Are you planning to travel this summer? If so, you’re not alone, and you could be feeling the pain of sticker shock. It seems that prices have skyrocketed for absolutely everything related to travel, including hotels, airfare, vacation rentals, car rentals, train tickets, tours, and even dining out in popular destinations. This widespread inflation in the travel sector can make planning a much-needed getaway feel daunting and financially stressful.
However, there’s also a silver lining for those looking to explore closer to home: domestic airfare could drop by up to 16% in 2024, compared to 2023 at some times of the year. This potential price drop is driven by increased airline capacity on domestic routes and stabilizing fuel costs. Even so, those of you who are planning international travel should plan to spend, as the same data shows that international airfare is up to 10% more expensive compared to last year. This is largely due to immense pent-up demand for long-haul trips and the fact that airlines have been slower to restore their pre-pandemic international schedules.
It might be true that you could have to budget a bit more to have that much-needed summer vacation this year. That being said, it doesn’t mean a fantastic trip is out of reach. With some strategic planning and a flexible mindset, there are numerous ways you can save money on summer travel and significantly cut down your expenses without sacrificing the quality of your experience.
Savings are also wildly available, whether you decide to dip into that hard-earned points stash from your loyalty programs, get a credit card that offers valuable perks like car rental elite status, or simply stay flexible with your travel dates and be open to exploring alternative destinations. Mastering a few of these techniques can be the difference between a budget-breaking trip and an affordable, memorable adventure.
Here’s a list of efficient ways to save money on summer travel so you can fully enjoy the fabulous summer you’ve always wanted, focusing on making memories rather than worrying about your bank account:
Shift your dates earlier.
This could potentially mean many, many things when it comes to summer travel. We all know that sometimes it’s almost impossible to avoid traveling when you have that Fourth of July family reunion, a Memorial Day destination wedding, or even have to follow the children’s summer break schedules. These fixed dates often coincide with the most expensive and busiest times to travel, making savings feel out of reach.
If you have this option, consider trying to take advantage of the earliest, pre-summer shoulder season. The term “shoulder season” refers to the period just before or after the peak season. For summer, this sweet spot is typically from late April to early June. According to more data from Expedia, airfare tends to stabilize and even drop in the period right after spring break, but somewhere before summer travel truly kicks off in late June.
If you can shift your trip to early May instead of mid-July, you can also save a significant amount on travel costs, sometimes hundreds of dollars per person on flights and accommodation alone. And here’s another cool perk: you can also avoid vacationing during some of the worst heat waves, which also tend to occur in many popular destinations (similar to Europe) during July and August. You’ll also face smaller crowds at major attractions, leading to a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.
Be flexible with your travel dates.
Beyond changing your summer travel dates to the shoulder season, you might as well be flexible with dates within your desired travel window. It just makes more sense. For no apparent reason at all, hotel dates and flights could be cheaper on one June date than another, or staying an extra couple of days in your destination could mean that a return flight is way cheaper. This is due to complex dynamic pricing algorithms used by airlines and hotels. Try researching flexible dates when you’re looking for airfare, hotels, and car rentals to see what you can find. Using tools like Google Flights’ calendar view or Skyscanner’s “search by whole month” feature can instantly reveal the cheapest days to fly. Often, shifting your departure or return from a weekend to a Tuesday or Wednesday can result in substantial savings.
Off-Peak Season Abroad: Europe
The majority of kids are still in school in June (at least in Europe), and plenty of cities in southern Europe are deserted in August when extreme heat pushes the locals to move to the beach. You might find that visiting a city such as Paris or Rome isn’t as expensive as you might have thought, particularly in early June or late August. While the main tourist sites will still be busy, you may find better deals on accommodations.
You just have to be prepared for the hot weather, especially in southern countries. Some off-peak award dates could vary on international airlines as well, which is a huge benefit for travelers using points and miles. For instance, the first 3 weeks of June are generally considered off-peak by Spain’s Iberia, where kids are still in school until nearly the end of the month. This means you can book flights using fewer miles.
This also means that if you plan a trip to Spain in the first 3 weeks of June, you will probably be able to get off-peak award rates during this time. Similarly, a trip to Ireland would be perfect in September and October (or beyond, if you are willing to consider a fall visit), especially when Aer Lingus’ off-peak dates run from September 2, 2024, all the way through December 12, 2024. An autumn trip to Ireland offers the benefit of lush green landscapes, cozy pubs, and far fewer tourists at popular sites like the Cliffs of Moher.
The Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico
The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30. But, according to the National Hurricane Center, the majority of cyclonic activity takes place between mid-August and mid-October, and the most popular date for a hurricane is September 10. This might sound intimidating, but it creates a massive opportunity for budget-conscious travelers.
Well, what does this mean for summer travelers? You could get more affordable pricing but avoid the worst of the severe weather when you’re traveling to these destinations in June or July. During these months, the statistical probability of a major storm impacting your specific vacation is still relatively low, yet resorts and airlines slash prices to attract visitors during their traditional “low season.”
Also, remember that in some countries, such as Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago, you can sit outside the Atlantic hurricane belt and get a cheaper vacation than what you would normally pay to rent a lake house in a place such as Michigan during the summer, for instance. These “ABC islands” (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) in the southern Caribbean are a particularly safe bet for a summer getaway with a lower risk of weather disruptions.
