💰 Travel Discount Tips
Our Favorite Ways to Save Big on Every Trip
Travel doesn’t have to break the bank! We’ve spent years learning the best tricks and resources to get maximum value from every dollar we spend on travel. Here are our top platforms and tips that have saved us thousands — and can save you too!
🛒 Costco Travel
Why We Love Costco Travel
- ✅ Exclusive member pricing
- ✅ All-inclusive vacation packages
- ✅ Cruises at unbeatable rates
- ✅ Car rental deals
- ✅ Hotel packages with extras included
- ✅ Costco Cash Cards included
🏆 Our Top Costco Travel Tips
Costco Travel is one of the best-kept secrets for savvy travelers! As a Costco member, you get access to exclusive vacation packages, cruises, and hotel deals that often include perks you won’t find anywhere else — like Costco Cash Cards, complimentary breakfasts, and room upgrades.
💡 Pro Tip: Costco Travel vacation packages for destinations like Punta Cana and Cancun frequently include resort credits, airport transfers, and early check-in — all bundled into one convenient price. We’ve compared pricing extensively, and Costco often beats booking directly.
Best For: All-inclusive resorts in Mexico & Caribbean, cruises, Hawaii vacations, and European tour packages.
📌 Membership Required: You need a Costco membership ($65/year) to book, but the savings quickly pay for themselves — often on a single trip!
🏬 BJ’s Travel
🏆 Why BJ’s Wholesale Travel Rocks
BJ’s Wholesale Club members have access to an underrated travel portal that offers excellent deals on vacation packages, hotels, and more. If you’re already a BJ’s member, this is an amazing resource that many people overlook!
💡 Pro Tip: BJ’s travel often runs special promotions for members that include bonus BJ’s Cash rewards on top of already-discounted vacation packages. Stack these with their credit card rewards for maximum savings!
Best For: Caribbean all-inclusive packages, Disney vacation packages, hotel deals, and cruise bookings.
🎯 Special Perk: BJ’s members can sometimes score exclusive flash deals on cruise departures and resort stays that are significantly cheaper than standard retail pricing.
BJ’s Travel Perks
- ✅ Member-exclusive pricing
- ✅ Vacation packages
- ✅ Cruise deals
- ✅ Hotel discounts
- ✅ BJ’s Cash rewards
- ✅ Car rental deals
🌐 Booking.com
Booking.com Features
- ✅ Free cancellation options
- ✅ Genius loyalty discounts
- ✅ Price match guarantee
- ✅ 28M+ listings worldwide
- ✅ No booking fees on most
- ✅ Deals of the Day
- ✅ Secret Deals for members
🏆 How We Use Booking.com to Save
Booking.com is our go-to platform for finding hotel deals worldwide, especially for destinations in Europe, Asia, and South America. The sheer variety of accommodation options — from luxury resorts to budget guesthouses — makes it incredibly versatile for any travel style.
💡 Pro Tip #1 — Genius Level: Sign up for a free Booking.com account and work toward Genius Level status (just a few bookings!) to unlock 10-18% discounts and exclusive perks like late checkout and free breakfast at participating properties.
💡 Pro Tip #2 — Secret Deals: Sign in to your account before searching and look for the “Secret Deal” flag on listings — these can offer 20-30% off for logged-in members only.
💡 Pro Tip #3 — App Deals: Download the Booking.com app and look for “App-only” deals that often beat desktop pricing significantly.
🏯 Mimaru Hotels — Our Favorite Extended Stay Boutique Chain
Where Japanese hospitality meets modern apartment-style comfort
Mimaru is a Japanese apartment hotel brand that has completely changed how we think about accommodation in Japan. Unlike traditional hotels, Mimaru offers spacious apartment-style rooms that feel like a home away from home — perfect for families, groups, or anyone staying more than a couple of nights.
We discovered Mimaru on our Japan trip and were immediately won over by their unique combination of Japanese design aesthetics, fully equipped kitchens, and incredibly central locations in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond.
⭐ Why We Love Mimaru
- 🏠 Apartment-style rooms — feel at home, not in a hotel
- 🍳 Full kitchen — cook local groceries & save on dining
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly — spacious enough for the whole family
- 🗾 Authentic Japanese design — tatami floors, futons available
- 📍 Prime locations — near major train stations
- 🧹 Regular housekeeping — hotel services included
- 💴 Excellent value — more space for less money than hotels
📍 Mimaru Locations
| City | Properties | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 🗼 Tokyo | Akihabara, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro & more | Near major attractions & transit hubs |
| ⛩️ Kyoto | Kawaramachi, Nijo, Fushimi & more | Walking distance to temples & geisha districts |
| 🏯 Osaka | Namba, Shin-Osaka, Dotonbori & more | Heart of the food scene & nightlife |
| 🌸 Nara | Nara station area | Perfect base for day trips |
| 🌊 Hiroshima | Hiroshima station area | Convenient for Peace Park visits |
💡 Our Mimaru Booking Tips
🎯 How to Save on Mimaru
- 📅 Book early for the best rates — popular seasons (cherry blossom, fall foliage) sell out fast
- 🌐 Check Booking.com for Genius discounts on Mimaru properties
- 📱 Compare direct booking vs OTA — sometimes direct is cheaper with included perks
- 🏠 Larger rooms (for 4-6 people) often offer incredible per-person value
- ⏰ Book a week+ stays for long-stay discounts
🏯 What’s Included at Mimaru
- ✅ Fully equipped kitchen (fridge, microwave, IH cooktop)
- ✅ Washer/dryer in most units
- ✅ High-speed WiFi throughout
- ✅ Japanese-style bathroom (ofuro bathtub)
- ✅ Smart TV with Netflix
- ✅ Luggage storage service
- ✅ 24-hour front desk support
Our Verdict: If you’re visiting Japan, Mimaru is an absolute must-try. The combination of space, amenities, Japanese charm, and central location makes it our #1 accommodation recommendation for Japan travel.
🎯 Our Top General Travel Savings Tips
✈️ Flights
- 🔔 Set price alerts on Google Flights & Kayak
- 📅 Book 6-8 weeks out for domestic, 3-6 months for international
- 🌙 Search incognito mode to avoid price creep
- 🔄 Consider nearby airports for huge savings
- 📱 Sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights for mistake fares
🏨 Hotels
- 💳 Use credit card travel portals (Chase, Amex, Capital One)
- 🏆 Join hotel loyalty programs — always free!
- 🗓️ Book refundable rates and watch for price drops
- 📦 All-inclusive packages via Costco Travel often win
- 🏠 Apartment hotels (like Mimaru!) save on dining costs
💳 Credit Cards
- 🌟 Chase Sapphire Preferred — our #1 pick for travelers
- ✈️ Earn miles & points on every purchase
- 🛡️ Travel insurance included — no separate policy needed
- 💱 No foreign transaction fees
- 🎁 Sign-up bonuses can cover flights or hotels
🗺️ Plan Your Next Adventure
Use these discount platforms to plan your dream vacation to our favorite destinations!
Our Travel Our Way 