The family vacation is the highlight of the year, an exciting and thrilling adventure to look forward to. However, planning a family vacation can be a challenging task, particularly when it comes to budgeting. Depending on the size of your family, a getaway can be an expensive business, which makes finding great deals an important part of the planning process.
Hunting down bargains for a family vacation can take time, but it is well worth it to find the perfect cruise offer or a great saving on a beach resort stay. With the right strategies you can make your family vacation both affordable and luxurious, so take a look below at some of the best tips for unlocking the best deals.
Plan Ahead, but Stay Flexible
The further ahead you can look, the better the deals you will find. Booking your trip in advance lets you access better prices, more discounts, and more attractive deals, particularly if you are traveling to a popular destination. However, keeping an open mind on travel dates is important too, as you can often find great prices if you are will to travel at unusual times of the year, week, or even day!
Use Comparison Websites
Comparison websites are the deal hunter’s best friend and sites like Kayak, Expedia, and Skyscanner are invaluable tools when it comes to finding discounts and deals for your family trip. You can compare almost everything, from flights and accommodations to activities and experiences, and it is the best way to ensure you don’t overpay. You can also usually use these sites to bundle up each part of your vacation into a package deal that can be a great money saver.
Sign Up for Newsletters and Alerts
One of the best functions of these websites is the ability to set up price alerts for particular destinations, routes, hotel chains, and airlines. This gives you the ability to act fast when prices fall. It is also worth signing up for newsletters from travel companies and organizations, as they often send out the best deals to subscribers, and advertise flash sales and special offers by email only.
Consider All-Inclusive Packages
All-inclusive vacation packages are one of the best ways to save money when it comes to a family vacation. Paying upfront is an excellent way to manage and control your budget, and the all-inclusive nature of meals and activities can make the vacation far more affordable, particularly when you have hungry kids!
Look for Family-Friendly Deals
This might sound obvious, but searching for deals that are specially tailored and targeted at families is one of the best and easiest ways to save money on a family vacation. This might be trips or experiences that offer discounted rates or complimentary activities for kids or deals with excellent things for younger members of the family to enjoy. Cruise lines, theme parks, and resorts often have great family promotions and offers, so it is always worth checking before booking.
Use Rewards and Points
If you’ve built up a reserve of rewards or points on a loyalty program or a credit card, the family vacation is a great time to cash in! These schemes can make everything cheaper, or even free, so signing up to frequent flyer programs or rewards schemes is another great hack.
By planning ahead and doing some careful research, a family vacation can be surprisingly affordable. Remember to take advantage of deals and loyalty schemes and aim for places that cater specifically to kids, and you’ll be able to enjoy a memorable trip with the entire family without breaking the bank!