All You Need to Know About 'Trip Stacking' and How It Can Enhance Your Vacation Savings

Travel becomes complicated when the U.S. Department of State recommends having a robust backup strategy. That's how many are navigating travel during the pandemic, with contingency plans B, C, and even D.

This approach is known as trip stacking. Adventurers reserve multiple trips to avoid being stranded at home when borders close or new pandemic-related travel regulations disrupt their plans.

"There's never been a more flexible time to book a vacation. You can make a reservation, pay a small deposit, and wait to see what unfolds," Adam Armstrong, CEO of Contiki Holidays, shared with Dinogo.

Armstrong, who resides in Geneva, is applying the trip stacking method this winter. "This weekend, I was supposed to travel to Stockholm, but due to restrictions there, we're heading to London instead," he noted.

In February, the executive plans to ski in France, Austria, or Switzerland. "We just want to escape for that week, and these are options that might be easier or more complex," he mentioned, outlining his vacation plans with another family from the UK. Armstrong describes this trip, set for a school holiday, as "partially booked," meaning that flight and hotel arrangements are made but can be refunded.

"We're making predictions about where we might want to go and what will be available then," he stated.

If you're a meticulous traveler who values a reliable backup plan, you might consider a similar strategy to safeguard your vacation investments. However, the reassurance trip stacking provides can come at a price, especially for those who skip the fine print. It's crucial for travelers to be diligent to avoid incurring fees for last-minute cancellations.

At Contiki Holidays, travelers are eligible for a full refund of their deposit if they cancel within 45 days of booking. Cancellations can be made for any reason, including simply changing one's mind. Customers who decide to cancel their trips within 45 days of departure may face cancellation fees of up to 100% of their trip cost, depending on the timing of the cancellation.

Josh Bush, CEO of the travel agency Avenue Two Travel, advises anyone trying to trip stack without a travel agent to meticulously review the terms and conditions that apply to their bookings.

"The terms and conditions have become more stringent," he shared with T+L. "Trip stacking can feel more burdensome when that flexibility is lacking."

Bush suggests that travelers interested in trip stacking evaluate potential destinations based on a risk scale. "Consider whether a location is likely to react quickly by shutting its borders," he advised.

Some locations have shown how swiftly they can adjust their pandemic regulations, while others have not. Bush cites Mexico as a destination that is more likely to be accessible. He views trip stacking as a way to schedule trips throughout the calendar rather than being limited to one option by a certain deadline. "In previous instances of using the trip stacking approach, we always intended to take both trips, just at different times," he explained.

In the meantime, travel app Hopper is incorporating travel contingency planning into its product suite. It has launched various services designed to assist customers in handling travel disruptions, including a feature that enables instant rebooking of canceled flights on any airline through the Hopper app.

"Travelers are seeking greater flexibility," noted Hopper economist Adit Damodaran. "They are much more uncertain about what travel will be like at the time of their trip compared to when they make the booking."

Meena Thiruvengadam enjoys exploring new streets and uncovering the stories of the world. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, or at the airport, and be sure to subscribe to her newsletter.