Have you made preparations for your summer break yet? Whether you’re spending quality time with your family in a popular urban locale or camping at your idyllic spot, here are half a dozen economical strategies to help you enjoy a cost-effective holiday.
CHOOSING A HOTEL BASED ON THE RIGHT PERKS
The choice of hotel can have a significant impact on maximizing holiday savings. Opt for a hotel that offers complimentary internet, breakfast and at the very least, a refrigerator. If you can locate a budget-friendly hotel with a small kitchen, that’s even better. This approach allows you to save on the cost of eating out as you can prepare meals from groceries bought at a supermarket.
SCOUT FOR COUPON DEALS IN ADVANCE
Be sure to check local offers from Groupon and Living Social for the area you’ll be visiting. Begin your search in advance for diverse deals. You can also browse the local websites of your holiday destination for deals on local attractions and dining options. Some tourist hotspots offer coupon books that you can avail while you are there.
LOOK FOR BUNDLED DISCOUNT PACKAGES
Often, popular destinations offer cultural or recreational attractions packages that provide access to various spots at a discounted price. You could find such deals on websites like www.timesharesonly.com. For instance, the California CityPass offers a combination of access to Disneyland, SeaWorld and Universal Studios at a reduced rate.
PIVOT TOWARDS DISCOUNTED GIFT CARDS
To potentially save money on everything from your hotel room to your flight, consider using a gift card. Purchase a discounted gift card from Gift Card Granny or eBay to save. Just as an example, a $500 Hyatt gift card for $455, translates into $45 in savings. Or a $100 American Airlines voucher code for $94.98, gives you $5.02 off. If your entire trip is funded by discounted gift cards, you could end up saving a tidy sum.
EXTRACT VALUE FROM CREDIT CARD PERKS
While it is often thought that cash is supreme, when it comes to traveling, credit cards could be a smarter choice. Using a credit card to fund your holiday purchases allows for multiple protections. Credit cards usually offer superior protections against fraud compared to debit cards. Moreover, certain credit cards include rental car insurance and lost baggage replacement cover.
CAPITALIZE ON SIGN UP BONUSES FROM NEW CREDIT CARDS
If you need a new credit card, have a strong credit score and responsible credit usage, then you can take advantage of the welcome bonuses that some credit cards offer. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card provides 40,000 bonus points, equal to $500 usable for travel if you spend $5,000 in the first three months. This is fairly achievable if you use the card to cover your normal bills. Other cards provide complimentary stays or flights once their spending requirements are met. Avail of these credit card offers a few months before your trip so that you can use your bonuses to contribute towards your holiday expenses.
AVOID TOURIST TRAPS
While it’s natural to be drawn to famous attractions, try to avoid dining or shopping in the immediate vicinity as prices are usually higher. Instead, consider exploring 10-15 minutes beyond the city centre to uncover local favorites priced more reasonably.
Enjoying vacations doesn’t necessarily mean breaking the bank. Share with us where you’re heading this summer and how you’re making your travel plans more economical.
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