[USER]

Hello. Not sure if this is allowed in here but I want to plan a vacation with my family of three.

Is been years since we done something due budget, illness and such and I want to do something nice this year since life is too short.

Do you have advice for hotel prices, plane tickets and restaurants? Is not like I’m going to spend all my savings but I also want to offer something nice just once.

I have points in my bank that I can trade for gift cards, and they offer me extra points when booking hotel and plane tickets through them but if there are better price in other apps, please let me know.

Thank you!

[Sherry]

Not enough info. What’s your budget? Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?

[Jennifer]

I think your location is the first choice. From there, I bet you will get a ton of help!

[Wendy]

Hit the dollar store for snacks as opposed to the grocery store. You can freeze meals to be heated up in a microwave at a hotel along the way instead of hitting a restaurant for every meal.

I like to go to hotels that have breakfast included, when you think that that would be a $15 meal per person, you have to weigh that against, buying a cheaper room, but not having it, also, CAA gives a discount in Canada, I imagine you guys have the same.

[Isabella]

Do you want to stay in onze place or do more of a road trip? Are you bond by school holidays or when you want ?

And 3 people in one bedroom or you prefer separate? Easier to advise, if more details are given.

If one room, and no more then 2/3 nights , then hotels are cheaper, to me the cheapest is going with Hotwire or any last minute things and book a hotel with no name on the reservation, that 4 stars and up with 4 stars reviews.

If longer periods and more bedrooms then a airb&b or vrbo like website becomes cheaper. Often last minutes comes with discount.

Flight are often cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, early flights are cheaper too and have less delays.

Car rental, I use Hotwire too and once I know the hotel or rental companies, I become a menber for any perks they offer.

We do a lots of international traveling with house swaps, but that’s not for everyone.

[Lucinda]

Unless you have “free” plane tickets, that will be a huge portion of your budget.

I would start by looking for places you can drive to. And look for hotels a few miles outside the immediate tourist area.

Bring a cooler with foods you can eat for breakfast, as well as drinks and snacks.

Eat your big meal midday, and something light (sandwiches, cereal, salad) for dinner. We also bring a hot pot to make tea, hot chocolate, instant soup, etc.

[Kiersten]

What do you guys enjoy the most?
A best vacation for my youngest two would be something super active (amusement park, activities to do, etc).

My eldest would be most happy with a literal hotel suite where he’s allowed to eat chips in bed and watch tv and go to the pool).

Mine would be a cabin in the woods that has movies and board games and plenty of hiking.

Making memories during a vacation depends what you guys like best.

I’m no help on plane and hotel and whatnot.

I just keep an eye on things after deciding what and when. Having some restaurant apps may help saving money.

We tend to have hotels with a continental breakfast and we bring snack meals for supper and we go out to eat usually only once a day.

It saves money and is a touch healthier.

[Allison]

Hotel, flights and restaurants are destination specific.
If you don’t have a destination in mind, do you know what type of vacation you want?

City? Nature and national parks?

Beach?
Can you share a budget or range you would be comfortable with spending?

Really it is difficult to provide suggestions without the above info.

Otherwise google “best vacation destinations for families on a budget “ and see what inspires

[Leah]

We always stay in hotels that offer free breakfast – we are able to take fruit and other stuff for snack during the day.

We go to Boston a little and stay at a homewood suites based on the fact that they have smoked pulled pork and I’m able to make lunch or dinner from that saving us at least $40 to $60.

When ever I travel, the first question I ask checking in is – do you know of anywhere in the area that offfer’s happy hour specials or early bird specials.

We spend lots of time on the CT shoreline and I found two places by asking (they are competitors) that offer great $5 apps.

One of the places offers a $5 grilled ham and cheese and $1 shrimp cocktail.

We eat for $30 (I leave a $10 tip I’m frugal not cheap lol).

I also look to go to the local library for museum passes so we save lots of $$ that way.

[Heidi]

When my son was little, the only vacation we took was to Disney World when I was offered a very cheap package in exchange for a time share presentation.

I was in no position to buy a time share, so it was not a terrible thing for me.

I just saw a posting a minute ago for a similar deal for 4 nights at Colonial Williamsburg and wondered if I am up for another of those deals 25 years later.

Something to consider.

[Sally]

Perhaps a staycation weekend trip for the family will be an easier goal.

Be a tourist in a nearby city

[isa]

Cruise out of a local port, if possible (no airfare). See various cities without changing hotels, etc.

Food, some drinks, entertainment included.

[Wanda]

Generally less travel means less cost. Have a family discussion about schedule, budget, and true wants.

Everything and every day doesn’t need to be the best. In fact we enjoy if we just have a day to rest by the pool or watch a show in bed with a few favorite snacks.

Take one bag of snacks it is so much cheaper that on the road when you want something to munch on.

Investigate the area ahead of time for coupons, free museums, etc.

[Maryse]

Would you consider a road trip and save the airfare to spend in different ways?

[Yvette]

Vacation rentals is how we went with our family as it affords you to have facilities to make meals and do laundry if need to.

Pack food to go when traveling.

We also collected miles for air ticket(s) and ensure paying off credit card bill in full.

Stay with friends if you are fortunate enough to have accommodating ones.

[Denice]

I recently made our reservations through Costco. I got a good deal on a package with airfare, hotel and car.

It is worth checking into. I also just learned our credit union (USAA) has “perks” listed and some were travel related.

Sam’s Club sells Southwest Airlines gift cards that are cheaper than their face value (ex: A $250 card sells for 229.38).

[Author]

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