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Message
Tips on reducing costs of a big vacation
Posted on 3/5/14 at 8:21 am
Posted on 3/5/14 at 8:21 am
What are some suggestions for maybe scoring a discount/upgrade on hotel, flights, food, etc... when vacationing 5 days or more? How does the board feel about contacting a travel consultant to assist with planning?
Background:
I am looking at a week long vacation plus 2 days of travel in about 6 months. I currently do not have a high enough credit limit to pay the entire vacation on my credit cards so I will miss out on at least some cash back opportunities. The trip will be within the states so no international planning is not required.
//Edited to add: This will be a honeymoon so the wallet will be opened up a little more than I prefer.
Background:
I am looking at a week long vacation plus 2 days of travel in about 6 months. I currently do not have a high enough credit limit to pay the entire vacation on my credit cards so I will miss out on at least some cash back opportunities. The trip will be within the states so no international planning is not required.
//Edited to add: This will be a honeymoon so the wallet will be opened up a little more than I prefer.
This post was edited on 3/5/14 at 9:10 am
10
Posted on 3/5/14 at 8:27 am to RickAstley
Don't bring your wife
Posted on 3/5/14 at 8:32 am to RickAstley
Depends on where you are going. I personally like doing the VRBO thing (sometimes you can negotiate) and grilling/cooking in vs. eating several meals a day out when on vacation.
That saves a ton on food costs. Besides, once you are toting a few kids around restaurants lose a bit of their luster on vacation.
Other than that, maintain memberships for hotel, airline, and rental car rewards programs. If you travel enough for work and are loyal enough you can get rack up enough points to save quite a bit.
That saves a ton on food costs. Besides, once you are toting a few kids around restaurants lose a bit of their luster on vacation.
Other than that, maintain memberships for hotel, airline, and rental car rewards programs. If you travel enough for work and are loyal enough you can get rack up enough points to save quite a bit.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 8:36 am to RickAstley
air bnb for cheap as hell places to stay. Also try hostels.com
People routinely travel in central america for less than $10 a day.
My sister spent 4 months in Europe and spent less than $4,000
People routinely travel in central america for less than $10 a day.
My sister spent 4 months in Europe and spent less than $4,000
Posted on 3/5/14 at 8:37 am to RickAstley
quote:
I currently do not have a high enough credit limit to pay the entire vacation on my credit cards
Yikes, don't go. Seriously.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:06 am to CQQ
I will be able to use credit cards to cover the costs for part of the trip. I just will not be able to book the entire trip with them. My debit card will cover the gaps for this trip.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:08 am to I Love Bama
The biggest downside to this trip is I will be booking a nice hotel for at least part of the trip, and then maybe a condo to cover the remaining days. Thanks for the feedback nonetheless. 4 months in Europe and only spending $4k is a feat that would be good just about anywhere.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:12 am to RickAstley
Just pay extra on your credit card before you go.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:13 am to LSUfan20005
I would cook out everyday if I could. I haven't gotten to the food planning yet though I will certainly consider it. And what is VRBO? I am slowly building up a membership list with different hotels and airlines, though I do not have enough points to score a free room or what not.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:13 am to RickAstley
Air BNB has places from $5 a day to $1,000 a day. Much better option than a hotel I promise. At least give it a look.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:20 am to RickAstley
quote:
I will be able to use credit cards to cover the costs for part of the trip.
I don't know anything about traveling at this point in my life because I don't have the $$ to do it yet so I can't answer your question.
However, this if you don't have cash to go on a vacation, I would say you should not go. Using a credit card for anything other than necessities is usually not smart.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:23 am to RickAstley
quote:
What are some suggestions for maybe scoring a discount/upgrade on hotel, flights, food, etc... when vacationing 5 days or more? How does the board feel about contacting a travel consultant to assist with planning?
Background:
I am looking at a week long vacation plus 2 days of travel in about 6 months. I currently do not have a high enough credit limit to pay the entire vacation on my credit cards so I will miss out on at least some cash back opportunities. The trip will be within the states so no international planning is not required.
//Edited to add: This will be a honeymoon so the wallet will be opened up a little more than I prefer.
Skyscanner.com
Put in the dates, your departing airport and then "everywhere" as the destination. Be flexible on the dates and you will have even more options. In terms of finding affordable air travel, it is the best thing since sliced bread.
This post was edited on 3/5/14 at 9:24 am
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:25 am to lynxcat
GREAT suggestion.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:27 am to RickAstley
quote:
And what is VRBO?
VRBO is Vacation Rentals By Owner. People that own condos/houses, etc and rent them out here.. Sometimes you can find really good deals depending on where you are looking.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:29 am to I Love Bama
quote:
air bnb for cheap as hell places to stay. Also try hostels.com
Ditto. Also try hostelworld.com
quote:
People routinely travel in central america for less than $10 a day.
My sister spent 4 months in Europe and spent less than $4,000
This cannot include the price to actually get over there...can it? Assuming a cheap flight of say $750, that leaves $3,250 for 120 days = $27/day. I'll assume a very weak Euro of 1.30 and that puts her right at 21 Euro/day. Assuming she stayed at the cheapest of hostels and paid 10 euro/night, then she had 11 Euro/day to eat and play on. Either she spent all of her time in eastern Europe or there is some major variable here that I am missing.
FWIW, I plan on traveling the world for 3-4 months prior to a MBA. I'll probably budget about 10k to do whatever I want...no plans, just an arrival and departing destination(s).
ETA: And I think 10k is more than enough unless I start flying from continent to continent. If I stay in just Europe, then I will get out for much less. I've seen a lot of the big cities, so I plan on doing a lot more rural/smaller cities along the way which helps.
This post was edited on 3/5/14 at 9:33 am
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:32 am to lynxcat
Ah yes...I should have said that. Flight not included. She used a buddy pass so it was free (or close to it) for her
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:39 am to I Love Bama
Still impressive! Was she in major cities or did she fall in love with the Czech Republic and Croatia?
Posted on 3/5/14 at 9:41 am to RickAstley
So if you can find one of those timeshare deals all you have to do is sit through the presentation for a couple of hours and this will allow you to have a cheap week as well as have a full kitchen. The full kitchen will save you money because it will allow you to dine in every once in awhile.
Posted on 3/5/14 at 10:19 am to RickAstley
Join AAA for hotel discounts, they also have travel deals
Posted on 3/5/14 at 10:29 am to RickAstley
if you near a few hours from multiple airports, shop each for your flights. usually cheaper to fly out of major airport.
if your dates are a little flexible, do a lot of shopping around different days and hotels. honeymoon is one of the times i would recommend a nicer hotel - you will more time in the room than on most trips. i found a great deal on a room at a waldorf for mine - totally worth the money.
depending on where you are going, i agree that vrbo is awesome. you could possibly score a condo or house for cheaper than a hotel. i usually try to find places owned by individuals and not managed professionally for better deals.
the best advice to me is start looking to book stuff now. closer you get, prices generally going up
if your dates are a little flexible, do a lot of shopping around different days and hotels. honeymoon is one of the times i would recommend a nicer hotel - you will more time in the room than on most trips. i found a great deal on a room at a waldorf for mine - totally worth the money.
depending on where you are going, i agree that vrbo is awesome. you could possibly score a condo or house for cheaper than a hotel. i usually try to find places owned by individuals and not managed professionally for better deals.
the best advice to me is start looking to book stuff now. closer you get, prices generally going up
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