Travel tips to help you plan a fun, affordable vacation this summer

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

As you’ve probably noticed, many people are traveling this summer. If that includes you, there are many ways to save a bunch of money (and maybe a little sanity) while traveling.

In fact, U.S. airlines predict 271 million people will travel between June 1 and Aug. 31. That would easily surpass last summer's record of 255 million people, according to Airlines for America.

How can you navigate this high-demand travel environment while controlling costs and minimizing headaches?

Here are our top tips for traveling this summer.

Fly without breaking the bank

A hand holds two U.S. passports in front of a wall map. — ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

Flight prices have been on a real roller coaster for the past few years.

Fares for summer travel have risen in some cases, but the averages aren't expected to hit the stratospheric levels they did in 2021 and 2022.

Travel website Hopper predicts airfare will ultimately come in around the same as last year.

"Prices ... are in line with pre-pandemic prices, following a similar trajectory as 2019," a Hopper spokesperson said.

That's a big contrast from the years following the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, but you can still expect to pay a lot for flights at peak times to popular summer destinations like Yellowstone National Park

Fortunately, there are several strategies to reduce the cost of your flights.

Let the prices and availability decide your destination

If you want deals, this summer may be the one to let fare sales inspire your next trip. Keep an eye on our flight deals, and book something that sounds interesting — either because of a good price or solid points and miles availability. The flexibility to go wherever the price is most reasonable can lead to big savings.

Consider alternative airports

With prices on the rise, now is the time to be flexible and check all nearby airports.

For example, Houston and Chicago both have two airports, and the New York City area has three. It may even make sense to get to one city by flying to another before taking a short train ride for the rest of the journey, like flying into Philadelphia and catching a train up to New York. Strategies like this can help you get to your destination on a better-priced flight or with award availability.

Expand your search for awards when your first attempt strikes out if you want to avoid the highest prices this summer.

Use positioning flights

Positioning flights are not realistic for every situation or trip, but they can often offer better award availability or pricing than those from your home airport.

For example, can you get to your far-off destination for a lot less by starting in Seattle or Chicago? Would adding another flight to a different airport ultimately save you money or miles on the longer segment?

Just make sure you leave enough time between flights to avoid any unnecessary travel headaches.

Book a same-day flight and waitlist for an earlier flight

If you can’t get the flight you really want, book an alternative trip with the same airline. Then, get on the standby list for the route you'd like. Many airlines will allow you to get waitlisted for an earlier flight so long as you plan your itinerary so you’re at the airport in time to get to the gate and talk to the gate agents, and it's the same day as your already booked flight.

Sometimes, you can change your flight on your own using the airline's app. I've done this several times with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines — you may even get a confirmed seat within 24 hours.

Have a backup plan

Make sure you are tracking your flight and the weather. I always have a plan B in case a flight gets canceled or delayed. I also look to see what other airlines are flying the route I'm taking in case something goes sideways. This way, I'll know what to ask for if I need to be rebooked.

I also like using FlightRadar24 or an app called Flighty to track my flights. Both services monitor my flights and will often let me know before anyone else (even the airline) if there is a problem with my flight.

Download your airline's mobile app to keep track of potential flight delays in real time. Airline apps are a secret weapon in case things go wrong. Not only will you know when boarding starts, but you'll also learn of any delays first. Some airlines even allow you to rebook yourself in the app (or buy yourself an upgrade).

If your flight is canceled, you'll want to beat everyone else on your flight who is also looking to get rebooked.

Use up your points and miles

Summer is a great time to use up points and miles you were hoarding. One of our main pieces of advice at TPG is to earn and use those airline and credit card points and miles. You’ll maximize the redemption value if you can use them when cash prices are high, especially if you can find a mileage deal.

At TPG, we are big fans of American Express Membership Rewards points, as an example. Membership Rewards are among the most valuable points you can earn. They are valued at 2 cents each per TPG's June 2024 valuations and can be transferred to 17 airlines and three hotel transfer partners.

