Spring Break on a Budget: How to Get More Out of Every Vacation Dollar

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

After almost four years of trimming vacation budgets, Americans are eager to pack their bags and get on the road again for a fun spring break.  According to a recent poll by TripAdvisor, 36 percent of people surveyed said they plan to spend more on leisure travel this year and 69 percent expect to travel internationally. Even those nasty airline fees aren’t dissuading people from taking to the skies since 24 percent of those surveyed expect to fly more this year, too.   But that doesn’t mean that travelers aren’t still looking for a deal and there are still ways to get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to that great American tradition known as Spring Break. If you book your vacation smart, you can really stretch your vacation dollars by packing extra value into your trip.  The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, has timely advice to put those spring break travel plans in full motion.

Find Family Friendly Hotels that Include More Extras.  Look for a hotel that gives you more with every stay like more space, free breakfasts, and other amenities since this can mean a huge savings when you travel with kids.  Embassy Suites Hotels is the only upscale hotel where you get a two-room suite for about the same price of one room which is great when traveling with your family.  You also get a free cooked-to-order breakfast AND complimentary nightly drinks and snacks with every stay like more space, free breakfasts, and other amenities since this can mean a huge savings when you travel with kids.  Embassy Suites Hotels is the only upscale hotel where you get a two-room suite for about the same price of one room which is great when traveling with your family.  You also get a free cooked-to-order breakfast AND complimentary nightly drinks and snacks with every stay.  But that’s not all – Embassy Suites is all about giving More so it recently launched its “366 Days of More” Facebook contest where each day for a year, a Facebook fan will win a free night at any Embassy Suites and a free night to gift to a friend through Facebook. You can enter for a chance to win at Facebook.com/EmbassySuitesHotels.

Find Family Friendly Destinations that Have More To Do.  Orlando is a great location for getting more value as a destination because its the mecca of theme parks that keep adding more attractions and has so much more to see and do.  This spring, Sea World Orlando is opening TurtleTrek that invites guests to visit two astounding naturalistic habitats; one teeming with hundreds of freshwater fish and gentle manatees, the other with more than 1,500 saltwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles. You can then experience the first-of-its-kind 3-D/360-degree dome theater film that will immerse you in the inspirational underwater journey of a sea turtleand a reminder of how humans can make its travels safer.

Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland is doubling in size this year at the Walt Disney World Resort with a new Dumbo attraction and Goofy roller coaster.  In late 2012, Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, a musical showcase featuring Ariel and friends will open along with the Enchanted Tales with Belle where Belle and her friends will share “the tale as old as time” inside the new Princess Fairytale Hall and Disney princesses will greet guests in their elegant royal court.  Finally, on the theme park scene, Universal Orlando Resort is opening a new 3D attraction based on the popular movie Despicable Me where guests go on an adventure with the popular minions. They also have a new parade with characters and floats opening this spring plus a new nighttime spectacular show, both at Universal Studios

And there’s to more to Orlando than just theme parks, you can take the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi R8 or Porsche for a spin around the Walt Disney World speedway, enjoy hang gliding at Wallaby Ranch, Ziplining over alligators and through a Central Florida eco park at Forever Florida and Gatorland), see Disney and the theme parks from the sky in a hot air balloon and even take the controls of a WWII fighter plane at Fantasy of Flight.  Check out VisitOrlando.com for more information as well as check out how to discounts on all the fun things to do in Orlando.

Loyalty Programs Offer More Discounts and More Savings.  Here’s a tip that a lot of people don’t know about where you can get exclusive deals and a 10% member discount every time you rent a car.  All you have to do is become an Alamo Insider at Alamo Rent A Car.  You sign up online at Alamo.com where you can reserve the car you want for your trip, check in online before you travel and when you arrive, just go to the self-service kiosk at the airport and simply drive away. It’s a hassle-free travel experience. You can also find out about more deals and tips from other travelers on the Alamo Facebook page that offers a brand new family vacation forum called The Value Project.  You can connect and share information on popular destinations and activities across the U.S. and also leave your great tips for other families.

Smartphone Apps Offer More Ways to Organize and Save When Travel.  Now more than ever, you can use your smart phone and apps to organize so many things for your trip.  These apps also save you time and money with lots of ways to find local deals on restaurants.  You should also program the numbers of airlines and hotel contacts into your phone as well so if you need to rebook a flight or hotel because of travel delays, the numbers are right there.

The Internet Has More Last Minute Travel Deals.  The internet is always a great source for last minute travel.  However, when it comes to spring break, you may not find a lot of last minute deals so book early – which means now – or you may find it hard to get the best travel deals. Also, one of the best ways to get more for bang for your travel buck is to look for vacation packages or hotels that pack in lots of added value. From onboard cruise credits to free lift tickets to breakfast included or kids eat free programs.  These are ways to really save. Finally, definitely check out VisitOrlando.com, EmbassySuites.com and Alamo.com to find out more about deals and those added value travel features.

