Ways to keep vacation costs down.

It’s no secret that I love a vacation. I always have. Just say the word “vacation,” and I immediately start singing a song from the 80s by the GoGos: Vacation. I’m a firm believer that we can get a lot of joy from experiencing something different…a culture, a destination, food, and even new people. Some people, apparently, think my husband and I spend a lot of money on travel, and while we enjoy hopping on a plane as much as anyone can, we have learned some ways to take those vacations without paying premium prices. I was a flight attendant for a while after graduating from college and then worked in the travel business, so I know a little bit about travel and keeping costs down. Do I always take inexpensive vacations? No, some of them are more “posh” than others, but I don’t always pay the highest prices, either. I know how to find a deal. I do great research.

Often, people ask me about our trips, and I always remind them that lots of my trips are with friends who split the costs. Yes, splitting costs is the #1 way to keep travel costs down. Take for instance, trips to California, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, New York, Palm Springs, Mexico City, and more…all shared costs with friends who love to travel too. Yes, we purchased individual airline tickets, but by sharing a house or a hotel room, we are able to cut that cost in half. Lots of people do it, and if you’re not doing that, you might be spending too much money. My friend, Jennifer, from Ohio, and I have vacationed together countless times…with our daughters and without. We have shared hotel rooms with our daughters and gotten adjoining rooms for them, but we always have a great time. We also travel with our husbands…sharing a house in the Caribbean. My friend, Mary Ann, and I travel together too, and the two of us simply share a hotel room, keeping costs down. Trust me when I say there are very few people with whom I can travel, but when we do, we split the costs. Renting a house somewhere with a friend or with another family? That cuts rental cost by 50%.

Also, when we travel, I keep my eyes open for future places to stay. I make notes in my phone, so if/when we decide to return to the same destination, I know where hotels/rentals are located, and I can check prices accordingly. For example, there is a place we enjoy visiting regularly, and the first time we went and stayed at a big property, I looked at all the properties nearby. The next time we went, I told my husband I would actually prefer to stay in the smaller, less expensive rentals nearby. They were quieter, with a great pool and beautiful beach, and the visitors seemed less nosy. Now, whenever we return there, we stay in the less expensive villas nearby…and they are so inexpensive that they almost feel free! I actually prefer them over the more crowded resort area we visited first, and we love the villa we rent!

Another way to cut travel costs? Make sure you get your hotel points and airline miles every single time you travel. Also, most airlines now have credit cards that help you accumulate miles more quickly. Use those miles for free tickets, and use your hotel points for free rooms. Huge savings every time! Even if you don’t have a credit card with the airlines, and you only travel by car, you can have a credit card that kicks off cash for everything you purchase. For example, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card will give you cash back, as do credit cards from Wells Fargo, Huntington Bank, and more. Personally, when that accumulates in the account, we use it for a “free” vacation. It adds up more quickly than you think it will. Years ago, I finally convinced my husband he was leaving money on the table by not using credit cards that offered good rewards like airline miles or cash back, and now, he sings my praises for it. Also, airlines sometimes offer promotions that increase the number of miles you receive. If you’re a member of a frequent flyer program, watch for email with special deals on flights. I once took a very expensive seven-night vacation for free, simply because I used the cash back from a credit card, free flights using miles, and a hotel stay using hotel points. I was so proud of myself!

Hotels often offer special deals too. Countless times, I have booked hotels that had “stay for three and get the fourth night free” deals. And some hotel frequent traveler programs offer the 5th night free if you use points to book four nights. Marriott and Hilton both offer this, so if you have a lot of points with Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, look into it. I have actually used this with both hotel chains. With hotel pricing and specials, it’s a matter of checking and double-checking. Don’t just book it and forget it. Every single time I book a hotel room, I continue to check almost daily to see if I see better deals. If I do, I rebook. I have saved thousands of dollars over the years doing this. I once saved over $1500 on one five night trip, simply because I kept watching to see if the rates went down, and when they did, I took advantage of it. Also, some hotel deals might include breakfast or a $150 daily hotel credit. On the surface, it doesn’t look like much, but at a nice hotel, you could spent $100 or more on breakfast. If it’s included and you stay for five nights, that’s $500 savings! The daily hotel credit adds up too!

Another way to save? Because I primarily fly American Airlines, sometimes, I book my hotels through their Advantage Hotels program. When I do, I often receive between 15,000 and 30,000 loyalty points and miles with American…a huge bonus for status with the airline and for miles I can use toward a ticket. Those miles can be a real money-saver. For example, our daughter will be flying next week, and I booked her ticket in coach using miles. I then upgraded her for just $97, and I booked her hotel using my Hilton points. Her trip is practically free!

Also, often, we plan our travel around the best prices for the destination. Don’t travel to destinations during high season. For example, if you can stand it, travel to Phoenix or Palm Springs in late spring or summer. Sure, it is guaranteed to be 100+ degrees, but if you have a pool to lounge in, who cares? Plan a trip to the Caribbean during hurricane season, so you get the very best rates. Always get the travel insurance, so if something happens, and you can’t travel, you can get a full refund. You don’t want to lose your money because a hurricane comes through. Wanna go to Europe and save? Often traveling during the low season (Nov-Mar) will yield considerably better hotel rates. Before you plan a trip, if you want to save money, check online to see when the low season is for that destination.

If you love cruises, you can often get a real deal on cruises. I have known people who went on cruises, and it would have cost them more to stay home! With the food included, cruises are often a bargain. I’m not much of a cruiser, simply because I like to go somewhere and spend time in a place, but I know lots of folks who absolutely love it.

And don’t forget the “ask for a discount” option. For example, if you rent the same vacation home regularly, remind the management company that “this is our fifth time renting this house” and ask for a discount. All they can say is “no.” Even my husband, who used to hate to ask for a discount, will do it now.

So if you look at me and think I spend a lot of money on travel, you should know I vacation a lot, but I don’t always spend a lot of money. You should probably just call me for some hints on how to travel less expensively. Yes, occasionally, we have a more posh vacation, but not always. If you’re always paying full price, you’re doing it wrong. It is very rare that I pay full price. You can also follow different travel sites online like The Points Guy. He has lots of great ideas on how to save. Now get busy saving and planning for that next vacation. Everybody needs some joy in their lives!

***Feature photo from The GoGos album, Vacation***