Are you planning a summer getaway? The average cost for a vacation is $1,145. As much as vacations are meant to relieve you from the pressures in life, it can also put stress on your wallet and finances. To ease your worries, we’ve compiled our favorite tips and tricks for you to get the most out of your travel. Where will your next trip take you?
- Save money with discounted gift cards. Before you purchase flights, hotels, a new bathing suit, etc., check the Raise app to see if there are any discounted gift cards you can buy to make your dollar go farther. Gift cards are available from thousands of retailers including Hotels.com, Airbnb, Southwest Airlines and more. The average Raise member saved $221 a year and even some have saved more than $300 on their vacation!
- Stop overpaying for airfare. Before heading straight to your favorite airline’s website, compare prices on sites like Skyscanner, Hopper or AirfareWatchdog. No one airline always has the best deals, so make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table that you could be spending on surf lessons or spa days instead.
- Plan your trip before June 23. The cheapest days to fly across the US this summer are in the beginning of June, with prices expected to rise after June 23 — entering into peak travel season. If a European vacation is more your style, flights to Europe are the cheapest they’ve been in 3 years, with the average price of a round-trip flight hovering around $909.
- Let a good deal guide your decision. Instead of choosing a destination and searching for the cheapest way to get there, try planning your trip backwards. Find the best deals on sites like Kayak, Travelocity and Expedia, then pick a destination where you’ll get more bang for your buck.
Don’t let the cost of a trip get in the way of you enjoying your time off! use these tips and share your own below!