Fresh off changing my coffee consumption habits thanks to Claude, I wondered: could AI help me save money on a holiday, too?
Australians love to travel, taking a massive 11.5 million overseas trips in 2024 according to Roy Morgan.
Our top three destinations are Indonesia, New Zealand, and Japan, per the latest ABS data.
We're also suffering prolonged cost of living pressures.
So what happens when you need a holiday but can't really afford one?
Enter: AI.
Holiday savings opportunities
- How to ask AI to plan your in-flight experience
- How to ask AI to help you pack
- How to ask AI for personal hotel recommendations
- How to ask AI to deep search recommendations for people like you
- How to ask AI for free activity recommendations within walking distance
- How to ask AI for tourist traps and common pitfalls
- How to use AI to find once-in-a-lifetime experiences
- Keep in mind
How I saved money using AI to plan my Bali holiday
How to ask AI to plan your in-flight experience
To save $200, I booked a Lite fare.
It allows me to bring carry-on luggage, tea, coffee, or water, but no entertainment or checked bags.
Ordinarily six unstructured hours with no creature comforts might feel daunting.
But AI suggested I break the time into four 90-minute blocks with a thoughtful plan for each one.
That's time for a podcast, a show, a movie, some travel journalling, and a nap which should see the flight… fly by. At no extra cost.
Other tips: pack a weightless inflatable pillow; snacks; an empty water bottle; fancy tea bags, and pre-downloaded YouTube and Netflix videos on my device.
AI prompt: Plan my [X]-hour flight entertainment in 90-minute blocks. Include: podcasts, downloads, snacks, and rest periods. I have [fare type] with no entertainment/meals.
How to ask AI to help you pack
My carry-on limit is seven kilograms and I'm going for two weeks. Know who's awesome at optimising weight and space in suitcases? AI.
It recommended a capsule wardrobe based on the 5-4-3-2-1 method, noted that it's super cheap to get clothes washed over there, suggested that I wear my heaviest clothes on the plane, and reminded me to pack sunscreen because it's really expensive over there.
AI prompt: Pack [X] days in [destination] with only [weight]kg carry-on. Consider weather, laundry options, and what's expensive to buy there. Use capsule wardrobe method.
How to ask AI for personal hotel recommendations
Travel providers like Booking.com use AI to enhance their customer services. In my experience, they haven't really nailed it yet.
And at the moment, AIs such as Claude and ChatGPT don't have a monetary incentive to sell you things, so it feels like their recommendations are more objective.
At least that's how it felt to me when I asked:
"I need help finding the perfect place to stay that lets me write, has amazing coffee, is affordable, has access to yoga, and a bathtub."
It shortlisted options, asked me clarifying questions, didn't judge my bathtub preference, and helped me pick a place I'd never otherwise have seen because its rating is a little lower than I tend to prefer. But it looks ideal for me.
And ultimately, I saved hundreds of dollars, because my cottage will cost $49 per night, and I might have otherwise paid up to $100.
AI prompt: Find [destination] stays under $[amount]/night with: [list must-haves like bathtub, workspace]. Include walking distance to [priorities] and why each suits [your travel style].
How to ask AI to deep search recommendations for people like you
Everyone's got different travel needs. One person's beach club is another person's Monkey Forest walk.
My AI has a deep research function that it used to search 381 sources in about five minutes.
The outcome? A shortlist of 10 'hidden culinary gems for adventurous introverts' that rated highly with solo female travelers, and were within 10 minutes of my accommodation, on foot, with attached commentary on why each of them are perfect for me.
Could I personally have replicated this? Yes. With several days of full-time work devoted to it. But I have a job, so.
AI prompt: Deep research 10 local restaurants in [destination] for [solo/couple] [dietary needs] travelers. Focus on places with <100 reviews that locals love. Include prices and best times to avoid crowds.
How to ask AI for free activity recommendations within walking distance
If you tell AI where you're staying, it can shortlist low-cost and free activity options that fall within your desired travel style.
I've been to Ubud twice already, but I've never seen fireflies there: this time, thanks to AI, it's on my list of things to do, and I'm enchanted at the thought.
AI prompt: List 15 free/cheap things to do near [accommodation] in [destination] that suit [interests]. Include timing, what to bring, and reality check.
How to ask AI for tourist traps and common pitfalls
Being a smart traveller is as much about the things you DON'T do as the things you do.
What can I skip? What are some better alternatives? AI's advice to me included restaurant swaps, rice terrace alternatives, and lesser-known forests where the monkeys have more chill.
AI prompt: What [destination] tourist traps should I avoid? Include: overpriced experiences, common scams, and better local alternatives. Add money-saving tips locals use.
How to use AI to find once-in-a-lifetime experiences
But ultimately, travel is about experiencing new things, and investing is about empowering yourself to make the most of opportunities.
When you save money by skipping a $15 smoothie bowl or an Instagram-famous yoga class, it frees up your budget to spend on immersive cultural experiences and support local families. You come away with a deeper understanding of yourself and others you can't always get from pinching every penny.
AI prompt: What's actually worth spending money on in [destination]? Include specific prices in [my currency], why locals think it's worth it, and what tourist traps to avoid instead. I want honest recommendations for experiences, food, classes, and shopping that justify the cost.
Keep in mind
Before acting on AI advice, especially where money or personal safety is involved, always verify that the information is accurate.
We think AI can be a fun way to get in the holiday spirit, and help optimise your spending so you can keep hitting your financial goals. But you should never use it in place of professional financial advice from an accountant or financial planner.
Some of the Spaceship Voyager portfolios invest in Booking.com at the time of writing.
