How You Can Use Social Media to Save on Travel

People out there, right now, are using social media to save on travel. And while it may seem too good to be true, there are easy ways for you to save some money and travel more.

By keeping up with social media trends, applying for the right gigs, and knowing what social sites and apps are best, you too can fund your next adventure with ease. So, read more, save, and travel!

Follow the Travel Hashtags

One of the best tools to save on traveling is by following hashtags on Twitter. There are many, many hashtag campaigns by various companies that want more exposure. In exchange for this social media exposure, these companies offer discounted hotel prices, reduced or free plane tickets, gift cards, food, and other travel prizes that you can really take advantage of.

For instance, Best Western runs a number of hashtag campaigns, such as the recent #MyWherever Destination Twitter campaign in which participants can win a $2,500 gift card, 5 free nights in a Best Western hotel, and other prizes. Even better, the contest is easy. All you have to do to win is select where you want to go, enter your rewards number (or sign up for Best Western Rewards), and wait to win! If you don't win, you can still save money by becoming a Rewards member, and rewards programs really are something any traveler should consider.

Another popular example of this is the #HiltonStory campaign that asks users to share their experiences on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The best pictures and posts can win a two-night stay anywhere in the world. Not bad if you ask me.

In addition to following big brands, it's also a good idea to follow smaller travel bloggers and travel enthusiasts. By doing so, you can often find hashtag campaigns that you may have missed. Also, be sure to use Twitter's advanced search methods to better control what campaigns you apply to. By filtering your reults to more specific hashtags, people, places, time and dates, you can really improve your chances of saving money or winning a great travel prize.

Keep Your Eye on Instagram

In addition to following hashtag campaigns on Twitter, it's also a good idea to keep an eye on Instagram, as companies often hold travel saving contests on the picture sharing social media app.

With Instagram, you're usually asked to follow and share your best pictures (among other things) to win great travel prizes. The more contests you enter, the better chance you have to win.

Some companies have even gotten creative with their contests. Such is the case with Netflix, who ran a campaign recently and asked contestants to follow @Netflix and tag #grammasters3 on Instagram in a chance to visit popular film sets and to make $2,000 a week -- a dream job for many, I'm sure! The travel gig attracted a lot of attention and applicants.

Don't Forget about Facebook

Of course, companies have also used Facebook's massive social presence to lure new followers by running travel contests.

Visit San Diego is such a contest. And trust me, there are plenty of others.

To find more travel contests, and eventually save money, be sure to follow travel brands such as National Geographic Travel, Johnny Jet, and Condé Nast Traveler. Other travel brands also frequently share contests, too, so be on the lookout for other pages!

Other Travel Apps to Help You Save

And don't think the only way to travel is by winning big on travel contests. You can also win by saving your money with great travel apps.

Couchsurfing is a widely-known app and website that connects people from around the world. Their goal is simple: To help travelers find couches to sleep on, which millions of people have seemingly been able to do so. Not only has the app and website helped people connect with other travelers (and their couches), but, in doing so, it has helped people save a boatload of money on hotel or hostel expenses. Download the app, if you haven't already done so, on iPhone or Android. You'll be glad you did.

If you'd like to crash on more than a coach, check out WeHostels. The social travel app helps people find the cheapest hostels around the world, while also connecting travelers through their iPhone or Android apps [No Longer Available].

And while you're on vacation, you'll definitely need an app to help you better get around. Uber and Lyft are two apps that connect driver and passenger, local and traveler. You can use the app to fund your next adventure by picking up a passenger, or you can save on a taxi ride while on a travel adventure. In either scenario, you'll save some money, which is what most people really care about. Uber's iPhone and Android app are essential for every traveler, as is Lyft's iPhone and Android app.

Last but not least, Klout is an excellent app that offers benefits from American Airlines. Basically, the more popular you are on social media, the more benefits you get through the airlines. So, download the iPhone app [No Longer Available] and give it a try!

Building your social media presence is another tool you should employ to save on travel and win contests, as the more followers you have can often help your odds of winning a nice travel prize.

Right now, Hotelied [Broken URL Removed] offers deals and steals if you have a large following on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram through its "it pays to be you" campaign. The bigger social presence you have, the more you can save. What a steal.

By employing some of these social media tactics, you too can save on your next travel destination. So, download these travel apps, employ these travel tactics, and explore the world! It's not as difficult as it might seem.

Where do you plan on going? Have you used social media save on your travels? What tips can you offer others to save on traveling?

Image Credits:money in the glass by Nattapol Sritongcom via Shutterstock