How To Vacation For Less and Get More

Let's face it, we all need to get away sometimes, and for most the "staycation" doesn't cut it. I recently got back from a 5 day, four night trip to New England with a friend and was able to do it for under $400. That included flight, hotel, food, car rental and activities. If you plan accordingly and take a few extra steps you can do things for less too.

Silver Cascade in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest

Step one: Sign up for the search engine Swagbucks. Using swagbucks as your search engine allows you to earn points by searching. You then bank your points and can cash out for gift cards or prizes. I cashed out for Southwest Air, Restaurant.com and Travelocity gift cards through swagbucks to use to purchase my flight, food and hotels for free or at discounted rates.

Step two: Sign up for sites such as Groupon where you can buy discounted certificates for anything under the sun, including hotels, entertainment and restaurants. When you get friends to sign up under your link you will earn a $10 Groupon credit when they make their first purchase, allowing you to buy more Groupons for free, plus your friends think you are pretty cool for filling them in on the great deals. You can get email alerts of the daily deals for any city, so if you plan on visiting a particular city, get on their list so you don't miss a deal. You can always opt out after your trip.

Step three: Search Swagbucks for coupon codes for hotels or Restaurant.com (they often have certificates for 80% off, making a $25 certificate only $2). Also look for sales. Southwest Air has a great sale ending tonight (look at yesterday's post for information on it).

Step four: Go through a site such as Ebates or Upromise that gives you cash back for on line purchases to pay for things like hotels, rental cars, Groupons or Restaurant.com certificates.Compare the two and determine which gives you more back. Check multiple sites such as Orbitz, Priceline and Kayak for the best rates on hotels, rental cars and flights...but then also go directly to the brands sites to see if it really is a great deal. Ask for specials when booking hotels or reserving cars too.

Step five: Know your credit cards rewards systems. I was able to get a $40 car rental certificate from mine in place of getting a $20 account credit. Know travel partners too. By booking with Alamo I was able to get Southwest Air Rapid Reward credits to add to the credits I was already getting by booking the flights. Once you have enough credits saved up you earn a free flight.

Step six: Save while you are there. If you are going to be driving around pick up a cheap throw away cooler and fill it with ice and snacks. That will save you from having to stop for food and drinks along the way which gets very expensive. Try and book hotels that offer free breakfast too (only if that cost is still cheaper than eating out). Scout your hotels for coupons books, most of them have them in the lobby.

Crates of Apples at a Cider Mill in Vermont
 

Comments

[Molly Garza]

Erin, we follow all of your principles and you are right, you can get trips for practically nothing. We have also been doing the cooler tip for years. We carry our own soda, fruit and snacks to save on having to stop. When we need to replenish, I take my coupons and visit a local grocery story and avoid the convenience stores. We also use kayak.com to look for hotels. I hope people that are traveling follow your practices. It does save you money!