Looking to lower costs and stress while traveling over the winter holidays? You’ve come to the right place. Use these tried-and-true tips to help you travel smarter and save money this season.
Pay With a Card: Credit cards are widely accepted at most vacation destinations, even abroad, and many offer cash-back rewards along with fraud protection—so if your wallet is misplaced or stolen, you’re not responsible for fraudulent purchases.
Live Like a Local: Meals out can eat up a huge chunk of your vacation budget, so consider accommodation with cooking facilities. As a bonus, shopping at local grocery stores and markets is a great way to experience the local culture.
Be Flexible: With flexible vacation dates, you can often find cheaper airfare or hotel prices. Sure, flying midweek or returning home on a major holiday might feel unusual, but the money saved might just be worth making a new wintertime tradition.
Budget Before You Go: If you’re serious about saving money during holiday travel, build a budget for the trip and stick to it! The budget should include a realistic plan for purchasing meals, entertainment, transportation and souvenirs. Be careful not to under-budget, either.
Do a Staycation: You don’t have to travel far to enjoy a relaxing winter break. Book a hotel in a nearby city, take advantage of the spa facilities, and enjoy dinner at a new restaurant. With the right plan, you can tickle the travel urge without ever setting foot in an airport.
Go Where the Dollar Is Strong: Flights out of the U.S. may cost more, but once you arrive you could make up the difference with a strong dollar. As always, run the numbers to decide which holiday destination might offer the best value.
Consider a House Swap: If you’ve got friends in a different state or a different country, why not swap houses for a week? Doing a house swap means free accommodation, plus someone to water your house plants while you’re out of town!
Delay the Vacay: Instead of traveling in December, do a winter trip in January or February instead. The first months of the year typically offer off-peak prices, which means you can do more and save more during your winter vacation.
Don’t Spend at the Airport: Air travel is notorious for taking a big bite of your travel budget, before you’ve even left. Be strict about not purchasing food, drinks or entertainment at the airport, and you’ll be well on your way to a cheaper vacation.
Take Public Transportation: Renting a car or paying for taxis can add hundreds of dollars to your holiday travel budget. Instead, use public transportation or choose an accommodation option within walking distance of museums, restaurants and other local hotspots.
Save Smarter Next Year: If you need more support saving for next year’s winter break, check out Club Savings Accounts. These single-purpose savings accounts are designed to help you save for specific expenses, such as holiday shopping or vacations.