Smart savings for summer travel
Whether you're looking to travel upstate, cross-country or across town for a summer vacation, smart planning and spending is a must-do. For a fun-filled summer vacation that won't break the bank, remember these tips that are as easy as they are effective:
Make your credit cards work for you
Look to the credit cards in your wallet for added value in your summer travel plans and take advantage of current offers. Many credit card companies provide rebates, rewards and discounts on services you'll need for your travel plans - at no cost to you. No matter your method of travel, using a credit card to pay for your vacation will give you added rewards for many purchases you'll make, from booking rooms to paying for dinner to picking up a book in the airport.
While some credit card offers are exclusive to specific retail outlets, such as gas stations or hotel chains, others offer perks for travel purchases during peak seasons. For instance, Discover is giving its cardmembers more value this summer by offering 5 percent Cashback Bonus from July through September to those who enroll on specific travel-related purchases, including hotels and gas. So before you go, it's wise to check up on what you can save and what you can earn from your credit cards.
Take advantage of exclusive discounts
Planning a vacation through a credit card's shopping portal can also yield big savings and benefits. For instance, ShopDiscover.com allows Discover cardmembers to save from 5 to 20 percent on hotel reservations made through the site.
Other exclusive programs include free TripTiks for AAA members, which are customizable itineraries that provide AAA-approved recommended partners. TripTiks outline diamond-rated hotels as well as the most up-to-date gas prices, maps and driving directions for your destination. In another example, AARP members can receive discounts of up to 20 percent with select hotel chains, as well as other added perks, such a complementary food or drinks.
More ways to save
In addition to earning added rewards and taking advantage of discounts from a credit card, use websites like GasPriceWatch.com and GasBuddy.com to find the best gas prices either at your current location or your destination. Tracking your car's fuel efficiency through MyMileMarker.com is also an option to identify possible savings; tips to save gas include keeping tires properly inflated and using air conditioning sparingly.
Searching multiple websites is also smart for booking hotels, so resist the temptation to book the first good deal you find and instead compare prices through hotels.com, Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and hotel websites. Also, it's a good idea to call a hotel directly and ask for a discounted rate, either now or in the future.
Summer vacations are meant to be fun, relaxing and memorable - especially because they go by so fast. Taking advantage of exclusive offers, earning extra rewards from a credit card and saving money will make your time even more enjoyable.
