rookie travel hacks

the first tips and tricks to make your holiday counts in the best possible way. been there, done that.

don't rush in to book your flight and hotel

happened  to me recently. 

i was planning my sumba trip when one of my travel partner mentioned there's a promotion going on in traveloka: 10% off for flight (capped up to 10 SGD) and 15% off for hotel (capped up to 20 SGD), promotion from 28 march until 31 march. not wanting to miss out the deal, i booked my flight right away on 28 march. 

on 31st march, i received an email from asia for 20% off base fare, which means additional 50 SGD off if i had not rushing in. 

lesson learned: wait until the last day of promotion. especially when you are travelling using budget airlines. if it does not state promotion period (like low promotion fare until the seats sold out), do a quick comparison and grab it fast.

checked at least 3 different travel websites, as well as direct airline / hotel websites, including the mobile app

same stupidity, repeated. 

i was looking for a hotel to stay in, and found it on expedia for $124 per night. checked traveloka and it shows the same price. 

since traveloka still having the 15% off for hotel and it was the last day of promotion, i booked it right away. sweet, i got 20 SGD off. 

the next day, i checked on agoda, and realised i can save another 23 SGD if i had booked it using mobile app on agoda. 

lesson learned: website prices and mobile app prices might be different. once again, do not rush in to buy stuffs. if you see a normal price on websites, you can still get it for 20% less at least, especially when it's during low season.

sign up for the right frequent flyer program

different airlines have different frequent flyer program and policy. some might benefit you in a way, while others are not. i signed up with 3 different flyer program: flying blue, kris flyer, and asia miles. 

flying blue award miles does not expire, as long as you keep on taking at least one qualifying flight in 20 months. it suits me more, so i always try to find flights under skyteam first. 

however, i would choose another airlines if it offers cheaper options. 

the other frequent flyer program has miles that only valid for three years. i make sure i check my miles, so at least i can donate it to charity.

lesson learned: it always a good deal. signing up for frequent flyer program is mostly free, and gives you lots of perks and upgrades. on the good time, maybe free flight. 

where magic happens