Archive for May, 2009
Vacation without a Plane Ticket
Travel and tourism is one of the industries that hurts the most in a recession. It is no secret that people who are looking to save money do not take trips. Instead of ditching the family trip altogether, though, consider the cheaper option of renting an RV. The RV industry has taken off in the recent months with the promise that families will save money on their RV rental over flying, renting cars and staying in hotels.
Cost Savings with an RV
Essentially, with an RV, you are paying one flat rate for the entire family inclusive of all travel and all lodging. The rate you pay for your RV will depend on a number of factors include size, amenities and the location where you rent it. On average, though, RV vacations rank considerably lower than the cost of taking air travel. With fuel prices high, people have been questioning whether RVs continue to be a cheaper alternative. Studies show that fuel prices would need to soar much higher than they are now to make an RV trip more expensive than airfare. Additionally, the cost of fuel is often built into a plane ticket cost. As RV costs go up, so do the cost of plane tickets, hotel rooms and rental cars. Another significant factor that will save you money in travelling in an RV is the on-board dinette. You will be able to keep groceries on your RV to prepare simple meals. Rather than eating out at restaurants every day, your family can eat together around camp fires or grills, saving money on tips and hefty drink prices.
RV Destinations
Depending on where you live and how long you intend on vacationing, you can explore any number of destinations. Most state and national parks have RV camp sites. Go RVing, a consortium of RV dealers and renters, has a website with complete listings of possible trips. With a comprehensive list of scenic byways, the site offers opportunities to explore and vacation without even having a destination in mind. If you want to travel across the country but do not have enough time for the drive, it may even be possible to fly to your destination then drive an RV to the camp site. For example, if you are from New York City and want to see Yellowstone, fly to a nearby airport. Rent an RV, explore the park, drive the Wyoming landscape and explore.
Downsides to Renting an RV
While renting an RV is cost-effective, it’s not for everyone. You have to consider what you are compromising in order to save money. First, there is little privacy in an RV. If your kids are young and do not value privacy, this may not be troublesome. However, teenage children do not typically enjoy sharing bunks and rooms with their other siblings or parents. You will not be pampered on an RV vacation. Rather, you will be required to provide for yourself in most instances. If you are willing to make these concessions, though, you stand to gain a lot in experiences, adventures and cost savings.
Save Money on your Travel Insurance
Let’s be honest: most travelers do not purchase adequate insurance. Travel insurance can add to the cost of money you are already spending on the luxury of vacation. Many travelers only think of travel insurance when it comes time to take three-week backpack trips through Europe. In truth, travel insurance can cover you even if you are driving across the state to see your grandparents. When you are smart about your travel insurance purchase, the cost will be negligible. Most of the time, you will not need the insurance. However, there will be times you are thankful you have it.
What is Covered
Depending on the specific type of insurance you purchase, you will be covered for a wide-array of travel woes. From the basic cancellation to the more extreme case of being accused of a crime abroad, your travel insurance will kick in. Popular coverage includes:
- Trip cancellation
- Delayed, lost or stolen luggage
- Flight delays or cancellations resulting in losses due to missed flights or extra nights in hotels
- Medical needs including first aid, hospital trips or illnesses
- Loss of important documents such as passports or Visas
- Location of an appropriate attorney and payment of some fees if you are arrested abroad
- Loss of proprietary materials for travelers with privileged information
- Business travel loss for a missed meeting or presentation
- Liability coverage for harm caused to another individual
Types of Travel Insurance
Depending on how frequently you travel, who you are with and where you will stay, you may require a different type of travel insurance. For example, annual travel insurance can be purchased for individuals who leave the state more than a few times each year. Especially if you leave the country often, annual travel insurance can save you money over single-trip travel insurance. Single-trip travel insurance is often purchased with one experience in mind. It is popular for excursions to third-world countries where losses tend to be higher. One type of single-trip travel insurance is backpackers insurance. This line takes into account unique threats by having higher coverage in case of medical emergency or bodily harm. Family travel insurance can cover all the members of one group regardless of whether they are traveling together or alone. If your husband travels for business and your daughter travels for soccer, family travel insurance can cover them both. Take a look at the traveling you are planning on doing each year to determine what is right for you.
Cheapest Travel Insurance
Find the cheapest travel insurance by shopping around. If you currently insure your car and home with a particular company, see if there is a discount for adding a travel line. You may want to shop online for dedicated travel insurance providers. Just make sure you know what you are covered for; talk to a representative before purchasing to avoid scams. Finally, your travel agent may have suggestions. Some trips include options to upgrade to include insurance at a low cost. The biggest factor affecting your cost will be the lines you elect to cover. Be sure to truly assess your risk in order to purchase the best possible packages for your needs.
