Some Clever Hacks That Will Make Your Trip Joyous & Cheaper
When it comes to travel, we are all on the lookout for ways to make the experience smoother, cheaper, or just plain more interesting. But not all travel hacks look legit on the surface. Some can seem a little sketchy. And guess what? These sketchy travel hacks almost always work!
Yet, in the spirit of savvy adventure, here are five sketchy travel hacks that are surprisingly helpful:
Booking Flights Late at Night
One of the best sketchy travel hacks is to hunt for flights late at night. Around midnight or the wee hours, airlines sometimes release unsold seats at lower prices to clear their inventory. These last-minute discounts don’t usually stick around, so night owls and insomniacs are often the lucky ones scoring them.
Josh / Pexels / While not glamorous, finding one of these passes can get you into the VIP world of comfy seating, free Wi-Fi, and snacks without the usual cost.
While this hack doesn’t always guarantee a deal, it is worth trying if you are spontaneous or don’t mind a little unpredictability. Sure, staying up late can disrupt your sleep, but the chance to save hundreds on a ticket might make it worth it.
Sneak Into Airport Lounges Using Left-Behind Passes
Ever thought about wandering into an airport lounge without a pricey membership? This sketchy travel hack involves spotting discarded or abandoned lounge passes that travelers sometimes leave behind, often on tables or in airport lounges’ trash bins. Just keep your eyes peeled as you walk through airport terminals, as you might stumble upon a free pass with some validity left.
Fake a Phone Call to Avoid Tourist Traps
Tourist hotspots are often swarming with pushy vendors, tour guides, or even scammers eager to reel you in. One quirky travel hack? Pretend you are on an important phone call as you pass through. Holding your phone to your ear while animatedly ‘talking’ to an imaginary person can make you seem preoccupied and far less approachable. Vendors are more likely to look for someone else to approach, so you are free to explore without constant interruptions.
Book a Round-Trip Ticket to Ditch the Return Flight
If you require a one-way ticket, booking a round-trip flight and ditching the return leg can often be cheaper than buying a one-way fare. This hack may sound strange, but many airlines offer better pricing for round trips, even if you have no intention of actually using both flights.
Intro / Pexels / By booking the round-trip ticket and simply not showing up for the return flight, you can sometimes save big on airfare. Give it a try!
Of course, this hack works best if you don’t have frequent flyer status with that airline. So, make sure you don’t need any other flights with the airline soon, as some have policies that might affect your future bookings.
Use the “Broken” Hotel Reservation Excuse for an Upgrade
This hack requires some acting, but if you are game, it can work surprisingly well. When you check into a hotel, tell the front desk that your reservation did not seem to go through correctly and act confused.
Sometimes, if the hotel isn’t fully booked, they will accommodate you with a free upgrade to “make up” for the supposed error. It is a bit of a stretch, sure! But this approach has been known to get travelers into larger rooms or suites with better amenities than what they actually paid for.
While this hack is not foolproof, a little charm and persistence can go a long way. If you are polite and persistent, the hotel staff might just take pity on you and upgrade your room without extra charges. Just don’t overdo the performance.