9 ways you’re throwing away money on vacation

5. Paying Fees

You may think you have your travel budget worked out to the penny, only to discover added fees and expenses you didn’t account for. One common culprit? The dreaded resort fee. The fee can be as nominal as $10-25 per day, or it can double the cost of your stay. Hotels use this fee to cover things like housekeeping, coffee, towels and WiFi. While there’s really no way around it if your hotel imposes these fees, there are certain cities that are notorious for it, such as Miami and Las Vegas. Ask before booking so you know what you’re getting into.

Another unexpected expense may be hotel parking. In certain cities, self-serve parking can cost as much as $45 per day. You can avoid this by choosing a hotel that has free self-parking. Another option is to go car-free in a city that is walk-able and/or has reliable public transportation, such as New York or Chicago.

6. Paying For Rental Car Insurance

Most major credit cards offer car insurance for rental cars. This credit card auto insurance will back up your regular car insurance while you’re on vacation.

The most expensive place to get car insurance is at the car rental counter, so call your regular insurance company and your credit card provider ahead of time to figure out what’s covered and what’s not.

7. Buying Bottled Water

This one is pretty obvious, but the cost of bottled water in airports and train stations is outrageous—these days it’s upwards of $5. Bring your own refillable water bottle, dump it out before you head through security, then refill it on the other side. Voila! No more money down the drain.

8. Not Checking For Price Drops

Did you know that after you book a flight, a hotel or a rental car, you’re likely eligible for a partial refund if the price drops? Here are five websites that will help you get some of your money back after travel-related price drops.

If you’re not using one of these websites, you’re literally throwing away your money.

9. Ignoring Rewards Programs

Yes, credit cards seem gimmicky. Yes, it may seem like you don’t need another credit card.

But if you’ve got a good credit score and you know how to keep track of credit card debt, it’s totally worth it to apply for travel rewards credit cards when you see a good deal. Some card promotions can pay for your entire trip, so don’t write them off so quickly.

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Similarly, you should always enter your airline miles, hotel stays and other travel expenses in whatever rewards program is offered by that retailer (think Hilton Honors and Southwest’s Rapid Rewards). Though you might not consider yourself a frequent flier, these rewards and miles can add up over time.