Vacation Money Savers: Budget-Conscious Travel Tips for Families

— by Rebecca Hastings

Sitting in front of my computer, I was ready to find the perfect vacation for my family. I knew it needed to be fun and exciting. I wanted it to be memorable. It needed to have something everyone would enjoy. A quick Google search and I had 1,375,283 results. Maybe not exactly that many, but it sure felt like it. The possibilities seemed endless. Until I remembered my bank account.

It seems you need funds to go on these amazing vacations. And while I had saved some money, it wasn’t enough to simply follow wherever my Google search led. I needed to be strategic about what we chose and how much money we spent on our vacation.

According to Mastercard Economics Institute, travel has increased 33% since 2019. This likely represents a rebound from our pandemic travel restrictions, among other things. The biggest shift, however, is spending. With changes in the economy, families are discovering they need to change the way they travel.

Simple changes may be the thing that is making it possible for people to continue to travel when faced with skyrocketing travel costs. Forbes reports that 46% of people are likely to change their travel plans due to inflation. Top changes include traveling during the off-season, changing destinations, and choosing less luxurious lodging.

The big question is: how do you create magical family vacations while spending less? Even with a smaller budget, you can travel with your family. Try these simple tips that make a big difference.

Location, Location, Location

It’s like the real estate mantra; location makes a big difference in price. It is tempting when you see glamorous places fill your social media feed, but there are plenty of places you can go if you are willing to try something different.

If you have your heart set on a trip to Paris, consider another area of France or Europe. For something domestic, shift your sights from a summer at Disney to family-oriented parks with less demand.

Beach and lakefront spots are at a premium in the summer for good reason. But you may be able to find something in the mountains that has a great pool instead. The key is your willingness to explore your options.

Also, don’t dismiss international travel. Sometimes international locations can be more affordable than domestic. Consider a variety of options and see what works best for your family’s needs.

BUDGET TRAVEL TAKEAWAY: Think outside the box when deciding where to go.

Book at the Right Time

Travel prices fluctuate all the time. While we can predict some trends, considering when you book your vacation can have major savings.

For busy travel times like holidays, you should book early or last minute to maximize savings. The few weeks leading up to a holiday are typically the most expensive, with price variation that can go into the hundreds of dollars.

BUDGET TRAVEL TAKEAWAY:

Book early or last minute for the cheapest flights and lodging options.

Find the Discounts

Places offer a wide variety of travel discounts, many of which you may not even think of. Consider looking for discounts on everything from flights and lodging to tickets and dining.

Great places to start are with your credit cards. Many cards offer perks or member benefits with reduced rates for hotels and special events. Additionally, you may have airline miles you completely forgot about. Cashing them in for a family vacation can be the perfect money saver.

Other often overlooked discounts are through employers and directly from businesses. Some employers have special savings programs they offer as a benefit. Contact your human resources department to see if your company participates. Even if you don’t have an employer-sponsored discount program, with some advance planning you can check individual companies or even discount warehouse stores for options.

See if any places you want to visit offer discounts for veterans, EMS workers, nurses, or teachers. Check for child discounts, free kids’ meals, or reduced rates on certain days. Some places like zoos and museums even have free or pay-what-you-can days each month; they also have reciprocal agreements — if you are a member at your local zoo or museum, check with the zoo or museums at your destination — you may receive free admission there as a result of your memberships at home!

These savings take a bit of research but they can pay off.

BUDGET TRAVEL TAKEAWAY:

Research possible discounts and money-saving opportunities for your destination.

Use These Tips as Your Foundation

These are great starting places, but your travel savings can grow from there. Savings can be found in places you wouldn’t expect when you build upon them. It will take extra work, but that extra effort may be the very thing that makes it possible to have a wonderful vacation with your family that also fits your budget.