Unusual Tips for Summer Travel Savings

1. DogVacay: If you’re one of the 40 million Americans who own a dog, you know that a major hidden cost involved in traveling is placing your dog in the kennel (can cost up to $200 a day). A new, free site called DogVacay helps to match you with nearby dog lover who will host your dog in their own home for half the of the cost (averaging $15-$35/day), and give your pooch the love and attention he’s used to at home. If you decide to bring Fido along for the trip – finding a local host in your destination city through DogVacay is also a great option if your hotel doesn’t take pets.

2. Airbnb: The company that has revolutionized the way people book their vacation accommodations and since January of this year, they have an app to match. With a couple of taps on your phone, you can find available residences, book them, communicate with the property’s owner, score crazy-cheap time-sensitive deals, and much more. Plus, you can access your online profile so that you can upload freshly taken pics in real-time. There’s also CouchSurfing.org, a volunteer-based network in which you can crash on someone's couch for free.

3. Track down free WiFi: There's a number of US airports that offer free WiFi in the terminals (and more being added all the time), which can save you big money if you need to stay connected. Also, there's plenty of WiFi options getting to and from the terminal. Just don't use that mysterious "Free Public WiFi" signal - it could spell trouble.

4. RelayRides: If high gas prices are holding you back from hitting the road, take a look at some of the peer-to-peer car rental services available in the city you are visiting. You can also rent out your own car for some extra cash of you will be away for a while and are taking a plane, or use the service to take a less expensive spin while on vacation. You can rent cars by the hour or day, and RelayRides covers insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance. When you get to the destination cities, there are also peer-to-peer bike sharing apps, like Spotcycle, which let you rent bikes from the locals at a fraction of what they might cost elsewhere.

5. Deals and discount sites can help you save big bucks on flights, activities, services, food, and transportation in your destination city. Check sites like Groupon for fare deals, load up on apps likeScoutMob, and check sites like Travel-Ticker, TravelZoo, and PopSugar City for activities and deep discounts on dining options before you hit the road.

Image Courtesy of Uratexblog.com