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

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

Fly on a holiday

Have you noticed that flights the day before Thanksgiving are extremely expensive, but flights on Thanksgiving morning are often cheaper? That’s because everyone wants to get to their final destination before the holiday.

This phenomenon also plays out during some summer holidays, so look to fly the morning of a holiday to see if that lowers the price. Generally, flying on July 4 is cheaper than flying on July 3 or 5. And this year, traveling on July 4 itself still can get you a nice, long weekend away.

Get a hotel at the right price — and place

Westin Bora Bora bedroom — THE WESTIN BORA BORA RESORT & SPA

The good thing about hotels is that there are usually a lot of options. The bad thing about hotels is that there are usually a lot of options.

Having multiple properties to choose from can sometimes make the process of picking one feel overwhelming. However, if you have a stash of points, you can use those to narrow the field.

Here are our tips for locking in the right hotel for your trip.

Instead of paying with cash, consider using your points

Like with flights, redeeming points can make a lot of sense when hotel rates are high.

Are you sitting on a bunch of Marriott Bonvoy points? Or, do you have American Express Membership Rewards points you can transfer to a hotel program?

Several of us at TPG like to transfer our bank points. For example, you can transfer Membership Rewards points to hotel loyalty programs such as Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.

Book early, and use a flexible cancellation policy

Booking a refundable hotel before you have the rest of your plans finalized is a good idea, even if you’re not 100% certain you’ll stay at that hotel.

If you're hoping to maximize on flexibility, it's best to avoid “pay now” rates in favor of a room you can change or cancel without fees. Many award bookings allow you to cancel up to a couple of days before check-in, but always double-check the terms.

Use your elite status

Some hotel programs set aside rooms for elite members or will bump non-elite guests in favor of those with status if all the rooms are booked. Taking this a step further, travelers with top-tier Globalist status in the World of Hyatt program have a concierge who can help reserve properties. Take advantage of these perks if space is limited.

Additionally, your elite status or even traveling on points may be the key to money-saving perks such as waived resort or parking fees, free breakfast and complimentary lounge access.

I have Hilton Diamond status just by holding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. There are valuable perks that come with Diamond status, including room upgrades at the hotels' discretion, late checkout and a food and beverage credit. I've found the perks to be well worth paying that annual fee year after year.

Discover similar locations

If you don’t need to be in a specific location, this may be the time to change things up a bit.

For example, if you’re seeking time on the beach, consider forgoing Miami for the panhandle of Florida or even the coast of Alabama or other popular but less-crowded parts of South Florida. Brainstorm destinations that seem similar but may have better pricing if you’re running into sky-high rates.

Book direct

Instead of booking a room through a travel portal or online travel agency, reserve one directly with the hotel. By booking directly, you’ll likely have access to more flexible terms, as hotel cancellation policies are typically more forgiving. Additionally, if something goes wrong, you’ll have an easier time changing your itinerary since you’ll be dealing with the hotel directly instead of a third party.

Consider alternative accommodations

If you can’t find hotels that work for you, consider vacation rental platforms like Vrbo and Airbnb, as well as hotel-branded vacation rentals like Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes and Accor-affiliated Onefinestay.

You can also go camping or glamping, stay in a “tiny home” or rent a recreational vehicle for a few nights. You can even use points to book vacation home rentals.

Score an affordable rental car

HERTZ location NYC — CINDY ORD/GETTY IMAGES

It won't be on the same level as the “car rental apocalypse” we saw in 2021, there will be some summertime sellouts happening in popular vacation destinations.

Even when vehicles are not sold out, demand (and prices) can still be quite high, so it's always best to shop around.

Planning ahead and leveraging your elite status can sometimes be the difference between getting a rental car and not getting one at all.

American Express cardholders, for example, get access to discounts and elite status.

All 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 when you enroll.

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

Book first, plan later

Prices rise, and availability shrinks as you get closer to your travel dates. Take advantage of flexible car rental rules that usually provide a “pay later” option and book now, even if your plans aren’t finalized.

