Key travel tips to keep your summer vacation smooth and affordable

With so many people hitting the road this summer, there are plenty of ways to save money (and avoid unnecessary stress) while traveling.

U.S. airlines are expecting 271 million passengers to travel from June 1 to August 31, surpassing last summer's record of 255 million, according to Airlines for America.

How can you make the most of this busy travel season while staying on budget and avoiding common travel headaches?

Here are our expert tips for making the most of your summer travels.

Fly affordably without emptying your wallet.

Flight prices have experienced quite a bit of fluctuation in recent years.

While summer fares have increased in some cases, they are not expected to reach the sky-high levels seen in 2021 and 2022.

Travel site Hopper forecasts that airfare will be about the same as last year.

"Prices are in line with pre-pandemic rates, following a similar trend to 2019," a spokesperson from Hopper explained.

This marks a stark contrast to the years following the worst of the pandemic, but expect to pay top dollar for flights during peak times to popular summer spots like Yellowstone National Park.

Thankfully, there are multiple ways to lower the cost of your flights.

Let the flight prices and availability help you choose your travel destination.

If you're looking for deals, this summer might be the perfect time to let fare discounts spark your next getaway. Watch our flight deals, and book a trip that catches your eye—whether it's because of a great price or generous points and miles availability. Being flexible with your destination can lead to significant savings.

Think about using alternative airports.

With prices climbing, now is the ideal time to stay flexible and explore all nearby airport options.

For instance, both Houston and Chicago have multiple airports, and the New York City area boasts three. It may even make sense to fly into one city and then take a short train ride to your final destination, like flying into Philadelphia and hopping on a train to New York. This approach can save you money or open up award seat availability.

Broaden your award search if your first attempt falls short to avoid paying premium prices this summer.

Consider using positioning flights.

Positioning flights may not be suitable for every trip, but they can often provide better award availability or lower prices than flights departing from your home airport.

For example, could flying from Seattle or Chicago save you a significant amount on a longer journey? Would adding a leg to a different airport reduce your overall costs or mileage requirements for the main flight?

Just be sure to allow enough time between flights to prevent any stressful travel issues.

Book a same-day flight and waitlist for an earlier one if you'd prefer to depart sooner.

If you can't secure the flight you want, book an alternative trip with the same airline and get on the standby list for your preferred route. Many airlines will allow you to waitlist for an earlier flight, as long as your itinerary lets you arrive at the airport in time to speak with the gate agents, and it's the same day as your original booking.

At times, you may be able to change your flight directly through the airline's app. I've had success doing this with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines — you could even get a confirmed seat within 24 hours.

Always have a backup plan.

Make sure you're monitoring your flight and the weather conditions. I always prepare a plan B in case my flight is canceled or delayed. I also check which other airlines are operating on the same route, so if things go wrong, I’ll know what to ask for when rebooking.

I also rely on FlightRadar24 or an app called Flighty to track my flights. These tools keep an eye on my flights and often alert me to any issues before the airline does.

Download your airline's mobile app to track potential flight delays in real-time. Airline apps are an essential tool when things go off-course. Not only will you be notified when boarding begins, but you'll also be the first to hear about any delays. Some airlines even let you rebook or upgrade your seat directly through the app.

If your flight gets canceled, you'll want to be the first to get rebooked before others from your flight line up.

Put your points and miles to use.

Summer is the perfect time to redeem those points and miles you've been saving up. One of our top tips at TPG is to earn and burn those airline and credit card points wisely. You'll get the most value when cash prices are high, especially if you can find a good mileage deal.

At TPG, we love American Express Membership Rewards points, for example. These are among the most valuable points you can earn. According to TPG's June 2024 valuations, each point is worth 2 cents and can be transferred to 17 airlines and three hotel partners.

I've used my American Express points to transfer to the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program and redeemed them for business-class flights starting at just 50,000 miles.

