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Ways to Stretch Your Vacation Dollars
- Stay at a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast.
- Eat where the locals eat – the food will be higher quality at a lower cost.
- Travel during the shoulder-season (October – March) as prices are lower and the experience offered is still extraordinary.
- Spend less time in big cities and more vacation moments in smaller towns and destinations.
- Trade-in your everyday indulgences for the real thing on vacation. For instance, skip your daily Starbucks routine to save money, knowing you’ll enjoy an authentic cup of Joe at a café in Italy. Or drink less wine during dinner to save big bucks, while looking forward to a winery tour in the South of France.
- Take two friends! If you’re considering a packaged tour, you may save money through “Triple Room Reductions.”
- Be flexible with travel plans. Consider vacationing in a different country – an area with a favorable dollar exchange rate.
- Carry snacks and water as you go from place to place. This will help you avoid impulse purchases.
- Take advantage of promotions. Many companies offer great savings and deals so be sure to ask your travel agent about the latest discounts available.
- Join the club. Loyalty clubs or frequent traveler programs offer members deals, incentives and special offers. For instance, Journey’s Club not only provides its members special discounts, it also offers members unique vacations, itineraries and departures and there’s no membership fee.
- Purchase a bottle of wine from a wine shop or market (ask the clerk for a recommendation) instead of indulging in wine during dinner at a restaurant. Have a drink before you leave and/or when you return.
- Are you a member of a museum or arts organization? Sometimes your membership rewards will translate to other city/country museums.
- Don’t over-pack. More airlines are placing restrictions on baggage and suitcases weighing more than 50 pounds. If your bag is overweight, you’ll pay.
- Ask the price of something and request an alternative for less. It’s okay to inquire about price and request a suggestion that will save you money.
- Get the best exchange rate possible. Use ATMs like you would at home – they are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate, something usually reserved only for very large interbank exchanges.
- Walk, walk, walk. Walking is free and the sights and sounds you’ll encounter will make your vacation even more special (that is, if you wear good shoes).
- Practice your “haggling” skills when purchasing goods from a destination or region. As long as you’re not buying at a chain store, negotiation is always a possibility.
- If you’re planning to call home while traveling (always a good idea), either buy a calling card or contact your cell phone company beforehand to set up international calling.
- Ask your tour director or hotel concierge what the locals do for fun for non-traditional, inexpensive activity suggestions.
- Use public transportation (buses, train/subway systems) – not only will you get a feel for how it is to live as a local in a city, you’ll save money along the way.
- If you’re craving fabulous food, splurge at lunch v. dinner – menu items are often offered in smaller portions and/or at a significantly reduced costs.
- Many destinations hold art fairs in the summer months. Look through the local paper or go online (browse your destination’s tourist board Web site) to find one. Fairs offer a great way to enjoy arts and culture without paying museum entrance fees.
- Drink water during meals.
- Have picnics – buy cheese, bread and produce at a local market and enjoy and impromptu day in the park, at a fountain or on the steps of a museum.
- Get romantic outside. A great romantic evening doesn’t have to cost money. Consider a moonlit walk through the streets of Paris at twilight. Share a crepe on the steps of the Louvre at sunrise. Who doesn’t love a walk on the beach at sunset? Just put a little pre-planning thought into your adventure – think about atmosphere and lighting.
- Follow the crowd. They may lead you to parades, festivals and farmer’s markets. Holidays taking place in destinations present a great way to enjoy a city and its culture for little to no money.
- Carry your own bags/coats … Tips can rack-up the cost of your vacation.
- When walking through various destinations, ask the locals about the history of the neighborhood – you’ll learn about the area and gather insight that will make your vacation more memorable.
- Stop and take-in street entertainment – it’s free and gives you a sense of the culture.
- Check the weather before you go so you don’t have to purchase weather-appropriate clothes and accessories on your trip.
- Snack often versus indulging in large meals.
- People watch in parks, piazzas and on beaches. It’s fun, intriguing and free.
- Bring a camera. Don’t wait to buy a camera and/or film on your trip – it will be more expensive.
- Be prepared. Bring your own over-the-counter drugs for colds, headaches and more, ensuring that you’re not paying over-the-top prices for drugs you’re unfamiliar with.
- Consider renting a bike or rollerblades for a day in your destination. You’ll see more for less.
- Take your leftovers back to your hotel, if you have a microwave and/or a refrigerator in your room.
- Take an escorted tour vacation – you’ll be privy to more sights, more insight and more fun at a pre-set price. Transportation within each destination is usually factored into the price, saving travelers big money. Cosmos offers great options as well as insight into the benefits of escorted tours.
- Consider splurging for luxury goods when in particular markets. If you’re dreaming of a designer bag or shoes, purchase them abroad, in the designer’s home market, for a better deal.
