Ayanna Kirton, Gleaner Writer
AAAHH SUMMER. The days are longer, school is out and it is the time of year when the feeling of wanderlust is at its peak.
If you have the budget for overseas travel this is the perfect time of year for a family vacation. Unfortunately, airline companies know that Jamaicans are likely to travel during the summer months so ticket prices are higher because there is a steady demand for their services. While there is hardly a way to beat high ticket prices for travel out of the island during the months of June to September, here are a few things you can do to make your vacation a little more affordable and lot of fun.
Start saving early for the vacation.
Once you've made the decision that your family will spend a part of the summer enjoying the white sandy beaches of a tranquil Caribbean island or even sightseeing in London, no matter how extravagant your holiday plans it makes sense to save monthly to help finance your trip.
Vacation expert, Treviene Harris suggests creating a designated travel fund preferably a year in advance so that you can put money aside for your vacation. Holiday makers can rest assured this travel fund doesn't have to be an actual account that you open at a bank. You can keep things simple by making the fund a fixed percentage of your savings.
According to Bankrate.com, some easy savings strategies with certificates of deposit and money market accounts can also build a vacation nest egg surprisingly quickly. This will keep your capital safe but build it faster than a simple savings account.
Finding a destination that the whole family can enjoy is important. Though drinking cocktails while relaxing by the pool all day or playing casino games might be your idea of fun, a six-year old can go stir crazy at the thought. If you plan to stay at a hotel, find one that is "kid-friendly". These hotels or resorts have lots and lots of activities to keep the little ones busy all day making their vacations far from boring.
Be flexible. Sometimes having a few travel days and times in mind can mean a big difference in savings. For instance, many hotels have certain periods when visitor numbers are down so they create special deals for families.
Travel agents suggest taking advantage of package deals. Package deals often include hotel accommodation, airfare, and transportation to and from the airport and most times work out cheaper than paying for these services separately.
Plan ahead and book tickets in advance. Last minute bookings can attract higher rates. "You do need to plan ahead. If you know where you're going, you can save a tremendous amount of money by doing that. What we find is the people who plan their vacation at the last minute handle their finances the same way," says Keith Leggett, senior economist for the American Bankers Association.
Credit cards are a great way to travel. They're safer than cash, more convenient than traveller's cheques and accepted just about everywhere. However, the problem with the fly-now, pay-later approach is, try as we might, most of us will take months, even years, to pay off that summer safari. And at an average APR of 18 per cent, credit cards can turn a getaway into a very costly financial ball and chain, says Leggett.
Once you get to your destination, adopting a pay as you go philosophy is a smart way to curb spending. Leave the credit cards at home or use them only for emergencies. Cash or travellers cheques are good alternatives and will help you to minimise high outstanding credit card balances when you return home.
Go local. Domestic travel is probably the most affordable vacation option. Jamaica is filled with numerous spots that are ideal for family vacations and most hotels offer local residents discounted rates all year round.
Finally, Familycorner.com gives a word of advice about souvenirs. There's really only so many Mickey Mouse ears that anyone needs. But, a jar filled with sand from the beach or even entry passes to a family attraction make excellent reminders of a wonderful vacation. And that's the goal: to have a wonderful vacation.
Here is a little insight on a few of the general expenses associated with vacationing abroad this summer. The assumptions are that you won't be staying with family and transportation will be a necessity. A breakdown of the cost of week-long vacation travel packages for a family of four to two leading destinations is provided below. All prices are in
Jamaican dollars and are approximations.
ORLANDO
Airfare: $27,000 per adult (x2)
$25,000 per child (x2)
Hotel: $32,000 (Holiday Inn one double occupancy room for five night's stay meals not included)
Attractions: $4,270 for day passes that last two days to Disney's Magic Kingdom for adults (x2)
$2,745 for children for the same as above (x2)
Car Rental: $11,895 for a compact car for one week including the cost of insurance. Cars can be picked up at the airport. Grand Total: $129,925
CURAÇAO
Airfare: $19,290 per adult (x2)
$14,246 per child (x2)
Hotel: All-inclusive $8,479 per adult (x5) = $42,395 (x2)
Add $2,440 per child (x5) = $12,200 (x2)
Attractions: Four passes to the sea aquarium: $3,660
Transportation to and from the airport: $3,660
Grand Total: $183,582
Curaçao's Kid's Sea Camp is also a great attraction for children- Rates available on request. Special discounts for groups.
Bankrate.com also offers the following tips to make your vacation spending smooth sailing:
Check for fees. Track down the overseas fee policies for your credit and debit cards. Bring cards with the most traveller-friendly policies. Make copies. Make copies of all the cards you'll be carrying on your trip. Give a copy to a friend back home and bring a copy with you.
"Basically before I head abroad I dump my money belt on a copier," says Edward Hasbrouck, author of The Practical Nomad: How to Travel Around the World. Pack lightly.
Travel expert Joel Widzer makes more than a dozen overseas trips in a year. He takes two credit cards, a debit card and a couple hundred U.S. dollars.
"My whole theory is to keep things simple," says Widzer, author of The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel. Carry a spare.
"It's a really good idea to have a backup card you keep in a separate place from the rest of your cards," says Don George, travel editor of Lonely Planet Publications. Bring a list of emergency numbers. Because 800 numbers can only be used in the United States and Canada, be sure to get a local number for your bank that you can call if your card is lost or stolen.
Bypass the airport locations when renting a car. Prices are often cheaper at off-airport locations.
Book cruises well in advance rates are typically cheaper with more advanced notice. Remember to budget for drinks, side trips, tips and souvenirs.
MasterCard's Platinum, Gold and World credit card users can call 1-800-MCAssist to get a listing of their travel benefits.
Many hotels have certain periods when visitor numbers are down so they create special deals for families.