Five Ways to Save: Last Minute Holiday Travel & New Year Getaways

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

With the holidays looming, millions of Americans will line up at airport terminals grimly hoping that they’ll survive their air travel experience with their bank account intact after all the extra fees.  If you booked your holiday travel in advance this season, domestic airfare was expected to be down 1.4 percent overall, with tickets averaging $302, as opposed to $306 last holiday according Bing Travel. But if you’ve waited until the last minute to book your holiday travel plans, you still have options.  The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, has valuable advice for everyone traveling this season to avoid the ho-ho-hums of holiday travel.

Travel Tip #1: Road Trips vs. Air Travel Can Save Thousands of Dollars for Families.  If you’ve waited until the last minute to book a flight, you’re going to have a challenge finding a great airfare Christmas week but there still may be time for New Year getaway deals.  Driving instead of flying can save you two ways – a family of four can save thousands of dollars in airfare even with the price of gasoline on a road trip. You’ll also save hundreds of dollars on luggage fees.

Travel Tip #2:  Book a Reservation at an All-Suite Hotel vs. Standard Hotel.  Savings is about getting more bang for your buck so stay at a hotel that gives you more value than just a standard hotel like an all-suites hotel.   Embassy Suites Hotels is the only full service hotel that gives you a two-room suite for the price of one room.  This holiday season, they are also giving away a $10,000 online shopping spree.  You can enter to win at EmbassySuites.com and you receive one entry for every night you stay between now and January 31st.

Travel Tip #3:  Never Pay for Breakfast.  If you book the right hotel, you should never have to pay for breakfast which can save a family of four several hundred dollars over a one-week vacation or trip.  Look for hotels that provide a breakfast as part of the lodging fee, like Embassy Suites that includes a free cooked-to-order breakfast.  This can be a significant savings when you travel with kids.

Travel Tip #4: Get Local Deals at Your Drive-To Destination through Tourism Websites.  No matter where you live, road trips are a trend this winter because of the savings.  Recent holiday travel polls show that Americans are sticking with their cars instead of braving airport hassles and are choosing closer to home getaways for winter breaks.  Connecticut, the Closer Than You Think state, is a great drive to destination and a fun winter escape with four different areas for snowboarders and skiers of all levels. Places like Mohawk Mountain have seven ski lifts and snowmaking capabilities plus affordable packages for children starting at $27 a lift ticket. Beyond the slopes, there’s Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and a free planetarium show at Mystic Seaport.  You can find lots of getaway ideas and discounts at dozens of area hotels, restaurants, attractions and shops at CTVisit.com.

Travel Tip #5:  Don’t Forget to Use Travel Reward Programs to Save. Travel reward programs and credit card rewards have more ways to use points for travel items outside of hotel rooms and airfare and include activities and meals when you arrive.

The biggest trend is that overall, travel spending for holiday travel is up from a year ago and 41% of people traveling are spending $500 or more.  Also, travel technology and the latest apps that make travel easy are trending in travel.

Don’t forget to use defensive flying tips BEFORE you board the plane.  That means use technology first to find out about delays in advance and have a back up plan including phone numbers or email addresses programmed in your phone so you can let your family know about delays – especially if you have someone picking you up at your destination.  Also, make sure you have a boredom buster bag for the kids with games, books and electronics so they don’t cranky.

New Ways to Save Big on Last Minute Summer Vacations

Looking for ways to take that memorable summer vacation without breaking the bank? From airfare to hotel stays to baggage fees, vacation costs can add up. With rising fuel prices making road trips and air travel more expensive, a last minute summer vacation may seem impossible.  However, The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, has ways to cut costs on that much-needed getaway without sacrificing a true vacation experience.  Making simple tweaks can each save hundreds—even thousands—of dollars on your last minute summer vacation.

