5 Ways I’m Saving More on Travel in This Economy

By Sophia Lane, Staff Writer for Capital One Shopping

Over the past couple of months, my sister and I have talked about how we want to travel to see our parents more. But, every time we go to book a trip, the prices stop us. We love the idea of being able to go home and catch up with family, but yikes! Are these really the best prices out there for flights and hotels?

Introducing : a free browser extension that’s helping me save money. Honestly, it’s kinda genius! Here are five ways this secret weapon is helping me make my travel plans more affordable:

1. Automatically Apply Coupon Codes: The great thing about is it works quickly in the background while I shop and will notify me if I’m on a site it has found savings for. Plus, the coupons will be automatically applied to my cart so I don’t have to worry about testing every single code I find myself — easy access to discounts at no cost!

2. Instantly Compare Prices: While I shop, will instantly let me know if I can find the product I’m looking at elsewhere for cheaper. Thanks to this price comparison, I’ve been directed to rentals through VRBO and suitcases through Amazon that were cheaper than the original sites I found them on. I can also search for specific products directly through the Capital One Shopping site. From there, I’ll be able to see all the merchants and websites selling that product and for how much (plus shipping and handling)! This allows me to make the most informed decision and prevent any buyer’s remorse later.

3. Earn Rewards for Gift Cards: Through , some of the 100,000+ merchants offer rewards back when you shop there. For example, Tripadvisor offered me 6% back in Shopping Rewards when I made a booking through them. As those Rewards accumulate in my account, I’m able to trade them in for gift cards to some of my favorite stores, like L.L. Bean, Hotels.com, and Nike! This is perfect for helping me get all the travel items on my checklist, but doing so cost effectively.

4. Price Drop Alerts: A feature I utilize all the time through is their watchlist. Whenever I find a rental that costs more than I want to spend, I can set a price drop alert. When its cost decreases, I’ll be notified and can book the rental I want at a price that fits my budget. Sometimes it pays to wait!

5. Save Time: Overall, one of the things I value most about is that it does all the work for me. Spending hours scouring websites for coupon codes or available deals is finally over. Gone are the days where booking a trip becomes a whole ordeal. Now, I’m able to easily schedule travel at an affordable price and still have time to do other things (like pack my suitcase)!

If you have the travel bug like me, but worry about how much it may cost in this economy, Capital One Shopping will be your budget saver. Remember, it’s free! Download it and start your saving journey.