8 Things You Can Start Doing NOW For A Healthy Fund For Your 2016 Travels

Figure out where you want to go, how long for and how much an average daily budget is for that country. That will be your guideline to determine how much and how often you should be saving. A simple search on the Internet and you can easily find estimations of different levels of budget you need for different countries.

Dedicate a savings account just for your travel fund. Make it a habit to transfer funds to that account monthly, bi-weekly, or however often you prefer. Make sure that the process is convenient so that it’s a habit you can keep carrying on.

And if you’re dead serious about saving, take it a step further and make sure it’s inaccessible by Internet banking. This way, accessing your money would mean going to the bank physically for withdrawal or transfer. Thus, you can avoid the temptation to transfer money out from your travel fund for something else.

Start looking into and applying for credit and debit cards that offer amazing travel perks. Whether if it’s airline miles, or lower to no charge for foreign ATM withdrawals, travel-focused cards can get you some pretty substantial savings, especially if you’re going to be using it a lot during travelling.

You also don’t have to worry about exorbitant charges when you’re using a designated backup credit card for when those real emergencies surprise you.

Research the ‘shoulder periods’, more commonly known as off-peak seasons, of the places you want to visit. They differ from one to another; so if you’re travelling to a few different countries, coordinate them to avoid any national holidays or festive seasons.

Not only are shoulder periods less crowded, generally things are also less pricey. Plus, there’s a lower chance of restaurants, attraction sites and shops to be closed for the holidays.

With your research and budgeting done, it’s time to commit! Book your flights and accommodation early. Not only can you get them for less price, you also have more of the economical options available for you.

It’s also a good time to look out for travel fairs like Qatar Airways Travel Festival to score some deals and get more bang for your buck.

Plan to fly on weekdays, especially during the middle of the week. Airfares are typically cheaper on those midweek days. Get to the same destination with less cost? Hell yeah! Plus, you can kiss that midweek slumber goodbye.

Read up beforehand on the countries you’re visiting and be prepared with a list of places with free admissions and also find out which ones offer discounted prices during certain periods. For example, many museums in Europe offer free or discounted admission fees.

There’s no better time than now to reconnect with those foreign friends you made in uni, college or your previous travels, whom you might have lost touch with. They can offer some great insights on things you can do in their home country. If they’re gracious enough, they might even show you around or let you stay at their place for free! Plus, you’ll get the most authentic experience that sometimes being just another tourist doesn’t get you.

Qatar Airways Travel Festival offers discounts based on your travel needs; be it if you are a solo traveler, couple on honeymoon or a group of family and friends. With over 150 destinations worldwide, Qatar Airways Travel Festival offers fares to Europe, America, the Middle East and Africa from RM 2,050 onwards!

On top of the great savings, Privilege Club members can also earn TRIPLE Qmiles when they book online. So, keep on chasing that wanderlust and book your flights now until 17th January 2016! With travel period between 19th January and 15th December 2016, you're all set for your travels for the rest of the year. ;)