Parking and travel to the airport
According to R. Narė, if traveling to the airport by private car, the cost of long-term parking should be considered, and if choosing taxi or ride-sharing services – also the travel expenses.
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“When choosing cheaper flights, it is worth considering not only the ticket price but also which airport you are flying to. Sometimes a flight to an airport farther from the city costs less, but the trip to the hotel or other final destination can significantly increase the total expenses. It is also worth checking in advance how to get from the airport to the accommodation, especially if the flight is scheduled late at night or early in the morning when public transport may no longer operate,” comments the bank representative.
According to her, when planning a trip by car, it is worth checking in advance whether parking at the hotel or apartment is included in the accommodation price. In tourist areas, parking fees often have to be paid separately, so these expenses should also be included in the travel budget.
Expenses at the airport
According to R. Narė, another often forgotten expense item is additional airline services. Larger carry-on baggage, checked luggage, seat selection, or priority boarding may seem like small expenses at first glance, but when traveling with family, they quickly add up to a significant amount.
“The ticket price alone does not always show how much the trip will actually cost. Cheaper flights often mean longer layovers, and a few extra hours at the airport may have to be spent on food, drinks, or other necessary expenses, which are often much more expensive at airports. Therefore, sometimes it is worth considering whether a slightly more expensive but direct or more convenient flight will not cost about the same in the long run,” says R. Narė.
Currency exchange and card payments
Additional expenses often do not end upon reaching the travel destination. One of the most common mistakes, according to the bank representative, is exchanging currency at an unfavorable rate or choosing an inappropriate payment method.
“If traveling to a non-eurozone country, it is worth exchanging some cash before the trip because currency exchange rates at airports, hotels, or tourist spots are often less favorable. Also, when paying by card, it is advisable to choose payment in the local currency. If the terminal offers to convert the amount into euros, a less favorable exchange rate is often applied,” advises R. Narė.
The expert also recommends checking in advance what fees may apply when withdrawing cash from ATMs, as in some countries they can be quite high.
Mobile communication
When planning the travel budget, mobile communication costs are often forgotten. Although in European Union countries communication services usually cost the same as in Lithuania, traveling to Turkey, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, or more distant destinations can result in an unpleasant surprise on the mobile internet bill.
“Before departure, it is worth checking the operator’s rates not only for mobile internet but also for calls and SMS messages. In some cases, a cheaper solution may be a pre-purchased eSIM plan or services from a local operator,” advises R. Narė.
Travel insurance
Another common mistake is purchasing additional travel insurance without checking whether such coverage is already included with the payment card.
“Many people are surprised to learn that certain payment cards already provide travel insurance. In some cases, it covers the cardholder and family members traveling together. However, before traveling, it is important to verify what risks the insurance covers – whether medical expenses, lost luggage, flight disruptions, and other unforeseen events are compensated,” says the expert.
According to her, insurance coverage varies between different banks and payment cards, so before traveling, it is worth checking not only the validity of the insurance but also compensation limits and additional conditions, especially if active recreation is planned or traveling with children.
Saving is helped not only by careful planning
According to the bank representative, travelers increasingly look for solutions that help manage the holiday budget more efficiently. One of them is the additional benefits provided by payment cards, such as the ability to accumulate loyalty points for future trips on everyday purchases or to use services relevant to travelers.
“Today, a bank payment card is no longer just a means of payment for many. Solutions are emerging on the market that allow accumulating points for future flights on everyday purchases, while also providing travel insurance, higher carry-on baggage limits, priority boarding, or mobile internet data packages abroad,” says R. Narė.
