Everyone wants a good bargain, whether you're shopping at a local store, online, or even planning a trip. We make sure to get the best prices and jump unnecessary charges. But what if some of those charges are either hidden as discounts, slapped in your face when you least expect it, or just invisible until it's time to pay? That won't be happening to you on this trip if you read about these common travel expenses and how to avoid them.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange is such a big trap for travelers, surprisingly it's so easy to miss this part of your travel plan until you're in immediate need of your host currency. You can lose a whole lot of money if you don't learn how to get the best exchange rate while traveling. If you do, you get great bargains. Here is how to avoid the pitfalls of low exchange rates, and high commission charges.
- Do your research
Exchange rates usually change daily and sometimes even fluctuate throughout the day. Thus, you should make sure that you have a clear idea of the current exchange rate in the country you are traveling to. You can make your inquiries at your bank, online, or currency exchange centers.
Try to avoid the exchange bureaus at airports or in major tourist areas, even if they promise you a “no-fee exchange” or “zero percent commission.” These places try to attract gullible tourists with misleading claims of offering the best deals. In reality, however, they hide their fees in poor exchange rates.
Baggage Fees
I know flying isn't cheap but baggage fees can have your expenses skyrocketing especially if you don't see it coming. The tricky part is you have to pay for them both to and from your trip. The good news is, this is easily avoidable.
First, check for airlines that don't charge baggage fees. If you're not aware, some airlines do not charge baggage fees if you do not exceed certain limits. So check baggage fees with your carrier and cross-reference these fees for your specific destination before you get too hyped up about having to pay for checked bags.
Second, steer clear of basic economy fares. Basic economy fares don’t always include a carry-on bag, much less a checked bag. This means you’ll need to pay baggage fees if you want to check a bag and maybe even carry anything larger than a backpack or a purse on the plane. I know it's basic but be careful else you'll be dimed along the way.
Third, pack light as some airlines have a limit to what you can carry for free, charged, or even bring along at all.
Roaming charges
There's no better time to stay connected to your device than when you're leaving your home to tour a foreign country. The need to keep in touch with family and friends while sharing your travel experience on the internet is a part of the excitement. However, it’s not always possible to do so while traveling because of one scary word. . .ROAMING.
Roaming has left unsuspecting travelers with jaw-dropping bills when they return home. This too is avoidable. You can either turn off roaming on your cell phone and avoid expensive bills, use wifi when possible, or think about purchasing a local sim card.
Depending on your destination, wifi and local sims may not be 100% dependable in terms of availability, coverage strength, and ease of purchase. Now here is where eSIMs do the magic. If you're traveling to Nigeria or Ghana you can:
- Stay connected to the internet without even having to change your original phone number.
- Make a purchase right from your mobile device.
- Activate an eSIM within minutes.
All is possible with Afrosim eSIM. Travelers have found the ease and affordability of Afrosim to be worth it. Learn more about Afrosim Here.
Debit/Credit card fees
There are thousands of different banks around the world, thus non-members must pay charges. You'll probably have to pay ATM or withdrawal fees if you don't have a travel card. Some cards may even charge you a tiny percentage of each purchase if you're traveling abroad.
By selecting a bank account that has no fees and reimburses out-of-network ATM fees, as well as by always withdrawing local currency from ATMs, these expenses can be avoided. Account holders can also inquire with their home bank to see if the destination country or countries have any in-network ATMs or partner branches.
Don't forget to inform your bank whenever you plan to leave the country to avoid having your card declined or worse, being devoured by a machine.