6 ways to save on winter holidays this year
Vacations are a great opportunity to take a break and enjoy some quality time with family or friends, away from work and everyday responsibilities. However, it also means spending money on traveling to new places and entertainment.
Travel experts have analyzed the most popular vacation expenses and shared tips on how to reduce them and save money," writes New York Post.
1. Explore discount offers
Jana L. Tidwell, a representative of AAA Mid-Atlantic, based in Wilmington, Delaware, suggested researching and using the discounts available to you.
"Ask if hotels offer AAA, AARP, or military discounts," she says.
You can also purchase tickets to amusement parks, entertainment venues, and other attractions using AAA, AARP, teacher, or military discounts. These discounts can help you save money, especially if you're traveling with your family or a large group.
2. Use public transportation at your destination
Car rental or parking fees can have a significant impact on your vacation budget.
"Be open to public transportation for all or at least part of your trip," advises Sally French, a travel expert with NerdWallet based in the San Francisco Bay Area, in an interview with FOX Business.
"Many major airports have convenient public transportation connecting them to the nearest major city center, such as in San Francisco, Denver, Atlanta, and Chicago," she says.
In each of these cities, she says, a train connects the airport to the city center - and often the journey is faster than driving, as you won't be stuck in traffic.
"In addition to potential time savings, you can save money by not renting a car. Plus, you won't have to pay for gas or parking," French says.
3. Learn more about your cruise fare
You may be tempted to book a cheap cruise cabin, but it may not be the best option for your overall travel experience. "Don't focus on price alone," warns Colleen McDaniel, a spokesperson for Cruise Critic, based in Denver.
"It can be tempting to book a cruise at the lowest price, but the true value of a cruise comes when you book incentive offers that help you save money you would otherwise spend on board," she says.
If you know you'll want to use the bars on board, a drinks package - or an included drinks package - can be well worth it, she says. Another tip when choosing a cruise vacation: Pay attention to the costs you know you'll incur, such as onboard internet or specialty restaurants, and try to find deals that include those costs in the fare, McDaniel recommends.
A great way to get these additional benefits is to use Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea program. It's available on the company's newest ship, Norwegian Viva, which boasts amenities such as go-kart racing and water rides, as well as specialty dining options and amazing nightly entertainment.
4. Be flexible with your timing
One valuable way to save money on your vacation is to avoid peak travel periods, such as holidays and school vacation weeks.
"Take New York City, for example, which is always the busiest between Christmas and New Year's," says Sarah Firschein, TripAdvisor New York City Representative.
"In January, the city is empty, hotel prices drop, museums and other attractions are relatively quiet, and you don't have to fight for restaurant reservations," she added.
5. Eat at the hotel
Most major hotel chains offer good breakfast perks in the form of free or discounted breakfast if it's included in the room rate, says Firschein.
Having breakfast with your family at a restaurant can be expensive, so taking advantage of your hotel's free or discounted breakfast is an easy way to save both money and time. And while not every hotel offer may be 100% to your liking, there are usually at least a few options that will satisfy most visitors.
6. Check the airfare after booking
"People often just book a new flight and don't think about it until the week of their vacation," says Katie Nastro, a New York-based travel expert with Going.com.
"However, many people can save money if the price of their flight goes down," Nastro says.
"If you purchased a regular economy ticket, many airlines will allow you to rebook at a lower price with no change fee and give you a credit for the difference that you can use later. You may not get cash on hand, but at least you now have credit for future travel, which ultimately saves you money," she added.
