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Beating The High Cost Of Family Vacations
When the economy suffers, travel seems to be one of the first industries to take a hit and it's not long before the news wires start spreading their worry woes across the globe. Parents who once spent their holiday bonuses on the annual family vacation are now forced to stick close to home to save costs on everything from gas to food to hotels. Despite the positive effect of lower fuel prices, the past year's news has been especially brutal with excessive unemployment rates, the H1N1 pandemic, new baggage fees, cancelled flights, and airlines going belly up.
But before you retire your swimsuits or treasured ski boots, take a look at some of our budget-saving tactics to keep your family vacation in check. Remember that if you're feeling the pinch of travel, everyone else probably is too. That means hotels, resorts, tour operators, and even airlines are offering new incentives to accommodate the frugal traveler and help their businesses stay afloat.
Flexibility Saves Money
Flexibility is the most important factor in finding a worthwhile travel deal, whether the economy is on an upswing or continuing its downward spiral. CheapTickets.com offers travelers the opportunity to receive year-round sales alerts. If your vacation time is already slotted for June, you'll find exactly which days are cheaper to fly, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars. Keep in mind that traveling during your destination's off-season (likely not the Christmas-New Year's week) will also result in significant savings on airfare, accommodations, and attractions.
If you already have a long-standing favorite hotel or destination in mind, sign up for travel alert newsletters the hotel or tourism board offers and religiously check for online specials. But if a specific hotel isn't as important as finding a good deal, try Priceline.com and select the quality of hotel you prefer, a location, and set your price. Keep in mind that while Priceline says it discounts up to 50%, it's usually possible to get even deeper savings. Try BetterBidding.com and find out what tactics travelers have used in their bidding before getting out your credit card.
Research Online Savings Resources
Every savvy traveler knows deep discounts run rampant online. But don't stop at checking fares on Orbitz, Expedia, and discount booking engines. Remember that there are millions of other travelers searching for discounted fares, too, and they're all swapping secrets. I always google the discount I'm looking for, and its location. Googling "Amtrak Montreal Discount" resulted in a 50% off promotional code I used during online booking. The cost was also about $400 less than airfare to the same destination. Despite the nearly 10-hour train ride, my husband and I were basking in the delight of our bargain and enjoyed the fall foliage from our train window. Amtrak (800/872-7245) also runs online fares for free companion tickets and senior and student discounts year-round.
Group Travel Saves Families Money
FTF has seen an increased trend in family reunions and togethering vacations over the years, making for a unique experience and opportunity for bargain travel. Consider getting a family or group of friends together to split the costs of everything from a vacation rental to food and activities. In hotly competitive Orlando, many companies offer home rentals with three to seven bedrooms that come complete with kitchens, BBQ grills, WiFi, entertainment centers, discounted rental cars and theme park tickets.
Cabin rentals are also an intimate vacation choice for families and friends. Deer Mountain Retreat (740/331-4840) in Hocking Hills, Ohio sleeps anywhere from 2 to 20 guests. You'll be hard pressed not to find a house rental in a tourist destination, so your options for amenities and space are endless. While it's true you might find a bargain at a local hotel chain, consider the additional costs and convenience. A group can take turns entertaining the children, resulting in a night out for Mom and Dad without the added expense of a babysitter. The cost of buying food in bulk for preparation in the kitchen or on the grill also saves on family meals, as well as commuting together to local attractions to save on gas. Additionally, most attractions offer group rates to 10 or more, resulting in even deeper savings.
While group travel can be a joyous occasion to gather friends and families, it can also come with its share of headaches. There's a reason Hollywood keeps churning out family reunion disaster movies, road trip mishaps, and holiday dilemmas. We've all been there, done that, and never want to go back. To combat any unnecessary stress, agree on sleeping arrangements, rental fees, food bills, cooking, entertainment, and any special needs in advance. Factor in some alone time for you or your family and participate in separate activities once in awhile to make sure everyone has enough space and time on their own.
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