How to Honeymoon on $30 a Day
Your honeymoon is supposed to be relaxing, romantic and blissful. When it comes after an expensive wedding, expensive wedding band purchases and expensive flights to a far off location, though, a honeymoon can quickly turn into a financial headache. If you and your honey truly want to relax, you will need to find a way to save money while you are sparing no expense. Popular honeymoon destinations revolve around sun, sand and frozen beverages. Do not skimp on enjoyment; use your connections to your advantage.
Step #1: Locate a Time Share
Do your parents have a time share? What about an aunt, uncle or family friend? Find someone in your family who has a few weeks each year at a resort chain. It’s okay if the particular resort is not in the area you want to visit. For example, if your fiancé’s parents have a place for two weeks a year in Disney World for their grandkids, you may be able to work it out. Ask if they would be willing to give you those two weeks as a wedding present. You may also be able to pay a small amount to them as they are already receiving a discount. Next, research the resort chain that houses their time share. Often, resorts have a few locations in Florida, a few in Mexico, a few in Costa Rica and even some in Alaska or Hawaii. Contact the agent in charge of the time share and ask to swap the location. You can trade the time in Florida for time in Belize if you request to do so early enough.
Step #3: Upgrade to All-Inclusive
All-inclusive trips will save you money in the long run. They will also save you the hassle of carrying a large amount of cash or travelers’ checks. An all-inclusive trip budgets you for each day. Most resorts will allow you to upgrade from your standard time share rental to an all-inclusive package for $20-$50 per day. Your meals will be taken care of. In some cases, you will not have the option of eating breakfast or lunch on the all-inclusive package. Go to the market one day and stock up on food to keep in the hotel room. Aim for high-protein, non-refrigerated snacks such as trail mix, peanut butter and granola bars. Fresh fruit is often not expensive at local markets. This will save you on $12 burgers by the pool. As your beverages will likely be covered, simply getting by to dinner on high-protein snacks will keep your pocketbook full.
Step #4: Book a Year in Advance
The key to making this scenario work is booking early. Time shares are not easily swapped for the exact week you are targeting. Ensure you will get your top choice by alerting the resort early. You may need to remain flexible in the timing; for example, considering leaving for your honeymoon a week late instead of the day after the wedding. Some couples prefer to have this time with family. Being flexible and booking early will additionally save you cost on your airline tickets. If you find out the weekend you are considering is a high-travel weekend, you will save money on tickets by remaining flexible.
Tags: All-inclusive, Book early, Cheap travel, Honeymoon, Timeshare
Will a Hostel Work for You?
Hostels are budget-friendly destinations where guests can rent a private bed or bedroom and share bathrooms, kitchens and lounges. If the word hostel conjures image of college Euro-trips, then you may need to rethink your perspective. It’s true: some hostels do cater to younger, hard party crowds. Other hostels, though, allow for whole families to rent a private room while sharing some of the public accommodations. Staying at a hostel may be a great option for a couple or family who is looking to socialize, be adventurous and enjoy a less formal arrangement than most hotels offer. To determine if staying in a hostel is right for you, understand what you are getting into, and weigh your options.
Advantages of a Hostel
The main advantage of a hostel is the price: staying in a hostel is significantly less expensive than staying in a hotel. Price is not the only incentive, though. In locations such as Australia and New Zealand, hostels offer an opportunity to spend more time connected with the beautiful landscape than most hotels do. There is easier access to the attractions such as hiking and beaches. In cities, hostels tend to be located close to busy areas or subway lines. Hostels also offer busy social environments. Most people in hostels are not looking to keep to themselves; you will have the opportunity to meet a diverse network of people to share your travels with. Some may be able to offer tips and advice in navigating your stay.
Disadvantages of a Hostel
If you want privacy, a hostel is not the place to be. Because the other people staying there are looking to meet and greet, you will not be able to simply keep to yourself or your travel companions. Part of the experience is making use of communal areas. As a result of the high amount of public spaces, hostels are not often the safest places to stay. You will have to guard your belongings closely and be certain not to leave anything lying about. Often times, people who are not staying in the hostel will have easy access to the hostel. When you arrive, check the security features. Take a look around to see that the windows and doors all lock. Check with the front desk regarding the policy for keeping those doors locked at all times.
Choosing the Right Hostel
What was once an underground alternative to a hotel has become a thriving industry. Today, hostels are legitimate businesses in the cities where they are established. You may check reviews of hostels online or through the Better Business Bureau. If you are travelling abroad, travel agents or the Chamber of Commerce may have information on where to stay and which to avoid. Hostelling International is a non-profit organization which encourages connecting with other travelers and the outdoors through staying in a hostel. You may check with Hostelling International to see if reports have been filed against any particular hostel. Ultimately, if you are debating hostel versus hotel, understand the differences and know the situation you are getting yourself into.
Tags: Cheap travel, Hostel, Travel alternatives
