Vacation spending is split among several major categories requiring funding. Food and lodging, for example, furnish some of the most expensive features of holiday travel, falling across a wide range of prices and quality levels. Three meals each day and reasonable accommodations for bathing and sleeping are all that's required, but amenities and appointments drive food and lodging costs higher, as extra bells and whistles are added to rooms and meals. Even spending money reserved for discretionary purchases and vacation keepsakes quickly runs out, as vacations present nearly limitless opportunities to part with funds.
Fortunately, each of the costs of vacationing can be custom-tailored to your ability to pay - within reason, of course. Cheaper rooms and frugal meals furnish savings for budget conscious travelers, without sacrificing enjoyment. And even air travel costs can be trimmed by following a few simple rules. Frugal travelers use the following approaches to save money on airline expenses.
Conduct Research about Flight Options
Air travel is an intimidating prospect, especially for fliers who haven't taken to the skies with great regularity. For starters, the landscape has changed for modern ticket-buyers, who now have the Internet and mobile resources at their disposal. And the way consumers buy tickets has changed too. In the past, the first step to booking travel was to call a professional travel agent familiar with the travel industry.
Today's travel approach is a self-serve affair, in which buyers do the research themselves, rather than depending on trained travel professionals. And though it suits many travelers to take such an active role, inexperienced travelers sometimes pay too much for airline tickets. Fortunately, technology lends a hand comparing travel options, including Web-based travel resources capable of comparing hundreds of alternatives side-by-side.
There are no hard-fast rules dictating the best times to purchase airline tickets. The conventional wisdom of landing the best deals by purchasing tickets well ahead of time appears to have been thrown out the window as travel providers extend promotional rates seemingly without regard for advance commitments. As a result, the best approach for bargain-hunters is to monitor flights over time, paying special attention to dips and spikes in air travel rates. By staying informed and available, you're ready to pounce when prices are favorable.
Flexible Options
Many times travelers are tightly scheduled, accommodating business obligations and family events in short order. On the other, flexibility leads to travel deals, at times, so building some adaptability into your vacation planning can lead to significant savings on air travel. Internet search providers, for example, often include flexible inputs in their flight search parameters, allowing users to check fares and flight availability for a number of proximate airports simultaneously. Similarly, travel search sites also allow date ranges to be used in searches, rather than specific dates. The resulting returns highlight the best deals available during a particular span of time, which can yield substantial savings for flexible flyers.
Carry On
Travel expenses apply to individuals, but the cost is also broken-down to include sums dedicated to bags and luggage. In the past, bags flew free, unless they were bulky or required special handling. Along the way, airlines began charging for the bags checked through to the baggage compartment. The practice led travelers to simply carry their gear aboard the planes when traveling. As a result, cabin space is at a premium, with limits imposed on size and weight. The bottom line for budget-conscious travelers: Carry your bag on the plane with you, in order to avoid baggage handling charges as high as $40/bag. To avoid unanticipated charges, consult with your airline in advance for size restrictions and weight limitations.
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