Travel Tip #1:  Leverage money you’re already spending on travel with cash back programs.  First, if you’re traveling with a family of three or more, consider a “drive-to” destination within 1000 miles from home. Summer airfare and baggage fees can add up, especially at the last minute, so road trip vacations are a great way to save, particularly if you use a credit card that gives you cash back on travel purchases. For example, with Chase Freedom, you can actually earn cash back on big ticket items like hotels and gasoline when you travel.  From July through September, card members get 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 on travel purchases, including gas, hotel, and airline purchases. By using the Chase Freedom card, you can save more on your summer vacation, whether you’re filling up a gas tank, reserving a hotel, or booking last minute airfare.  You can get more info at chase.com/freedom

Travel Tip #2:  Look for giveaways and sweepstakes.  In addition to cash back programs, hotels are offering some great incentives for summer travel.  Now thru Labor Day Weekend – DoubleTree by Hilton has great summer hotel specials all over the country along with a Sweet Rewards Sweepstakes, where you can enter to win weekly getaway prizes every time you stay with them and a grand prize of up to 1,000,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points, their hotel loyalty program, that can be used anywhere in the world.  It’s all part of sharing their new look and new name.  And who doesn’t love those sweet chocolate chip cookies you get every time you check in at their hotels and resorts?  (They’re celebrating the 25^th anniversary of that sweet treat this year.) You can enter at doubletree.com/sweetrewards.

Travel Tip #3:  A little planning before you hit the road can save hundreds of dollars on your vacation.  If you’re doing a road trip vacation, one of the easiest ways to save is bring your own meals and snacks for travel days and during your trip.  Not only is it healthier than drive thrus, it’ll save you hundreds over a week long vacation.  No one expects an emergency when you travel, like a broken arm or earthquake on vacation, but not having a plan for these possibilities can cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Travel insurance covers monetary damages for costs like a trip cancellation, but travel assistance provides you with unexpected emergency medical transportation for everything from road trips and camping to cruises and international tours.  On Call International has coverage any time you travel more than 50 miles from home including emergency evacuation to the hospital of your choice, regardless of medical necessity, and much more. A single trip membership is as little as $55 and can save you a bundle in the event of an emergency.  You can get more info at OnCallInternational.com.

Travel Tip #4:  Travel to off-season destinations for best last minute summer travel deals.  The best travel deals are usually going to be off-season places like ski resorts that have great hiking trails and biking in the summer.  Also, many Caribbean locations have great deals during the peak of summer.  It may be really hot & humid, but its always cool in the water.

Travel Tip #5:  Biggest savings tip most people don’t know about is a new online calculator to compare costs of a road trip vs. air travel to your destination.  BeFrugal.com has the coolest online calculator to determine if it’s cheaper to drive or to fly.  You just fill out your trip information – where you’re starting to where you’re going and how many people and it will do the math for you and show you a cost comparison of a road trip over airfares based on current gas prices, airfares, baggage fees, etc. It’s at befrugal.com/tools/fly-or-drive-calculator.

BONUS Travel Tip:  Check out the official tourism site of your destination for local savings & deals.  You should do this BEFORE you go, but great local deals can be found at most destinations by going to the official visitors (or CVB) website. Also, most hotels have the local magazines with great local coupons for all sorts of savings at local attractions and restaurants.

Spring Break Dollar Stretchers: Get More for Less with The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

Watch Video. After almost three years of trimming vacation budgets, Americans are eager to pack their bags and get on the road again.  According to a recent poll by TripAdvisor, 36 percent of people surveyed said they plan to spend more on leisure travel this year and 69 percent expect to travel internationally. Even those nasty airline fees aren’t dissuading people from taking to the skies since 24 percent of those surveyed expect to fly more this year, too.   But that doesn’t mean that travelers aren’t still looking for a deal and there are still ways to get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to that great American tradition known as Spring Break. If you book your vacation smart, you can really stretch your vacation dollars by packing extra value into your trip.  The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, shares timely advice to put those spring break travel plans in full motion.

Travel Tip #1:  Find family freebies. Family freebies will make your dollars stretch further.  There are lots of hotels that include breakfast in the price to spring ski packages include lift tickets.  You may think it’s too late to book a great ski vacation, but this season brought record-breaking snowfall and many resorts in the West are open until the end of April to accommodate Easter travelers. The spring conditions will be the best they’ve been in years. If you’re still looking for a great deal to the mountains, Ski.com offers 100 resorts worldwide and has spring discounts up to 50% off. There are around 400 sample deals listed on their website, for example: A family of four can stay at the Great Divine Lodge in Breckenridge, Colorado, just a short drive from Denver, for 4-nights with 3-day lift tickets for just $360 per person.  Check out ski.com/spring for more information on these ski vacation travel deals.

Deals up to 50% Off at Ski.com

Travel Tip #2:  Find family friendly drive-to destinations. Orlando is slated as one of 2011’s top spring break and summer vacation destinations.  It’s a great drive to destination and road trips can save families a lot of money on airfares and car rentals.  If you’re planning an Orlando vacation, your go-to place for great money saving tips and advice is the Walt Disney World Moms Panel.  This is a free online forum of park savvy moms and dads who’ve mastered the art of planning the ultimate Disney vacation.  They can give you tips on anything and everything at DisneyWorldMoms.com including things like how to maximize your food budget to customizing your Disney World vacation to fit your family’s needs so you can focus on having fun.

