{"id":20644,"date":"2025-01-31T14:29:13","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T20:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/?p=20644"},"modified":"2026-01-31T14:21:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T20:21:37","slug":"financial-tips-and-discounts-for-traveling-with-a-disability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/financial-tips-and-discounts-for-traveling-with-a-disability\/","title":{"rendered":"Financial tips and discounts for traveling with a disability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Travel can be expensive. So can living with a disability, says Sylvia Longmire, a (usually solo) world traveler, full-time wheelchair user, and accessible travel writer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even so, there are ways to save money when you travel, she assures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 70 million Americans\u2014or more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults<\/a>, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2014report having a disability. Additionally, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that nearly 19 million Americans aged 5 and up say they have disabilities that limit travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether for business or pleasure, there are ways to make traveling with a disability less taxing. Here are some tips, tricks, and resources to help you plan a trip and save money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 things to remember when planning to travel with a disability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Careful planning is essential when traveling with a disability to avoid unnecessary stress and help make sure your trip goes smoothly. By preparing ahead of time and keeping certain factors in mind, you can create a travel experience that\u2019s both enjoyable and accessible. Here\u2019s how to start planning for your next adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel insurance is a must<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe number one thing is never, ever skimp on travel insurance,\u201d Longmire says. \u201cThis is across the board, but especially for people with disabilities. We\u2019re a little more at risk, I think, for having something happen that disrupts our plans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can get travel insurance for a single trip, or if you\u2019re a frequent traveler, you can sign up for an annual plan. While many travel insurance policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions, you can usually get a waiver that lifts that exclusion. To do so, you\u2019ll typically need to insure the full cost of your trip within two or three weeks of making your first deposit. Longmire recommends doing your research to make sure you\u2019re fully covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lorraine Woodward, CEO of an accessible short-term rental platform, has seen firsthand the regrets of those who skip travel insurance. \u201cYou absolutely could benefit from it,\u201d she emphasizes. \u201cIt\u2019s a great investment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always budget for emergencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, a person with disabilities needs to be a little more vigilant than a traditionally abled traveler might, Longmire says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a wheelchair alone puts you at risk for financial hiccups. Say an airline damages your chair\u2014which happens quite often, Longmire attests. They\u2019ll most likely arrange for repairs, but getting by in the meantime can be costly. \u201cIf you need a rental on the spot to hold you over, especially in a foreign country, be prepared to shell out some money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longmire advises staying closer to home if you can\u2019t afford what might happen in an emergency. \u201cIf you\u2019re traveling on a budget<\/a>, and that budget is within pennies of whatever you have left in your savings, don\u2019t do it. It\u2019s not worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do your homework<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest burdens of traveling with a disability, Longmire says, is the amount of research and preparation it takes. \u201cI\u2019d say it\u2019s at least triple, maybe quadruple, what an able-bodied person has to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But however laborious all that work may be, it can be fulfilling, too. \u201cSometimes, for me, doing the research is half the fun,\u201d she says. \u201cI look at the photos. I find out the accessibility. And I think, \u2018Oh my gosh, I can do that\u2019\u2014and that\u2019s very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the insights and research of those in the accessible travel industry, adds Woodward. \u201cAsk an expert in the accessible travel industry. Travelers with disabilities travel week in and week out, sharing the little nuances of savings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting medical equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Traveling with a disability often requires specific equipment that may be too large or inconvenient to pack. Some organizations online provide rentals of essential items like bathroom chairs or portable ramps. In addition, you could consider local medical supply stores. Renting items means you have the equipment you need on your vacation\u2014without the hassle of bringing along bulky items from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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“The best way to save money on airlines for anyone, with a disability or not, is to fly in the shoulder season or offseason.”<\/p>\n