Secrets to Cheap Travel (Encore)

This episode of The Wirecutter Show features an encore interview with Elaine Glusak, who has written about travel for 25 years and has been the Frugal Traveler columnist at the New York Times since 2020. The column, which celebrates its 30th anniversary, covers budget travel in various forms including international destinations, road trips, camping, cruises, and various accommodation types.

Glusak explains her philosophy on budget travel, arguing that it enhances rather than diminishes travel experiences. She contends that traveling on a budget brings travelers closer to authentic cultural experiences and away from luxury resort isolation. She has evolved her approach over time to prioritize sustainability, flying less frequently, and stacking assignments when she does fly. She increasingly favors slow travel methods including walking, cycling, paddling, and trains.

On airfare, Glusak provides specific guidance: domestic flights should be booked 6-8 weeks in advance, international flights 12 weeks out, though major hubs like New York and London offer more flexibility. She recommends starting with Google Flights to understand pricing, then using Kayak and setting up price alerts on both platforms. She advocates for manipulating itineraries by testing different dates and suggests the website Going.com for deal notifications from specific airports. She dispels the myth that Tuesday nights are the best time to book, explaining that airline pricing is now computer-driven and changes hourly, but advocates for flying on low-traffic days like Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday for better prices and airport experiences.

Regarding ticket types, Glusak emphasizes never buying non-refundable basic economy tickets, as the $50 savings isn't worth losing the entire fare if plans change. She leverages airline credit cards to offset fees for seat selection and checked bags, with annual fees typically paid back within one or two trips for frequent travelers. She highlights risks with budget carriers including nickels-and-diming fees and infrequent service that could leave travelers stranded for days if flights are canceled.

For lodging, Glusak advises booking hotels early when rates are lowest and cancellation policies are unrestricted. She recommends signing up for hotel newsletters for subscriber-exclusive offers and searching availability calendars to find the cheapest dates. For alternative accommodations, she suggests searching early for Airbnbs and Verbos, considering longer stays for weekly discounts, and attempting to book directly with hosts for better rates. She shares strategies for finding direct contact information through Google searches of photos or signage and negotiating annual recurring visits directly with small hosts.

On broader travel trends, Glusak notes that tourism to the U.S. is down significantly, particularly from Canada and international visitors, creating more availability and better domestic prices. She discusses exchange rates as a strategic consideration, pointing to Canada (1 USD = $1.38 CAD) and Mexico as favorable destinations for American travelers. She recommends checking currency exchange websites and personal finance blogs like NerdWallet.

Regarding travel agents versus DIY booking, Glusak maintains she prefers doing her own research but acknowledges agents add value for high-end trips, specialist experiences like safaris, Disney trips, and particularly cruises where agents have access to special perks like upgrades and shipboard credits. She mentions Costco Travel specifically as offering competitive car rental rates, sometimes better than direct airline booking.

On Black Friday travel deals, Glusak characterizes them as a "sales bin of misfit toys" where value requires digging but gems exist, particularly for national park lodges that rarely discount otherwise. She personally tested this by booking a yacht trip in Croatia on Black Friday, saving $400 but traveling in April's chilly Adriatic—an experience she valued for having islands to herself over having perfect weather.

Regarding travel insurance, Glusak advises against purchasing it at booking, noting that most credit cards already provide consumer protections for flight delays and related expenses. On flight cancellations, she explains that airlines are required to offer refunds when cancellations are airline-caused, but travelers must quickly request the refund before airlines rebook them.

In a lightning-round section, she endorses error fares as opportunities, gives cautious approval to trip bidding platforms like Rumor and Plans Change, and recommends flexibility in approach. She closes with her travel philosophy: "Don't expect everything to go smoothly. When it doesn't, remember, the worst trips make the best stories."