How People Are Actually Saving Money on Travel (And Not Just Giving It Up)
Travel hasn’t stopped being important to people, but the way we do it has definitely changed.
Flights feel more expensive, hotels feel less generous with their offers and that carefree “just book it” energy has been replaced with “is this really worth it?” calculations.
And yet… people are still travelling. Often more intentionally. Often more creatively. And in many cases, for less money than you’d expect.
Here are the real, practical ways people are saving money on travel in 2026 - including one option that’s quietly growing in popularity: travel clubs and member discounts.
Skip to:
1. Travelling Differently (not necessarily less)
2. Being Strategic About Flights (not obsessive)
3. Re-thinking Accommodations (Hotels aren't the default anymore)
4. Planning Around Experiences (not Instagram)
5. Using Loyalty, Cashback & Bundles (quietly, consistently)
6. Travel Clubs & Member Discounts (the option more people are exploring)
7. Getting Help Instead of Doing It All Alone
8. Help To Start Saving on Your Travel
1. Travelling Differently (Not Necessarily Less)
One of the biggest shifts is how people travel.
Instead of:
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Two-week summer vacations/holidays in peak season
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School-holiday-only trips
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“One big blowout a year”...
People are choosing:
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Shorter breaks spread through the year
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Shoulder-season trips (spring + autumn are having a moment)
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Flexible dates instead of fixed plans
A long weekend in May or September can be hundreds cheaper than the same trip in August - with better weather and fewer crowds.
If flexibility is an option at all, it’s one of the biggest money-savers there is.
2. Being Strategic About Flights (Not Obsessive)
People aren’t necessarily hunting for the cheapest possible flight anymore - they’re looking for best value.
That often looks like:
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Flying midweek
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Using price alerts rather than checking daily
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Choosing nearby airports
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Flying earlier or later in the day
Some are also mixing airlines (out one way, back another) or flying into one city and out of another to reduce costs.
3. Rethinking Accommodation (Hotels Aren’t the Default Anymore)
Hotels are still great - but they’re no longer the automatic choice.
Many travellers are saving money by:
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Choosing aparthotels or serviced apartments
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Booking smaller, independent places
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Staying slightly outside the main tourist areas
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Using longer stays to unlock lower nightly rates
The bonus?
More space, better kitchens, and fewer “$28 breakfast” moments.
4. Planning Around Experiences - Not Instagram
This one’s subtle, but powerful.
People are starting with “what do we want to do?” instead of “where looks good online?”
That often leads to:
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Less touristy (and cheaper) destinations
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Better value for food, transport and activities
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Trips that feel more memorable - not just photogenic
It turns out, the most expensive places aren’t always the most enjoyable.
5. Using Loyalty, Cashback & Bundles (Quietly, Consistently)
A lot of savings don’t come from one big discount - but from stacking small advantages:
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Loyalty points
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Member-only pricing
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Cashback portals
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Package deals that reduce overall cost
Most people don’t talk about this much… but it adds up over time.
6. Travel Clubs & Member Discounts (The Option More People Are Exploring)
This is the one people are most curious about - and often unsure about.
Travel clubs work by offering member-only access to discounted hotels, resorts and experiences, often at prices you won’t see on public booking sites.
For many people, this means:
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Better hotel rates
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Added perks (room upgrades, late checkout, credits)
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Easier planning without endless searching
It’s not about luxury-only travel - it’s about paying less for the same trip, or upgrading without upgrading the price.
Some people use travel clubs:
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Once or twice a year for bigger trips
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For regular short breaks
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Or simply to check prices before booking elsewhere
💡 Like anything, they’re not for everyone - but for the right traveller, they can save hundreds over a year.
If you’re curious but cautious, that’s exactly how most people start.
**take a look at the Travel Savings Club I use - UTC Travel - to get an idea of the savings you can make**
7. Getting Help Instead of Doing It All Alone
This is the part people don’t always admit.
Travel planning can be:
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Overwhelming
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Time-consuming
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Weirdly emotional when money is tight
More people are choosing to:
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Ask questions
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Get recommendations
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Learn smarter ways to book
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Or simply talk it through with someone who’s already figured it out
Want Help Saving on Your Travel?
If you’re:
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Curious about smarter ways to travel
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Interested in discounts, clubs or alternatives - but want honesty (this is the travel club I use and trust for my bookings)
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Tired of trawling through ads and conflicting advice
I share practical tips, deals, and real-world options via email - in plain English, without hype.
👉 Sign up to the Travel Savings Edit below and you’ll get:
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Ideas for saving on real trips
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Early access to things worth knowing about
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And a place to ask questions to someone who's been around the travel savings block many times!
Travel shouldn’t feel like a guilty luxury - it should feel possible again. ✨