Everyone would of course love to cut down on some money when planning to travel. I love a good discount but I also love to stick to a budget that helps me save money for my next trip. Splurging can be nice but let's be realistic and talk about the best ways you can save money on your next trip.

Any advantage of a good travel deal? Sign me up ASAP. If you're a newbie traveller, good practice and learning will make you a pro at spotting good deals and deciding if you should take them when they come up.

To be able to jump on last-minute deals, you'd have to be flexible with your itinerary or rather impromptu, depending on how good the deal is. I'm a planner at heart and always plan when I'm going on vacation. Being flexible aside, what is important in choosing the best travel deals is looking at the right places and choosing the deals that are worth your penny.

No gate-keeping over here so let's go through some tips and tricks for choosing the best travel deals and the tools to find them.

Travel apps and services

It starts with testing the waters as a beginner and the good news is that the right app on your phone or a good website can be the gateway to find the best travel deals.

1. Going (formerly Scott's cheap flights)

Number one on the list is this amazing free website that allows users to set up travel deal alerts for their home airport and a few destinations. To access more tools and services like choosing more than one airport, and alerts on premium class tickets, you can subscribe for either their premium version.

2. Hopper

With the Hopper app, you can set alerts for flights and hotels based on where you want to go or stay. The app uses predictive technology to determine when the best time to book a trip will be. You can also freeze prices for a specific window of time if you find a deal but don't want to finalize your plans just yet.

3. Sky-scanner

Sky-scanner is considered a good resource to book your flight tickets. A Major plus on this booking website is the daily deals showcased that allow users to set flight price alerts.

If you're a bit indecisive about the destination you want to travel to, you can simply add your home international airport and leave the destination blank. With the destination box not filled, Sky-scanner will showcase good deals to top destinations which allows you to compare to your budget. This is a top spontaneous travel deal for travellers who would eat up fast.

4. Google Flights

An amazing website that allows you to compare flight prices based on destination, date of travel and airline. Highly recommended if you want to do a bit of research on how a particular trip might cost you. For effective research in comparing and finding the best travel deals, you do need to have a specific destination, and it lets you know the best time to book. You can also sign up for the website email alerts to receive specific routes from Google.

When should you jump on a travel deal?

Anxiety locked away in the drawer, staring at an email pop-up alert for a deal to your dream destination. Seems like a once-in-a-lifetime deal and of course your instincts will scream for you to book immediately.

But should you?

I'm a bit sceptical about whether it's a good deal or if it's even worth it. Here's how to figure it out:

What is the typical estimated price for the flight to your dream destination and hotel cost?

You need to use tools like Google Flights to resource flight prices and determine if you're getting a good deal or not. Once you've compared and you're satisfied with the deal you're getting, you've hacked the first step, which is research.

Booking a flight is not just about the prices, though. Now that you have an idea of the standard prices, you can easily spot a worthy deal. There are a few factors to consider and tips that will help you find the best travel deal.

1. What is the source of the deal?

Paying attention to any red flag will save you a lot of time. If that juicy travel deal is only available on a third-party booking site you've never heard of or come across, you might need to slow down before booking. Prices tend to increase suddenly when you click on a third-party deal. To avoid disappointment, check the final price and confirm the source before dropping your money on the deal.

2. How many layovers will there be?

Lower prices might equal layovers, which isn't exactly ideal especially if you have a set appointment for when you'd like to arrive at your destination. You might also have to spend money at the airport or spend on a hotel room which ruins the point of getting a good deal.

3. What time does the flight leave?

The time the flight leaves is something you should consider too. Not everyone is willing to get up early or fly late at night so you need to check well. If the time is not suitable for you, the deal may not be worth it.

4. Airline

The airline you'll be flying with should be one where you're comfortable with their customer service and policies. Before flying with an airline, you'd want to confirm if they offer any special deals, specific cancellation policies, or baggage fees.

Accommodation

Sites like booking.com have amazing features when searching for accommodation. You get to see deals from the cheapest to the most expensive choices. Reviews from previous customers are also on the site for you to vet the spot you're interested in.

You can book a hotel, hotel, or apartment with a free-cancellation option.

Airbnb. It is increasingly becoming a popular choice among travellers. If your trip is a long one and you like having your space to yourself, consider booking an Airbnb. They have good options that allow you to save money, vet the place you're booking and many more.

The main tips for spending less on the trip are:

1: Choose a hostel over a hotel. Hostels are a cheaper option if you are on a budget and don't want to overspend. You also get to meet many people and have intriguing conversations that might lead to lifelong memories.

2. Don't always eat out. There's going to be the urge to try every good-looking dish and explore the many restaurants and cafes in the city you're touring, but control yourself. Your savings will be you later. Make your meals at your accommodation which is a lot cheaper than eating out every time especially if you're in an expensive city.

3. Elevate your cardio workout. You can't be in a new city and hesitate about the power of walking. Walk as much as you can to properly explore the city and get lost in the beautiful history, buildings, and people. There are free walking tours you can be a part of and explore the main tourist attractions and you also have a local guide to keep you from getting lost.

4. Travelling to a big city? You'll need a transport card or a tourism card, whichever is available. This would make your tour a breeze and save you money on taxis and Uber. You'll also get amazing discounts for main attractions routes and see how steep the price is compared to using private rides all through your trip.

Everyone wants travel to be easy and the best it can be for a good price. A few tips to help you stay on budget and make your trip worth it.

1. Do not search for the same flights repeatedly on the same browser, as the prices tend to rise. A better way to get good flight prices is to search for them in incognito mode and you won't have to worry about any hike in price.

2. Midweek flights are often on the cheaper side so if you don't have a set appointment to arrive at your destination, being flexible with your flight date is a good option.

3. Using websites like Site Scanner allows you to set alerts for flight tickets you need and you'll receive a notification once the prices drop. This is an amazing feature that reduces the burden and you get to book the tickets as soon as the good deal lands on your radar.

4. If you're going on a group trip, a pro tip is to search for flight tickets individually to save the group some money. Searching for up to four tickets shifts the algorithm to ignore cheaper tickets and provide four of the same price. Searching separately might save you some money but make sure to link the separate bookings with the airline you are all travelling with.

5. According to experts, early morning flights are an ideal option to prevent things like airport delays, or airport/staff issues. You get to meet up with your appointment and avoid stories that touch the heart, which might ruin your plan.

6. For the sake of impromptu change of plans and emergencies, you should book with an airline that offers a 24-hour cancellation policy.

7. Having a travel credit card might come in handy to save you some money on ticket costs and also help manage your travel budget. Using a travel credit card might also attract good perks, like welcome bonuses.

8. An advice worthy of repeating is to never change currency at the airport. The exchange rates are always steep, which ruins the point of travelling on a budget. It is better to change currency outside of the airport at a trusted location or you can use your credit card for purchases although some places would prefer cash.

9. If you'll be using your credit card to make payments, do not make the mistake of choosing the conversion back to your home currency. Always choose the local currency.

Getting the best travel deals isn't a hard hack to crack so following these tips is all you need.