To save big on a spring trip!

Ready to enjoy the warmer weather with a relaxing getaway? Before you book your vacation, use these travel pro– approved insider secrets to keeping cash in your wallet Snag the lowest airfare

Flying to your destination and want to be sure you’re getting the lowest ticket price? Plan to f ly on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. A review of domestic airfare prices by Google Flights reveals that these weekdays are 20% cheaper than f lying on a weekend. “Flight pricing is all about supply and demand,” says Kyle

Potter, executive editor of travel and f light deal website Thriftytraveler.com. Since more families go on vacation at the end of the week, airlines cut prices on earlier weekdays to f ill seats. To save more: Once you f ind a great fare, book it, then take a day to look around for a better deal. Airlines must give you either 24 hours to cancel a f light or allow you to put a 24-hour “hold” on fares when you book at least seven days in advance of your departure. Notes Potter: “So, as long as you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you can get a full refund.”

Enjoy hotel luxuries for less

If your idea of the perfect getaway includes luxe amenities like a heated pool, spa, sauna and beach access, but the high price of staying at a luxury resort is out of the question, you don’t have to sacrifice your fun! Just book a room at a cheaper no-frills hotel that’s near a resort that has the kinds of recreational options you want, then buy a day pass to it from Resortpass.com, advises Jen Ruiz, author of The Solo Female Travel Book and travel blogger at Jenonajetplane.com. “You can get access to luxurious properties for as low as $25 a day.” This way, you can take advantage of the resort’s amenities during the day for hundreds of dollars less than it would cost to stay there overnight.

Cut the cost of car rental

The price of renting a car has been climbing in recent years, costing an average of $49 to $78 a day just for an economy class car without any extras like insurance. To trim your bill, you probably already know it’s wise to check out current deals on rental car company websites (like Alamo.com/en/carrental-deals.html and Avis.com/en/offers/ us-offers). What you may not have realized? You can cut up to 30% off your rental car price just by taking advantage of memberships you already have! Most major car rental companies partner with a wide array of groups (AAA, university alumni and professional associations, volunteer organizations and workplaces), issuing unique discount codes that their members can use to get a price break when renting a vehicle.

Bag a bargain for a cruise

Dream of sailing away on a relaxing cruise? Now’s the time to save a bundle doing it. Fewer folks book cruises during the “shoulder” season of spring than during winter and summer, forcing cruise lines to lower prices to f ill cabins. Many will even throw in extra discounts (like free Wi-fi and excursions) or give free passage for additional travelers who join you. Worry it’s too late to get on a ship for a spring getaway? Great news: Most cruise lines have last-minute cabins available and give even bigger discounts for folks who take them off their hands! To f ind these bargains, visit Cruises.com/promotion/lastminute-cruises.do. Or visit the website of your favorite cruise line and look for a link to their last-minute offers.

buster! Scam

Treated yourself to an expensive hotel room, airplane seat or souvenir? Watch out: Research in the Journal of Travel Research shows that spending more cash on one aspect of a vacation leads to splurging on other parts you didn’t plan to. That’s because the higher price tag makes other high costs seem reasonable. Fortunately, reme remembering your budget be before making another purch chase keeps overspending in check.