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Travel can be costly, but deals may still be available. The gap between what a prepared traveler pays and what an unprepared one pays has never been wider. Airlines, hotels, and carriers have all built sophisticated pricing systems around impulse decisions and last-minute scrambles. Here is how to stay ahead of them.

One potential way to save? Arranging your travel data before you leave rather than after you land. A travel eSIM lets you activate a local data plan on your phone before departure so you arrive connected without paying your home carrier’s international rates.

Fly Smart: Timing and Alerts Can Help You Save

The worst time to buy a flight is the moment you decide you want to go somewhere. Prices spike when demand climbs, and weekends are peak demand. Try comparing fares on Tuesday or Wednesday, but keep your search dates flexible, as lower prices may appear on other days too.

Set a price alert on Google Flights for your route.…