Earlier this year, I transferred 50,000 of my Amex Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. With those points, I booked a business-class flight from Munich to New York City this July.

Consider flying on a holiday.

Have you noticed how flights the day before Thanksgiving are usually overpriced, while Thanksgiving morning flights tend to be cheaper? This happens because everyone is trying to arrive before the holiday rush.

This trend also applies to some summer holidays, so check to see if flying on the morning of a holiday brings the price down. For instance, flying on July 4th is generally cheaper than flying on July 3rd or 5th. Plus, this year, traveling on July 4th still gives you a nice long weekend.

Find the perfect hotel at the right price and location.

The benefit of hotels is the wide variety of options, but the downside is that it can feel overwhelming with so many choices.

Having many properties to select from can make decision-making tough. However, if you have a stockpile of points, it can help narrow down the choices.

Here are our top tips for securing the best hotel for your trip.

Instead of paying cash, think about using your points.

Just like with flights, redeeming points is especially valuable when hotel rates are high.

Do you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points? Or perhaps American Express Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to a hotel program?

Many of us at TPG prefer transferring our bank points. For instance, Membership Rewards points can be transferred to hotel loyalty programs like Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Book early and choose a hotel with a flexible cancellation policy.

Booking a refundable hotel before finalizing your other plans is a smart move, even if you're not completely sure you'll stay there.

To maximize flexibility, avoid "pay now" rates and opt for a room you can modify or cancel without penalties. Many award bookings allow cancellation up to a couple of days before check-in, but always verify the terms.

Leverage your elite status.

Certain hotel programs reserve rooms for elite members or may prioritize them over non-elite guests if the hotel is fully booked. For example, travelers with top-tier Globalist status in the World of Hyatt program get access to a concierge to help with bookings. Take full advantage of these benefits when availability is limited.

Your elite status or even using points might unlock money-saving perks like waived resort or parking fees, free breakfast, and complimentary lounge access.

I hold top-tier Hilton Diamond status simply by having the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Diamond status offers a range of valuable perks, such as room upgrades (subject to availability), late checkout, and a food and beverage credit. Personally, I’ve found the benefits make the annual fee well worth it year after year.

The details for the Amex Hilton Aspire credit card have been independently collected by Dinogo. The card information on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Explore similar destinations.

If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, now might be the perfect time to try something different.

For instance, if you're craving a beach vacation, consider skipping Miami and opting for the Florida panhandle or even the coasts of Alabama or less-traveled parts of South Florida. Look for destinations with similar vibes that might offer better prices if you’re finding rates to be too high.

Book directly with the hotel.

Instead of booking through a travel portal or an online agency, try reserving directly with the hotel. This often gives you more flexibility, as cancellation policies are usually more lenient. Plus, if your plans change, it's much easier to modify your booking when dealing directly with the hotel rather than a third party.

Consider alternative lodging options.

If hotels aren’t meeting your needs, look into vacation rental services like Vrbo and Airbnb, or explore hotel-affiliated vacation rentals such as Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes, and Accor’s Onefinestay.

You can also opt for camping, glamping, stay in a "tiny home", or even rent a recreational vehicle for a few nights. Plus, you can use points to book vacation home rentals.

Find an affordable rental car.

While it won't be as chaotic as the "car rental apocalypse" of 2021, expect some sellouts in popular vacation spots this summer.

Even when cars aren’t sold out, demand and prices can still be high, so it's important to compare prices and shop around.

Planning ahead and using your elite status can sometimes be the deciding factor between securing a rental car or missing out.

American Express cardholders, for instance, enjoy exclusive discounts and elite status benefits.

Both versions of The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer complimentary car rental elite status with Avis, Hertz*, and National upon enrollment.

*Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is necessary.

Book now, plan later.

Prices tend to rise and availability shrinks as your travel dates approach. Take advantage of flexible rental policies that often allow you to "pay later"—so you can reserve a car now, even if your itinerary isn't fully set.