Use coupons or discount codes to save

If you’re a member of AAA or AARP, have a Costco membership, are a veteran or work for a large company with a car rental discount code, exhaust all your coupon and discount code options. You might be eligible for discount codes you didn’t even know about.

But don’t despair if none of those reduced rates apply to you. AutoSlash can track prices and look for eligible coupon codes, too.

Leverage elite status

Having elite status with a car rental company can be the difference between getting a car and not — even if you have a reservation. That’s because cars are sometimes set aside exclusively for elite members.

Additionally, car rental program members can often skip the line at the counter and go straight to the lot, which can be what it takes to get one of the last vehicles. Luckily, you may already have a credit card that offers car rental elite status, which you could use to status match with other car rental loyalty programs.

Look beyond traditional companies and locations

Most people search for rentals from standard companies at the airport. If you’re not finding good results, consider off-airport locations or try alternatives like Kyte or Turo.

Consider a longer rental

If you have trouble finding an available or affordable rental car, try adjusting the rental period. Here’s an example of how adding one day to trigger a monthlong rental cut the price by about $3,000.

Just know you should plan to keep the car for the full rental period. Returning the car early has an inherent risk of the car rental company charging a fee or adjusting pricing back to the daily rate. However, this avenue can unveil better prices and expanded inventory.

Visit national parks for less and without the crowds

photo of cliffs and rock formations in the background with a cabin sitting in a green field in the foreground — Capitol Reef National Park. MITCH DIAMOND/GETTY IMAGES

Among the busiest national parks in the U.S. is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve in Alaska is among the least-visited. You may want to keep that in mind as you consider a national park trip. Go where there's room to roam.

While the major parks are undoubtedly busy, there are still parklands that are less frequented than others, though you’ll still want to plan ahead. More and more parks require reservations for some roads or trails.

Here’s everything to keep in mind for a national park adventure this summer.

Book in advance

Many parks require advance reservations for campsites and lodging inside the park’s boundaries.

How far in advance you can book varies, but these limited reservations fill up quickly at the more popular parks. Find out when reservations open for the date you want, and plan to book as soon as possible.

Stay outside the park

SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

You might be dreaming of a night in a rustic cabin inside a national park, but getting that reservation could be challenging or costly, especially if you’re unable to pay for it with points.

However, just beyond the park, there’s probably a hotel where you can pay with points. For example, the SpringHill Suites just outside of Zion National Park is a great property if you have Marriott Bonvoy points to spend.

Make reservations

Some parks limit how many people can visit on any given day. Others place limits on how many people can go on a particular hiking trail. Some locations even require you to enter a lottery to get a chance to visit.

Apply for these permits and lotteries as early as possible for a better chance of securing access.

Avoid ‘free days’

It may sound counterintuitive, but “free days” at national parks may not be the best time to visit, as they tend to be particularly busy.

Instead of visiting on a weekend, holiday or day with free admission, aim for an early morning in the middle of the week for more elbow room on hiking trails and at can’t-miss natural wonders.

Visit alternative parks

Given the sheer number of national parks, national monuments, state parks and protected areas in the U.S., there’s likely a parkland near you that isn’t regularly packed with people. In fact, there may even be a park that offers similar geography to the one you’re considering but with a slightly more remote location and, consequently, thinner crowds.

For example, the second-largest canyon in the U.S., Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the Texas Panhandle, sees 4 million fewer visitors per year than the Grand Canyon.

Plan for maximum enjoyment with minimum stress

photo of people with their hands in the air while riding a class rollercoaster — THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES

You may have all types of activities in mind for this summer: theme parks, a road trip to visit grandparents or even an isolated beach getaway.

To cut down on travel headaches and bank account woes for the many trips you hope to take, consider these helpful tips.

Visit amusement parks on weekdays

While summer is a peak travel season since kids are out of school, many parents are still working Monday through Friday, meaning weekdays are generally less crowded. As a result, visiting a theme park in the middle of the week and arriving early in the morning typically leads to shorter lines for rides and shorter waits at in-park dining venues. It may even help you score cheaper tickets and lodging.

