Who doesn’t love to travel? It gives you a much-needed break from work and releases your stress, even if it’s just for a few days. So, to enjoy your best, it’s important to think ahead of time and prepare well. Most people only plan to keep big expenses in mind, such as airfare, accommodation, and everyday food expenses. But, various other hidden travel expenses can throw your budget out of control.
Types of Unexpected Expenses during Travel
Going on a holiday can surely be uplifting, although several unexpected costs might make a hole in your pocket. Whether planning to go to another state or abroad, unforeseen events can mess up your travel budget. Let’s look at some unexpected travel expenses and how to handle them before you hit the road.
Flight Cancelation/Delay
While we would love to reach our destinations on time, certain things are beyond our control such as flight delay or incidental overnight expenses. Flights are canceled or delayed every other day because of bad weather, Aircraft’s mechanical issues, or staffing problems.
If that happens, here’s what you can do:
- Under Federal Laws, most airlines must offer a full refund of canceled or delayed flights beyond a certain hours.
- Some airlines even provide travel credits or vouchers as a refund. You can redeem the credit by booking through the airline’s app or website.
- Some credit cards can also provide you extensive coverage from such troubles as Capital One Venture, Citi Premier, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, and others.
Baggage Delay/Loss
Imagine finally getting the chance to go on your dream holiday and not finding your luggage. You will have no outfits, makeup, or skincare essentials for the whole trip. People traveling for business might need crucial documents packed in their luggage.
- Don’t worry; U.S. airlines are bound to compensate the passengers if any luggage has been damaged, lost, or delayed due to their mistake. So this way you can get back your Airline Baggage Fees.
- Baggage Coverage is a crucial aspect of travel insurance. It offers monetary assistance beyond what the airline can provide .
Foreign Transaction Fees
Traveling abroad for leisure means visiting popular places, trying new food, and doing local shopping. These days, no one carries cash to make payments. So, if you are using either your debit or credit card for an international purchase, you will be charged foreign transaction fees.
This fee can quickly accumulate as you swipe your card throughout the trip. How to handle these bulging costs? Go for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees such as Citi Premier® Card, American Express® Gold Card, and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card!
Trip Insurance
We absolutely hate this to happen, but sometimes you might have to cancel or cut short your trip, which may result in a huge loss with all the non-refundable or prepaid hotels, excursions, and flight bookings. Thus it is essential that you budget for unexpected expenses.
Hence, Trip delay, Trip Interruption, and Trip cancellation can be the major reasons for getting Travel Insurance. It covers everything- hotels, transportation, meals, tours, etc. You can either actually purchase Travel Insurance or use credit card for travel offering similar perks like- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, United℠ Explorer Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, etc.
Unconfirmed Hotel Booking / Overbooked
No one wants to gamble with their accommodation during the trip. Booking a hotel at the last minute might seem intriguing as a money-saving tactic, but what if you find no room with every place overbooked? Also, an unconfirmed hotel booking might rip off all the excellent choices and benefits and throw your vacation in disarray.
Having membership statuses at popular hotels such as Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt can significantly reduce travel expenses and your chances of unconfirmed hotel bookings etc. Plan and book your favorite hotel room with a beautiful view with your hotel credit card in advance- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. And earn lucrative rewards, including welcome bonuses, elite status benefits, free nights, and more.
Final Takeaways
One should try to keep an extra room in your traveling budget or get a travel insurance credit card because such unexpected travel expenses can greatly impact your travel budget.
If you wish to stay on top of all the benefits and perks from credit cards as well as maximize your credit card rewards on everyday spending by knowing the best credit card for your purchase, Download the Uthrive App! We can certainly help you to save money on travel, plan a trip to your dream destination, and more with incredible points, cashbacks, miles, and offers.