Save money by using coupons or discount codes.

If you're a member of AAA or AARP, have a Costco membership, are a veteran, or work for a company with a car rental discount, make sure to explore all available coupons and promo codes. You may have access to discounts you didn't even realize you qualify for.

If none of those discounts apply to you, don't worry. AutoSlash can track rental prices and help find relevant coupon codes.

Use your elite status.

Having elite status with a rental company can be the key to securing a car, even if you have a reservation. Sometimes, cars are reserved specifically for elite members.

Car rental program members often get the perk of skipping the counter line and heading straight to the lot, which can make all the difference when you're hunting for one of the last available cars. Fortunately, you may already have a credit card offering car rental elite status that can help you status match with other rental programs.

Explore options beyond traditional rental companies and locations.

While many people search for rentals at major companies at the airport, consider looking off-airport or trying alternatives like Kyte or Turo for more options.

Expand your rental period to increase your chances of finding a better deal.

If availability or pricing is a challenge, experiment with adjusting your rental duration. For example, adding a single extra day to your rental period can result in a drastic price drop, as much as $3,000 in some cases.

Keep in mind that returning your rental car early may result in additional fees or a shift back to the daily rate. However, this option could potentially unlock lower prices and give you access to a wider selection of vehicles.

Explore national parks for a more affordable and less crowded experience.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited parks in the U.S., while Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve in Alaska sees far fewer visitors. Keep this in mind when planning your national park getaway, especially if you're looking for space to explore.

Although popular parks can be crowded, there are still less-visited areas within the national parks, though it's important to plan ahead. Many parks now require reservations for access to certain trails or roads.

Here's everything you need to know for your national park trip this summer.

Make sure to book early.

Most parks now require you to reserve campsites and accommodations within the park well in advance.

The window for making reservations varies, but spots at the most popular parks tend to fill up fast. Find out when bookings open for your desired dates and try to secure your spot as early as possible.

Consider staying outside the park.

You may have your heart set on a cozy cabin within the park, but securing that reservation can be tough or expensive, especially if you're unable to use points for payment.

Even if accommodations within the park are scarce, you'll likely find a nearby hotel where you can use points. For instance, the SpringHill Suites just outside Zion National Park is a great choice if you have Marriott Bonvoy points.

Make your reservations early.

Certain parks have daily visitor caps, while others restrict access to specific hiking trails. In some cases, you might even need to enter a lottery to secure a spot.

Submit your permit applications and lottery entries as early as possible to increase your chances of getting in.

Steer clear of 'free days'.

It may seem surprising, but visiting national parks on 'free days' might not be the best idea, as these days tend to attract large crowds.

Rather than going on weekends, holidays, or free admission days, try visiting early on a weekday morning. You'll enjoy more space on the hiking trails and at the must-see natural spots.

Explore alternative parks.

With so many national parks, monuments, state parks, and protected areas in the U.S., you're sure to find a less crowded one nearby. Some parks even offer similar landscapes to the popular spots but with fewer visitors due to their more remote locations.

Take Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas, for instance. It's the second-largest canyon in the U.S. and attracts 4 million fewer visitors annually than the Grand Canyon.

Plan ahead to get the most out of your trip with the least amount of stress.

This summer, your plans may include everything from thrilling theme park adventures to a road trip to visit family or a peaceful beach escape.

To avoid travel headaches and keep your budget in check while making the most of your trips, here are some practical tips to follow.

Try visiting amusement parks on weekdays instead of weekends to avoid the crowds.

Although summer is a busy travel time with kids out of school, many parents still work weekdays, which means the parks are generally quieter during the week. If you visit a theme park midweek and arrive early, you'll often enjoy shorter lines and quicker service at dining spots. It might even help you save on tickets and hotel stays.

Be sure to secure your Disney reservations ahead of time.

