After more than a year of COVID-19 restrictions, Americans are traveling again in big numbers. That doesn't mean economic issues are in the rearview mirror. The good news is there are plenty of websites that can help you save on travel, connecting users with deals and discounts on everything from flights to lodging to gas and car rentals. Here are some of the top options for pinching pennies.
Related: 14 Countries Where You Can Travel if You’ve Been Vaccinated
Booking.com
Booking.com saves users money by connecting travelers with the deals on everything from quaint B&Bs to luxury hotels, resorts, villas and apartments. Users can also sign up to have deals sent directly to their inbox.
HotelTonight
If you need a hotel room, HotelTonight may be a good place to start. The mobile-only service specializes in offering heavily discounted room rates especially for travelers who have flexible schedules or are seeking to book a room at the last minute.
Hotwire
Hotwire users can access a network of Hot Rate Hotels — the name given to its exclusive catalog of discounted hotel rooms — with a low-price guarantee. The service says it has saved users more than $3 billion.
Airbnb
Forgo pricey, cramped hotel rooms and rent a whole house instead. Airbnb gives renters virtually unlimited access to abodes of all shapes and sizes — though these days, many property owners are looking for longer stays. Vrbo is another great option for vacation rentals and lists many of the same properties, sometimes for less.
Related: 20 Amazing Airstream Trailers You Can Rent on Airbnb
Flipkey
Flipkey saves travelers money on rentals that often cost less than hotel rooms, according to the site, which features a long list of domestic vacation destinations from Myrtle Beach to Cape Cod and San Diego. Users can also sign up to get personalized recommendations and deals sent to their inbox.
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GasBuddy
Gas prices were low during the pandemic, but have skyrocketed as Americans hit the road again. GasBuddy uses data provided by the network's millions of users to provide the best prices at local gas stations. The site says Americans have saved more than $12 million with its help, or as much as 25 cents per gallon. It's free to join.
Autoblog
Autoblog offers users a tool for finding the cheapest gas. Just type in a ZIP code and Autoblog shows local stations with the cheapest prices.
Related: 20 Ways to Get Better Gas Mileage
Getaround
If you've tried to book a rental car lately, you've probably noticed the current shortage and steep price hikes. Getaround is a car-rental alternative that lets drivers find, reserve, and book cars by the hour or the day. Cars, trucks and vans are available. There's no subscription or monthly membership required. You pay only for the time you rent a vehicle. You can also share your car on the site to earn money.
Turo
A peer-to-peer car rental site Turo promises safe car sharing despite coronavirus. All cars are clean and disinfected, and the service provides contactless check-in. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours before your reservation — or share your own car on the site to earn extra cash.
Zipcar
The oldest U.S. car sharing company is still at it, in more than 500 cities and towns with more than 12,000 vehicles, from tiny cars to moving vans and even the occasional luxury ride. Membership is $70 annually, and cars are rented by the hour (but can be taken out for entire days as well).
Ladybug
Drivers save money by browsing multiple car rental sites with a single search. Just plug in the pickup location, time, and date to find the lowest rates.
AutoRentals
Autorentals offers rental deals at airports big and small. Using the site you can search major cities from New York to Los Angeles and Chicago to find the best deals on rental vehicles.
LivingSocial
Like Groupon, (with which it merged in 2016), LivingSocial offers deals on goods, services, and travel. It offers discounts on everything from Wildlife parks to Valvoline Instant Oil Changes.
Related: Cheapest Oil Change: Jiffy Lube vs. Valvoline vs. Walmart and More
DogVacay
Traveling without your pet? DogVacay lets users browse local dog sitters for when they plan to go away, saving money by choosing the best rate and feeling secure that sitters have been vetted. It claims to be the nation's largest network of five-star pet sitters and dog walkers.
Related: What are the Most Expensive and Cheapest Dog Breeds?
Cheapism
At Cheapism, we find the best cheap products out there and tell you what they are. On our blog, we also write about travel, food, lifestyle, health and fitness, home life, and more, all with an eye toward the best ways to save money.
