How to save on travel, tickets and car rental – 08/03/2023 – Tourism

Traveling in 2023 is in the plans of 57% of Brazilians. Of this group, 65% will dedicate themselves to spending less to make their dream come true, while 75% say they pay maximum attention to promotions.

The data is part of a survey carried out in August 2022 by the Booking website, with 24,179 people from 32 countries, including Brazil.

Packages continue to be an economical way out. “We negotiate exclusive rates with suppliers, there is no way to get the same discounts outside the packages”, says Viviane Piovarcsik, CVC’s sales director.

But you have to run. It’s time, for example, to guarantee the promotions that the company launched for the July holidays. “This year, the winter season in South America is strong. In addition to chartered flights to Bariloche, we will have chartered flights to Mendoza, Ushuaia and Salta”, says Piovarcsik.

Those who understand travel and live with their feet on the road —or in the clouds— know that a lean budget also depends on a lot of dedication.

“There’s no secret: it’s sitting in front of the computer and researching”, says Guilherme Tetamanti, from the profile @queroviajarmais, on Instagram. Tetamanti has method.

“I start by researching destinations on Google Flights to find out which segment is most advantageous. Then I research all airlines and search engines. They compete with each other, but they don’t offer the same deals.”

Check out, below, ten tips that can brighten the trip also on the way back.

1 – Loyalty program

Managing multiple loyalty programs is the strategy of Cecília Beu, from the @viajanteeconomica profile. “These programs have turned into a world of their own. I just got back from Santiago, Chile, with points I earned on the purchase of an air conditioning unit.”

Concentrating purchases on a single credit card, or purchasing multiple products on the same platform, can represent savings. According to Nelson Benavides, Booking’s commercial director, discounts for members of the Genius loyalty program, for example, reach 20%.

2 – Advance

Organizing the trip in advance has always been the golden rule to get more friendly fares — a habit that Brazilians left aside during the pandemic, says Benavides. “As the rules changed all the time, people got used to booking at the last minute.”

For financial strategist Jenni Almeida, the ideal is to start researching 18 months in advance, to follow promotions and intensify purchases on a card that generates more miles. “This advance also helps to organize the purchase of local currency gradually.”

3 – Exclusive email

To be aware of all special offers, Antonio Augusto, marketing director at Localiza, tells his trick: “The best way is to create an exclusive email for the trip, register it on all search engines and websites and check it daily. Whenever someone reduces the rate, you will know immediately.”

4 – Flexibility

In research, flexibility is the keyword: it is worth considering close dates and flights in the middle of the week. “I avoid the most popular times, like going on Friday and returning on Sunday. Those who can board in the middle of a long weekend and come back a few days later will find good prices, even in high season”, recommends Andrea Miramontes, author of the profile @ladobviagem .

5 – Hosting

Conventional hotels are the accommodation most used by Brazilians, according to Booking, but vacation homes are gaining an ever-increasing share — in 2022, Decolar entered the segment in which Airbnb, Holmy, Vrbo, Expedia and Booking, among others, already operate . “It is the preferred modality for those traveling for more than four days, in a group or with children”, says Daniela Araujo, director of Decolar.

For Andrea Miramontes, the hostel is also worth considering — many have modernized and no longer resemble the ugly hostels of the past. “There are some beautiful and modern hostels, including suites, excellent for couples.”

6 – Calendar

The months of January and July are always the busiest because they coincide with the school holidays. But you can escape the high season.

“The first half of January and the beginning of July concentrate a good part of the movement. Traveling at the beginning or at the end of the high season is up to 20% cheaper”, says Viviane Piovarcsik, from CVC.

7 – Look at the map

It’s worth opening the map and analyzing the options around the fashion points. São Miguel do Gostoso, for example, one of the most visited places in Rio Grande do Norte, is surrounded by beautiful and less popular beaches — such as Zumbi beach.

Lifestyle and travel influencer Mauricio Atillio uses this strategy to escape Salvador’s high summer rates. “Not far away, Lauro de Freitas has one of the best beaches in Bahia, cheap quality hotels and even all-inclusive resorts for half of what you pay in Salvador.”

8 – International cards

Prepaid international cards, says Tetamanti, are safe and advantageous. The rate of the Tax on Financial Operations, the IOF, which currently reaches 5.38% on international credit cards, is only 1.1% on this type of card, which works abroad with a debit function and allows withdrawals. Another advantage is the conversion of currencies, made by the commercial exchange rate, which is much cheaper.

9 – Full tank

Car leasing has never been so popular in Brazil. “We recorded a historic volume in these summer holidays and we bet that the high will remain, as 2023 has many super holidays”, says Antonio Augusto, marketing director at Localiza.

According to Augusto, the cheapest models do not always represent savings. “Depending on the route, fuel at road stations can cost more. It is often worth renting a car with greater autonomy, which does not need to be refueled during the trip.”

“During the end of year festivities and school holidays, we recommend closing the reservation four to six weeks before”, says Jamyl Jarrus Junior, Executive Vice President of Movida.

10 – Meals

Limit restaurants to special moments — these expenses can represent more than a third of the budget, says influencer Mauricio Atillio.

Cecília Beu usually has only one meal while traveling. “I have breakfast at the hotel, only to have a late lunch on the street. At night, I have a picnic in the hotel room, with items purchased at the supermarket.”

For Andrea Miramontes, the tip is to appeal to street food. “I pay a visit to a local restaurant and, on the other days, I eat at food trucks and markets. It’s an excellent way to get to know the local culture.”