Tips on Everything Disney at DisneyWorldMoms.com

Travel Tip #3:  Have a Plan B to protect your vacation dollar investment. Now you also don’t want your vacation fun to get derailed by flight delays or cancellations that can really mess up your spring break, so part of your planning should include travel insurance. Coverage includes flight delays or cancellations, lost or delayed luggage and even emergency medical expenses that is so important when traveling with the kids.  Travel Guard offers a range of comprehensive plans including their GoldPlan that covers kids for free. You can get all the details at TravelGuard.com.

Travel Guard GoldPlan Covers Kids for Free.

Travel Tip #4:  Use smartphone apps to save time and money on spring break vacation. Now more than ever, you can use your smart phone and apps to organize so many things for your trip.  These apps also save you time and money with lots of ways to find local deals on restaurants.  You should also program the numbers of airlines and hotel contacts into your phone as well so if you need to rebook a flight or hotel because of travel delays, the numbers are right there.

Travel Tip #5:  The internet is still your best resource for travel discounts and last minute travel deals. The internet is always a great source for last minute travel.  However, when it comes to spring break, you may not find a lot of last minute deals so book early – which means now – or you may find it hard to get the best travel deals. Also, one of the best ways to stretch your travel dollars is look for vacation packages or hotels that pack in lots of added value. From onboard cruise credits to free lift tickets to breakfast included or kids eat free programs.  These are ways to really save. Finally, definitely check out DisneyWorldMoms.com and Ski.com to find out more about deals and those added value travel features.

2010 Last Minute Holiday Travel Tips

December 2010:

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

Tips from The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman. The holiday travel season is in full swing but there’s a lot you need to know before you travel.  Passengers took advantage of bargains last year, when airlines dropped prices to the lowest levels in decades to entice recession-battered travelers back into the air. But this holiday season, the more than 41 million Americans expected to fly home for the holidays are paying seven to eighteen percent more.  Travelers can also look forward to more crowded flights since the airlines have added few new planes or routes in the past several years and no matter where you’re staying this holiday season, The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, has last minute travel tips to keep your holiday spirits holly jolly and travel advice for a hassle free trip for the entire family.

Biggest Trends in Travel in 2011. The biggest trend is that travel is “back.”  The good news is that the great travel deals won’t go away and you’re going to continue to see credits available at hotels, value added packages, and cruises – with so many new ships continuing to be added to cabin inventory – will have great deals.

YPMobile.com has a great app for travel.

Also, travel technology and the latest apps that make travel easy are trending in travel.  Since Emily travels a lot and is in unfamiliar areas frequently when she travels, she uses the YP mobile application that helps her find everything she needs when she’s on the road with her family. If you need to get Children’s Motrin for that unexpected kid’s fever at 11 pm, the app will show you the drugstores nearest to Grandma’s house.  Or if you find yourself on the road with a car full of hungry kids, you can search for restaurants nearby that are clean and open – and get maps and directions to get there. You can get  the app for the iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm and Android and for more information, or to download the app, just go to ypmobile.com or go directly to the app stores and search for “YP. “

You can get the YPMobile.com app for the iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm and Android.

Avoiding Aches & Pains with Traveling. We all know the about the TSA headaches, but what you might not know is that a recent survey reports that 75% of Americans have aches and pains when traveling.  That’s why it’s so importance to arm yourself with a handy items in your carry on bag before you fly and find yourself in pain.

Therma Care

You can apply a ThermaCare® HeatWrap on a trouble spot like your neck or lower back for all day pain relief and it can also be worn under your clothes when you travel. This is actually more effective for back pain than the maximum dose of acetaminophen, the medicine in Tylenol® (after eight hours). These wraps provide a heat therapy that penetrates deep into your muscles and joints that really helps alleviate pain and you can get more information about how they work at ThermaCare.com

For more information, go to ThermaCare.com.

The Bed Bug Buzz – New Product for Travel. Now, no matter where you’re staying this holiday season, bed bugs may be an issue.  They have been found on airplanes and in reputable hotels and stores in all 50 states.

Bedbugs found in all 50 states.

There is a new product that is a great solution to this outbreak that is a pesticide-free treatment and proven 100% effective in killing and preventing bed bugs.  Stop Bugging Me! is safe for the entire family, including pets, and you can pack a 3 oz travel-size spray bottle with you and have it with you at all times when you travel.  You spray it on any bed bug prone or infested area like mattresses, bedding, linens, and luggage.  They have two sizes that cost under $20 and you can purchase it online at StopBuggingMe.com

Stop Bugging Me - Solution to Bedbugs.

