I Asked ChatGPT for the Best Money-Saving Travel Hacks — And a Travel Expert Reviewed Them
If you're still planning on taking that trip, you're more likely to go it alone.
A recent survey from Deloitte found that as of May 2026, only 45% of Americans planned to take a summer vacation that included paid lodging, the lowest that number has been in six years — and 2020 is no benchmark for normal travel plans. With 32% of non-travelers rejecting travel as too expensive today, it’s more important than ever to find money-saving hacks for trips.
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We prompted ChatGPT about which travel hacks actually work and which ones waste both money and time. Then we consulted a travel expert about his thoughts on this advice.
What ChatGPT Had To Say About Travel Hacks That Actually Work
Prompt: What are travel hacks that actually work for saving money?
The follow-up prompt was asking for a summary and seven hacks were selected.
Fly midweek and compare nearby airports for cheaper flights.
Consider booking separate one-way tickets instead of round trips.
Travel with carry-on luggage to avoid baggage fees.
Stay slightly outside tourist centers to save on accommodations.
Book apartments or rentals for longer stays.
Travel during the shoulder season for lower prices and fewer crowds.
Eat one quality meal a day and use grocery stores for snacks and breakfast.
But what do the experts think?
Expert Traveler Judges ChatGPT's Travel Hacks
Here's what the expert said when he weighed in.
1. Fly Midweek and Compare Nearby Airports for Cheaper Flights
Oliver Browne, a frequent flyer and the CEO of True Summit Adventures, believes that this one is 100% correct. With London and Milan as examples, here’s how the numbers work:
Weekend in June: London to Milan Malpensa is $120, London to Bergamo (50 mins from Milan) is $90, 25% cheaper
Midweek in June: London to Milan Malpensa is $65 and London to Bergamo is $38.
2. Consider Booking Separate One-Way Tickets Instead of Round Trips
Browne stated that typically, round-trip tickets are cheaper due to airline incentives and fees, and that this hack may not work.
3. Travel With Carry-On Luggage Only
This hack only makes sense for short-haul trips because you can save $50 to $90. However, it could be challenging for longer trips.
4. Stay Outside Tourist Zones
You can save $200 per night if you’re willing to stay 10 miles from central London, per Brown. However, you have to factor in transportation costs when you stay far away.
5. Book Apartments for Longer Stays
For medium-length stays, apartments are likely a better value than hotels, especially for families and in higher-tier locations. Browne noted that a family can save about $200 per night by choosing an apartment in the same area.
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6. Travel During the Shoulder Season for Lower Prices and Fewer Crowds
This hack is 100% accurate and you can save about 30% by traveling during the shoulder season — the bookends to peak travel periods, when the allure of a destination is there, but the demand is diminished. Browne also points out that you get smaller crowds and that hotels may offer dynamic pricing.
7. Eat One Quality Meal a Day and Use Grocery Stores for Snacks and Breakfast
Browne agreed and noted that you can save $25 daily if breakfast is not included in your hotel package.
ChaptGPT’s Response to Travel Hacks That Waste Time and Money
Prompt: What are travel hacks that waste time and money?
Incognito mode and cookie-clearing don’t reliably lower flight prices.
“Best time to book” tricks (like Tuesday at a specific hour) don’t meaningfully affect fares.
Ultra-long or complicated layovers often save little but waste time and energy.
Over-focusing on points/miles early can create fees and limit better cash deals.
Constantly rebooking hotels for tiny savings wastes time and can backfire.
Booking the absolute cheapest accommodation without location checks often increases transport costs.
Obsessing over small price fluctuations rarely beats focusing on flexibility and timing.
1. Travel Booking Tricks May Not Work
Vummy Kihaule, a travel expert and senior travel consultant at Tanzania Safaris, agreed that using incognito mode is a myth, because airline costs are most affected by how busy a flight is and when it’s offered. She also warned that if travelers are waiting for that magical Tuesday flight deal, they may be missing out on significantly better flight prices that are already published.
2. Complicated Booking Hacks Don’t Always Make Sense
Kihaule also pointed out that losing a day of travel due to a complicated layover is often not worth the $50 in savings, because you can end up exhausted.
While she believes that points and miles can be useful, travelers can overemphasize their role in saving on a booking, which limits their travel flexibility. Such cards often come with annual fees that diminish their worth, and their holders could even choose a poor-value redemption over cash deals.
Travelers frequently spend more on a hotel once they factor in how much they hope to save on transportation to an attraction or how much time they lose due to poor daily logistics, per Kihaule. While it can be tempting to choose the cheaper option, the costs can creep up.
“From my experience," Kihaule said, "the most intelligent travelers don’t get caught up in the details of every price change. They know flexibility and routing and planning that is good overall, will provide the greatest rewards.”
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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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