Saving money on family vacations

When going on a family vacation it is important for most families, especially mine, to save as much money as possible. This is a list of ways and ideas that you can do to save money on vacation. Some of the best ways to save money is by setting priorities before the year even starts, like booking in the off season for your destination and leaving mid week if you are taking a flight.

I also really like the idea of getting a kitchenette.

Almost half of all Americans surveyed in a recent study by AIG Travel Guard said they intend to change vacation plans to save money. That means taking shorter vacations, choosing modestly priced hotels and restaurants, and looking for cheaper ways to get to a destination.

Although summer airfare deals seem to have taken a vacation, finding bargains is still possible, travel experts say.

Successful travelers will be those who keep their summer plans flexible, said Anne Banas, editor at SmarterTravel.com.

“If you’re the type where you know what you want – a special place at a specific time – then start benchmarking prices for a couple weeks now and book soon,” Banas said. “If you’re flexible about where and when you go, wait. People are waiting to book (airfare, lodging, travel packages) and the (travel) companies are going to put things on sale in late April or May.”

Here are 10 tips Saving money on family vacations

1. Think off-season. Summertime deals abound in Florida, Mexico and even Puerto Rico and Aruba. It’s hot, sure, but Valley residents are used to that, right? Heather Martin of Scottsdale usually goes to San Diego in the summer. This year, it’s Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, for a few days at lower prices, which she considers a good compromise. “It’s safer than most people think and fun,” she said of the vacation destination also known as Rocky Point. “Play on the beach. The resorts down there have spas and are amazing.” If you can’t take the heat, consider Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Aspen or Telluride, Colo.; or Portland, Maine, popular winter destinations, says Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, editor of travel Web site WeJustGotBack.com. Summer lodging is up to $200 cheaper than in winter, and these cold-weather havens turn into summer hot spots for biking, hiking and fishing.

• The problem with this may be that these areas are too hot for you in the middle of summer, go to weather.com and see what it was like last year at the time you are thinking of going.

2. Think any day but Saturday. Kelleher said playing around with dates, such as leaving midweek and returning on a Monday or Tuesday, can save a family hundreds of dollars in airfare and room rates.

• I have save many times travelling mid week, great idea.

3. Get a kitchen. When budgeting a family vacation, the price of dining often is overlooked. A home rental with a full kitchen – or such hotels as Embassy Suites or Residence Inn with in-room microwaves and refrigerators – can stem food costs, a significant part of any trip. Fixing one meal a day at “home” can save hundreds in a week, Kelleher said. Tip: Pack condiments or collect fast-food packets, because buying ketchup, mustard or Worcestershire sauce can add up.

• A kitchenette in Hawaii saved us money and was a great way to eat better. Especially good because kids don’t seem to always be hungry at mealtimes

4. Swap homes. The film The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, popularized the idea, and it’s gaining steam as a summer-vacation option, said Eileen Ogintz, a syndicated travel columnist who runs Taking theKids.com. Details of the home exchange are worked out between the two parties. Online home-swap sites may charge about $100 per year. Check homeexchange.com and homelink.org.

• Not to sure about swapping homes with kids involved, there is that couchsurfing site as well along the same vein.

5. Rent a home. If swapping homes sounds too out there, consider renting one. Travelers may be wary of cost or the rental process, but Ogintz says home rentals often are cheaper than hotels and may offer hot tubs, pools and access to transportation. Many of the Web sites offer slide shows and Google Earth maps of the property. Try homeaway.com, vrbo.com and zonder.com.

6. Volunteer. Spend a day working on trails or other charitable projects and get discounts on hotels and other travel perks, Ogintz said. This emerging form of travel, dubbed voluntourism, gives travelers a purpose and an itinerary (including options for families). Many times, airfare, meals and vaccinations are tax-deductible. Visit vol unteermatch.com, I-to-I.com and sierraclub.org/outings.

• Again I am not sure if kids really have the patience to volunteer but this is a great way to get to know a new area and meet the locals if it is done out of the country.

7. Make an informed bid. You’ve heard you can bid on air, hotel and car components at priceline.com and hotwire .com, but don’t forget skyauction.com and luxury link.com, said Nancy Schretter, managing editor of the Family Travel Network (familytravelnetwork.com). At skyauction.com and luxury link.com, people also can bid on Broadway tickets, spa packages and dining certificates. These sites are buyer-beware, however, because once you click, the purchase is final. Schretter recommends visiting bidding fortravel.com and betterbid ding.com to better understand the parameters of auction sites.

8. Assemble a crew. During the past few years, “togethering” on vacations with friends and family members has been among the biggest travel trends. It also allows families to stretch their budgets by splitting the costs of lodging (vacation home, villa or houseboat), Schretter said. When deciding upon your destination, Schretter said, don’t forget “kids-eat-free, stay-free and play-free” deals commonly offered at such chains as Marriott, Holiday Inn, Wyndham, Palace Resorts, FDR Resorts and Barcelo Resorts. Some cruise lines offer similar packages.

• Travelling with friends and neighbors with kids not only helps to have a good vacation but the parents can also trade looking after kids and let parents go trekking on their own for the day.

9. Research fuel costs. Gas prices are high, but how much will those prices eat into your vacation budget? Anne Banas of SmarterTra vel.com recommends using AAA’s fuelcostcalculator.com to estimate your gas expenditure. Select your starting point, destination city and vehicle make, model and year. GasBuddy.com allows you to find the cheapest gas by ZIP code. “This can be really effective. You just have to make sure you’re going to the right gas station and not the one across the street. It works well with a GPS system,” Banas said.

• Tough year this year for car trips although this can be a very great family trip of course. I spent my childhood travelling on road trips and every summer my wife cringes whenever I use the term Road Trip.

10. Book now. Or later. Both can be the right way to save money, depending on the type of traveler you are. If you know what you want and when you want it and find a price you can live with, book it now, Banas said, while inventory in your price range is available. If you’re flexible about where and when, watch for sales in May and beyond.