Getting away from it all doesn’t usually offer a respite from bills. Even if you’re saved diligently, a vacation can be a substantial drain on your bank account. In 2012, the average family spent $1,200 per person on summer vacations, according to a survey by American Express. That’s $4,800 for a family of four -- roughly 10 percent of the median annual household income.
There are plenty of tricks to cut the cost of a vacation, from hunting for airfare sales to buying theme park tickets at the park’s website. But there are also plenty of freebies people can enjoy while traveling.
“More and more hotels are starting to offer free breakfast,” said Bob Diener, a co-founder of Hotels.com and Getaroom.com. “Others have happy hours with free wine and hors d’oeuvres.” Some hotels also offer for free a few of the amenities that others charge for, including parking and Wi-Fi access. A few even let you borrow items as varied as bicycles and iPads for use during your stay.
It’s common for hotels and resorts to let kids under a certain age to stay for free and eat for free at on-site restaurants. Some properties also offer one night free when you book two or three nights at the regular rate, Diener says. “Always check to see if you can get an extra night for free,” he says.
Before you book a hotel, it's worth it to call and ask what you can get for free: It may be worth paying a slightly higher rate for one hotel if it offers a ton of freebies that you'd otherwise be paying for.
If you don’t have enough miles for free airline tickets or an interest in trying home exchange for free lodging, there are still ways to minimize vacation costs. All it takes is a little research and flexibility:
Expand your search options. Don’t just head to your preferred airline’s site. Travel websites allow you to conduct searches based on flexible departure and arrival dates and times and include budget airlines and regional airports, says Adam Goldstein, co-founder of comparison site Hipmunk.com. The result might be an “unlikely, but perfect” flight, he says.
Time your purchase. A study from FareCompare.com found that the best time to book airfare is at 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. That’s when the maximum number of cheap seats is available for purchase and when weekly sales are at their best.
Think outside the plane. “Try searching train and rail travel,” said Goldstein. “Trains are often a cheaper and more flexible way to travel with a family.” Once you factor in security lines and flight delays, some short-haul trips are likely to be faster by train, too.
A cruise vacation offers lots of freebies, since the rate tends to include not just your cabin but most onboard meals and activities. Most cruise ships have tastings and talks where you can pick up free snacks, and libraries where you can borrow books, magazines and board games at no charge. When comparing cruise vacations, look beyond the rate at all the extras.
Free lodging? It’s a possibility with home exchanges -- agreements between you and another vacationer that you’ll stay at his place while he stays at yours. “It’s like Internet dating for your house,” said Ed Kushins, founder of HomeExchange.com, a vacation exchange marketplace with more than 45,000 home listings worldwide. Most sites charge an annual membership fee that gets you unlimited free swaps, plus the peace of mind that the site and other vacationers have vetted the member who’s staying at your place as well as the home where you’ll be staying, he says. Many travelers are willing to help with pets as part of the swap agreement.
Your credit card can rack up free benefits. A 2012 study by CardRatings.com found that 36 credit card companies offer free foreign transactions, saving travelers the roughly 4 percent charge other cards tack on.
Some airline credit cards offer free checked bags, and hotel group members may get free room upgrades, although there may be an annual fee for the card itself. To compare credit cards and their perks, check out a site like NerdWallet.com.
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or other special occasion, call ahead and let the airline and hotel know this isn’t a run-of-the-mill trip. “Just say, ‘I’ll be there on my honeymoon. Can you make it special?’” said Diener. You might get a free room upgrade, a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine or some other perk.
Loyalty programs are free, and the perks can be valuable. Some hotels offer members free breakfasts, newspapers and Wi-Fi. Chain restaurants may throw in a free appetizer or dessert for the table. Typically loyalty programs are easy to join; just call and ask the hotel, restaurant or other organization if they have one and how you can become a member.
