Budget travel tips to save your family vacation this year
Issue date: 2/22/09 Section: Business
(ARA) - Giving up your $3 cup of designer coffee in favor of making your morning joe at home may seem like a small sacrifice in light of the uncertain economy. But if you're not yet ready to give up your vacation plans, you're not alone. Several surveys indicate many Americans still intend to take vacations in 2009 -- they'll just be smarter about planning the trip and how they spend their money.
Online travel planning, in particular, is growing rapidly, largely due to the fast -- and often exclusive -- access to discounts and deals that hotels, airlines, rental car companies and other tourism groups offer through their Web sites. Online travel planning expert Tom Parsons, founder of Bestfares.com, offers a few simple tips on how families can make the most of their travel budget this year.
Look online for savings in three key areas of travel, Parsons advises - airfare, hotel rates and rental car costs.
AIRFARE
To find the best possible airfare online, don't limit yourself to just one travel Web site. Compare fares on several sites, including the home pages of major carriers. Traveling during slower seasons and being flexible about your departure and return dates can help trim costs. Direct flights will likely continue to be more expensive during 2009, so consider flights with one or more stops, which are often cheaper than flying direct.
Dodge those extra fees that the airlines are adding on. Try to avoid checking a bag, especially if you're taking a short trip of five days or less. Most airlines are now charging a fee for the first checked bag. Likewise, don't waste your money buying food onboard. Buy your snacks or meal after you pass through security and take it on board. While airport food is rarely cheap, it's still less costly -- and often better tasting -- than what you get on board the plane.
RENTAL CARS
The Internet is a great resource for comparison shopping for rental car rates. It can also be a tool to ease the rental process. Look for rental companies that offer services to help you avoid long wait times at rental counters, like the newly expanded Simply Wheelz program from Hertz.
Online travel planning, in particular, is growing rapidly, largely due to the fast -- and often exclusive -- access to discounts and deals that hotels, airlines, rental car companies and other tourism groups offer through their Web sites. Online travel planning expert Tom Parsons, founder of Bestfares.com, offers a few simple tips on how families can make the most of their travel budget this year.
Look online for savings in three key areas of travel, Parsons advises - airfare, hotel rates and rental car costs.
AIRFARE
To find the best possible airfare online, don't limit yourself to just one travel Web site. Compare fares on several sites, including the home pages of major carriers. Traveling during slower seasons and being flexible about your departure and return dates can help trim costs. Direct flights will likely continue to be more expensive during 2009, so consider flights with one or more stops, which are often cheaper than flying direct.
Dodge those extra fees that the airlines are adding on. Try to avoid checking a bag, especially if you're taking a short trip of five days or less. Most airlines are now charging a fee for the first checked bag. Likewise, don't waste your money buying food onboard. Buy your snacks or meal after you pass through security and take it on board. While airport food is rarely cheap, it's still less costly -- and often better tasting -- than what you get on board the plane.
RENTAL CARS
The Internet is a great resource for comparison shopping for rental car rates. It can also be a tool to ease the rental process. Look for rental companies that offer services to help you avoid long wait times at rental counters, like the newly expanded Simply Wheelz program from Hertz.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Real Exam
posted 3/17/09 @ 6:20 AM EST
Budget travel tips to save your family vacation this year are really nicely presented by you.
Workaholic
posted 7/27/09 @ 1:18 PM EST
I think that a great vacation at a low price is the perfect thing for families right now. It is hard to plan something like this when you are not sure of the economy. (Continued…)
pps
posted 9/24/09 @ 9:32 AM EST
Good tips! I also suggest to use a personal finance software with a cellphone or PDA phone. This makes recording and tracking expenses much easier. An Excel sheet on a PDA would do very well as a personal finance planner and it can be easily transferred to a PC for expenses tracking and archiving. (Continued…)
Post a Comment