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 Travel FREE or Get Paid to Travel
There are so many ways to travel free or get paid to travel. I have selected a few of my favorites to include in this special report:
Get together family, coworkers, friends, acquaintances (even strangers), and travel free. What could be easier, especially if you’re already planning a family vacation or getaway with friends? Or put up an announcement at work. Tour companies and cruise lines typically offer free or substantial discounts to travelers who bring in groups. Some companies offer discounts if you sign up two or three adults. Most companies require 10 people before they grant free travel. Rounding up 5-9 people usually gets you a 50 percent discount. Don’t be shy about bargaining. For example, explain that you only have five people going on this trip, but you plan to take another trip next year (assuming you do plan to or are at least seriously considering it) and would like it to be with the same company. This should get you a bigger discount or free travel on the trip, or at least the next trip.
Airline frequent flyer and hotel points programs are another way to travel free. If you do much traveling, you’re probably already enrolled in at least one such program. If not, shame on you! Members receive great perks, such as discounted hotels rooms and car rentals, free upgrades, priority seating, and unadvertised deals. I just got back from a free four-day cruise I earned by using my Carnival Visa Card to make normal purchases last year. Every dollar spent equals one cruise point, plus there are ample chances to earn bonus points every year. Nowadays, airline partnerships allow mileage points to be credited to one account, even when flying other airlines. Additionally, most airlines have gotten more generous in their rollover policies for mileage points, which means they don’t expire at the end of the year. Some airlines have promised their frequent flyer miles will never expire, with some restrictions. Hilton HHonors program awards both hotel points and airlines miles from the same visit. Telephone companies, mortgage companies, and realty agencies now offer points programs. For example, flyer miles can be easily accumulated by using MCI as your phone and/or Internet service provider (WorldCom). Countrywide Home Loans offers miles for buying, selling, or refinancing your home. Earn travel points and miles just by shopping! Clickrewards.com awards one mile for every dollar spent at one of their participating vendors, such as Gap Online, BarnesandNoble.com, and The Disney Store. For more information on these types of programs, look for advertisements and check credit card and billing statements for inserts announcing such deals. Also, always ask the tour operator, cruise line, airline, etc., when researching travel. Stay away from credit cards and programs that have hefty annual enrollment fees. There are too many options available to have to pay a premium for the privilege of using a credit card or participating in a program.
Find out about resident discounts. Most states offer reduced rates to state attractions for residents. For example, Florida residents receive low rates to Disney World, California residents receive substantial savings to Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, and Universal Studios Hollywood gives discounts to residents of Southern California. State-run ttractions, such as zoos, science centers, and museums often extend free admission to residents at certain times, such as the first Wednesday of the month. Most times, you will be asked to show a valid driver’s license. Many historic sites, museums, sporting events, shows, and attractions are free to the public year-round or through promotional programs, such as free admission on a certain day for “first timers” or to a particular ball game for “fan appreciation night.” Free tickets can be found in the local newspaper in at area fast-food restaurants and other merchants. Value-added promotions are becoming popular. This is when visitors pay admission to one attraction and receive a “bonus” of free next day admission to that same attraction or to another area attraction.
Anyone 18-80 willing to work four hours a day can stay free on St. John’s Island in the U.S. Virgins Islands at the Maho Bay Camp. Stay free in lovely, tented bungalows in return for four hours of daily work and receive 40 percent off meals. For more information or to obtain an application, write: Attention: Four-Hour Worker Program, Box 310, Cruz Bay, Virgin Islands 00831. No telephone queries.
For those interested in teaching, opportunities are tremendous. Spend a summer anywhere in the world teaching English. There are numerous programs that pay anyone who has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in any subject, from any college or university, to teach English a few hours a day. Popular places include China, Italy, Argentina, Thailand, and Spain. New World Teachers. 888-GO-TEACH.
Club Med has resorts all over the world and they are always in need of employees, from “gentle organizers” to tennis instructors. Call 800-CLUBMED or 561-337-6660 to hear a pre-recorded message with instructions on how to apply for employment. Many of the companies listed in my book need trip leaders, bus drivers, guides, etc. Additionally, some good Internet resources include www.gotajob.com , www.jobsinparadise.com , and www.payaway.co.uk .
This article is compiled from Chapter Seven of The Encyclopedia of Cheap Travel: 1,000 Companies, Consolidators, Agencies, and Resources.
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