It’s time to plan that much-needed vacation and you’re not alone. A 2017 travel survey showed 29% of travelers are looking for a new destination to explore this year while more than half of those surveyed said they wanted to explore local life and immerse themselves in the culture of the city they visit. On the opposite side, 4% of people surveyed said they traveled to search out great nightlife and only 10% reported they travel to visit family and friends. So, whatever motivates you to travel this year, here’s a few tips for saving money on your vacation.
Three Great Ways to Save This Year
It’s become popular to book your travel online. Everyone seems to be doing it. And with all the travel sites available these days, it can be an ominous process. The good news is you won’t have to worry about how to get the best deals on accommodations because you’ve already saved a bundle booking your room with your Travel Set Go membership. So, when you’re looking for great deals on flights, try calling an airline directly and be amazed at the money you save. Ask if there are any positioning flights available: when a carrier needs to get one plane from one city to another. One report showed the lowest online fare from Los Angeles to New York with American Airlines costing $809. And, when calling the airline directly and asking if a positioning flight was available, the cost was just $109.The perception is that the entire flight inventory is displayed on travel sites when the truth is that such sites shows a small portion of the seats that are available. And, travel sites get a portion of the fees they charge.
If you’re a train-enthusiast with time to travel for a couple weeks, consider Amtrak’s 15-Day Go-Anywhere Deal. It’s not well publicized, but this cost-effective form of travel allows you to get on and off at any stop you wish within the 15 days for $500 and, for a child under 12, just $250.
Unfortunately, the cruise industry has had a lot of bad publicity the past few years but this means prices have dropped substantially, with rates reported as low as $149. So, if you’ve ever thought about cruising, now’s the time to do it. And, the itineraries have been expanded so you can visit more places than just the Caribbean.