No one wants to pay full price when you can get a discount. And there are many ways you can save money when you travel. But did you know that monogamy can save you money when you travel?
Being a loyal customer to an airline, car rental company, hotel, or cruise line can mean big savings. Here’s how being monogamous can pay off in travel discounts.
Airline Discounts
With almost 70 major airlines in the world, you have many choices when you fly. But, by choosing one airline to focus your flying on and becoming that airline’s loyal customer, your allegiance can translate to preferred seats, checked bags, and upgrades.
Free Preferred Seats
You get free preferred seating (a savings of up to $108 per flight segment) when you fly 25,000 miles (or 30 segments) with one airline such as American Airlines, or United Airlines. And when you have elite status with an airline that’s part of an airline alliance like American Airlines is part of the oneworld alliance, you’ll also get free access to preferred seats when you fly on other oneworld airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas.
Check a Bag for Free
Concentrating your flying with one airline and you’ll also pocket extra savings by avoiding checked bag fees. Fly 25,000 miles with United Airlines and you’ll get a free checked bag on United and their Star Alliance airline partners like Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Singapore Airlines.
Upgrades
Pay coach and fly First Class? Fly often enough with one airline and you can fly upfront for free. The airlines give free upgrades from coach to First Class on domestic flights to their frequent flyers when space is available.
Car Rental Discounts
Choosing an airline to remain loyal with isn’t the only way you can save money when traveling. Renting from one car rental company can also pay off with free upgrades and free rentals.
As a National Emerald Club Executive member you’ll get free upgrades and a free car rental after every five paid rentals. Plus you’ll pay no fees for second drivers.
Avis, and Hertz have similar frequent renter programs that reward your loyalty with free rentals and other discounts.
Hotel Discounts
If free checked bags and car rentals aren’t enough, you can also get hotel perks when you focus your hotel stays on a single hotel chain.
You’ll get free daily breakfast when you have the following hotel elite status:
- Hilton Diamond
- Hilton Gold
- Hyatt Diamond
- Marriott Gold
- Marriott Platinum Elite
Want to be able to stretch out a little more? You’ll get free room upgrades from Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Starwood when you earn elite status.
Some hotels offer guest perks without requiring any hotel stays, simply for being part of their loyalty program. For example, you get free in-room Wi-Fi at Hilton and Marriott hotels as a Hilton HHonors member (and book your stay through Hilton) or Marriott Rewards member.
Cruise Discounts
Does the high seas call you? You can also save money as a frequent cruiser from discounted cruises, welcome amenity gifts to free tours.
Royal Caribbean offers their Crown & Anchor Platinum and higher members discounts on balcony and suite cabins.
While Carnival Diamond guests get unlimited free laundry service (wash & fold) during their cruise.
Conclusion
Loyalty discounts are seemingly endless. You get free preferred seats, free checked bag, and upgrades with the airlines. Car rental companies are equally generous with free upgrades and free rentals for continued business. Free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and room upgrades come gratis with hotel loyalty. And the cruise lines offer perks from discounts on balconies and suites to free laundry service. But in order to get them, you have to choose a program and stick with it.
What are your favorite discounts for being loyal to an airline, car rental company, hotel, or cruise line?
