I am a planner at heart! I like to plan for everything including vacations, birthday parties, holiday gifts and more. In fact, I have been known to “sometimes” over plan! For example, I do all of my Christmas shopping in the summer and enjoy wrapping presents for the holidays the day after Thanksgiving. So yes, I like to plan, but it does gets the best of me!
However, sometimes over planning has its benefits. Especially when you go on vacation! You just never know when life throws you a curve ball and you have to make alternative plans.
So here are my “5 Tips for Planning That Perfect Summer Vacation” and how to be ready for anything!
1. The best time to shop online for airfare discounts is on Tuesday evenings.
Airlines are crafty with their fluctuating ticket prices. Booking airline tickets early in the week yields the best fares and allows you to spend more of your hard-earned travel dollars where they belong — at your destination. Because airlines match their competitors’ rates by Tuesday evening, the largest stock of cheap tickets are available late on Tuesday night. Even better…try 3:00 am!
2. Use military, AAA or other membership cards to get a good deal on a rental car.
Since my father is a Vietnam Veteran, and a long time member of a military credit union, his membership extends to family members too. Therefore, whenever I want to book a rental car, I first search online and then call the rental car company directly to find out their best rates. Sometimes its online. Sometimes its on the phone. But always try to use your membership card to get a discount! Typically, I save anywhere from 30% to 50% off the price of a rental car. One time I even got us a full size vehicle for only $200 for a week in Kauai! So do your due diligence and research for the best rates.
3. Call a hotel directly to get the best room rate (even better then online!)
Finding decent hotel accommodations is like a haggler’s game, with arcane and confusing rules and terminology that seem aimed to sneak dollars out of your pocket even when you think you’re making out well. So bypass the game all together and call the hotel direct!
I don’t mean call the hotel’s reservation line. I mean call the front desk and ask to speak with the hotel manager! The manager is the one with the deep pockets and best rates. Plus when you speak with the manager on the phone, ask them if “their rate” is better than what’s currently being offered online. Do they offer discounts for card members (AAA, USAA)? Will they throw in a free breakfast if you stay more than one night? You get the point. By simply asking, you receive a better deal.
4. Purchase travelers insurance.
The one thing my good old grandmother taught me, was that you just never know when someone might get sick, and you have to cancel your vacation. This happened to my family awhile back when we were suppose to go Hawaii. My grandmother fell and broke her ankle and my aunt had to cancel the trip so that she could take care of her. It was a big bummer! But thankfully, we had travelers insurance and got off all of our money back except for a small deposit. Otherwise, we would have lost thousands of dollars. It is something important to consider.
5. Buy accident insurance prior to going on vacation.
Accidents happen all the time whether you are at home or on vacation. And it is better to be prepared, than sorry! Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 2.6 million children 0-19 years old are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries. Including while on vacation!
Even the most minor of accidents, such as a broken arm, can lead to an inability to pay normal living expenses. Individual accident insurance is a way to stay ahead of the medical and out-of-pocket expenses that add up so quickly after an accidental injury – not just for emergency treatment, hospital stays and medical exams, but for other expenses you may face, such as transportation and lodging needs.
Aflac’s voluntary products, which supplement major medical plans, are designed to pay policyholders directly for costs associated with a covered serious illness, injury or loss. In addition, the cash benefits can be used for rent, gas, groceries, child care or any other out-of-pocket expenses a worker may have. A lot of insurance companies talk about how much money they’ll save policyholders on premiums, but people buy insurance to get paid when they need to file a claim. Aflac understands the urgency and importance of being there when it matters most.
Through its trailblazing One Day PaySM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. Now that’s important, especially when on vacation!
To learn more about Alfac’s accident policies, please visit http://clvr.li/1fmvzQH
Happy Field Tripping!
Jilleen
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.