Family Travel Tips: How-to Save Money on the Road

Family Travel Tips: How-to Save Money on the Road

With summer approaching, many families are planning their annual vacations. This is a time of fun and excitement, but family vacations can be quite costly if they are not planned appropriately. Here are some tips to help you organize a vacation retreat that is both cost effective and fun for the whole family.

Flights
Due to the inflated price of fuel and the cost of booking seats for multiple people, flying can be an incredibly expensive way to travel during family vacations. Fortunately, there are several ways to significantly reduce the price of airline tickets.

Purchase Your Tickets Mid-Week
It is common for airlines to change their ticket prices in the middle of the week when less people are travelling. By purchasing your tickets on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you may be able to get a good deal.

Research the Fees for Checked Luggage
The policies for checked luggage varies significantly depending on the airline. Some airlines offer one free checked bag, while others charge large fees for all bags that you are not carrying onto the plane. Some of the most expensive checked luggage policies can tack on hundreds of dollars to your airline expenses, so do your research accordingly. By using an airline that has low, or even free, checked luggage fees, you can save a large sum of money that can be used elsewhere.

Use Websites to Find Deals
It can sometimes be very difficult to find deals on your own. After all, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of potential options for airline tickets. By using sites such as Fly and Orbitz, you can find the best prices for your intended travel time. You can also sign up for deal alerts to ensure that you don’t miss cheap deals that airlines occasionally offer.

Use Credit Cards to Your Advantage
Family travel put a big burden on credit card balances, but many credit cards now have rewards programs that offer you airline miles and other benefits when you purchase items. When you are deciding on a credit card to use, you may want to consider their rewards program. You may find that credit cards that reward you with many airline miles or discounts can be an effective way to reduce the cost of your travels.

Hotels

Like flights, hotels can also be pricey. The cost of a hotel often depends on the number of guests and accommodations, but there are several ways to make a high quality hotel less expensive.

Use Third-Party Deals
Hotels often have partnerships with third-party businesses and organizations such as banks, online vendors, and popular stores. There are many cases when you can use these partnerships to gain special offers and deals. These come in the form of online rebates, special coupons, and membership benefits (banks and similar organizations). Check out the stores and organizations that you are associated with to find out if you can benefit from any deals they may offer.
Use All-Inclusive Packages
Many hotels across the world offer all-inclusive packages that can help you save money on activities while you are in a particular area. These packages vary depending on the hotel and your needs, but these bundles often include lodging, meals, and activities. A family staying at Barcelo hotels in Riviera Maya, for example, can save money by taking advantage of an all-inclusive package that offers dining at restaurants and bars, games, snorkeling, kayaking, and various other activities.

By following these family travel tips and doing the appropriate research, you can go on a family vacation that is affordable and fun.

– By Lana Evans

Lana Evans is a freelance writer who enjoys covering entertainment, traveling and lifestyle. She is always looking to conquer new adventures and try new things. Follow her on Twitter to see where the road takes her next.