We also recommend using a credit card with robust travel insurance to book that trip, because you never really know when it comes to the weather. Look for policies that include trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, which can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable expenses if a named storm forces you to cancel or end your trip early.
Open to Alternative Destinations
We’ve also suggested a series of ideal destinations and times in which you could visit Europe and the Caribbean, but it’s also very important to select more affordable destinations from the start. This is perhaps the most effective cost-cutting strategy of all. Instead of focusing on what you’ll miss, frame it as an opportunity for unique discovery and adventure.
You can easily get to those pricier spots such as Saint Barts, New York City, and London eventually, but what if this is the summer of “going crazy” and visiting something else? Instead of fighting the crowds and high prices of the most famous capitals, you can discover hidden gems or “second cities” that offer incredible experiences for a fraction of the cost.
We’re thinking of Athens for its unparalleled history and delicious, affordable food; Budapest for its beautiful architecture and thermal baths; Cartagena for its vibrant colonial streets and Caribbean charm; Chicago as a more affordable big-city alternative to NYC; Marrakesh for a sensory overload of markets and culture; Mexico City for its world-class museums and culinary scene; St. Louis for its free attractions and unique history; and many other places.
Where Your U.S. Dollars Stretch
If you’re determined to go far-flung but also save a couple of bucks, make sure you avoid trendy and expensive destinations such as the Maldives and Hawaii. Instead, you might want to consider islands in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, or Thailand, where your money can give you impressive spending power. In these countries, you can enjoy luxurious accommodations, incredible meals, and unique activities for what a mid-range hotel might cost in the U.S. or Western Europe.
The dollar and the euro are still hovering very close to each other in value, so this is the perfect summer to go to Europe and see those dollars go further than they have in decades. Just as we mentioned before, skip some of the trends that usually end up being extremely expensive, such as Paris and London, especially during their peak summer months.
Instead, opt for affordable Eastern European countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, or Hungary, where the cost of food, lodging, and transport is significantly lower. Alternatively, explore secondary cities in Mediterranean countries, such as Bologna in Italy (instead of Rome), Valencia in Spain (instead of Barcelona), or Porto in Portugal (instead of Lisbon). These cities often boast incredible charm, fewer crowds, and much lower prices.
Flexible Travel Rewards Cards for Statement Fees, Credits, Lounge Access, and Many Other Things
Some of the most worthy rewards are generally offered on flexible travel rewards cards. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has a travel credit of up to $300 that is incredibly easy to use, as it automatically applies to most travel-related purchases. Meanwhile, the Platinum Card from American Express has statement credits and additional perks for booking The Hotel Collection and American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts properties. These bookings often come with valuable extras like complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and a $100 property credit, which can greatly enhance your stay.
Each of these premium cards also has different levels of lounge access at airports, which could potentially help you save money on food and make your airport experience a little less stressful. Access to networks like Priority Pass or the exclusive Centurion Lounges means you can enjoy free meals, snacks, coffee, and even alcoholic beverages. For a family, this can easily save $50-$100 per airport visit compared to purchasing food at overpriced terminal restaurants.
Some flexible cards also give you perks such as car rental and hotel elite status, which can lead to upgrades and better service. They also provide discounts and time-sensitive credits for buying from specific travel vendors, fee credits for programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and many other useful travel perks that add both value and convenience to your trips.
Co-branded cards for benefits at airlines and hotels
There are plenty of airlines and hotel co-branded credit cards that have all kinds of elite status or ways to earn extra points and miles. These can get you to status or a companion pass way faster. For example, a Delta SkyMiles American Express card can provide a shortcut to elite status through spending, while a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card from American Express grants you automatic Platinum Elite status.
These cards often come with perks like a free checked bag for you and your companions, which can save a family of four over $250 on a round-trip flight. They can also offer priority boarding, which reduces stress and ensures you find overhead bin space, and complimentary upgrades to preferred seating or even first class. All these benefits can save you a significant amount of money and make your travel experience way better and more comfortable.
Open a New Credit Card and Get a Welcome Bonus
If you’re really looking for a rapid infusion of points to use for summer travel, you can easily open a new credit card right away. Then, you only need to make sure you meet the spending threshold so you can earn those coveted bonus points right on time and use them for a summer award redemption. This is one of the fastest ways to accumulate a large number of points or miles for a nearly-free flight or hotel stay.
Welcome bonuses generally ebb and flow, so you might want to find a card with a high bonus. With that being said, it’s also very important to get a card with points that you can actually use. Before applying, do some research to see if the airline or hotel partner has award availability for your desired destination. If you’re eager to visit a specific destination but there aren’t any Hilton hotels around, just go with something else like a Chase or Amex card that offers more flexible, transferable points.
A word of caution: this strategy is only effective if you can meet the minimum spending requirement with your normal, planned expenses and pay off the balance in full each month. Accumulating interest debt to chase a welcome bonus will quickly erase any value you might have gained.
By combining these strategies, from picking the right destination to leveraging the right credit card, you can turn what seems like an expensive summer vacation into an affordable and unforgettable adventure. If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking out: Best 9 Places to Go Shopping in Tampa, FL
