Strategies for Saving Money on Summer Travel Expenses

Just in case you need another good reason to travel this summer, it might help to know that the overall benefits of a vacation have been well-substantiated, from reduced stress levels and lowered risk of chronic conditions, to greater happiness and improved job performance. But as much as we relish a rejuvenating break from our routines for adventure and fun, we’re understandably less than enthusiastic about the higher prices that often come with travel during the high season. However, with some insights gleaned from travel insiders, you won’t need to forego a much-deserved vacation or resign yourself to paying a premium for your summer thrills. Save a bundle and maximize your travel dollars this travel season with the following tips: 

Compare prices using multiple travel fare aggregators and search engines.

Experts tell us that there is no single best service to use when researching and booking travel because no one platform regularly has the lowest prices. Instead, they advise scouring multiple search engines and online travel agencies (OTAs) to find bargains on flights, hotels, and travel packages. Among the platforms that consistently draw praise for great prices are Skyscanner, Google Flights, Momondo, Kayak, Expedia, Priceline.com and Booking.com. After you’ve done the initial research, just be sure to check the airline or hotel’s website itself, because you may be able to lock in the best price by booking directly through it.

If you’re planning to go abroad, travel where the U.S. dollar is strong for greater purchasing power.

Keep in mind that you’ll get the most bang for your buck by visiting a destination where the U.S. dollar is worth more against the local currency. Pick a place where the exchange rate works to your advantage, and you’ll pay less for everything from hotels and restaurants, to rental cars and excursions. To stretch your travel dollars further in summer 2024, here are just a few countries to have on your radar: Greece, Croatia, France, Italy, Peru, Portugal, and Japan. Find more countries that offer great value including a favorable U.S. exchange rate at AFAR.

Know the high season for travel at your preferred destination, and if possible, avoid traveling during this time when demand will drive prices higher.

Of course, if you’re booking travel to attend a destination wedding or a special event, you won’t have too many options when it comes to travel dates or location. Your own work schedule or kids’ summer activities can also mean you’re dealing with a limited timeframe. But if you’re less restricted, you can often trim your costs considerably by traveling during a period of decreased demand.

In general, the busiest (and most expensive) time for U.S. summer travel is between the last week in June and the first week of July (leading up to the July Fourth holiday). On the other hand, mid-to-late August is typically the most economical. According to Expedia, you might save up to $265 on roundtrip airfare by flying during this time in August as compared to the peak travel period. If you’re traveling abroad, you’re likely to find better deals and face fewer crowds by traveling during a country’s shoulder season, which typically means the time period between a region’s peak season and offseason. Find a list of “The Best Shoulder Season Destinations” here.

If your schedule allows for some flexibility, check the best times to book a flight or hotel at the lowest price using online predictive tools, and set up price alerts. 

You can use travel search engines to review price history and predictions of future prices. But another excellent tool for finding the best days for a flight or hotel stay based on price is the travel app and online marketplace Hopper. Free to use, Hopper provides a color-coded calendar showing a breakdown of price fluctuations for days in the upcoming months according to several price tiers (e.g. $66+, $121+ and $142+ for hotel stays in Sea Island, Georgia). The app will also provide a recommendation on whether you should purchase now or wait, and will send you an alert when the price drops.

Sign up for airline newsletters.

While few of us welcome the idea of more email to weed through every day, subscribing to the newsletter of one or more of your favorite airlines can pay off when you’re alerted to special flight offers, promo codes for up to 50 percent off, and deeply discounted last-minute deals. You’ll also learn about new airline routes with low promotional prices, and stay alert to frequent flyer bonuses that can be used for free flights and upgrades. 

Consider signing up for discount travel subscriptions.

Another way to keep your finger on the pulse of outstanding travel deals is to check out travel subscription services, many of which offer a free option as well as paid, premium membership levels. For instance, the video series Travel Talks credits Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) with finding round-trip flights to several locations in Europe from the U.S. for $300-$500 or less, and for nabbing a mistake fare from Atlanta to Chile for $67 roundtrip. The YouTube channel’s content creator also revealed that she’s never paid more than $500 for an international flight since subscribing to the service. A few other subscriptions to investigate: Dollar Flight Club, The Flight Deal, Secret Flying, Ashley Gets Around (for business, first class, and premium economy), TravelPirates, Going, and Matt’s Flights.

Book summer flights 21 to 60 days out and consider getting an early morning departure.

In general, advance planning will help you avoid overpaying and give you access to a greater selection of flight times, seats and better routes (e.g., fewer connecting flights). While there are varying viewpoints when it comes to the optimal timeframe for booking airfare, Expedia recommends getting your flight 21 to 60 days out for summer travel in 2024. According to Expedia, travelers in 2023 who booked during this window saved about 15% for both domestic and international travel. Another way to conserve cash: fly before 8 a.m.  As Travel + Leisure notes, a flight at 5 a.m. supersedes even a redeye flight when it comes to the cheapest time of day for airfare (but again, compare rates before booking). As a bonus, a flight at dawn often makes for a smoother trip, with fewer delays, cancellations, and crowds, and possibly even less turbulence.

Leverage credit card rewards.

Finally, your credit card rewards can be a vital resource when it comes to shrinking travel costs without sacrificing your experience. Many credit card loyalty programs including CU Rewards from The Police Credit Union’s Platinum Visa® enable you to redeem points for travel-related purchases and deals, including gift cards from major travel brands. CU Rewards are an excellent way to cover or defray travel expenses, including airfare, accommodations, cruise reservations, vacation packages, and rental cars. 

In addition, summer travel offers ample opportunity to rack up more rewards. Before you start booking reservations and making travel-related purchases, be sure that you’ve enrolled in CU Rewards to earn points for every dollar you spend toward gift cards, name-brand merchandise, and more travel. Don’t have your Platinum Visa® from The Police Credit Union yet? Now is a great time to apply. Along with competitive rates and zero cash advance fees, our Platinum Visa also offers plenty of travel protections and perks including lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, and auto rental collision damage waiver.

Get rewarded for the things you do every day! The CURewards Program gives you one CURewards point for every dollar you spend using your The Police Credit Union Platinum Visa® credit card. 

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