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Saving
Money on Vacations
There
are different ways you can save money on your next vacation. These are
things I recommend to customers.
If
in your area there is an Entertainment Book that is published yearly, buy
it. This can save you money on airline tickets, hotels, and rental cars.
It usually goes towards a good cause and can help you out.
If
you are members of AAA or AARP let your travel agent know. Many rental car
companies will give you much lower rates using your id.
Be
flexible with your dates. If you can change your dates, you are able to
qualify for cheaper flights.
Plan
ahead, don’t wait until the last minute to plan a trip if at all
possible. If you wait too long to book your vacation, you may be paying
more than you would have.
Go
during off-season on vacation. Find out from your travel agent when it is
a good time of year to travel where you want to go.
If
you have a larger family, consider renting a condo or vacation home to
save money.
Put
together all discount cards you may have and write down the numbers and
information. Give this to your travel agent so she can see what cards may
help you out. Cards such as motor clubs, Sam’s Club, and others can
offer you savings you might not know about.
Use
a travel agent’s services because that will help you find you the best
deals. They have access to several companies many who only work with
travel agents. Tour companies give you discounts on airfare when you book
hotel with the package. Many tour companies give you bulk prices in air.
Consider
a cruise or an all-inclusive resort that offers all meals and
non-alcoholic beverages. Many hotel chains offer kids eat free when eating
with their parents. In some areas like Hawaii, it is good to have a condo
or hotel room with a kitchen to make your own meals since eating out is
more expensive than on the mainland.
Most
importantly stay away from the scams. If it sounds too good to be true and
isn’t from your travel agent, don’t take it. Too many people buy into
the postcards they get in the mail claiming they can go on a 7-night
vacation to Florida for $99. Most of these are scams or timeshare sales
where you must attend a seminar and they push to try to sell you a
timeshare. They also can have you stay in horrible conditions. The
government has shut many of these types of companies down. Others are in
the process of being shut down. They have been known to strand people at
the airport too.
A
vacation does not have to cost you more than you can afford. You can also
save up for your vacation or pay in installments. Decide what your budget
is and let your travel agent know what you can afford. Try to be flexible
and open to suggestions. Even if you can’t go far from home, it is still
a vacation.
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