If you’ve been scouring Google Flights for those sweet, sweet deals lately, you’ve probably noticed a disturbing trend: they’re as elusive as a Canucks championship. Yep, those days of snagging a $345 round-trip flight to Miami are as dead as the Seattle Supersonics.

And if your first move upon seeing those sky-high prices was to hit up ChatGPT for some 2024 travel hacks, you’re probably feeling a bit let down. Because all the so-called experts seem to be singing the same tune: compromise. “Make your own meals,” “travel when it’s colder than Timothée Chalamet’s heart,” “click your heels three times and hope you land somewhere that’s not Edmonton.” It’s all bullsh*t.

But fear not, because we don’t do bullsh*t around here. No compromises. No settling. Just real, actionable ways to hack your travel goals this summer.

YES, TRAVELING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN EVER

There are plenty of reasons for this. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, summer travel demand is through the roof thanks to the lifting of pandemic travel restrictions, consumer confidence despite inflation, and a shift towards spending on experiences rather than things. All of this adds up to higher ticket prices, especially for international flights, which haven’t been this steep since Drake was still a Degrassi kid.

WHAT THE TRAVEL NERDS SAY

Back in 2022, the average flight to Europe was a cool $850. Fast forward to spring 2024, and you’re looking at nearly $1,200 on average. That’s a hefty price gap widening an already gaping income divide. While the experts predict that this summer, the wealthy will be dropping stacks on trips, the rest of us are left to wonder: what about the HENRYs? What about the high earners who haven’t quite hit Scrooge McDuck status yet? But before we dive into how to make the most of your money, let’s take a look at what those “travel experts” are preaching:

Compromise on destination

Some genius at CNBC suggested vacationing in Eastern Canada instead of New England. Because nothing says “dream vacation” like Nova Scotia in July, right?

Travel off-peak

Sure, you could save some cash by traveling to Thailand during monsoon season. But why not just stay home and watch YouTube videos of beaches in the rain?

Make your own meals

According to Travel Freak, if you have the time, you can cook at home and bring your food in Tupperware containers. And here I thought the goal was to avoid looking like a weirdo on the plane.

WHAT WE SAY

You could spend hours scrolling through travel hack articles, but they all lead to the same disappointing conclusion: compromise. But here’s the thing: you shouldn’t have to compromise on your dream vacation. You can’t just reverse engineer your way to paradise. But you can Reverse Budget it.

Step 1: Find a Credit Card that Fits Your Lifestyle

Forget about comparing annual fees or APRs. Find a credit card that aligns with your spending habits and travel preferences. Whether you’re a jet-setter or a homebody, there’s a card out there that fits your lifestyle.

Step 2: Reap the Rewards

Here’s our review of the top cards to travel (plus a bonus card for rent and cashback)

The American Express Cobalt Card

It offers up to 15,000 bonus points and up to 5 points per $1 spent on purchases. The card has an annual fee of $155.88 and provides a welcome bonus of $300. With earn rates of 5 points per $1 on groceries and restaurants, 3 points per $1 on streaming services, and 2 points per $1 on gas, transit, and travel, the card offers significant rewards potential. Points can be redeemed for various travel options, including transfers to Aeroplan, vacation packages, hotel stays, and cash back. The card is accessible to individuals with good credit, as it has no minimum income requirements.

BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard

Offering up to 3 miles per $12 spent, triple miles at Air Miles partners, and double miles on groceries. Cardholders get a 25% discount on 1 Air Miles reward flight annually, up to 750 miles saved, and automatic Onyx status. New cardholders earn a welcome bonus of 3,000 Air Miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus $20 in GeniusCash. Premium perks include free access to the Mastercard Travel Pass, 24/7 credit card concierge service, and a comprehensive credit card insurance package. The $120 annual fee is waived for the first year, but the card requires either $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income.

For bill payments: Chexy

This isn’t a card, but a program that allows you to use your credit card to pay rent. The best way to take advantage of this program is a card that offers high cash back on payments. We suggest you pair this with The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card as cardholders earn 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bills.

Step 3: Reverse Budget

Open a separate savings account from your emergency fund for travel and automate your savings. Name it your travel location, “18th-century villa French Riviera.” Figure out how much you need to save each paycheck to reach your travel goal, and schedule automatic contributions to your travel savings account. These payments should coincide with your paycheques. $000 travel budget? $200 per paycheque for 5 months.

Nothing says “guilt-free vacation” like a well-executed Reverse Budget.

CONCLUSION

Traveling may be more expensive than ever, but settling for subpar vacations isn’t our forte. By following our Reverse Budgeting approach, you can make your dream vacation a reality without compromising on what you want. So ditch the convenience store sandwiches in a shared bathroom hostel and start planning your guilt-free getaway today!