By making a plan for your budget and doing your due diligence to find the best available deals, you can make travel much more affordable for your family, and potentially be able to afford to do even more trips.
According to Forbes, the average cost for a family of four to take a three-day vacation is $3,609.39. While this amount can vary significantly based on your travel plans and destination, one thing is clear: travel can be fairly pricey, especially for families.
Naturally, money-minded travelers are going to be on the lookout for any type of discount that can help them stretch their budget further.
Fortunately, as Bryan Rand, president of Carefree Destinations, a company that provides discounted rates on luxury vacation stays explains, there are many ways that travelers can find discounts to make their trips more affordable.
1. Look into discount booking services
“Who you book with can make a significant difference in how much you pay for your vacation,” Rand says. “For example, our company relies on long-standing relationships with resorts that give us access to their unsold rooms, which we can sell at deeply discounted rates. Our discount booking services can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your trip by leveraging our connections to get you the best possible deal, particularly when it comes to luxury travel experiences.”
Discount booking services vary in terms of the types of vacation packages they help book and the areas they serve, so be sure to confirm that a booking service matches your preferences when you begin planning travel.
2. Know when to book airfare
Airfare is undeniably one of the biggest expenses associated with any trip. Airfare prices change quite a bit between when tickets are first made available to when the flight departs. In general, it is recommended that travelers book flights for domestic travel one to two months in advance, or three to five months in advance for international travel.
The day and time you choose to travel can also make a difference. “So-called less desirable days and times will have much lower airfare, simply because there is less demand for plane tickets at this time,” Rand says.
“Tuesdays and Wednesdays often have the cheapest tickets, as will flights that are scheduled for early in the morning or later in the evening. You sacrifice a bit of convenience for lower prices and a less crowded airport.”
3. Travel during the off-season
Similar to how avoiding the busiest time at the airport can help you find lower prices, traveling during the off-season can help you score discounts at your destination as well.
“During the off-season, resorts, activities providers and other local amenities typically offer discounted rates in an effort to boost their business,” Rand explains.
“They would rather make some money than no money, so they provide these discounts to try to attract travelers. You might miss out on some of the activities that are available during the peak season, or the weather might not be quite as nice, but the savings can be sizable.”
4. Take advantage of travel credit cards
Travel credit cards can also help you lower your travel costs, in large part thanks to the welcome bonuses offered by many of the leading card providers. Airlines frequently offer generous incentives for new cardholders, giving enough miles to book a round-trip domestic ticket for free.
Of course, you should carefully evaluate any credit card offer before opening an account. Be mindful of factors like interest rates and yearly fees, which could make opening a travel credit card more expensive in the long run. However, if you spend responsibly, these cards (which also typically give bonus points on airfare and other travel expenses) can be a great way to save.
5. Try new destinations
Another way to unlock discounted rates for your next vacation is to look off the beaten path. Rather than going to the most popular destination for the type of vacation you have in mind, consider going to a similar but less frequented area instead. Whether you’re planning a beach trip or want to visit a mountain resort, going to a “smaller” destination can help you save significantly on your trip.
Trying new places can expand your travel horizons and possibly even introduce you to a new favorite getaway! Best of all, by skipping the most popular sites, you can also avoid the crowds and likely get better service (and fewer lines) as a result.
6. Be flexible
Rand’s final go-to tip for travelers seeking discounts is to be flexible.
“Flexibility can make all the difference in the travel industry,” he says. “Flexibility in when you travel, where you travel and especially when you book travel can give you access to so many more discounts than if you remain committed to a strict travel itinerary. Approach travel planning with an open mind, and you’ll be able to find more discounts than you expect. Even something as simple as adjusting your travel dates by a few days can help you save hundreds of dollars.”
Adopting a more flexible travel mindset can be challenging (especially when trying to juggle work and kids), but the end result can be well worth it.
You can save big
By keeping these tips in mind as you plan your next vacation, you can unlock major savings — no matter where your destination might be. By making a plan for your budget and doing your due diligence to find the best available deals, you can make travel much more affordable for your family, and potentially be able to afford to do even more trips.
Photo by Chen Mizrach on Unsplash
