Save Money on Spring Break & Summer Vacations

March 20th is officially the first day of spring this year and it’s only 36 days away. It seems that this winter has been a paradox for many people across the US. Those who expected their usually mild winter have experienced record-breaking snowfall while people in other parts of the US experienced an unusually mild winter. After an odd winter for everyone, it’s safe to say that virtually everyone is looking forward to spring!

With warmer weather close at hand (finally), it’s time to start planning for Spring Break and summer vacations. In order to get the best deals, it’s important to go ahead and start making plans and travel reservations now.

The Internet has become a great resource for finding great deals on spring break travel and vacations in general. Here are a few methods that we encourage you to use in order to save money on your next adventure:

Package Deals

For many people, their ideal vacation is one that also involves minimal planning on their part. Package deals on vacations are appealing and often include great discounts. Sometimes it’s just nice to confirm reservations and go. Southwest Airlines has several vacation promotions that include deep discounts and great deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. Carnival Cruise Lines also has some excellent deals on many of their cruise offerings for the spring and summer. Cruises are an excellent way to enjoy spring break or a summer getaway. All inclusive destination resorts such as those offered by Sandals (couples) and Beaches (family oriented) are also a great way to relax and just enjoy being away at an exotic, beautiful beachfront location.

Gear Up and Save

Gear up on new luggage and other travel items by taking advantage of promotions and discounts offered through eBags and LuggagePoint. With most airlines employing stricter guidelines on carry-on and checked luggage, it’s important to make sure your bags will comply.

Plan Ahead for Road Trips

• If you’re planning to take a road trip, be sure your vehicle is safe and ready to go by having it serviced prior to your trip. If you can, plan your fuel stops to take advantage of discount fueling if you have a membership with Sam’s Club, Costco, or discount cards for Fred Meyer, Safeway, or other grocery stores that also have gas stations. Saving 3-5 cents per gallon on a road trip that includes multiple fuel stops can pay for a couple of lattes or a meal! Consider using GasBuddy.com or a couple of the widely used smart phone apps for locating the most inexpensive fuel stops such as Cheap Gas (owned by GasBuddy.com) or Gas Bag.
• Consider joining AAA (Automobile Association of America). Not only will you have access to 24 hours roadside assistance, you will also be able to get free maps, discounts on lodging, restaurants, and activities. Savings through AAA can add up fast!
• Consider camping. If you’re family is new to camping, consider staying a night or two in a KOA Kamping Kabin. You still have some amenities and don’t have to rough it too harshly. It’s possible to cut your lodging expenses by more than 50% when camping.
• Families booking hotels should consider those that offer to let your kids stay for free or that offer free breakfasts. The savings accrued in utilizing these perks can pay for several activities during your vacation. Be sure to read up on a hotel before you make your reservations. Use an independent site such as Hotels.com for reviews and pictures of the hotel you want to choose.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can save money while planning your next vacation. There are many more ways to save here at Shopping-Bargains.com. We hope that you will enjoy spring break and all of the adventures that await you this summer.