Book Disney reservations early

You still need actual reservations (not just tickets) for Disneyland. As of Jan 8, theme park reservations are no longer required at Disney World for date-based tickets. Those with an annual pass still need park reservations in some cases.

To avoid any unexpected surprises, lock in your reservation as soon as possible if you are going to Disneyland, as they can sell out.

Ditch major theme parks

You might want to consider looking for alternatives to big amusement parks altogether. There are plenty of theme parks that may not involve Orlando or Anaheim, California. Kings Island and Cedar Point, both in Ohio, are just two examples.

Look for regional parks that provide a lot of fun without the hefty price tag. Getting tickets will probably be easier, plus you may not need to add flights or hotels to the list of expenses.

The same applies to state parks versus national parks.

Reserve airport parking in advance

rental car garage — SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

If flights and airports are packed, you can expect full parking lots, too.

Reserving airport parking ahead of time can be the difference between having a spot and not — or paying extra for the premium or far-away lot. If you aren’t having any luck finding a space at the airport, try snagging one at an off-airport parking location that offers shuttle service to the terminals.

We are seeing lots of airport parking lots full already, and peak summer travel hasn't even arrived.

Take a road trip

When you fly, you may have to buy four tickets for your family. When you drive, you don’t have to put gas in four cars.

The price of gas has come down slightly, and a road trip may be calling your name this summer. An added bonus: Driving your own car means you won’t need a rental car at your final destination.

Look for coupons and codes, and don't forget your monthly credit card credits

You won’t usually see Marriott or Delta Air Lines on Groupon, but discounts on activities are much easier to snag.

Watch for coupons, group deals or sales for activities you’re planning to do during your trip. From roller coasters to roller derbies, the internet offers all kinds of deals, midweek sales and discount codes for activities that can lead to big savings. AAA, AARP and other advocacy memberships can help here, too.

Remember that lots of cobranded credit cards also come with credits that can add up. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with monthly statement credits for U.S. Resy restaurants and ride-hailing statement credits with select U.S. providers (enrollment required) that I've found very useful in the past few months. They've saved me up to $20 a month at restaurants near me in New York City and up to $10 a month on Revel car services.

Buy gift cards on sale

This tip can apply to many areas of life, but it’s especially true for theme parks and other activities.

Your local supermarket, big-box store or office supply store may sell gift cards at a discount. E-commerce sites also sell discounted gift cards.

When buying gift cards, use shopping portals whenever possible and pay with a card that will earn maximum points. Once you have your gift cards in hand (or your email inbox), use them to purchase Disney tickets, a hot air balloon ride or whatever activity you’re hoping to enjoy while on vacation.

Consider a cruise

A cruise ship docked in the Lofoten Islands in the Arctic. MARCO BOTTIGELLI/GETTY IMAGES

While the days of cheap cruises appear to be over for now, you should know that cruises can be less expensive than some other types of summer vacations. You’ll often save money when you account for the cost of hotel rooms for multiple nights and because your meals and entertainment are included in the cruise fare. If you live near a departure port, you can save by driving rather than flying to the port.

Hunt for deals

Cruise deals are not as plentiful as they were at the peak of the pandemic. However, you can still find some deals on cruises. If you can plan ahead, you can get the best deals by booking early — even as much as a year or two in advance.

Look for bundles and packages

You may find that you can also save by bundling items. Search for deals on drink packages or onboard spending credits, or consider “kids cruise free” options — even if the first number you see (the price for an adult) doesn’t look like a bargain right away.

Bottom line

A busy summer travel season is upon us, and we are expecting big crowds, full planes and sold-out hotels again this year.

However, it is possible to maximize your travels and minimize the stress. You may even be able to visit a popular destination without spending a fortune, having a 16-hour layover or coughing up all your airline miles to get there.

Regardless of where you plan to go, flexibility is the best thing you can bring to your travel plans. You should book now (if you haven’t already) so you can make the most of your summer without breaking the bank.

Related reading: