Do’s and Don’ts for Summer Vacation Planning

It’s no secret that the summer months are the busiest time for travelers in the US. Though it’s possible to nab last-minute savings on flight deals and unfilled staterooms on cruise ships, the most prepared vacation planners get exactly what they want by booking early. Some of the best lodging rates can be found 30 to 45 days before check-in, but if you happen to be traveling around the time of any local events or regional holidays, you’ll want to secure a place to stay ASAP!

Not only should you avoid the airport during the big three summer holidays — Memorial Day (technically in late spring), the Fourth of July, and Labor Day — but you should also take particular airports into consideration, since busy travel days vary widely depending on location. According to AirHelp, an organization that helps passengers get compensated for delayed and cancelled flights, airlines across the country have different days of concentrated traffic throughout the summer. Generally, aim to fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which tend to see the least amount of airport traffic.

Travel with intention by knowing why you want to visit a particular destination this summer. Plan on trying out a new activity, like surfing for the first time or trying a homemade regional delicacy. Why not check out the local theater scene, or visit a historical landmark? Setting summer vacation goals gives you specific things to look forward to and prioritizes how you’ll spend your time while away. Creating a loose itinerary also gives you time to make the proper reservations, or purchase equipment and attire you may need to participate in certain activities or occasions.

Leave room in your plans for the unexpected. You can never predict delays, cancellations, and other unknowns, but even without obstacles, you’ll want time to explore your surroundings. You may want to get lost in a conversation with a new friend, or have a bit more alone time. Even if it’s just enough time to catch an extra nap after a long journey, planning to have spare moments can ultimately lead to a better summer vacation.

Shared memories are some of the most prized parts of traveling with family and friends. Another bonus of group travel: discounts for the entire squad! Large groups traveling together, especially with 10 or more people, are often offered special rates on tours and certain admission prices. Now’s the time to decide on the kinds of activities the group is interested in and ask about group discounts. Remember, the earlier you book, the better chance you have at reserving spots for everybody coming along this summer.

Be fearless this summer. Venture out of your comfort zone and consider forms of travel and accommodation you’ve never tried before. Go on a luxury train ride, book a quirky Airbnb, or even try a new watersport. Affordable international airfares make global travel as accessible as domestic trips, so why not hop on a flight to a country with new sights, smells, and adventures? Before booking a summer vacation like the ones you’ve been on in the past, make this the year you won’t forget by trying something new.

With several months before summer arrives, you still have the opportunity to build up your travel rewards points through participating credit cards. Find out if your credit cards offer travel points for everyday purchases, including at grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, and start racking up those rewards now! Look for sign-up bonuses on cards you might not have yet, including upgrades with your current banks, and lean toward cards that offer transferable points.

Instead of spending your entire summer vacation budget on a grand getaway, think about parceling your trip out over the season. Breaking a big vacation down into a few weekends away means more destinations and more to look forward to throughout the summer. If you decide to forgo flying altogether and map out multiple road trips, there’s opportunity to save major money, and possibly spare a few vacation days to be used later in the year.

If you continue to search online for flights and travel deals without clearing your caches and cookies, you’re likely to get a limited range of results. Cookies keep track of your preferences while you’re online, so much so that they help customize search engine results and keep you circling familiar content. When comparing prices for flights, accommodations, and travel services, remember to delete your browser's cookies between browsing sessions so that you get a diverse array of rates and results from sources that you may not have seen otherwise.

Don’t forget that the objective of going on vacation during the summer is to get away and treat yourself. Prioritize the experience you want to have over the bargain that might not be exactly what you want. Low prices can sometimes indicate that more time and money will need to be invested elsewhere. For example, booking a vacation rental located far away from the shoreline, rather than a beachfront hotel, may save on lodging but will require additional costs in transportation and time spent commuting instead of relaxing on the sand.

You can alleviate most of the stress of planning a trip during peak travel season by outsourcing your anxieties to a travel agent. By simply hiring an expert, you can make your budget known and let the pro do the rest. Let them use their years of knowledge to recommend destinations suited to your preferences and budget, while directly booking and reserving everything for you. Using a travel agent allows you to begin your vacation before it starts by putting your mind at ease in the planning stages.

One of the worst things you can do is plan on spending every cent of your summer vacation budget. Surprises will come up, and without an emergency fund to turn to, you could find yourself in big trouble. Hidden hotel and airline fees, misplaced luggage, and unexpected transportation costs from getting lost in a new city are just a few examples of how an unpadded budget can become depleted. Retain peace of mind and dedicate a portion of your trip fund to unpredictables, just to be safe.