Money Saving Tips For Planning Your Next Vacay

The desire to travel is a common goal for many. Let’s make sure your savings and hard work let you get away – to enjoy somewhere new, decompress, or just go on an adventure!

We thought we’d share some money-saving tips to help plan your next trip. Some of the best money-saving opportunities come from benefits offered through memberships and loyalty programs. By covering these bases in advance of booking, you’ll likely find yourself with multiple ways to save:

Travel reward credit card offers. Many hotel chains and airlines reward new credit cardholders with perks for signing up, including rooms, flights, award points, and miles for future travel. Sign up for these well in advance to potentially benefit from the kickback! Some require a minimum charge and/or timeframe before you can claim the free offers. Just remember to pay off the balance in full monthly since these cards can carry high interest rates.

Enroll in AAA and/or AARP.  AAA and AARP carry a nominal annual cost yet can save you a lot of cash. You’ll get savings on things like hotel and rental car rates, discounts on cruises as well as free access to travel agent professionals to assist you in your planning.

Join travel loyalty programs. Joining hotel rewards programs and frequent flyer clubs is usually free. Their valuable offers are designed to keep clients coming back. Use your rewards number when you use their services to log your activity and qualify for future rewards on your next trip.

Use current discounts available. Many companies offer lower prices to specific groups of people, including students, seniors, emergency personnel, military families, and government employees. Use these discounted rates throughout your planning process.

Register with online coupon websites/apps. Sites and mobile apps such as Groupon, Go City, and CityPass provide users with an online marketplace to purchase things to do in specific areas at incredibly discounted rates. Check these sites frequently for local activities that catch your eye.

If you’ve neglected to secure these opportunities ahead of time, remember that AAA, AARP, and coupon website offers are usually instant. And you can find money-saving coupons at visitor centers, gas stations, airports, and rental car companies.