With the holiday travel season upon us, we must be prepared and budget accordingly. Here are some ways to save money, whether you’re flying home for Thanksgiving or going on a family vacation.
Whether you’re going on vacation or a business trip, a good deal can make a big difference in your overall budget. That’s why it’s essential to be savvy when booking your travel, including renting a car and airfare.
Many airlines and travel sites offer bundles for flights, hotels, and rental cars at discounted prices by using things like a Priceline coupons. These bundles often include discounts or other perks like free food, lounge access, and other benefits that can help you save on your trip.
Find and compare rates
It’s also possible to save on a car rental by taking a weekly rate instead of a daily one, particularly if you are traveling for a few days. You can also get a lower rate if you return the car early, but you must read the fine print carefully.
Remember to compare multiple agencies to find a good match. If a company matches your travel itinerary, they may offer a better deal than their competitors, which can be worth the extra effort.
The key is to shop around and use a travel spreadsheet to map out your options. This will help you save even more money on your vacation.
Book Early
Ideally, you should book travel for seasonal and holiday getaways months in advance. While there is always some flexibility with airline and hotel bookings, the demand for airfare around Thanksgiving and Christmas means you can only afford to book your flights.
To save money, start tracking flight prices on your preferred route early, and buy tickets when you find the best rates. You can also use tools like Hipmunk’s Flex Dates option to compare flights on a range of dates to see which ones will be the cheapest.
Airlines generally set their schedules 330 days in advance, but they tweak routes and aircraft types up to 90 days before departure. That’s the window when they have the most accurate information about their schedules based on demand.
Flexibility
Business travelers and vacationers often combine their flight + car reservations when booking their travel, allowing them to lock in the best prices on both. Some travel agents can also assist with complicated bookings that involve multiple itineraries, including flights, hotels, and rental cars. Flexibility is the ability to move a joint through its full range of motion, from flexion (deepening a quarter squat) to extension (bending one leg backward). Some factors that can limit your flexibility include bone structure, muscle mass, excess fatty tissue, and connective tissue. Regular stretching exercises can help you stay flexible and prevent pain while exercising or traveling.
Cash in on Credit Card Points
If you have an airline loyalty program or hotel rewards credit card, you can use points to cover the cost of travel during the holidays. However, airfare and hotels are more expensive this time of year, so it may be wise to wait until you plan a solid trip before using your points.
If that’s not an option, you can utilize your credit card points to cover smaller purchases like meals out and gifts for loved ones. These rewards are usually smaller than the perks you might get on a flight, but they can add up quickly.
You can also find additional ways to earn bonus points on your holiday spending with credit card rebate offers, shopping portals, and your own credit card’s built-in perks. For example, many cards will offer 5% back on groceries and dining during the fourth quarter.
Stay Flexible
When planning a big trip, a little flexibility goes a long way. Here are a few tricks of the trade to help you make the most of your time away from home.
One of the most important things to remember is that you must be clear on what you are looking for and how much money you can spend before comparing prices. This will ensure that unexpected charges do not slash your travel budget — and that you get the best value for your hard-earned cash.
It would be best if you also consider your itinerary and family members. The key is to find the best possible timeframe and the most optimal location for you and your entourage, and a little research can go a long way in ensuring the best results possible.
Book a Last-Minute Trip
Last-minute travel offers a way to save money on seasonal and holiday getaways. It’s a good idea to book these trips early.
If you are looking for a last-minute deal, consider booking combo deals that include airfare and hotel at a discounted package. This will help you save a lot of money.
Another way to save on last-minute travel is to be flexible with your dates. Different destinations have different prices and crowds at certain times of the week, so it is worth researching before you leave to see which days are best for your destination.
Last-minute travel can be an exciting adventure whether you’re going for a weekend away or a two-week vacation. However, it can also be stressful if things go differently than planned.
