Transportation, including airfare, plays a huge factor into one’s travel budget. Discounted flights are often kept watch for by frugal travelers and they generally figure out ways to stretch their money.

Using Free Stopovers: When the hubby and I traveled to Australia the first time, we flew Air New Zealand. Why? Because the airline offered a free stopover in their hub in New Zealand. We had never seen the country and were planning to tour it anyway. This way, we didn’t have to pay for airfare to and from. The second time we traveled to Australia, we flew Air Tahiti Nui. This airline offered, as you guessed it, a free stopover in Tahiti on the way to or back. This was another place we had always wanted to visit.

Hidden Cities: Some airlines openly offer free stopovers as benefits; however hidden cities are typically discouraged and unadvertised by airline companies. The cheap traveler is then able to gain huge savings by taking advantage of such stopovers.

The reason this can be a huge savings is for example, you’re flying from New York to say, Las Vegas, it might actually be cheaper to take a NY to LA flight and just get off at a stopover in Las Vegas. The downfalls to using this tactic is that you will be unable to get your luggage as it will go to the original destination which makes it a mostly carry-on luggage type of trip.

Getting Bumped: If you’re looking to get very lucky with your travels and perhaps get a night or two more in a city you quite enjoy, be open to the option of being bumped. Typically airlines compensate you quite well when you give up your seat to another passenger.

Travelers knowing the rules know the compensation offered (check the carriers website), know the next flights out (be wary of carriers with once a week flights), and can weigh that against the pain of disrupted plans. The hubby and I always decide before arriving at the airport (early so we have a boarding pass to give up) whether or not it’s worth it. That way we can be the first to offer up our seats should the opportunity to arise. It’s almost always free round trip tickets or up to $300 in travel vouchers per ticket!

To increase your chance of being bumped you can use the strategy of booking on flights that are typically quite full later in the day. By making use of discount sites and being creative, travel doesn’t have to empty your bank savings, and this allows the thrifty traveler to get more for less.

Booking Your Ticket Online: Most travelers are pretty aware of this one, but online, I have always been able to get better deals than say, through a travel agent or through a hotel directory.

For example, if you’re going to Zurich, you should find your Zurich boutique hotel online before you arrive. By doing this in advance of your trip, typically three weeks is enough, you’re able to get good deals and a hotel room before it fills up.

Alejandra R. Machado is half Swiss and was born in Geneva though she was raised in Brazil. Traveling throughout Europe and particularly her fantastic homeland of Switzerland is her greatest satisfaction. She writes of her travels on her blog as well as gives reviews about each Zurich boutique hotel she stays in.