How to save money booking your next vacation

WASHINGTON — Summer’s calling, and your suitcase is practically begging to be zipped up. But before you book that overpriced flight or load up your rental car with regrets, we’ve got you covered with some money-saving travel hacks straight from travel guru Peter Greenberg, CBS travel editor and seasoned globe-trotter. He’s been doing this for almost 40 years—and yes, he still tips with $2 bills.

1. Book like a boss—on a Sunday night
Once upon a time, travelers swore by booking on Tuesdays at midnight. Not anymore. Greenberg says the sweet spot is now after 6 p.m. on Sundays. Why? That’s when business travelers have locked in their plans, and the leftover fare inventory starts to open up. 

2. Break free from the round-trip trap
That round-trip ticket may look like a deal, but if you have to make a change, the airline might reprice both legs—and you’ll pay the price.
Greenberg’s move? Buy two one-way tickets. You’ll have way more flexibility, and you won’t get punished for changing your plans on the way home.

3. Renting a car? Ditch the insurance 
If you already have a car, chances are your personal insurance (or credit card) covers you when renting. Read your policy before you fork over that extra $30+ per day. Spoiler alert: the rental desk will try to upsell you.

4. Airbnb? Hotel? Hostel? Guesthouse?
It’s not just about price—it’s about experience. While Airbnbs can be dreamy, Greenberg warns: beware the fine print, especially the cleaning fees. Negotiate everything up front, and make sure you’re close to public transportation.

5. Wanna save on hotels? Pick up the phone
Do your research online, but don’t book there. Instead, call the hotel directly and ask for the manager on duty. Be friendly, ask questions and negotiate. 

6. Discover freebies by talking to the right people
Looking for free or cheap things to do? Skip the concierge. Ask the bellmen or maids. They know what’s actually good nearby and what won’t cost you a dime.

7. Don’t hoard travel miles
Your points and miles are not a savings account—they don’t earn interest, and they lose value over time. Greenberg says: use them. Even if it’s for a trip you’ve never considered before, book it. 

8. Travel insurance: worth it?
Greenberg’s rule: “It’s not about how much it costs. It’s how much it’s worth.”
Buying a $59 flight? Skip the insurance. Booking a $5,000 cruise? Get the insurance. And always buy it before a storm is named—or it won’t cover weather issues at all.
Oh, and don’t buy insurance online. Call a real-life travel agent so you know what you’re covered for.

9. Don’t exchange currency in the U.S.
Avoid airport kiosks and currency exchange counters in the states. Instead, check if your bank reimburses foreign ATM fees. 

Bonus tip: be smart about airport WiFi
Need to check your email in the airport? Go ahead. But online banking or shopping while on public WiFi? Absolutely not. Hackers are lurking, and that cheap flight could cost you way more in the long run.

Greenberg isn’t just talking the talk—he’s lived out of a suitcase, working as an investigative reporter for decades. “I was the guy with a suitcase in the trunk of my car,” he says. “I learned by making mistakes. That’s how you learn.”

So pack smart, plan wisely and don’t forget your $2 bills. Your best vacation yet might just be your most affordable one.