For millions of Americans, the year-ending push to reunite with friends and family or escape the chill of winter sends them on trips here and afar as the holidays approach.
AAA projected in 2016 that over 48.7 million people would take to the roads during Thanksgiving, and a whopping 103.1 million as everyone was heading home for the holidays at year end.
Given these staggering numbers and even more travelers expected in the coming months, it is important to get ahead of holiday travel costs and inconveniences.
1. Booking Too Late:
The anticipation of securing last-minute deals can often lead travelers astray. Waiting too long to book flights not only diminishes the likelihood of finding favorable prices but also limits available itineraries, resulting in undesirable flight times and lengthy layovers.
CheapAir CEO Jeff Klee highlights the exponential increase in costs as the holiday season approaches, emphasizing the importance of an early start to snagging budget-friendly deals.
2. Booking Too Early:
While airlines may offer enticing deals closer to departure dates, the same cannot always be said for accommodations.
Research suggests that booking hotels at the eleventh hour often yields significant discounts, as establishments prefer to fill rooms rather than have them remain vacant.
Apps like Hotel Tonight facilitate last-minute bookings, enabling travelers to capitalize on substantial savings.
3. Being Inflexible:
Flexibility is paramount when it comes to holiday travel. Fixed travel dates often translate to higher costs, as demand peaks during specific periods.
Sarah Schlichter of Smarter Travel underscores the importance of considering alternative travel dates and airports, along with being open to connecting flights and varied flight times, to unlock potential savings.
4. Wasting Time Chasing Unrealistic Deals:
Beware of elusive deals promising unbelievably low fares, as they often prove to be impractical or non-existent.
Gillian Morris, CEO of Hitlist, cautions against spending countless hours searching for unattainable bargains, highlighting the profit-driven nature of many deal sites that prioritize clicks over actual bookings.
5. Not Utilizing Shopping Grace Periods:
Take advantage of the 24-hour grace period offered by many booking sites to secure favorable deals without committing immediately.
Jeff Klee emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities as they arise and recommends checking the fine print for cancellation policies, enabling travelers to shop around while safeguarding their bookings.
6. Accidental Overspending:
The holiday season’s relaxed atmosphere can inadvertently lead to excessive spending. Financial psychologist Brad Klontz warns of the perils of overspending while away from familiar surroundings, urging travelers to establish a comprehensive travel budget to prevent post-holiday financial strain.
7. Vacationing on Credit:
Avoid accruing long-term debt by opting for cash transactions over credit card spending. Klontz highlights the common practice of financing vacations on credit cards, cautioning against the pitfalls of accumulating unexpected expenses and interest charges.
8. Roaming Charges:
International travelers should beware of exorbitant roaming charges, which can accumulate quickly. To mitigate such costs, secure an international plan before departure or explore cost-effective alternatives offered by major carriers and various apps.
9. Overpacking:
Traveling light not only streamlines the travel experience but also saves on baggage fees, particularly for airlines that charge for checked bags. Additionally, driving with excess cargo can result in lower fuel efficiency, translating to additional expenses.
10. Under-Budgeting:
Beyond airfare, car rentals, and hotel expenses, travelers must account for miscellaneous fees and expenditures to establish an accurate travel budget. Sarah Schlichter emphasizes the importance of anticipating additional costs such as transportation to the airport, parking fees, and in-flight amenities to avoid overspending.
11. Pre-Wrapping Presents:
Avoid the inconvenience and potential security hassles of pre-wrapped gifts by waiting until reaching your destination to wrap them. Sarah Schlichter advises against wrapping gifts in advance, as TSA screenings may necessitate unwrapping, leading to delays and added expenses.
12. Getting Hit With Rental Car Add-Ons:
Carefully review rental agreements to avoid unexpected fees and unnecessary insurance waivers. Mark Mannell of Car Rental Savers recommends confirming existing coverage through auto policies and credit cards and advises against returning rental cars with less fuel than received to evade additional charges.
13. Letting Outdoor Activity Costs Drive Your Budget Downhill:
Outdoor enthusiasts should explore affordable rental options for equipment rather than transporting bulky gear. Elizabeth Avery suggests researching destination rental services to alleviate the financial burden and logistical challenges of traveling with oversized equipment.
14. Not Planning for Parking:
Reserve parking in advance to secure lower rates and guarantee availability, especially during peak travel seasons. Melissa Ruiz advises travelers to utilize online platforms to book parking spaces early, thereby avoiding last-minute price hikes and ensuring a stress-free travel experience.
15. Sticking With a Holiday Schedule:
Consider traveling during off-peak times to capitalize on significant savings and alleviate travel-related stress. Greg Geronemus of smarTours recommends exploring post-holiday travel options to enjoy reduced prices and less crowded destinations, maximizing the overall travel experience.
To summarize, that is the strategy you follow to manage holiday travel, with this best practices written on stone; Planning, Sacrifice and Financial thinking to keep away from plane mistakes that will price you extra cash and take off the more fun-entertaining side of your season.
With these tips in mind, taking the initiative will help ensure frugal travelers enjoy their holiday travels as planned without breaking the bank and getting more value out of it.