Handling Travel Delays with No Worries. No doubt about it, travel delays can be stressful for everyone.  You can use technology first to find out about delays in advance and have a back up plan including phone numbers or email addresses programmed in your phone so you can let your family know about delays – especially if you have someone picking you up at your destination.  Also, make sure you have a boredom buster bag for the kids with games, books and electronics so they don’t cranky.

Last Minute Holiday Travel Deals & New Year Getaways. Your best bet for great last minute travel deals will be choosing a destination anywhere it’s the off-season.  Also, you may want to check out cruises for last minute deals as they have so much inventory of cabins with all the new ships and they’re an excellent value.  Finally, a short getaway for a day or two of skiing may also be an easy drive to destination and check the internet for deals on lift tickets as well.

Follow Emily Kaufman on Twitter @TheTravelMom.

2010 Travel Tips for a Last Minute Summer Vacation

July 2010:

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom, on location in Ft. Lauderdale.

Trying to squeeze in a last minute summer vacation before the kids go back to school but haven’t made any travel plans? Don’t worry.  If your budget is tight and you’re concerned you’ve missed out on travel deals, you’re in luck. The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, has some creative ways to take a last minute summer vacation without breaking the budget.  Many people may think they’ve missed out on travel deals for the summer, but it’s  not too late to plan your summer vacation.  Although you can definitely save by planning your vacation in advance, especially when it comes to airfares, Emily says she’s been seeing a lot of great last minute travel deals online every day.

TIP # 1 – Get Great Travel Deals in Destinations Where Summer is Actually the Low Season. The summer is a great time to get really good rates at the best hotels and low airfares when you think about vacationing in destinations where summer is the low season.  One of Emily’s favorite vacation spots in sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale where there are 23 miles of clean, beautiful beaches overlooking the very blue Atlantic Ocean on the East Coast of Florida.  It’s gorgeous in summer and you can see for yourself with their Live Beach Cams on the destination’s website at sunny.org.  You can also save 50% on admission to museums, spas, and lots of outdoor activities including golf and kayaking with their special two-for-one  “Vacation like a V-I-P” card.  That’s just a sample of how you can get good deals at off the beaten path summer destination.

TIP # 2 – Save 50% Off Your Vacation by Taking a Mini-Vacation. One way to save on your last minute vacation is to take a shorter vacation or a mini-vacation.  It can cut the cost of your trip in half, especially if you do a road trip to a destination not more  than a half-day drive from your home.  Mini-vacations don’t require weeks of planning but still provide the same basic essentials of any trip: the chance to recharge your batteries, get your mind off of work and take a break from your regular routine.   Also, when you’re traveling with the kids, look for a hotel that is reliable, kid-friendly and has all the amenities they need, like the Hilton Garden Inn. Between now and September 6th, with the HHonors ‘Great Getaway Promotion’ you get 20% off the Bed ‘N Breakfast rates plus get a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast for up to four adults staying in the same room. And kids 12 and under eat breakfast for free.   HGI.com has a list of participating hotels all the details.

TIP # 3 – In the World of Travel, Loyalty Has its Rewards so “Be Loyal.” If you’re looking for a last minute getaway, check into your loyalty reward programs as you might have enough reward points for a mini-vacation.  It’s important to be “Be Loyal” since hotels, airlines, cruise lines and rental car companies all reward their loyal customers with great travel perks. Loyalty means free upgrades, priority check in, preferred seats, free baggage check and dedicated telephone numbers for faster service.  Cruise Lines even host special events on board for their loyal members and are given priority tender tickets and priority dinner reservations.

TIP # 4 – Road Trips are Easy and Less Expensive Last Minute Vacations. A road trip is probably one of the easiest and least expensive last minute summer vacations you can do since you can save by not paying a huge airfare.  The most important thing to remember is to book your hotel in advance and make sure, in addition to your GPS system, that you carry real maps with you as they can really help if come across unexpected construction and need to take detour in an unfamiliar area.

TIP # 5 – Official Tourism Websites are a Great Source for Travel Deals at Your Destination. Check with the official tourism site where you’re visiting as you can almost always find great deals there with discounts on attractions, dining deals, hotel deals and so much more.

2009 Five Ways to Save on Holiday Travel

November 2009:

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

Did you know that an estimated 41 million Americans took a trip last Thanksgiving, despite record prices for both gas and airfares?  The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are amonth the most popular times for Americans to travel. So will better deals on travel be availabel this year or are we in for a pricey holiday travel season?  Though airfares hit record highs last year, during the 2009 holiday travel season travelers should see significant relief on prices.  Now more than ever, travelers are seeking more value for thier money, but if you think peopel are shying away from travel for the holidas because of the current economy, think again.  Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom, has five ways to save on holiday travel.

