to be penny wise, you will be able to afford a holiday for the family that will not blow the budget. Here are some tips and advice on how to avoid a budget blow-out when you are preparing for the next holiday.

1. Do Your Research

By knowing the weather, you can pack your clothing appropriately. This will mean unnecessary spending in the event that you need either a coat or a swimsuit and the only place you can find is a tourist store. Let’s face it, everyone knows that tourist stores are generally expensive. It also pays to find out the type of activities that you will be doing while travelling. For example, will you be snorkelling? Find out whether it is cheaper to rent one instead of bringing one. Find out more about your destinations from websites such as www.tripadvisor.com or www.travellr.com. These websites provides invaluable advice from people who have visited the destinations.

2. Only take one carry-on bag and a backpack.

Most budget airlines, such as Jet Star, have airfares that are relatively cheaper when you only bring a carry on bag. This is a great idea. Not only do you save on the airfare, it also means that you will not be stuck at the check-in counter and you do not have to wait ages for your luggage when you disembark the plane.

3. Make those Frequent Flyer Miles work for you.

Are you one of those people who have tonnes of frequent flyer miles but have never used them because the dates that you want are often unavailable? Personally, 95% of my flights have been booked using frequent flyer points. Most of the times, I will have my flights booked at least 6 months in advance. This ensures that I have the dates of my travel choice.

4. Visit a country where you know someone

The reason behind this is because you can ask really politely and kindly if they can provide you with somewhere to sleep in their home. This not only allows you to visit a new place, it also allows you to catch up with old friends.

5. Are you a frequent traveller?

Do consider getting an annual travel insurance policy instead of multiple policies if you are a frequent traveller. Annual rates are typically more competitive and you can save as much as 30%.

Sweet dreams when accommodation is free!

Airfares are plummeting and a nice holiday overseas will do the soul good. However, holidays do tend to be expensive as most people usually spend the bulk of their money on accommodation. With a nice four to five star hotel costing at least $3oo upwards a night, can you imagine how much you will be able to splurge on the essentials such as clothes and shoes if you were able to save on accommodation?

The easiest way to score FREE accommodation skinflint yet chic style is to bunk with family or friends. Plan your holidays where you either a friend or a family member who is willing to offer their floor space. Find out where your friends and family members are via Facebook or other social media that you use to help stay in touch with people. Most of the times, friends or family are more than happy to host you.

Lounge with lovely fireplace at the Grampians YHA

Another form of accommodation that I tend to book is Youth Hostels. Before you squirm at the thought of visiting a youth hostel, check out the YHA Grampians and YHA Apollo Bay in Victoria. Both are eco-certified, clean and comfortable (especially in winters where you are able to lounge in front of the huge fireplace). I have been to both YHAs and they are the cleaner than some of the four star hotels that I have stayed at. My partner is a true skinflint and only really likes staying at youth hostels. He enjoys the value for money and also the different people who you will meet at those places. However, he understands my need for nice hot showers that are clean so he makes sure he does his due research before he makes the booking to avoid an earful from me .

Lastly, for those who are more daring, there is “couch-surfing”. The idea behind “couch-surfing” is more altruistic than scoring a freebie. According to CouchSurfing.org, “CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance and facilitate cultural understanding.” A friend of mine has used this service before and she had no complains. It is great for travellers on a budget and especially University students who are backpacking. Do practise common sense and be courteous towards the host and reciprocate the kindness of those people by hosting a traveller when you are able to. In short, clean up after yourself and be kind. Exercise caution and make sure you only couch surf with members who have been verified. For more information on couch surfing, check out these links:

www.couchsurfing.org (A non-profit organisation dedicated to network people one couch at a time)

www.globalfreeloaders.com (An Australian hospitality network, that helps you save money while travelling and meeting new people)

www.hospitalityclub.org

www.stay4free.com

Finally, the +1 point came to me when I recalled my friend (Jia-en’s) story of student poverty, living in New York and the travel bug. Both are mutually exclusive but Jia-en managed to solve the problem with her brilliant partner. They came up with Roomorama. In short, Roomorama is a “short term rental marketplace” for those wanting to visit the United States of America. You can search for places that you would like to stay at within New York or any other states. This works great for those who like to stay longer in a city but find that hotel rates are ridiculously exorbitant. There are heaps of websites offering this type of services. My Google search on “House Swap” gave me the following websites and many others:

www.homeexchange.com - With over 20,000 listings worldwide, you can have your pick of homes to swap. Save money on accommodation and use the money to get yourself a fabulous dress or two.

www.homeforexchange.com – Why rent your vacation home if you can swap it with someone else? Save your money on better things such fabulous dinners and shoes!

www.sublet.com (As seen on Channel 9’s Getaway)

www.aussiehouseswap.com.au – This is an Australian website for those interested in seeing more of Australia. Need a temporary seachange? Why not swap your urban home for a beach house for a couple of months?

www.roomorama.com – A New York Based peer to peer rental portal. Wanna live the high life in NYC for a month without incurring expensive hotel bills? Roomorama has the answer.

www.homeaway.com – This website offers villas, condos, beach houses, ski lodges and etc for swaps. You name it, they have it.

So, before you plan your next travel destination, save your money on accommodation and try out these new ways. The money saved will definitely be well spent on clothes, shoes and souvenirs. Enjoy your holiday!