Every year, American families in the middle class don't travel because they are too busy, too tired, or don't have enough money. And they are right in some ways. Traveling can cost a lot of money. But if people take the time to learn about discounts that are easy to find on the internet, in newspapers, and even in the yellow pages, more families can go on vacations that will help them relax, keep their minds active, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Air travel is one of the most expensive and necessary parts of travel. People who fly often are always looking for a good deal. There are many ways to save money on your next ticket. First, leave or return on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and stay at least seven days to get cheaper fares. Check out other airports for departure or arrival to see if they have cheaper prices, and if your plans are flexible, think about letting yourself get bumped for a cash reward or free ticket. Search online discount travel sites, which find deals for you in a variety of ways, and compare prices on budget airlines as well as the big commercial ones. You can also find a deal on sites like Priceline that let you bid against other people. Lastly, you can start earning frequent flyer miles even if you don't fly by taking surveys, staying in certain hotels, or using a certain credit card.
Ground transportation is another expensive part of a trip. There are ways to save money whether you take a bus, train, or car. You can find deals on rental cars online, but if you don't understand something, talk to the rental car company ahead of time about insurance, roadside assistance, and other important things. You can also rent RVs for surprisingly low prices, especially when you think about how much money you'll save by not staying in a hotel. Motorcycle deals can also be found online by people who know how to ride. If you want to take public transportation, buses are surprisingly cheap, though they take a long time. You can also find deals online for subways, trains, and ferries. In Europe and North America, you can buy a rail pass before your trip to save money if you want to go to more than one place.
Lastly, you'll need a place to stay once you've flown, driven, or sailed to your destination. One cheap option is to stay longer at hotels that charge by the week. There are also hostels, home exchanges, house sitting, and timeshares that can save you money. You can find motel coupons online, and if a cheap bed and breakfast isn't listed online, you can look in the yellow pages. Some universities give discounts to people who stay in their dorms. Travelers can also find cheap ways to rest and relax at retreat centres and monasteries, as long as they follow certain rules. For more adventurous travellers, staying in tents, cabins, or RVs in national parks can be a cheap way to travel. If you plan to stay often or for a long time, you can save money by buying a park pass. RV travellers can also stay at free campgrounds all over the country and save money on RV parks by buying a pass. Lastly, some travellers with very little money can sleep for free in airports, although the rules have changed since September 11, 2001.
Memberships in different groups are one of the best ways to get discounts on airfare, hotels, and other travel expenses. Have your kids ever persuaded you to buy one of those $20–$50 Entertainment books that have coupons and discounts? Well, buy one the next time you see one. Not only will your money help a good cause, but you can also save money on things like flights, hotels, and car rentals. You may also have memberships that could save you money on your next trip that you don't even know about. Some of the places that have deals are AARP, Costco, and the military. Even if you are a student or a teacher, you can get discounts. You already have the tools you need to find the discounts you need to make your next trip memorable and affordable.