Tip One:  The Internet is always your best source for last minute travel deals. The internet is always going to be your  best bet for last minute travel deals as inventory remains open during the season, hotels and cruise lines will start slashing rates to fill empty hotel rooms and cbins.  If you Google “last minute travel deals,” you will get a choice of great websites that have great last minute deals.  Though it may be tough to get great airfares for Thanksgiving, you can still find some deals in time fro Christmas and driving to your destinations that are within a day drive can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars in some cases.

Tip Two: Think ”off the beaten path” for Holiday Travel Deals. You want to think “off the beaten path” for the best holiday travel deals. East Coast Beach Destinations near Charleston, South Carolina, for example, where it’s off-season but temperatures may still be in the sixties offer great hotel deals.  Las Vegas before New Year’s has incredible deals.  You can get a Vegas hotel room for just $31 a night and the Excalibur has $29 24-Hour VIP Pass which allows you unlimited access to their buffet so you can eat for under $30 a day in Vegas.

Tip Three:  Avoid getting sick on your holiday trip or it will cost you. There are a lot of things that can derail your holiday travel budget and getting sick can ruin your holidays and cost you not just in possible medical bills, but in opportunity cost since you’ve spent the money on your travel, but can’t enjoy your holiday. First, understand that you need to take defensive measures when you travel since you are in close contact with passengers in airplanes, buses, trains and even cruise ships which increases the chance of coming into contact with someone who is sick with a cold or flu.  Since flu is often transmitted hand-to-hand, you need to wash your hands often and avoid rubbing their eyes or nose.   Also, on a plane, don’t put your face directly on airline-supplied pillows or blankets that haven’t been cleaned. Now, if you do get sick while traveling, many doctors are now recommending homeopathic medicines to combat the first signs of flu or flu-like symptoms.  Here’s one I always travel with called Oscilloccocinum.  You take at when you first feel symptoms like feeling run down, headaches, body aches, fever and chills and it will reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.  There are no side effects like drowsiness or drug interactions.  And you can give it to kids age 2 and up.  Whether you’re on the road or at home, you can nip flu-like symptoms in the bud having it on hand.  Keep it in your travel bag, backpack or purse and more info is available at Oscillo.com.

Tip Four:  The latest trend is added value programs and travel packages where kids stay free, eat free and even sail free. The latest travel trends involve added value to your travel package that includes everything from kids stay free, eat free and even sail free on cruises. Here’s a couple of current trends and deals:  Holiday Inn has a kids eat free program; several Cruise lines have a kids sail free program when traveling with 2 full fare adults and staying in the same state room including Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Costa; and another trend in cruising is offering free upgrades, ship board credits and even prepaid gratuities which can save you hundreds of dollars.

Tip Five:  Use technology so travel delays don’t cost you more than they have to. Here are a couple things you need to know so that travel delays don’t derail your budget. First, always keep a list of important numbers in your cell phone in the event that you’re delayed or a flight is cancelled. This includes a travel agent (if you use one), a number to the airline directly as it may be easier and quicker to get them on the phone than stand in long lines with other delayed passengers, and your hotel or local contacts that can assist you with re-routing your trip or avoid charges if you can’t get to your hotel. Keep in mind that airlines are not necessarily responsible for putting you up in a hotel due to weather delays, etc. One final thing that is always a good idea is travel insurance which can pay for a lot of additional fees depending on the policy that may include buying clothes if there’s a luggage mishap.

2009 Top Five Money Saving Travel Secrets in Any Economy

September 2009:

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

Most people don’t know that we’re coming into one of the traditionally least expensive times of the year to travel in a good economy known as the shoulder season but the recession is creating travel deals bigger and better than ever. Hotels, airlines and tour operators hurting for business have lowered rates, cut fares and added extra values to entice travelers and it’s worked.  The travel industry grew one trillion dollars last year in a down economy as those who love to travel have been taking advantage of the travel deals.  But in any economy, insiders like The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, have secrets that every day travelers don’t.  Here are the top five.

TIP # 1 – Travel in the Off Season

Ft. Lauderdale Beach

Traveling in the off-season has been an insider secret for decades. When you travel off-season (or shoulder season), you can avoid long lines, crowds and higher prices. Try the Caribbean or Florida in the fall instead of winter. Now is also a great time to take advantage of the lowest airfares of the year, plus great deals and packages at top beachfront hotels and resorts.  For example, you can experience Luxury for Less in Greater Fort Lauderdale during September, October and November with three great programs.  Lauderdale Spa Chic allows you to relax and pamper yourself at top spas with $99 treatments and Dine Out Lauderdale offers special $35 three-course prix fixe menus from the best restaurants. If you’re taking a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, make sure you plan a couple of extra days to take advantage of their “Cruise & Play” program with special offers for hotel packages and discounts at attractions and restaurants.  Don’t forget to take time to enjoy some of the gorgeous 23-miles of Blue Wave beaches and go to sunny.org for more information.

