You’re on a tiny island in the Maldives. You’ve been snorkeling your heart out at the incredible coral reefs swirling with beautiful sea creatures, ate the best Sushi you’ve ever tasted, and now it’s time to sleep. You find yourself a place – and as the pleasant sound of waves gently puts you sleep; you dream of the Taj Mahal – India is the place where you want to be next.
The only snag is; you don’t have enough money left in your bank. And upon waking up, you instantly become fearful that you can’t travel the world unless you crossed paths with a money tree, won the lottery, or discovered oil in your backyard. Shelling out for another trip just doesn’t look possible.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
To make your globetrotting dream a reality, we’ve put together some smart, unique ways of funding your travel. All you need is some knowledge, creativity, and determination, and you’ll be able to hop on an airplane in no time.
1. Quick Loans
The process of taking a traditional loan is cumbersome. It can take weeks (sometimes months) for the loan to get approved, so going down that route is a risk since it may cause you to miss the perfect season for travel. That’s where quick cash loans can make a difference. There are several online companies that let you apply and receive an instant credit decision from the comfort of your sofa. Firms like Blue Trust Loans have a straightforward approval system with minimum eligibility requirements and fast turnaround, so before you know it, you can have enough cash to travel again (approved applicants can often receive the funds in as little as one business day).
2. Crowdfunding
Yes, people can actually crowdfund their travels. And you don’t have to go through big names like Indiegogo and Kickstarter. There are platforms like MyTab.co that allow you to request your family members and friends to gift you travel cash. In fact, you’ll even find crowdfunding platforms that specifically focus on traveling. Sites like Trevolta also have sponsors that are on the lookout for specific trips that align with their branding and entirely fund those requests. However, it’s important to note that the latter crowdfunding option is associated with specific work-related requests, such as making a vlog of the destination you’ve been funded to visit.
3. Loyalty Schemes
A lot of vacationers seem to have an intuitive suspicion of loyalty schemes, where they’re asked to build up points on a debit card or store card which they can exchange in several ways when they’ve earned enough. “Nothing in life is free. This can’t be either.” But if you want to continue traveling, especially if you’re on a budget, loyalty schemes can be a blessing in disguise. That means if you’ve been using a credit card regularly, you might have accumulated enough points for free accommodation or flights as you go. Some schemes even offer room and seat upgrades for being a member. Also, look out for airline club memberships. For a one-time fee, you can gain significant savings on flights. This is especially worth considering if you have a favorite destination that’s serviced by an airline you’re likely to book with over and over again.
Going on your next vacation is definitely possible, and there are now more sources than ever to fund your travel. So don’t think, “How will I go to the next destination?” Instead, think, “When can I go?”
