How to Save $500 on Your Next International Trip Without Using Points
We’ve all heard the stories—someone books a $2,000 international vacation for $12.67 and a few frequent flyer points. That’s great… if you live and breathe reward hacking. But what if you don’t have a stack of credit card points? Can you still save serious money on international travel?
Here’s how I regularly shave $500 or more off international trips—no points, no spreadsheets, no complicated loopholes. Just smart, real-world tactics that anyone can use.
1. Be Flexible With Airports—Seriously
The airport you fly into (or out of) can dramatically impact your ticket price.
Example: Flying into Milan is often way cheaper than flying into Rome. Or flying out of Brussels instead of Amsterdam might save you $150+.
What to do: - Use search engines like Google Flights or Skyscanner and toggle the "Nearby Airports" option. - Check open-jaw flights (e.g. fly into Paris, fly out of Madrid). - Don't rule out smaller airports—you might just score a deal and discover a hidden gem.
Yes, you’ll spend a bit more on ground transport—but the savings often outweigh it.
2. Break Up the Booking (DIY Multi-Leg Flights)
Let’s say you’re flying from LA to Bangkok. A direct flight might cost you $1,100. But if you: - Book LA to Tokyo separately (for $500) - Then book Tokyo to Bangkok (for $150)
You’ve already saved hundreds—and maybe even scored a stopover in Japan.
Just make sure: - You leave plenty of buffer time between flights (especially if switching airlines) - You book with travel insurance in case of delays - You’re okay claiming and rechecking baggage if necessary
This isn’t for every traveler—but if you’re up for a little DIY logistics, it can pay off big.
3. Skip Hotels for Short-Term Rentals or Guesthouses
Hotels can be beautiful—but often overpriced, especially in tourist hotspots.
Instead, try: - Airbnb or Vrbo for entire apartments (great for longer stays) - Guesthouses and family-run stays (especially in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe) - Booking.com filters for “budget stays” or “hostels with private rooms”
You’ll often get more space, a kitchen, and local insight for half the price of a hotel.
Bonus: you can save money cooking a few meals or doing laundry.
4. Travel in the Shoulder Season
You don’t have to go in the dead of winter to save money—just avoid the absolute peak weeks.
Shoulder season = major win.
- Europe in late April or early October - Southeast Asia in June or September - Japan in May (after Golden Week) or early December
Fewer crowds. Lower prices. Better experiences.
Airfare and accommodations can be 30–50% cheaper, and you’ll often have more flexibility to book last minute (which also saves money).
5. Use Local Airlines and Transit Sites
Don’t just search on Expedia or big travel engines. In many regions, local airlines or booking platforms offer better deals and don’t always show up in U.S.-based searches.
Examples: - In Asia: Check AirAsia, Scoot, or Jetstar directly - In Europe: Book trains with Omio or Trainline - In Latin America: Use Despegar or ClickBus for local buses
Pro tip: Use incognito mode when searching multiple times—some sites do bump prices based on your cookies.
6. Avoid ATM Fees and Bad Exchange Rates
One of the sneakiest ways money drains away abroad? Currency exchange and ATM fees.
Here’s how to stop the leak: - Get a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card (like Charles Schwab or Revolut) - Withdraw money from local ATMs in-country (never at the airport) - Always choose to be charged in local currency, not USD - Never exchange cash at those flashy airport booths
These little moves can easily save you $50–$100 over a trip.
7. Use a Data Plan That Doesn’t Cost a Fortune
Roaming charges can wreck your budget before you even leave the airport.
Options that save money: - Buy a local SIM card at your destination (often $5–$10 for a week of data) - Use eSIM apps like Airalo or Holafly for easy, digital setup - Turn off background data and download offline maps
Also: don’t pay your carrier $10/day for roaming unless you absolutely have to.
8. Take Advantage of Free Walking Tours
Instead of pricey guided tours, look for free walking tours—they’re tip-based, and the guides are often super passionate locals.
- Great for history, culture, food insights - Often less scripted and more flexible than paid tours - You meet other travelers and get real local recommendations
Sites like GuruWalk, FreeTour.com, or even hostel bulletin boards are a goldmine.
Tip your guide fairly—$5–$10 is normal depending on the country.
9. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
It seems small, but bottled water adds up—especially in countries where you can’t drink from the tap.
Bring a collapsible or filtered water bottle, and you’ll: - Save $2–$4/day - Cut down on plastic waste - Always have hydration on hand
Especially useful at airports, where water is weirdly expensive and fountains are free.
10. Bundle Flights and Accommodations—Sometimes
Sometimes bundling through sites like Expedia or Booking.com actually results in big savings. Other times? It’s fluff.
When it works: - When you're booking last-minute - When you’re open to basic hotel options - When prices are significantly lower than separate bookings
Just compare carefully. Use price trackers like Google Flights or Hopper first, then see if bundling gives you a better deal.
You don’t need 100,000 credit card points or elite status to save real money on international travel. With a little flexibility, local know-how, and smart planning, you can easily knock $500 or more off your trip.
