If you are retired and have the travel bug, but need to stick to a budget, here are some things to think about and research.
Become an online detective, and shop around. Maybe you didn’t know, but rock-bottom deals are not automatic for the 55-plus crowd.
You can often get 5 percent to 15 percent discounts with membership cards, such as AAA and AARP. But, just because a senior rate is offered doesn’t mean it’s the best deal out there. In fact, it’s a good idea to ask about all rates.
Think about traveling where and when it’s the cheapest. Pick smaller cities in countries you want to visit. You can probably travel in off-season. Rates are usually quite a bit cheaper for flights, hotels, and attractions. Think about dates and fly when plane fares are cheaper.
Check out all airlines before booking. You can look at sites like Trip Advisor, Expedia, or Kayak. Then, go to that airline’s site. Sometimes prices are better on the airline site.
Think about staying in vacation rentals instead of hotels. Use websites like VRBO.com to see what is available.
If you see a good deal, book it now. You probably have a good sense of the cost. Don’t sweat whether the price is going to go up or down $10.
Sometimes flying on the holidays, like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s is cheaper.