The year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, about 100 million Americans planned to take a family vacation. As the pandemic has subsided, increasing numbers of Americans have decided to hit the road or fly the friendly skies. However, vacations take planning. That’s why it’s important to take stock of what you need to do before embarking on your next trip.
Set a Budget
Vacations can be expensive, and not everyone can afford to spend two weeks in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives. Therefore, you’ll want to set a budget for your next trip. Setting aside a bit of money every week or every month for a trip can be a great way to establish what you can afford. Your budget might allow you to drive to a beach in an adjacent state. On the other hand, it might allow you to fly to Australia. Regardless, your budget should drive where you go. If your budget is relatively low, you might opt for a vacation that’s less ambitious this year and save some money for the next vacation. Setting a budget will be very advantageous for your next vacation. When setting a budget you will need to know what amounts to spend on travel, food, lodging, and some money for souvenirs.
Take Advantage of Loyalty Points
If you’ve signed up for any loyalty programs with airlines like Southwest or United or hotels like Hilton or Marriott, you’ll want to check your account to see if you can offset your expenses with loyalty points. Free nights and flights are more common than you might think. However, you might need to be a bit flexible with your dates to take advantage. Signing up for a credit card and hitting a minimum spending level can be a great way to earn some bonus miles or points that can help you save on your next trip. Just be sure not to spend more than you normally would. If you do, your increased spending will offset the benefit of the loyalty points. Using loyalty points is a great way to save money on travel expenses and lodging, as these things can be very expensive. They can help you create more room in your budget for other things you will need on your vacation. You can also create a better budget that will serve you well during your vacation.
Plan Shuttles Ahead of Time
Some airports are laid out in a manner that can make it hard to get ground transportation on short notice. This is why it’s a good idea to book transportation before your arrival and departure. A driver for the airport shuttle service will show up with your name on a placard, and you’ll be ready to roll in short order. An alternative option is booking a hotel that offers a free shuttle. Either way, you don’t have to worry about securing transportation after arrival. If you want to use a taxi or other form of transportation instead of a shuttle, that can be easily arranged as well. Just be sure to plan ahead so that you have everything ready for you once the vacation actually begins. Planning can be a fun activity when going on vacation.
Planning a vacation can be a time-consuming task. However, if you’ve set up most of the details before you leave home, you’ll be more likely to see your next trip go off without a hitch. There will still be the possibility of some unexpected events, but you’ll have more margin for error if you plan ahead for most eventualities that might arise.