TIP #2 – Go Where the Dollar Takes Your Further

You need to travel where the U.S. dollar has the most punch and combine that with some of the travel savings programs out there so you can really stretch your travel dollars.  Here’s what we’re talking about.  American Express just launched a program called Destination Family that specifically provides family-tailored travel benefits and offers for its Cardmembers.  This program offers all kinds of benefits from kids stay and/or eat free offers to 50% off of a second hotel room to free car seats when you rent a car.  The offers are available at some of the best travel brands out there like Hyatt Hotels, Royal Caribbean, Avis Car Rentals, and many more.  Cardmembers can take advantage of the program by going to americanexpress.com/familytravel where you can also find travel agents that specialize in arranging and customizing family vacations.

TIP #3- Get More Bang for Your Buck When You Live Like a Local

A great insider tip to saving money is to “live like a local” and avoid tourist traps by eating at neighborhood restaurants where the locals eat.  Just go up to someone on the street and ask them to recommend a restaurant with a local flavor.  A great place to do this is Baltimore since it’s a very walkable city and it’s easy to get to by plane, train, or car for a great fall getaway.  Before you go, you’ll want to download coupons for local attractions, restaurants and hotels at baltimore.org where you can also find great hotel deals and packages  Also, October feaures Free Fall Baltimore where you’ll find 300 free arts and cultural activities in the city including free admission to museums like BMA. Now for something really unique, you don’t want to miss the 200th Anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday with actor John Astin’s re-enactment of Poe’s funeral complete with a candlelight vigil.

TIP #4- Don’t Book Your Flight Too Far in Advance

The best time to start comparison shopping for flights is about 45 to 60 days before you would like to travel. You may not know that airline computers are intentionally set up not to give you a deal outside that time frame because they are looking at the law of supply and demand.  However, with airlines cutting back on flight schedules, don’t wait too long to book your ticket or you could get locked out of travel dates even in an off-season.

TIP #5- Carry a First Aid Kit with OTC Products

Don’t let your health or your budget get derailed when you travel.  Many people don’t think to pack a small first aid kit when they travel and a vacation can be ruined with headaches, allergies, sunburn, upset stomach, motion sickness, a cold or worse. You need to bring a simple kit to ensure that if you do get sick, you have what you need to treat your symptoms and still enjoy your trip.  This is especially important if you’re traveling internationally as many of the products you can get over the counter in the U.S. are not available in foreign countries and it’s difficult understanding labels in a language you don’t speak (if not impossible).

2009 Mini-Vacations, Family Fun on a Budget & Last Minute Summer Travel Tips

June 2009:

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

Just because budgets are tight doesn’t mean you have to say “no” to family fun!  A vacation doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate to give you a much needed break from the stress of your everyday routine.  And a change of scenery and spending quality family time does not mean breaking the budget.  The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman has tips on how  a little creative planning can go a long way when it comes to stretching your vacation budget.

 

Mini-Vacations are better than Stay-cations. We are definitely living in challenging times, but research and health professionals point towards the health benefits of taking a vacation.  When times are tough, a vacation is essential therapy, and mini-vacations are an easy and less expensive way to get away.  They don’t require weeks of planning and can shave thousands off the vacation budget, but they still provide the same basic substance of any trip:  the chance to recharge your batteries, get your mind off of work, and take a break from your regular routine.  Right now, there is no easier or more affordable way to get away than on a cruise as there’s nothing to plan as everything is done for you on a cruise.

CLIA, the Cruise Line International Association, has a summer-long “You Deserve a Cruise” promotion where you can take advantage of unprecedented cruise values and savings including two-for-one cruise pricing, significant fare reductions, free air transportation, kids sale free offers, as much as $2000 in shipboard credits and even free upgrades and shore excursions.  These special offers are for 2009 and 2010 cruises throughout the world.  Go to cruising.org for a complete list of special cruise offers and to find a CLIA-certified travel agent.

