Summer is just a few short months away, so it’s time to get those family vacation plans made. To help you save and find the best trip possible, travel experts recommend these tips.
- Don’t wait - If you haven‘t booked your summer trip yet, don’t wait any longer to do it. While it’s not too late, Grace Bastidas, the editor-in-chief of “Parents” magazine points out that there’s a lot of demand and the price goes up the closer you get to your travel date.
- Establish a summer travel budget - To help you control costs, know how much you can spend on a hotel, airline tickets or gas, as well as how much you want to spend on a daily basis for meals, rentals and activities.
- Compare prices - Look at different sites to see who offers the best deals. Bastidas says you can often get a better deal on a hotel by calling them directly and she suggests using apps that let you set up alerts to see when prices drop for flights.
- Look for special offers, discounts and perks - Sometimes credit card perks or memberships like AAA will offer discounts on a hotel, rental car or flights. Travel expert Katy Nastro says, “Even if it saves you 20%, that’s better than nothing.”
- Consider transportation options for the family - When you’re buying four airline tickets, the cost can really add up and driving may be a much more affordable option. If you are flying and you know the specific dates you want to travel, make sure you’re booking by about 21 days out to get the lowest fare. For families with young kids, Bastidas encourages booking with an airline that doesn't charge fees to be seated together on the plane. Click here for information from the U.S. Department of Transportation on airlines and fee-free family seating.
- Try to keep the whole family happy - Giving kids a voice in your travel plans can help them stay engaged and get excited for the trip. Planning activities for the younger family members, as well as some that are geared toward grown-ups will make the trip more fun for everyone.
Source: Good Morning America
Scott's Thoughts:
- But what if you have teenagers? Will they be excited about anything or just roll their eyes and put their ear buds back in?
- What kind of vacation do you like to take with your family? Do you prefer to stay at an Airbnb or a hotel, where you don’t have to clean up?
- What trips are on your family’s bucket list? Where will you be going this summer?