Planning to hit the open highway with friends or family this summer? Dreaming of two weeks in Europe this fall?
When you finally return home, your head and heart will be full of memories — but your wallet will likely be running on empty.
Vacation costs can add up quickly. Any way to trim that damage is likely welcome. So, we’ve rounded up some of the best ways to save on travel costs in 2026.
1. Free cash back
Yes, you can often earn cash back when booking travel arrangements online, just as you can earn cash back when buying stuff from online retailers.
Websites known as cash-back portals make this possible. Examples include:
By going to other websites through such portals, you can earn cash back on purchases you make on the sites of certain hotels, car rental companies and online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline.
Of course, paying for travel expenses with the right credit card can help you earn cash back or various travel freebies. So, shop around for the best travel credit card with this comparison tool from FinanceBuzz.
2. Free checked bags on airlines
Free checked baggage used to be the norm on most airlines. Those days are long gone, especially after Southwest Airlines stopped offering free checked bags in May 2025.
You can find some exceptions to paying for checked bags, however. For example, American Airlines allows free checked bags for travelers who hold certain AA-branded credit cards.
Many airlines also offer complimentary checked baggage in certain situations, as we detail in “6 Ways to Avoid Paying to Check Bags When Flying.”
3. Free Wi-Fi on airlines and at airports
It used to be that many people wondered how they’d get through a two-hour flight without a cigarette. The modern version of that malady is trying to endure a couple of hours without internet access.
Fly JetBlue, however, and you won’t have to worry. The airline offers free Wi-Fi — dubbed “Fly-Fi” — on all of its aircraft.
Delta SkyMiles members can also connect to free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights.
Many airports also offer complimentary Wi-Fi service.
For more options, check out “8 Airlines That Offer Free Wi-Fi on Flights — or Soon Will.”
4. Free line skips at airports
The biggest hassle and time-suck at the airport is the security checkpoint line. By now, many people are familiar with quick screening programs like TSA PreCheck — as well as their price tags.
Normally, TSA PreCheck costs about $77 for new enrollment and between $59 and $67, roughly, to renew, depending on whether you renew in person or online.
But numerous credit cards and even some travel rewards programs, like Marriott Bonvoy, cover the application and renewal fees.
5. Free museums
If your idea of great travel includes the arts and culture, and you have a Bank of America or Merrill credit or debit card, you can get a great freebie on the first full weekend of every month.
That’s when more than 225 museums and cultural institutions across the U.S. that participate in BOA’s Museums on Us program offer you free admission.
But not to worry if you aren’t a BOA or Merrill customer. The Museums on Us program is just one of many ways to land free admission. For plenty of others, don’t miss “7 Ways to Visit Top Museums Across America for Free.”
6. Free U.S. national parks
The network of U.S. national parks is an American treasure. And if you choose the right days throughout the year, you can visit some of the crown jewels of the National Park Service for free in 2026.
Admission is free to 400-plus national parks — and other sites, such as national monuments, battlefields and seashores — on several days each year. You can find the full list of free entrance days for 2026 on the National Park Service’s website.
Helpful hint: Use these days to visit one of the more than 100 parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The other national parks are free year-round.
7. Free lodging
From redeeming loyalty program rewards to house-sitting, there are more ways to land a free room or sofa on your vacation than you might think. Try checking out “10 Ways To Score Free Lodging for Your Next Vacation.”
8. Free hotel services
Hotel chains clamoring for your business often try to dangle the carrot of a freebie or two — from complimentary chocolate chip cookies at DoubleTree to yoga mats at Kimpton Hotels.
So, be sure to ask about freebies the next time you’re looking to book a room.
9. Free travel apps
The right smartphone app can save you money when you travel. A few of our free favorites include:
- GasBuddy: This app lets you type in a city or ZIP code and find a list of local gas stations offering the lowest prices. It can also help you save on gas.
- Google Translate: This app allows you to translate text, pictures or speech into more than 200 languages.
- Hipcamp: This app helps you find (and if needed, book) a camping spot for the night, whether it’s in a tent, RV, cabin or treehouse.
10. Free tour guides
You know that nagging feeling: You’re in a new city and probably missing out on all the fun things to do or interesting facts about the area’s history. Thanks to several options, you can get the skinny on your vacation destination — for free.
In more than 170 locations, the International Greeter Association helps you connect with local volunteers who will show you around their home city.
If you prefer to tour on your own, check out free audio guides from services like iAudioguide.com.
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