Ever booked a flight only to see the price drop the next day? Have you experienced realizing too late that you overpaid for accommodations? Or maybe you got hit with surprise fees through no fault of your own? These travel setbacks happen, but they’re not inevitable. With proper planning and the right financial tools, you can take full control of your travel budget long before you board a plane.

That’s where a trusted financial partner like Maya makes a difference. As the Philippines’ #1 digital bank, Maya empowers you to take control, from booking flights and managing spending to redeeming travel rewards and guarding against hidden fees. We offer smart tools that help you travel with confidence.

Whether you’re chasing sunsets or just escaping the daily grind, here are tips for traveling smarter and saving big on your next adventure.

1. Book Flights and Accommodations at the Right Time

One of the best ways to stretch your travel budget is to book flights and accommodations at the right time. Prices fluctuate constantly, and booking too late or too early can mean spending far more than necessary. To catch promo fares and track price drops, use tools like fare trackers and flexible date searches. It also pays to avoid peak seasons or popular long weekends when demand spikes.

Booking at the right moment can easily shave hundreds or thousands of pesos off your total trip cost. That said, scoring the deal is only half the battle; you also need a fast and reliable way to lock it in. The Maya Black Credit Card streamlines that process, and it starts with applying for a card through the Maya app. Once available, you can instantly use your virtual card while waiting for the physical one. That means no waiting around to secure limited-time flights or accommodations.

Because the Maya Black Credit Card is a travel credit card Philippine-based travelers can rely on for flight bookings, you're ready to seize opportunities the moment they appear, no matter where your travel plans take you.

2. Use a Rewards Card That Gives You Miles Back

Travel spending doesn’t have to end with a drained wallet. When you use the right credit card, every purchase becomes a chance to earn value that you can put toward your next trip. Instead of spending and forgetting, you can pay and accumulate benefits that build up and reduce future travel costs.

With the Maya Black Credit Card, spending earns you Maya Miles, which are reward points you can use for shopping, dining, or your next getaway. Tap into Maya Black Preferred brands to unlock up to 10x more earnings, all tracked in real time through the Maya app, so you’re never in the dark about your progress. And because it's a credit card with miles that charges no annual fees, it helps you stretch your budget even further.

Even better? More exclusive perks are rolling out soon, including airport lounge access and the ability to convert Maya Miles to airline miles. For those who travel with intention, the Maya Black Credit Card isn’t only a luxury but also a passport to smarter, more rewarding journeys.

3. Choose a Card That Lets You Control Your Spending

Even with a set budget, travel spending can easily get out of hand. Expenses can pile up quickly, especially when dealing with foreign currencies, impulsive buys, or delayed billing surprises. Without visibility and control, even well-planned trips can veer off budget and cause undue stress.

That’s why seasoned travelers choose tools that put them in command. A travel credit card like the Maya Black Credit Card offers real-time monitoring through the Maya app, so you can track every transaction as it happens. Beyond visibility, you’re able to set spending limits for online and foreign purchases to maintain tighter control throughout your journey. And if the unexpected happens, like your card going missing, you can freeze it instantly via the app, without waiting on lengthy approvals or call center queues.

With fewer surprises and more control built into your wallet, the Maya Black Credit Card makes sure your financial decisions stay as intentional as your itinerary.

4. Use Your Rewards Strategically for Future Travel

If you want to unlock more experiences with less spending, don’t let credit card rewards go to waste or use them on low-value redemptions. Instead, treat them as a built-in discount strategy for your next adventure.

If you’re using the Maya Black Credit Card, your Maya Miles are automatically tracked in-app, which gives you a clear view of your rewards without the guesswork. Having everything in one place makes it easier to plan when and how to use your points based on your goals. You can time your redemptions around what matters most, from accommodations to tickets to popular sites and events that would otherwise eat into your budget.

By treating credit card earnings as a long-term asset instead of a short-term perk, you’ll maximize their value and spend less over time.

5. Watch Out for Hidden Costs That Eat Into Your Travel Budget

Some of the biggest travel benefits come from avoiding the charges you didn’t see coming. Foreign transaction fees, ATM surcharges, dynamic currency conversion, and hotel service charges may seem minor on their own, but they can quietly inflate your total expenses.

Planning ahead makes all the difference. Review common add-on fees for your destination. Look into how your bank handles international payments and confirm what’s included in your hotel rate. Choosing cost-effective payment methods also helps, especially in places that favor cards over cash, or vice versa.

For a reliable card that helps manage these unseen costs, the Maya Black Credit Card is an excellent partner. Accepted globally via Visa, it minimizes international payment issues and related fees. Plus, there are no annual fees for life, eliminating a significant recurring cost, and in-app tracking lets you monitor transactions in real time so you can catch unexpected charges and keep your budget on track.

Other than hunting for cheaper flights or slashing hotel costs, saving big means staying sharp and catching the fine print before it chips away at your budget.

Unlock Smarter Travel Savings with the Right Credit Card

Beyond cost-cutting, traveling wisely means leveraging tools that let you move with intention, flexibility, control, and peace of mind. When you're already thinking strategically about your travel spending, aligning your payment choices is the next smart move.

The Maya Black Credit Card is designed for travelers who value both freedom and foresight. Depending on your profile, you may be approved for a standard Maya Black Credit Card right away, or you might be offered Maya Black Express, which allows you to access all the perks of a Maya Black Credit Card, even if you’re just starting to build or rebuilding your credit score.

To complete the Maya Black Express application, you just need to make an Express Deposit of at least PHP 12,500 in the Maya app, which will allow you to set up your own credit limit. Once approved for Maya Black, managing your card is easy. You can set limits, control spending categories, and pay your bills all within the app. Everything is streamlined, simple, and secure, and just a few taps away.

And the best part? If you’ve been approved for a Maya Black Express Card and keep using the card responsibly, you may be evaluated in as little as 6 months for an upgrade to a standard Maya Black Credit Card. Plus, it earns 3.5% p.a interest monthly, so you get your deposit back and the interest it earned.

Apply through the Maya app today and start turning everyday expenses into smoother, smarter journeys.