Ways To Save Money on Travel

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Air Vacation Planning Travel Tips Rental Cars Meals Accommodations

Ways to Save Money on Travel

Are you considering taking a trip, but are afraid it’s too expensive? Well, it may not be as pricey as you think. We at Cruise Planners of Kansas City have come up with a few tips on how to save money on travel.

Airfare

Be flexible - Always check the prices on flights that are leaving a few hours before or after your preferred departure time. This can save you money because often airlines are trying to fill early morning and late night flights, and usually discount their airfares during these off-peak times.
Several airlines start their sales on Tuesday’s – though this is not a hard and fast rule.
Book with a travel agency such as Cruise Planners of Kansas City. Cruise Planners of Kansas City has a computerized reservation system that can quickly search available options! Also, Cruise Planners of Kansas City has access to special pricing with many carriers.

Rental Cars

Car size - Do not request a car that is larger than you need. The bigger the car is, the more you will spend on gasoline and daily rental fees.
Coupon codes – If you are a member of an organization such as AARP, check to see if they provide any discount codes for their members. Remember to provide this information to your travel specialist at Cruise Planners of Kansas City so that we can secure for you the lowest rate possible. We also have access to special discount codes to several of the rental companies.
Avoid airport locations - Car companies located on the airport property tend to add fees that raise the price by 30% or more. Off airport locations generally don’t have the high airport user fees that on airport locations are required to pass on to customers who pick up cars at the airport location.
GPS - If you own a GPS, take it with you. Most companies charge $12 a day or $60 a week if you want to use theirs. Do you have a smartphone? Most smartphones have GPS apps that are free. Check out your phones app store to see what is available.

Meals

Breakfast - Unless your hotel offers continental breakfast, head to a local café. It is usually cheaper than ordering food at the hotel.
Do your own cooking - If your hotel room has a kitchen or if you are staying in a vacation home, cook your own meals.
Eat a larger lunch - Restaurants tend to charge more for dinner than lunch. It will be easier on your budget if you eat a larger lunch and only order a side salad or appetizer for dinner.
While at your destination try to eat at a smaller local restaurant as they tend to be lower priced and you can get the true local flavor.

Accommodations

Stay in a smaller city - Hotels in smaller towns can have cheaper rooms. We at Cruise Planners of Kansas City will assist you in selecting that perfect hotel for your vacation.
Suites - If you need two hotel rooms, it is usually cheaper to book a two bedroom suite.
Vacation home - If you are staying in one destination for several days, consider looking into vacation home rentals or even an extended stay hotel before booking a regular hotel room. In many locations, rentals or extended stay hotels are the cheaper option.
Discounts - If you are a AAA member, a military member, a teacher, or a government employee, you can sometimes get a lower rate. Be sure to let your travel consultant know at Cruise Planners of Kansas City so that we can provide you with the best possible pricing for your vacation. Also, Cruise Planners of Kansas City has access to several various negotiated hotel rate programs to over 40,000 hotel properties around the world so even if you aren’t a member of a program with discounts, we can assist you with obtaining discounted rates.

Miscellaneous

All-inclusive - Selecting an all-inclusive vacation can save you a lot of money. Your one time payment will typically include lodging, activities, food, and drinks. At summer's end, beach resorts are typically more generous with their perks.
Travel off-season - Visiting your destination during the off-season is cheaper because hotels cut rates and generally throw in freebies. While the weather may not be the best, prices overall are lower. Another benefit is the lines at the popular attractions tend to be smaller.
Pre-book attraction admissions and tours in advance. When you pre-purchase your admission tickets and/or tours, you may get a discount or even a separate shorter line to stand in. Let us here at Cruise Planners of Kansas City assist you in pre-purchasing your tickets.
Take free walking tours - These are offered in several major cities, and are a great way to learn about the city and its culture.

When you are ready to take a vacation, please contact us at Cruise Planners of Kansas City. One of our knowledgeable agents will help you plan a trip to remember.

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