Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or convenience—it means using the right tools. Today’s best travel apps can help you save on flights, lodging, transportation, dining, and more, often in real-time. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, attending a work conference, or hopping on a last-minute getaway, these apps can keep more money in your wallet while enhancing your travel experience.

Here’s a breakdown of the best travel apps to save money before, during, and after your trip.

1. Google Flights – Find the Cheapest Dates to Fly
   Google Flights remains a top choice for flexible travelers. It shows price trends, alerts you when fares drop, and offers powerful filters to find the best value for your dates. Use the calendar tool to compare fare fluctuations across multiple days or months.
2. Hopper – Predict the Best Time to Book
   Hopper uses predictive analytics to tell you whether to book now or wait. It can monitor both flights and hotel prices, sending alerts when rates are expected to rise or drop. For long-term planners, Hopper helps avoid buyer’s remorse.
3. Fluz – Instant Cashback with Gift Cards
   Fluz lets you earn instant cashback by purchasing digital gift cards for travel-related merchants. For example, you can:

• Get cashback at Hyatt

• Earn rewards at Marriott

• Save money with Uber gift cards

Fluz supports exact-amount purchases, which means you can buy a gift card for the exact total of your hotel stay or rideshare fare, then pay with it to earn cashback—without any leftover balance.

4. Rakuten – Cashback for Booking Sites and Gear
   Rakuten is ideal for booking through sites like Expedia, Travelocity, or Orbitz. It provides cashback when you start your booking from their portal or use their browser extension.
5. Ibotta – In-Store and In-App Travel Support
   Ibotta isn’t just for groceries. Use it for in-store purchases while on the road, such as travel snacks, toiletries, or last-minute gear. Ibotta also offers restaurant and gas station deals in certain regions.
6. GasBuddy – Save at the Pump
   GasBuddy helps drivers locate the cheapest fuel prices near their current location. It’s perfect for road trips, rental cars, or business travelers driving between meetings. Use it to avoid overpriced gas stations and plan more efficient routes.
7. Skyscanner – Comprehensive Flight and Hotel Comparison
   Skyscanner lets you compare flights, hotels, and car rentals from hundreds of providers. It’s particularly helpful for finding last-minute deals or flexible “everywhere” travel searches when your destination is still undecided.
8. TripIt – Organize Your Travel Plans Automatically
   TripIt pulls travel confirmation emails into a master itinerary. While it doesn’t offer direct savings, it reduces the chance of booking errors, missed flights, or lost confirmations—which can be costly in terms of time and money.
9. HotelTonight – Last-Minute Lodging at a Discount
   HotelTonight is designed for spontaneous travelers. It offers reduced rates on unsold hotel rooms, often at luxury properties, ideal for booking on the go when plans change.
10. XE Currency – Real-Time Exchange Rates
    For international travelers, XE provides live currency conversion and exchange rates. This helps you make smart spending decisions when abroad, especially in countries where credit card fees or bad rates are common.

Combine These Apps for Maximum Travel Savings

Want to maximize value? Try stacking them:

• Use Google Flights to track airfare, then pay with a gift card from Fluz

• Start hotel bookings through Rakuten for cashback

• Use GasBuddy for your rental car and Ibotta for snacks on the road

• Organize it all with TripIt and convert costs accurately with XE

With these apps, you don’t just travel smarter—you travel richer.