You still need to make reservations (not just buy tickets) for Disneyland. As of January 8, Disney World no longer requires theme park reservations for date-based tickets, though annual pass holders may still need to book in advance for certain dates.

To avoid disappointment, make your Disneyland reservation as soon as possible—spots can fill up quickly.

Consider skipping the major theme parks and exploring alternatives.

Consider exploring theme parks beyond the well-known destinations like Orlando and Anaheim. Parks such as Kings Island and Cedar Point in Ohio offer thrilling experiences without the usual crowds and costs.

Look into regional parks that offer plenty of excitement without the steep price tag. Not only will you likely find it easier to get tickets, but you may also save on travel expenses like flights and hotels.

The same principle applies when comparing state parks to national parks—state parks can offer a similar experience for a fraction of the cost.

Book your airport parking ahead of time to avoid stress and secure a spot.

When airports are busy, parking lots are usually full as well, making it harder to find a spot.

Booking your airport parking in advance can make all the difference—ensuring you have a space and avoiding the higher costs of premium or distant lots. If the airport lots are full, look for off-site parking options with shuttle services to the terminals.

Airport parking lots are already filling up, and peak summer travel season hasn't even hit yet.

Consider taking a road trip instead of flying. Not only will you avoid the hassle of booking multiple plane tickets, but you also won't have to fuel four cars.

Driving with your family could be more cost-effective than flying, especially when you factor in the price of four plane tickets.

Gas prices have dropped slightly, making this summer the perfect time for a road trip. Plus, driving your own car means you won’t have to worry about renting one at your destination.

Keep an eye out for coupons, promo codes, and any monthly credit card perks that can help lower your travel costs.

While major brands like Marriott or Delta Air Lines may not appear on Groupon, discounts for activities are much easier to find.

Look for special deals, group discounts, or sales on the activities you plan to enjoy during your trip. From theme parks to local events, online deals, midweek sales, and coupon codes can lead to significant savings. Memberships with organizations like AAA or AARP can also unlock more discounts.

Many cobranded credit cards offer useful monthly credits that can add up. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card provides monthly credits for dining at U.S. Resy restaurants and ride-hailing services, which I’ve found to be quite helpful. These credits have saved me up to $20 a month at restaurants in New York City and $10 on Revel rides.

Look for discounted gift cards to save on theme parks and activities.

This approach can be applied to many areas, but it’s especially useful for saving on theme parks and other entertainment.

You can often find discounted gift cards at your local supermarket, big-box retailers, or office supply stores. Online platforms also offer gift cards at a lower price.

When buying gift cards, consider using shopping portals and paying with a credit card that earns maximum rewards. Once you’ve got your gift cards (digital or physical), you can use them for everything from Disney tickets to exciting experiences like hot air balloon rides.

Thinking about a vacation? A cruise might be a great option to consider for a unique and relaxing getaway.

While cruises might not be as budget-friendly as they once were, they can still offer good value compared to other summer vacations. When you factor in the cost of hotel stays and meals, which are typically included in a cruise package, you might end up saving. Plus, if you're close to a departure port, driving instead of flying can lower your travel costs even more.

Search for cruise deals

Although the best cruise deals aren't as abundant as during the pandemic, there are still bargains to be had. To get the most value, it's smart to book well in advance—sometimes even up to a year or two ahead of time.

Consider packages and bundles

You can save by bundling services like drink packages, onboard spending credits, or even looking into "kids cruise free" offers. Even if the adult price initially seems high, you may still find value in these bundled deals.

The takeaway

Summer travel is going to be busy again this year, with packed planes, crowded attractions, and hotels that fill up quickly.

That said, it's still possible to get the most out of your travel while avoiding the stress. With a little planning, you can visit popular spots without breaking the bank or enduring long layovers or emptying your frequent flyer miles.

No matter where you're headed, flexibility is your best asset. Book now if you haven't already, so you can enjoy your summer travels without the financial strain.