If there’s one thing I’ve mastered after years of traveling through Florida (and beyond), it’s how to travel really cheap—without sacrificing the fun stuff.
I’m talking about free flights, hotel nights that cost me nothing, and car rentals that don’t break the bank.
And no, I’m not clipping coupons or sleeping in my car at rest stops.
I’ve learned how to stretch my dollars so I can travel more often, stay longer, and enjoy more of what Florida (and other sunny destinations) have to offer.
If you’re trying to take more trips without draining your savings account, here are my top five tricks that make traveling for cheap easier than you think.
Booking a last-minute trip to Florida?
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Top Tours in Florida – Viator
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On a Southwest Flight that I booked with points
1. The Southwest Rewards Card: My Secret Weapon for Free Flights
Let’s start with my favorite hack—flying for free. If you’re not using a travel rewards credit card yet, you’re leaving money (and miles) on the table.
I personally use the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card, and it’s one of the easiest ways I’ve scored free and cheap flights all over Florida and the U.S.
Here’s how it works: I use the card for everyday purchases—groceries, gas, bills, travel—and rack up points with every swipe.
There are also limited-time promotions where you can earn bonus points just for registering or meeting a certain spending threshold. You also get yearly bonus points on your anniversary.
That was enough for multiple free round-trip flights, especially if you plan smart and book during a sale.
Southwest also runs fare sales constantly, which makes your points stretch even further. And they also have sales to buy points on occasion.
If you travel often or want to start, a rewards card like this is a total game-changer. It has been for me.
Pro Tip: When you book your flights with Southwest, if the price of that trip goes down after you book, you can call them and rebook to get the money or points credited back to your account!
We were given free tickets for the waterpark after attending a timeshare presentation
2. Timeshare Presentations: Worth It (If You Can Sit Through One)
Now, hear me out on this one: timeshare presentations. Yes, they have a bit of a reputation—but if you can power through a 90-minute sales pitch, the rewards are seriously worth it.
I recently went to two presentations (with Wyndham and Wesgate) and walked away with:
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8 free hotel nights
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$100 in gift cards
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$100 in cash
…all just for listening, smiling, and saying “no thanks” at the end. That’s a pretty great trade-off for around 3 hours of my time.
These presentations are usually offered by resorts or vacation clubs that are hoping to sell you a membership.
If you’re polite, firm, and clear about not being interested, you’ll be fine—and you’ll walk away with some amazing perks.
Even better? They oftentimes throw in discounted attraction tickets or activities, which can be great if you’re visiting places like Orlando, Miami, or the Florida Keys.
Full Disclosure: I did purchase a timeshare because I got a great deal, but the items that I received above didn’t have anything to do with that.
Checking out the views from my hotel in Clearwater during one of my free nights
3. Wyndham (Hotel) Rewards Credit Card: A Great Alternative To Timeshares
Not into the whole timeshare presentation idea? No problem. You can still score free nights another way—with the Wyndham Rewards Credit Card.
I signed up for one of their offers and earned 50,000 points by spending a set amount on the card.
That was enough to cover three free hotel nights, which I used during a recent Florida road trip.
They also send over hotel and resort deals via email quite often.
What I love about this option is that it works just like any other credit card—use it wisely, pay it off, and you’re getting free travel as a reward.
Wyndham has properties all across Florida and the world, from beachside inns to budget-friendly hotels, so it’s super versatile.
This is an easy, low-effort way to stockpile hotel points that you can use when you need a last-minute getaway or want to cut down on vacation costs.
4. Save On Food: Free Breakfasts, Kitchenettes, And Stocking Up
One of the biggest travel expenses (especially in Florida, where seafood and waterfront dining can get pricey) is food.
But there are easy ways to save without living off granola bars.
When I’m booking a hotel, I look for two key things:
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A kitchen or kitchenette so I can cook meals or at least heat up leftovers.
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Or a free breakfast, which is great for stocking up in the morning. I’m talking fruit, yogurt, muffins—grab a couple extra for later and you’ve got a free snack or lunch, too.
I also always hit up a local grocery store or convenience shop and stock the hotel fridge with snacks, drinks, sandwich ingredients—anything that’ll save me from grabbing fast food every few hours.
This one habit alone easily saves me $100–$200 over a long weekend.
5. Car Rentals: Budget Fastbreak is My Go-To
If you’re flying into Florida or doing a longer road trip, you’ll probably need a rental car.
I’ve tried a bunch of companies, but Budget Fastbreak is the one I keep going back to.
Not only is it super convenient (they have your car ready for you, no long lines), but they’re always emailing out discount codes and upgrade offers.
I’ve scored SUV upgrades, better mileage, and cheaper rates just by keeping an eye on my email.
Fastbreak is free to join and makes the whole pickup/drop-off process way faster.
I’ve used it in places like Tampa, Orlando, and other places, and it’s been smooth every time.
The Jolly Trolley is a great way to get around Clearwater Beach, and it’s very inexpensive
Tip: If you’re traveling to places in Florida such as Clearwater Beach and Anna Maria Island, you may not even need a rental car.
Clearwater Beach’s activities are mostly within walking distance, and they have a cheap trolley to take you around.
Many of these beach towns such as Anna Maria Island, use golf carts as a popular way to travel around the city.
So my advice is to check the area you are traveling to and see if you even need a car.
Final Thoughts
Traveling cheap doesn’t mean cutting corners or sacrificing comfort. It’s all about knowing where to save and where to splurge.
With a few smart strategies—like travel rewards cards, free hotel nights, and booking the right kind of accommodations—you can enjoy more Florida vacations (or any destination) without blowing your budget.
If I can travel for nearly free just by using these tips, you can too. Start with one or two of these hacks, and you’ll be shocked at how much you save on your next trip.
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Booking a last-minute trip to Florida?
If so, we have you covered. Here are some top recommended tours and experiences!
Top Tours in Florida – Viator
Top Hotels In Florida – Booking.com
Looking To Get Around In Florida?
Check out rental car rates here! 🚗
