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A woman has revealed a clever travel hack that has saved her "thousands of pounds" while traveling abroad. The tip, shared by the TikTok user annathingbutanimals, has gone viral, leaving many viewers in disbelief at its simplicity and effectiveness.

Anna shared that she is "done gatekeeping" and decided to reveal her "biggest travel hack," which she claims has saved her "thousands of dollars." This advice is particularly useful for frequent Airbnb users. According to Anna, every time you stay at an Airbnb, you should save the owner's number for future use.

Anna emphasized the importance of maintaining contact with Airbnb hosts, even if it has been a long time since your stay. She explained, "Some of these people, I kid you not, will have like 30 properties, and they would much rather rent it to somebody they know." By reaching out to hosts directly, travelers can often negotiate better rates, especially during off-season or last-minute bookings.

In her video, Anna detailed her approach: "Every time I'm going somewhere, I go through my Rolodex and think, 'Who do I know there?' I contact the host, remind them of my previous stay, and ask if they have any availability. Then, I negotiate by offering to pay 70% of the listed price in cash."

Anna claims this method has consistently worked for her, saving her substantial amounts of money. She noted, "It has never not worked for me. I think I've saved $500 just this month."

The response to Anna's tip has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 800 comments on her video. Many viewers praised the idea, with some Airbnb hosts confirming its effectiveness. One person commented, "I heard a girl did this, and they actually let her stay for free." Another added, "This is so smart – thanks."

While some concerns were raised about potential risks, such as insurance issues or the possibility of being left stranded, many Airbnb hosts acknowledged the strategy’s practicality. One host mentioned, "As an Airbnb owner, I would do 70% but not 50%. Maybe 50% if you stayed longer than a week or weekdays. Good tip!"

This savvy travel hack not only helps save money but also ensures that more of the rental fee goes directly to the property owner, bypassing third-party service fees.