How to Get the Best Summer Vacation Deals
Summer is right around the corner. So, if you are looking to book a trip for an unforgettable vacation, you may want to start now. This is especially true if you are looking to score some summer vacation deals.
If you think for a moment just how many people choose the summer for their vacation – especially since the weather is often more cooperative and the kids are out of school – you will understand why the tourism industry often seems greedy at this time.
However, knowing the inside scoop on how to score the best summer vacation deals can save you a ton.
Be flexible with your travel dates
If you want to score the best tickets for traveling to your summer destination, it is incredibly important that you be flexible with your travel dates. By allowing some leeway on the actual days of travel, you are opening yourself up for some great deals.
Generally, there has been a trend in the cheapest travel days. These days tend to fall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, followed by Thursdays and Saturdays.
However, most travelers still tend to book flights on a Friday or Sunday – which often happen to be the time when you will encounter the highest offered fares.
Be flexible with your travel dates and you be surprised at how much you can save.
Be open to new destinations
Have you ever considered trying a new destination? Perhaps one you have never been to or a location that is off the beaten path.
You should – they can provide you with summer vacation deals. You will save a ton of money by doing so. Here’s why:
- There are many undiscovered destinations that offer so much to those who visit but haven’t quite made it mainstream yet.
- Then there are other locations who are up and coming – trying to transition their destination into a future popular tourist hotspot.
- And, of course, there are those destinations that have availability on flights that are looking for last-minute travelers to book.
Whether you choose to do your research and book a destination that is a little less-traveled or you choose to play vacation roulette at the last minute and travel to the destination with the available flight and at a great price, being open to traveling to a new destination may save you some big bucks.
Travel to smaller airports
Believe it or not, there are often many airports to choose from when traveling to a particular destination.
Most people are aware of the major airports but overlook the smaller ones entirely. That is where you can find summer vacation deals.
Consider traveling via a chartered private jet to smaller, local airports. In addition to potentially getting you closer to your destination, traveling in this manner has a lot of perks. Such as:
- Less hassle with airport security checkpoints.
- More flexibility with travel times.
- The enjoyable benefits of flying a private jet itself.
- The chance to catch an empty leg flight for a great deal.
Local airports are smaller, less traveled, and provide a greater ease of access – to both the flight and the destination.
Larger, commercial airliners cannot land at these airports, thus keeping foot traffic to a minimum.
Do not dismiss this idea – chartering private jets is more affordable now than it has ever been. This is a terrific way to find enticing summer vacation deals.
Choose alternate lodging
One of the greatest expenses for many folks who travel for summer vacation is lodging. And, the longer you stay, the more cost you will pay.
Spending money in this manner may take away from the number of experiences or excursions you can take while on vacation.
To lessen the cost of lodging and make your vacation more affordable, choose alternative lodging.
This may include renting through services such as Airbnb, camping (or glamping), a Bed and Breakfast, or even a hotel that may not be as fancy as you are used to. Face it, you don’t have to stay in 5-star hotels to have the best vacation. After all, vacations are about experiences – and those happen outside of your lodging.
Use social media to your advantage
Social media can be a curse somedays, but it can also be a blessing when it comes to finding summer vacation deals.
There are some perks to all your friends’ postings and all the ads that appear as you mindlessly scroll. You can use them to your advantage by checking out the pics and check-ins that your friends post from their vacations. This will give you ideas for destinations to look into.
In addition, the more you search for deals, the more smart technology will present you with ads for them.
These will show up on your social media sites. Use them to obtain discounts and experience packages that can save you money on your summer vacation.
Credit card loyalty programs offer summer vacation deals
A great place to turn for travel deals and savings is your credit card companies. Many of these companies offer loyalty programs that can be put towards summer vacation deals.
The more you spend, the more perks you are privy to. For example, using your credit card may earn you:
- Discounts on accommodations, rental cars, or theme park admission.
- Free nights in hotels.
- Dining discounts.
- Money earned if your card is used while on vacation.
Each loyalty program is different. Some will get you bonuses before you travel. Others will do so while you are traveling.
Be sure to contact your credit card companies to see if they offer any specials for loyal members that you may be unaware of. Then, take advantage of them.
Summer vacations are meant to be fun and memorable. However, there is a fine line between splurging on the experience and not breaking the bank.
By booking your summer vacation using some smart moves – such as being flexible with your travel times and destination, using loyalty rewards, choosing to fly a chartered jet to a smaller airport, and so forth – you can save money and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.