- Inquire about deals/specials at local museums. Many feature one day/week or several hours of free admission.
- Browse both tourist-focused souvenir shops and those found in non-touristy neighborhoods. You’ll enjoy a wide variety of goods and prices. And, comparison shop for the best souvenir deals.
- Don’t eat at tourist landmarks. Instead, push aside your cravings and eat outside tourist traps.
- If you’re someone who likes to work-out while traveling, consider running outside v. working out in your hotel gym, specifically if the hotel charges a fee.
- Use Internet cafes to help you along your way. These cafes provide a cheap way to do your homework (i.e. looking for great sights for less) while on the road.
- Follow airline rules. Make sure you’re adhering to the three-ounce restrictions on liquids so you’re not wasting money by having to buy toiletry necessities in your vacation destination or at the airport, post-security check.
- Avoid ordering room service – it can be more expensive (especially when factoring in delivery charges/tips) and will take away an opportunity to get to know your destination.
- When pressing your luck while gambling in Vegas, get tracked. After awhile, you will start receiving offers for free meals and hotels.
- Pack a map. If you’re going somewhere new, you’ll need it to figure out the best places to go, for less.
- Be smart about your wallet and/or purse and take the necessary precautions to safeguard your vacation fund from pickpockets.
- Email is an effective and inexpensive way to stay connected to loved ones. Consider sending E-postcards for a more creative way to stay in touch.
- Consider folding and packing a duffle bag in your suitcase. If you get to the airport and your luggage is overweight, move some belongings to the duffle bag and carry-it-on your flight with you, avoiding extra baggage charges.
- If you find a restaurant that offers great food at a reasonable price, ask the hostess about other restaurants she recommends that fit the ambiance of your current “find.”
- Crunch the numbers. Use a travel-planning calculator to help you plan for your next vacation.
- Are you honeymooning or celebrating an anniversary? Tell people when you’re on your trip! Sometimes by letting people in on the fun, you’ll enjoy upgrades, discounts and/or special treats during your vacation.
- If you’re a sweets-loving foodie, go to a deli or diner for dinner and splurge on dessert.
- Try to ignore the romantic impulse of purchasing flowers from street vendors – enjoy the smell and the beauty they symbolize and move on.
- Look for money on the ground (ha.ha.ha.) – tourists are notorious for losing track of large bills.
- Drink complimentary coffee or tea at your hotel to naturally suppress your appetite.
- Book your trip early. Plan ahead and take advantage of the discounts often associated with early booking.
- Don’t wait to get (or renew) your passport. You don’t want to have to pay “rush”-related charges.
- Share miles – some airfare carriers allow transfers, helping reduce costs.
- Call your hotel ahead of time and ask if there are any deals – Internet or otherwise – you should be aware of. A little extra research and effort can save dollars down the road.
- Buy theatre tickets the day of the performance and be flexible when choosing a show or performance date/time. Many theatres offer last-minute house seats at reduced rates.
- Pay with a credit card, but keep track of your expenses. Then, pay-off your card when you return from your vacation, ensuring you aren’t paying interest for your memories.
- NEVER indulge in the food from your hotel mini bar.
- Consider a stateside vacation if you’re looking to take a shorter getaway. There are countless cities, states and regions that offer enjoyable escapes for less.
- Take your whole family (extended family) on vacation. Cosmos offers a standing group discount. Groups start at eight people.
- Be wary of “freebies” – they aren’t always complimentary.
- Pack enough batteries (and memory cards) for your camera or video camera so you don’t have to pay top dollar while you travel.
- Send postcards instead of buying souvenirs – good ole’ snail mail is such a rarity that you’ll be sure to delight friends and family with your memories while on your vacation.
- Many hotel lobbies feature free wireless access. It’s a great way to stay in touch and enjoy some free time in a public setting.
- Many parks feature free concerts and/or music festivals. Look at a map or go online and visit the official tourist board site of your destination to find parks in your destination and enjoy the scenery and fun they afford.
- Take a snack and drink on the plane so you can eat without paying for airline food.
- Consider sharing cabs from place to place. Ask those who are waiting for taxis where they’re going – if you’re going the same way, make a friend and share a ride.
- If you’re traveling alone, consider an escorted tour vacation. You’ll be privy to group travel rates. And, companies like Cosmos also offer single travelers a “guaranteed share” option, allowing them the chance to split the cost of hotel rooms with same-gender singles.
- Plan your daily budget. Determine, in advance of your trip, how much you’re willing to spend each day and stick to it.
- Before you go, get familiar with both exchange rates and tipping standards. Many countries do not abide by the same rules and there’s no good reason to over-tip.
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