Marcus Richards
A VPN is a virtual private network, and it can help you save money while you are traveling. From helping you book the cheapest flights to watching television programs, a VPN has many useful features. Here is how you can use it to stay on a budget.
What Is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) lets people create a secure connection on the internet that is encrypted. A VPN protects your private data and makes it more secure. A VPN is able to scramble the data to keep it safe and hide your location at the same time. It also hides your IP address. Both businesses and consumers can benefit from using a VPN. There are many VPN services to choose from, so do your research to find the best one.
How to Save Money on Flights With a VPN
While there are many ways to save money on travel costs, a VPN is a little-known secret few know about or bother to employ.
Let’s say you are finally planning a dream vacation and need to start booking the flights. Whether you go to Expedia or KAYAK, you will have to be smart about how you search for flight information. First, you may want to start by doing a search without a VPN. This will give you a general sense of the rates for the locations you plan to visit.
Next, you should use a VPN to do the same search on an incognito browser. Keep in mind that you can change your location and IP address during this process. Sometimes you may find deals for U.S. customers that are not available in other countries. On the other hand, you may find lower prices if you search as if you are from Canada, Australia or another country. Make sure you also search for promotional codes, coupons and other deals the same way.
The best country to set as your location will depend on where you plan to travel. Some people report positive results by picking countries with a lower cost of living. You also want to delete your browser’s cookies and cache before and after doing each search. Or you can use an incognito browser to look for information.
Watch Your Favorite Shows With a VPN
When you are traveling, you may end up in a location where you cannot watch your favorite shows. For example, Netflix is not available in China or Crimea. Another common problem is that some shows and movies are not available in certain countries. For example, you may not be able to watch your favorites when you are in Europe, Australia or another country.
The selection of shows and movies varies based on your country because Netflix has different licensing deals. Even if have downloaded Netflix content to your phone, it may not be viewable in certain parts of the world. However, you can use a VPN to set your location and watch whatever you want. This way, you will not miss anything while you are abroad.
Access Websites While Traveling With a VPN
In some parts of the world, the internet is more restricted than it is in the United States. For example, China blocks people from being able to use Facebook and other websites. It is not the only country that does this. Thailand, Vietnam, Spain and other parts of the world also block certain sites. If you are traveling to a country that restricts internet use, you can use a VPN to access your favorite websites that may be blocked.
Find the Right VPN
It is important to do your research and find the right VPN. You will probably have to pay for this service since many of the free options are not reputable. First, you want to check reviews of the VPN and make sure it will work for you. Second, you want to check if it has apps that you can download to use on multiple devices like a phone and tablet. Third, make sure the VPN does not charge extra fees for multiple connections. If your kids are using the tablet while you are on the phone, you do not want to pay extra.
Make sure the VPN you select will actually work in the country you plan to visit. Some are not as reliable, and many places can block them. For instance, China has a history of blocking VPNs. Another feature to watch out for is speed. You want a fast VPN that will let you stream shows and movies. Keep in mind that you can often get a free trial of a VPN, so test it first.
When you are planning a trip, remember to pick out a VPN before you even start looking for tickets. It can help you find cheap flights, and it will be useful for watching or accessing content in different countries. Make sure you practice using the VPN before your trip, so you are comfortable with it.
