With the summer upon us, it’s time to look for some great travel deals. Gas prices keep going up and down, but they don’t go too far down. Since many of us are taking “staycations”, or not going too far from home, here are some ideas.
It pays to join hotel loyalty programs. The biggest economy chains offering great discount programs are Choice Hotels (Quality Inns, Comfort Inns, Econo Lodges, and other hotels), Holiday Inn, and Best Western. You’ll also find some discount programs at Country Inns & Suites, Wyndham Hotels (Knights Inn, Ramada, Days Inn). Marriot also has a discount points program, where you can earn points to be applied toward a discount though hotel stays and other purchases. Find the hotel chains in the area where you plan your vacation, and join their loyalty program online. It really pays to plan. Depending on their offers, you may begin to accumulate or transfer points for free stays now for that vacation you are hoping to take for Christmas!
Various rewards programs will allow you to trade points for frequent flyer miles or hotel points. Look into what is available on your credit card point programs, and check into online reward sites such as
MyPoints.
My Coke Rewards offers discounts on auto rental as a prize, as well as Priority Club Points which can be used on stays at Holiday Inn. They have $25 Budget car rental certificates, which can be stacked. They also have free upgrades and free one day rentals on a package of a three day rental or more from Avis, which cannot be stacked.
Think about these options before you book a package on travel websites for a combination of hotels, car rental, and flight. Compare your options. This is especially important if you live in an area that is not serviced by a major airport, as I do. If your choices in flights are limited, consider economizing on hotels and car rentals and beating the online price. Or, book your travel through one of these sites and pay for the car rental and hotel incidentals with gift cards from rewards programs.
If you’re visiting a city with great but expensive restaurants, consider buying a certificate from Restaurants.com for a particular restaurant you want to try. I did this when visiting New Orleans, and saved a total of $40 off a $100 tab (excluding liquor, tax, and tip) after the cost of the certificate.
Finally, if you are driving, use gift cards from reward sites for gas and chain restaurant meals along the way. And don’t forget to check and see if the hotel takes pets (many do now). You’ll save on kennel
and boarding costs, and your pet may be happier to be on the adventure.
More talk about travel here:
http://frugal.families.com/blog/planning-a-frugal-vacation-pt-1
http://frugal.families.com/blog/planning-a-frugal-resort-vacation-pt-2