I saved $847 on my last trip using ChatGPT instead of Skyscanner

If you've been following my AI newsletter, you know I'm obsessed with practical AI applications that save actual money.

Not theory. Not hype. Real dollars back in your pocket.

Last month, I planned a two-week trip to Southeast Asia.

Normally, I'd spend hours toggling between Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak... you know the drill.

This time? I let ChatGPT do the heavy lifting.

Total savings: $847
Time spent: 23 minutes

Here's how I did it (and the four prompt types you actually need).

Prompt Type #1: The Flight Deal Finder

Most people ask ChatGPT "find me cheap flights to Paris."

That's too vague. ChatGPT needs structure.

Here's what works:

"Route: NYC → Bangkok. Travel window: March 10–20. Search airlines + budget sites. Find the 3 cheapest options with exact prices + booking links."

Why this works: You're giving it constraints (dates, route) and a specific output (3 options with links). Specificity = better results.

I used this and found a $612 flight that Skyscanner was showing for $789.

Prompt Type #2: The Layover Optimizer

Here's where I saved the most money.

"Here's my flight itinerary: [paste details]. Suggest if I can save money by choosing longer layovers or different hub airports. Show cost breakdown."

ChatGPT suggested I fly into Kuala Lumpur instead of directly to Bangkok, then take a $40 budget flight.

Saved me $310 compared to the direct route.

Would I have thought of that? Eventually. But ChatGPT found it in 90 seconds.

Prompt Type #3: The 48-Hour City Guide

This one doesn't save money directly, but it prevents the "we wasted a day wandering aimlessly" tax.

"City: Bangkok. Trip length: 2 days. Create an itinerary with must-see attractions, food spots, and hidden gems. Optimize by neighborhood to save transit time."

It clustered everything by district so I wasn't zigzagging across the city burning time and Grab fares.

Prompt Type #4: The Currency Savings Hack

Most travelers get destroyed by exchange fees and don't even realize it.

"Budget: $2,000. Country: Thailand. Break down how much cash vs card vs online booking saves me in exchange fees and hidden costs."

ChatGPT showed me I'd lose $85 in fees if I used my credit card for everything vs withdrawing cash from the right ATMs.

I withdrew $500 at a time from specific ATM networks it recommended. Saved $62 on my trip.

The one mistake I made:

I trusted ChatGPT's hotel recommendation without cross-checking reviews.

The "boutique hotel in the heart of the city" was actually next to a construction site.

Lesson: Use ChatGPT for research and comparison, but always verify the final booking yourself.

In conclusion:

Those are the four prompt types that saved me real money on travel planning.

If you're still manually comparing flights across five tabs, you're working harder than you need to.

And if you look at my travel emails, you'll notice I only recommend tools I've actually used and can vouch for.

Because recommending garbage AI hacks just to fill a newsletter? That destroys trust faster than anything.

Cheers,
Matas
Founder, DailyChatGPT

P.S. – Want the exact 7 prompts I use copy-paste ready? Reply to this email with "TRAVEL" and I'll send them over. No opt-in page, no BS.