Who doesn’t want to fly for less, particularly these days, when an airline ticket can cost you an arm and a leg? Too many people are searching for cheap flights in all the wrong places, though.

Sure, those online search engines can find you some deals, but you’re missing out if you aren’t also:

Subscribed to airline and travel newsletters. You’ll get the most recent discounts available and deals that just don’t last, right in your inbox.

Checking regularly. You may not be planning a trip just now, but staying on top of the latest deals means finding really cheap flights sometimes. It might be worth switching your vacation time around, but many flights can be booked ahead so you can take advantage of the offer.

Following airlines on social media. Sometime, the best deals are only up for a few hours and you’ll need to be on social media in order to get those. Keep an eye out . . . you never know what you might find.

Getting cheap flights isn’t just about searching at the last minute for the best price possible. If you make a habit of keeping up with the latest travel trends and deals, you’ll be able to book your flights for far less.

Hotels can take up a large chunk of your vacation fund, but if you book your hotel with care, you can save quite a bit of money.

1. Book a small hotel or bed and breakfast. A tiny hotel will be cheaper since they pay less in taxes.
2. Skip the chain hotels. Family businesses tend to give you high quality customer service, because they need to preserve their reputation.
3. Look for deals. Special deals include 3 for 2 nights. Do searches for these in order to find them in the area you need to book.
4. Price match. If you find a great online deal, go ahead and call the hotel. They’ll usually give you a better price since they save the booking fee.
5. Don’t be scared to negotiate. In the off season, hotels, particularly small ones, will lower their prices to fill rooms, so go ahead and ask for a discount.
6. Pay cash. Let them know you’ll be paying cash and get a lower price, since there’s no commission to the credit card company.
7. Check at least 5 places for pricing. This will ensure you get the absolute best price.

When you book your hotel, whether you’re booking in person or hotel booking online, there are ways to reduce what you pay. Never overpay for another hotel room again!

The actual date you book your hotel will depend on where you’re traveling to. Going during the off season is a great way to reduce your costs, but the off season varies depending on the climate.

The best date will also depend on the type of hotel you are booking. Business hotels, for example, tend to offer lower rates over the weekend, since their clients don’t work those days. Cheap hotels tend to be busy over the weekend, but have empty rooms and discounts during the week.

You can also try online hotel booking for the peak season in the area you want to travel to. Most warmer climates will be cheapest during the summer, when it’s too hot to travel there and no one needs more heat. The peak season is when everywhere else is cold and that area is warm. The opposite is true in colder climates, unless you’re looking at a ski destination.

Another way to avoid paying too much is to check the conferences in an area. If there is a big event during the time you’re planning your stay, you’ll either need to book far in advance, or plan different dates.

A little advance planning can net you the cheapest hotel rates, even for big name hotels. So do your research and enjoy the savings when you book your hotel.

Recent reports indicate that some car rental companies now have interior cameras and microphones installed in their rental vehicles. These are supposed to be a feature of the NeverLost program, which allows drivers to get help in an emergency. . . but the fact is that the tools are still there.

While companies claim they aren’t yet activating the cameras, the thought of being spied on is something that turns would-be renters off. Despite the fact that this is considered a safety feature, no one really wants to be watched while driving. Especially when you’re in a rental car, where some behavior could be cause to boost the price of the car. Regardless of the reason for the cameras, renters are furious about the invasion of privacy and for good reason.

Whether you’re renting luxury cars, family cars or a hybrid, watch out for new technology installed in the dashboard. You can also ask the company if they use NeverLost or interior cameras and mics. Technically, they have to tell you whether or not they will be spying on you . .. but double check before you rent.

Would you drive a car rental vehicle with a spycam in it?

You’ve just booked some dirt cheap flights, but there might be a few things you aren’t aware of. While low cost flying is pretty great, it does come at a price of its own.

1. Food not included. Meals and snacks are almost always extra when you’re paying the minimal amount for a flight. In some cases, you have to book ahead or you don’t even get to pay for food.
2. Drinks not included. Depending on the flight, you may not be able to even get a glass of water for free. Some airlines will only provide bottled water . . . for a cost.
3. No entertainment. If you’re paying rock bottom prices, you can expect minimal, or no, entertainment in the cabin.
4. Fees on top. Often, the base price of a plane ticket looks great, but by the time you’ve added on all the taxes and fees, it’s suddenly not such a great price after all. In fact, it may even be more than your average flight.
5. Lack of comfort. Minimal prices mean minimal amenities. Cheaper planes tend to cram the seats together to fit more people in, which means less leg room and less comfort in general.

Is it really worth it to opt for cheap flights? That’s a question only you can answer, once you’re aware of everything you’re truly getting.

Since car rental companies pay their agents a commission, the agents are highly motivated to get you to pay more. That means you need to be on the lookout for potential rip-offs.

1. Check for your car. If you think the agent is pushing an upgrade for costs only, take a look at the lot to see if your car is there. If it is, talk to the manager and let them know you want the upgrade for free, since you were lied to.
2. Reserve ahead of time. You’ll get better rates if you have already booked the car before you get to the counter.
3. Take photos. During the pre-rental inspection, things can be missed and these can cause serious problems when you come back and they decide to charge you for the damages, even though they were from a previous client.
4. Ask questions. It’s tempting to just grab your car and go, but you need to be alert and watch out for mistakes being made.
5. Read the contract. It’s dull and you just want to get to your destination, but if you don’t read the contract, you could end up paying far more than anticipated. Read it, ask your questions and make sure you understand everything before you sign.

Car rental companies are out to make some money, so be aware of this and beat them at their own game. You just have to pay attention.