6 Airport Hacks That Will Save You Hundreds on Travel This Summer
Summer travel this year can be expensive.
With much higher fuel prices, you’ll likely see airfare and other costs go up. In fact, the average cost of travel is already 9.8% higher compared to 2025, according to the U.S. Travel Association. That means a family of four can easily spend hundreds more than they did just a year ago, before they even leave the airport.
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This doesn’t mean you cancel your summer trip, though. You can reduce your travel expenses without sacrificing comfort with these airport hacks.
1. Time Your Trip Around the Cheapest Weeks
Peak summer doesn’t mean every week is equally expensive. According to Skyscanner’s smarter summer report, the cheapest week to travel is Aug. 17-23.
Tokyo remains the top international travel destination for Americans. So the best week to fly to Tokyo is August 31, with flights averaging $650 compared to the summer average of $792. Checking fare calendars before booking can easily save you $100 to $200 per ticket regardless of the destination and it doesn’t take long to look it up.
2. Consider a Different Departure Airport
Where you fly from also matters when it comes to airfare and other fees. JFK, Washington Dulles and San Francisco consistently rank as the most expensive departure airports. While we may not all have the flexibility to shift to a different departure point, the savings are worth it if you’re a driving distance from another airport.
3. Use a Travel Credit Card To Access Airport Lounges
Many people assume airport lounges are reserved for those who fly first class. However, anyone with alliance status or a credit card that offers lounge access can enjoy this service.
Credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum include complimentary lounge access, where free food and drinks offset a meaningful chunk of what you'd otherwise spend. This is ideal for families on long layovers.
4. Book Off-Airport Parking in Advance
Airport parking is convenient but usually costly. Off-airport lots are cheaper and most offer frequent shuttle services. If you’re traveling longer than three days, pre-booking an off-airport lot instead of walking in saves even more.
Use sites like SpotHero and ParkWhiz to compare prices and lock in rates ahead of time. The only trade-off with this hack is the short shuttle ride, which can offer meaningful savings on airport parking fees.
5. Pack Solid Food
Most travelers don’t realize how much of their own food they can legally bring on a flight. Airlines allow almost every solid food. The rule is no liquids or gels over 3.4 ounces and no outside drinks. You can bring sandwiches, protein bars, whole meals and an empty water bottle.
The average American family spends $240 on airport food and drinks, which you can cut this expense with a little prep before leaving the house. Just be sure to check with your airline the quantity you can transport with your carry-on.
6. Ship Luggage Ahead Instead of Checking It
If you can’t skip checked bags completely, consider shipping luggage ahead of your summer trip. Platforms like Luggage Forward and Ship Sticks let you ship your luggage to your destination, often cheaper compared to what most airlines charge. For families with multiple bags, this reduces the airport hassle and can save $100 to $200 in round-trip fees.
To help Americans navigate the added cost of summer, MoneyLion is giving away $1,000 every day through July 4. Enter the Summer Break Giveaway here (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See Official Rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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