5 Unexpected Ways to Save on Winter Travel This Year

Roughly half of Americans are expected to travel for the holidays this year, according to a recent PwC survey. And when there's a lot of demand for flights and hotels, costs are usually pretty high.

That can often be the case for those looking to travel far away or find a deal at the last minute. But there are strategies you can use to reach your destination as cheaply as possible. Here are five of them.

1. Be flexible

This is the cardinal rule of booking travel all year round. If you need to fly on a specific airline out of a specific airport at a certain hour of the day, you're not going to have a lot of options and you'll probably pay a fortune. Flexibility opens a lot of doors to cheaper alternatives.

You probably know about being flexible with the days you travel on, but that's not the only way you can save. You should also try:

• Checking other nearby airports to see what flights they have
• Flying into an airport that's located a little farther away from your destination
• Considering red-eye flights or choosing a flight with extra layovers
• Looking at other airlines you don't typically fly on

If you're willing to be flexible when you celebrate winter holidays, you could also consider traveling on the holidays themselves. These days are often more affordable than the ones right before or after them.

2. Don't assume flying is the best way to travel far away

Flying might be the most efficient way to travel to another state or country, but it's not always the most economical for your wallet. If cost is more important to you than speed, check into other routes that could help you reach your destination. Driving is one alternative, but there are plenty of others too.

Rome2Rio is a nifty site that outlines all the different routes to get you from where you are to anywhere in the world -- yes, even on another continent. You can compare travel times and costs, and then follow the links to book arrangements right from the site.

It includes options like train or bus routes that some travelers may never have explored before. Though not always the case, it's possible one of these options could be a better fit for you than a traditional flight.

3. Try out alternative accommodations

Hotels can also be pretty costly around this time of year, and they usually don't provide the space or comforts of a home environment. It's not a bad idea to look for vacation home rentals in your area if you'd prefer a little more space. Just make sure you read reviews carefully before you book, so you know what you're getting.

Or if you're visiting family and they have the space, you could always stay with them instead. This is the cheapest option for most people, but of course, you have to be open to a lot of family time if you're going to do this.

4. Shop for deals

Even though travel costs can be quite high this time of year, airlines and hotels are still competing for your business. So it's not unusual to find special winter travel deals if you search for them.

You can sign up for the email newsletters of your preferred travel partners so you don't miss any updates. Or you can use travel booking sites to help you compare your options. Just make sure you use an incognito browser window or delete your cookies before each search, so you see the current rates.

5. Use credit card rewards

Now is the time to use up travel credit card rewards if you've got them. You could earn free or discounted flights, free checked bags, or free hotel stays, depending on your card. Cash these in now to reduce your winter travel costs if you're able to.

Make sure you understand the limitations of your card's rewards, though. Some have blackout dates, for example, that prohibit you from using your rewards on that day. If you run into this, you may have to rely on some of the other tips here to save.

If you haven't booked your winter travel accommodations yet, don't wait any longer. Start shopping now to give yourself the best chance of finding something that suits your schedule and budget. And if you don't see anything you like right away, keep checking over the next few days and weeks to see if you can snag any last-minute deals.