Simple perks hiding in plain sight that most parents completely overlook
Key Points:
- Personal finance expert reveals five overlooked travel benefits that can save families hundreds on their next vacation
- Hidden perks include priority boarding, free meals, discounted accommodations, and entertainment savings that most parents miss
- Expert explains how these little-known advantages can transform stressful family trips into budget-friendly adventures
Planning a family vacation can feel like preparing for battle. Between packing endless supplies, managing meltdowns, and watching costs spiral, parents might start to wonder if it’s worth the hassle. But what if we told you that travelling with children actually comes with secret advantages that could save you serious money?
Personal finance expert Fred Harrington from SaveMyCent, a digital savings platform, has discovered that families are missing out on perks specifically designed for parents travelling with kids.
“Most families focus on what makes travelling with children difficult, but there are genuine financial benefits that airlines, hotels, and attractions offer to families that go completely unnoticed,” he explains.
Below, Fred reveals five hidden travel perks that could transform your next family getaway from a budget-buster into a money-saving adventure.
- Priority Boarding Without The Premium Price
Most airlines offer priority boarding for families with young children, but a lot of parents don’t realize this applies to budget carriers too. This means you can skip the scrum at the gate and secure overhead luggage space without paying extra boarding fees.
“I’ve seen families pay for priority boarding when they could have walked straight to the front of the queue for free,” says Fred. “Just approach the gate agent with your boarding passes – they’ll wave you through.”
- ‘Kids Eat Free’ Programs You Never Knew Existed
Chain restaurants at airports and tourist destinations often run ‘kids eat free’ promotions, but they’re rarely advertised prominently. Pizza Express, Harvester, and even some airport chains offer free children’s meals with adult purchases during specific hours or days of the week.
“Families can save a substantial amount of money per child per meal by timing restaurant visits around these promotions,” says Fred. “Some hotel chains extend this to room service too.”
- Family Room Upgrades Are More Common Than You Think
Hotels regularly upgrade families to larger rooms or suites when standard rooms feel cramped for parents with children. Unlike business travellers who might get moved for loyalty status, families often receive upgrades simply because staff want to avoid noise complaints from other guests.
Fred explains: “The trick is asking at check-in rather than booking online. Mention you’re travelling with young children and ask if any family rooms are available at no extra cost.”
- Free Entertainment That Adds Up Fast
Museums, attractions, and entertainment venues frequently offer free admission for children under specific ages, but the age limits vary wildly. While one museum might offer free entry for under-5s, another extends this to under-16s.
“I’ve seen families pay full price for teenage children when they could have entered free,” Fred notes. “Always check individual venue policies rather than assuming – it can save $40-60 per family at major attractions.”
- Public Transport Discounts Nobody Mentions
“Most cities offer significant public transport discounts for families, but these aren’t always obvious to tourists,” Fred points out.
London’s daily cap system means children travel free on buses and discounted on tubes, while many European cities offer family day passes that work out cheaper than individual tickets.
“These family transport passes can cut travel costs when compared to buying individual adult tickets for everyone,” Fred adds.
Fred Harrington, personal finance expert at SaveMyCent, commented:
“Family vacations don’t have to break the bank if you know where to look. These perks exist because businesses understand that happy families become repeat customers, but most parents are so focused on managing the logistics that they miss the savings right in front of them.
“The biggest mistake I see families make is assuming everything costs more when you travel with children. Actually, the opposite is often true – businesses want your family’s custom and they’re willing to offer genuine value to get it. A family of four could easily save $250-350 on a week-long trip just by taking advantage of these overlooked benefits.
“The key is doing five minutes of research before you travel. Check airline family policies, call hotels directly about room upgrades, and look up children’s pricing at attractions before you book. These small steps can transform a stressful, expensive trip into a budget-friendly adventure that everyone enjoys.”
