Dreaming of your next getaway but not sure if it’s in your budget? Fortunately, with a little planning and a dose of strategic timing, there are ways to plan your next vacation without the nightmare price tag.
Read more: Save for your getaway with Ally Bank’s buckets and boosters
7 booking tips to help you save on your trip
1. Start planning early
The sooner you map out your travel plans, the more time you’ll have to scope out deals. Once you decide on your destination, keep an eye on rates for hotels and airfare so you’ll be ready to book your trip should prices fall.
2. Set your trip budget
While vacation is the perfect time to treat yourself, a travel budget can help make sure you don’t overspend. Assess your current income, expenses and savings to get a sense of how much you can comfortably spend on transportation, accommodation, food and activities.
Once you know how much you need to save for your trip, use an Ally Bank Savings Account bucket to organize your money and work toward your savings goal.
3. Be flexible with travel dates
If you have flexibility, play around with your arrival and departure dates to find the best deal possible. For example, flying on weekdays is generally cheaper than flying on Saturday or Sunday. Business travelers often fly on Mondays, so midweek flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually have lower demand and corresponding lower prices.
4. Travel during the off season
When you travel can be one of the most influential factors on the cost of your vacation. Non-peak times typically have lower prices and fewer crowds. For example, with European travel, the high season is roughly mid-June through August. When it comes to cruises, the Alaskan cruise season is from May to September, while Caribbean cruises are most popular November through April.
If you have flexibility, play around with your arrival and departure dates to find the best deal possible.
5. Book flights in advance
While booking airfare early is a good rule of thumb, there is typically a window for getting the best deal. Aim to buy tickets an average of one to two months before your departure date for domestic flights. For international flights, start monitoring the price seven to eight months in advance to score the best deal.
Tip: While flying direct to your destination can save time, traveling to other nearby airports could save money. Look for alternative hubs and be sure to factor in additional transit costs if the airport is further away.
6. Compare hotel and rental car rates
Compare costs of hotels and rental cars across aggregator sites to narrow down potential deals. You might even be able to find exclusive discounts or promotions by visiting a provider’s site directly.
7. Use reward points
Reward points could be a more strategic way to pay for transportation or accommodations. However, not all reward points are created equal. Do your homework to make sure your payment method gets you the best deal. For example, some credit card points are worth more when spent on travel versus cash back.
Time your travel wisely for maximum cost savings
If you want to enjoy a fabulous vacation on a budget, timing is everything. With a little forethought and flexibility, you can take an amazing and affordable trip.
