Are you watching your vacation expenses?

November 1, 2016

The typical adult spends up to $300 per day to travel on the road out of his or her region, for auto or transit; hotel or resort; art galleries and entertainment; souvenirs and dining. Add to this the price of the bus, train or airfare for long distance and extended trips. For example, return airfare to Italy, France or Britain can run approximately $1,200 per person. Closer to home, a cottage or ski chalet and tickets can run $1,500 to $2,500 per week. Big trips to Europe can run up to $5,000. If you have children, travel expenses can be much higher.

 

  • Enjoying your vacation Vacations can be surprisingly expensive especially if they are not “all inclusive”. Many winter southern trips can be pre-paid in Canadian dollars.
  • Avoid post-vacation “credit card shock” Estimate your expenses ahead of time and budget ahead accordingly. You won’t have to wait until the credit card bills roll in to find out how much your vacation actually cost.
  • Vacation planning is sound financial planning Design a vacation budget. Determine how much you have to spend on a vacation and how much you can truly save before the trip. Then stick to your written holiday budget. Always be ready for an emergency expense.
  • Discuss vacation planning with family members While decision-making, you will now know how much you can afford to spend in the best possible way. Ask “where do you want to go and what do you want to do when we arrive?”
  • Use CAA or CARP You can get a discount on hotels when you present a Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) or Canadian Association of Retired People (CARP) card or mention them when you book.
  • Monitor the weather Cancellation or changing a plan may be necessary if the weather becomes miserable.
  • Create a travel itinerary Google to look for gallery or event passes and plan your activities before you arrive at your travel destination.
  • Make a credit plan Use credit cards that do not charge an extra percentage for foreign use. Credit cards are safer than cash because they can be replaced if lost.
  • Buy Travel and Visitor Insurance These insurance plans can offer emergency medical protection for visitors to other countries, immigrants, international students and residents who are not covered by government health insurance. Ensure visiting guests have valid visitor medical health insurance, which begins upon arrival (purchased ahead of travel). Refer to the policy for more details as policies vary.
  • Google it – do your vacation homework. Use travel websites like Expedia.ca, Travelocity.ca, and priceline.com to get the best rates on airline tickets, hotel rooms, and car rentals. Some of these sites have smartphone apps such as Kayak. Ask travel agents to keep you informed when special packages and seasonal discounts are noted.
  • Use smartphone SIM cards when out of the country. To avoid roaming charges, you can purchase a SIM card for your smartphone (if unlocked) or buy a second phone for the trip. Check out websites like Tracfone.com or Roammobility.com (many plans such as Fido offer US coverage and other benefits for a small additional charge per month while using the same SIM card).
  • Use smartphone apps and Wi-Fi For calling and texting check out Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, and Skype for free international calling using Wi-Fi.

 

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