Look for Rewards and Hotel Deals on the Internet Loaded with “Extras.” The internet is always the way to go to not just find the deals, but also extra value every time you travel.  This Fourth of July, hotels.com is offering free nights plus up to $75 on a pre-paid MasterCard so that you can afford to enjoy the holiday with a weekend away from home.  More than 900 properties are available in the Fourth of July Sale in great local getaway destinations including Anaheim, Myrtle Beach, San Antonio, Miami, Chicago, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. to name a few.  Also, all properties in the sale are also eligible for credits with their welcomerewards loyalty program where you get a free night stay when you reach 10 total nights booked on hotels.com.  You can earn and redeem rewards at 53,000 different hotels, condos, and bed & breakfasts with no blackout dates or restrictions.  Here’s a little known tip: Tuesdays are the best days to book amazing travel deals at hotels.com.  Every Tuesday at 12:01 am, the site posts approximately 200 new deals and they’re only listed for 24 hours, so the earlier you log on, the better your odds of snagging a discount. You’ll primarily find bargains in the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Canada.  The best part?  Offers are for rooms that can be booked through the year.

Other last minute deals. If you find yourself needing a last minute getaway, you can always just fill the car with a tank of gas and drive a half-day or so for a local getaway.  If you’re on the East Coast, check out the historic state of Connecticut at CTVisit.com and Baltimore, near the nation’s capitol is loaded with family fun ideas including 50 things you can do for free!  If you’re in the MidWest, you might want to take a new look at the Twin Cities, including Minneapolis with amazing international cuisine that rivals New York City.  And if you’re out West, the Grand Canyon and treasures of Yosemite National Park are a short drive away.  Check out hotels.com for the best deals on hotels before you hit the road.

2009 Money Saving Tips for Your Summer Vacation

April 2009:

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

You can’t escape talk of a gloomy economy and it comes as no surprise that many American families are scaling back their summer travel plans.  But the truth is that savvy families can always find ways to shave pennies, dollars, and even hundreds of dollars off their travel spending so that they can still take a vacation instead of a staycation.  The recession is actually creating one of the best times to save big bucks on a  vacation that hasn’t been seen in decades.  Airlines are offering deeply discounted tickets shaving 25 percent to 50 percent off the high fares of last summer, hotels are slashing prices and including extras like free breakfasts and free nights, and The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman, has some tried-and-true strategies to help you take full advantage of recession induced travel bargains.

Think Outside the Box to Save!

Family vacations can be expensive when you add up food, lodging and airfare and even extra baggage fees but here’s one way to “think outside the box” and save.  Instead of staying at a typical hotel where rooms can be small for families, look for an extended stay hotel that has lots of room and has lots of free “extras.”

Staybridge Suites hotels have one and two bedroom suites that can sleep up to seven people.  Suites include in-room DVD players, full kitchens and there are even outdoor grills so that you can cook your own meals saving hundreds when you travel.  They also include a free breakfast buffet everyday to save even more.  You can pack less and save on extra baggage fees by using heir free laundry rooms.  With 150 locations and growing, some are offering up to half off on weekends through the end of summer so check out the savings at Staybridge.com.

Think Off-Season and Get Great Travel Deals.

If you think “off-season” and go off the beaten summer vacation path, you can really save.  Everyone thinks of going skiing when it’s snowing or the to Caribbean in the winter or spring but don’t know that there are some of the best deals in the summer to go to popular off-season destinations.  And “deals” aren’t all about the price, but all the “extras” where you can really save with value-added promotions.

Caribbean waters off Aruba.

Now you can really save with packages to places like Aruba and their “One Cool Family Vacation” promotion where kids stay free, eat free, and get free daily activities at participating resorts.  In addition to the sun and beautiful beaches, the island has activities for everyone in the family that include Jeep Tours, ATVs, Snorkeling, Wind Surfing, Kite Surfing and even some off the beaten path things to do like visiting there unique Butterfly Farm, Ostrich Farm and even a Donkey Sanctuary.

Aruba’s average temperature is 82 degrees year round and it’s located OUTSIDE of the hurricane belt.  Thirteen U.S. cities have direct flights daily.  You can book your entire trip including the deals we’ve mentioned at Aruba.com.

Think About Protecting Your Vacation Investment.

Also, once you’ve found your perfect travel deal you don’t want things like flight delays, a medical emergency, lost luggage or even a lost job to ruin your vacation, so you need ot protect your travel investment with a flexible travel insurance plan.  TravelGuard.com offers a number of plans to meet your specific travel plans – no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing on vacation.  Travel Guard’s Gold Plan even includes some great travel services like emergency flight changes, doctor referrals, and concierge services like restaurant reservations or golf arrangements.

Think Family Values and Save.

There are all sorts of ways to save hundreds with family “values” including booking an all-suite or extended stay hotel that include extras like we mentioned, choosing family friendly destinations with lots of free activities like hanging out at the beach.  And also, almost every destination has a free website that has special local deals.  For example, Connecticut‘s CTvisit.com has great ideas of FREE things you can do when you visit, plus lots of savings tips on attractions.