Ways to Get The Best Price or Unlock Benefits - International Travel

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  mskeggs on 21/01/2025 - 19:33

  +3

  Your question is super broad, but let me see if I can start.
  Use Google flights or a similar site with your dates to scout out possible flights. I’d suggest not being fixed to flying in and out of London - often Dublin or Paris are cheaper.
  The big savings are often for terrible connections/lay overs, so if you can get flights in April under, say $1800 with a reasonable transit time and reputable airline, I’d say that is close to the best you will get.
  I’d personally use rail to get around UK and Paris, tickets are cheapest booked ahead.
  Ryanair or similar between Ireland and UK or Paris.
  Unless you have a special credit card, it is hard to get lounge access, but maybe you have a platinum or black card that is worth seeing if it includes any features like that?

  My other advice is pretty generic too, just have a couple of credit/debit cards, ideally with no international fees. Compare accommodation ruthlessly, the different sites have lots of specials that can often save 15% compared to usual.
  I have gone off AirBNB because they are so poor at dealing with cancellations, but you might feel differently.

  If you want specific advice, share the things you want to do, budget expectations ($300 a night, $1000 a night, 5 star dining etc.)

  • 

    Alias2000 on 22/01/2025 - 06:48

    Thanks mskeggs for your suggestions. It sure was a superbroad question but you nailed it.

    That's a great idea point you made about not being fixated on flying in and out of London. I'll take a look at alternative arrival and departure cities as there is no reason why we have to start or end our trip in London. We were also considering a train to Paris.

    In terms of budget, we tend to stay at 4 or 5 star hotels with a budget of $300-500 a night and prefer to fly economy with the major airlines. Dinner we will probably budget for $150 a night, though possibly more as I anticipate it will be more expensive in London.

• 

  Jetkuma on 21/01/2025 - 19:48

  +2

  When I think about international travel, I think of few things:

  1. Currency exchange purchases - You want a "no foreign exchange fee" card. There are only a few. I suggest Bankwest Qantas Platinum - It has no foreign fees on purchases.
  2. Foreign Currency - You want either UP, uBank, Macquarie and the like. I like Macquarie Transaction Account because it has no fee domestic fee and no fee international fee. Of course, the opposite ATMs that you withdraw from that country might charge but at least from your bank, it is free.
  3. Travel insurance - You can buy travel insurance if you like or you can use credit card embedded travel insurance. Of course, you need to read T&Cs for that to make sure you meet its criteria. The best one in the market for CC is American Express CC's travel insurance.
  4. Lounges - You said you have 2 kids and your wife. That would be 4 travelers. It will be difficult for you and your wife to utilise lounges. I would break this to 2 players game. There are a few credit cards that offer Qantas Lounge or Priority Pass Lounge. They can be a great way to save money on food. Sometimes, it isn't worth it to sign up credit cards just for these but it does help when you get sign up bonus points for it.
  5. Best flight price - I assume you want to save money on flights and with 4 people, the chance of business class is very slim. We'll stick with economy. I suggest those points you signed up via credit cards to be used to purchase classic reward class with Qantas or with Virgin - Velocity Points. It isn't great for value but if you are signing up credit cards, it would be a great saving for that first year.
  6. Best hotel prices - I usually compare between bookings, hotel directs, and agoda. If I find cheaper price than direct hotel, I read hotels' best price guaranteed policy/match and make a decision. This is basically - they said they will price beat or match. Often times, you will get them to reward you with either extra points/ price beat. Here are two examples:

  IHG:
  It is our promise to our guests that they will get the best rate available online for IHG branded hotels when they make hotel room reservations directly with IHG. If a lower rate is available on a non-IHG website for an IHG branded hotel room, and that lower rate meets the requirements of the BPG Terms and Conditions, IHG will match the lower rate and provide the individual that submitted the BPG claim 5X (5 times) the IHG® One Rewards points on the room rate for that stay up to a 40,000-point maximum. *These bonus points are only awarded to IHG® One Rewards Members.

  Marriott:
  Our Best Rate. Guaranteed.

  There are few guarantees in life. But our Best Rate Guarantee is one of the best. It assures that you’ll always get the best rate available when you book directly with Marriott®. Here’s how it works:

  Make a reservation using any official Marriott reservation channel (Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy App, Customer Engagement Centers, or directly with a hotel).
  If you find a lower rate for the same hotel, same room type, and same reservation dates on a non-Marriott website or non-Marriott Bonvoy app (“Comparison Rate”) you may submit a Best Rate Guarantee claim.
  If we approve your claim, we’ll match the Comparison rate AND give you your choice of either an extra 25% discount on the room (20% discount for Design Hotels) OR give you 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points.

  • 

    cheekymonkey97 on 21/01/2025 - 22:44

    +1

    Haven't compared recently but I think Citi Prestige offers the best CC travel insurance at the moment.

  • 

    Alias2000 on 22/01/2025 - 06:52

    Thanks Jetkuma, that's a great tip Re price match on hotels. I will definitely be reading up on the fine print of hotels we choose to see whether we can save more by going direct and look at some of the membership options.

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  boomramada on 21/01/2025 - 20:21

  +2

  Let me make it simpler for you
  Looking for flight - https://www.google.com/search?q=flight+aggregators
  Looking for hotels - https://www.google.com/search?q=hotel+aggregator+sites

  Use them and compare them till you find the cheapest option, It is always better to book directly either by airline or hotel than through an aggregator site.

  Hotel programs or airline programs don't do much for you, since you haven't travelled overseas in years.

  If you find a good deal, you can post it here :)

  • 

    Alias2000 on 22/01/2025 - 06:54

    Perfect, thank you!

    Yeah I thought being a non frequent traveller will limit the opportunity for benefits and upgrades, though I thought it was still worth asking.

    I definitely will be sharing anything amazing I stumble across.