How to Travel More Often Without Spending More Money

It is no secret that our family loves to travel. From weekend getaways and road-trips to long flights and cruises, our family would live on the go if we could. We try to cut costs as often as possible, watch for specials and even travel during off-seasons in order to take more trips as a family.

Five Ways to Save On Your Next Vacation

Groupon

If you have never searched Groupon for travel deals and hotel stays then you are missing out. You would be surprised at how many discounts you can find. My mother, teen daughter and I all traveled around Europe for two weeks using a Groupon deal I found for a travel agency for half the price we would have paid if we booked it ourselves. The same goes for hotel stays and even activities to do at your travel destination. Each time my family visits a new area we go on Groupon and search deals in that area. One trip we went horseback riding at a local stable for fraction of the cost. Not only are we able to make the most out of our vacations at a lower rate using Groupon, we also find new things to do that we may have missed otherwise.

Travel Agent

There is something about doing research for our upcoming family vacations that I enjoy. I love reading online articles, seeing photos and even browsing ideas of things to do. But when it comes down to the final booking of the trip – I always check with our travel agent first. Usually they can find a lower rate and give us advice on where to stay or things to do. When booking a cruise the travel agent normally has a block of rooms that they book with several of their clients that guarantees us the lowest rate available.

Off-Season Discounts

Let’s face it, it is a fact that hotels, resorts and even airlines increase their prices when they know they can. During peak travel seasons – when kids are out of school and during the holiday season – some costs can be more than double the price of off-season. We have taken several Disney Cruises during April instead of during July to save a ton of cash. NYC is beautiful in the fall and a fraction of the cost than during the summer. Check with your kids’ schools to see what their rules are for taking a day or two out for travels. Our trip to Europe was considered an educational experience so we went in October.

Pack Items to Help You Save

For every trip we take I cut costs by packing items I know we would end up purchasing while gone. You can save a lot of money this way but it takes some extra planning and shopping around to find the best deals.

When we take road-trips we pack our snacks and even an ice chest filled with items to make sandwiches instead of eating fast food. The cost of snacks/candy purchased at a gas station is more than triple what we spend by packing our own ahead of time. We stop at a park, rest area or welcome center to eat lunch picnic style. It’s healthier and less expensive.

If we are going to a place like Disney World or on a Disney Cruise we will pack Disney autograph books we buy at the Dollar Tree instead of spending $10-12 on them at the park. When I know the kids will want to buy fun souvenirs – I set a budget and then purchase a few smaller items that I can sneak into my suitcase and surprise them with on their pillow at the hotel. The Disney Store and Amazon will have great deals on items that you know your child will love. The same items you would see at the amusement parks.

Same thing applies to visiting the beach. We take our own sand buckets and shovels as well as always remember to pack sunscreen. Souvenir shops are insane when it comes to their high prices.

Use a Reward Credit Card and Earn Miles

When deciding on a credit card to use for travel find one that offers incentives that benefit you. The Discover it Miles card offers many perks for the avid traveler.

No annual fee
Fly any airline any time. Just buy a ticket and use Miles to credit your statement
1.5x miles for every dollar spent on purchases
An annual credit up to $30 for in-flight Wi-Fi charges
Miles never expire 1
No foreign transaction fees
Overnight shipping of a replacement card to any U.S. street address upon request
A $0 fraud liability guarantee where you are never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover card

Have you ever lost your credit card or had it stolen? It’s a nightmare. I love that the Discover it Miles card can be sent to you overnight no matter where you are traveling within the U.S. Another perk that is my favorite is the in-flight wi-fi charges being credited back to you. I always use in-flight wi-fi to get last minute work done before landing at our vacation destination. Surprisingly, I get a lot of work done on a flight and then try to avoid working the rest of our trip.

By building up miles with your purchases you can save money on your next trip. Going on a road-trip? Use your Discover it Miles credit card to pay for all your gas and build up the miles for your next flight. No worries about carrying cash with you on vacation – use the credit card and then pay it off when you return home.

Does your family love to travel? Let the kids ask for a trip as part of their birthday or Christmas gift. Instead of buying presents opt for a family vacation. When you know you have a trip coming up have family members purchase items that would be useful for the trip as a birthday gift, such as a new swimsuit for your child or summer clothes. My son even received a suitcase as a gift that made him feel like a big boy being able to pull a small suitcase on wheels like the rest of us.

Where is your next vacation destination?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.