Phoenix, Ariz., May 28, 2010. This weekend, more than 701,000 Arizonans will travel 50 or more miles from home, spending an average of $993 over the holiday weekend, according to AAA’s Memorial Day travel forecast. For the fourth and final week of AAA’s Summer Travel Survival Series, AAA would like to discuss ways travelers can save over the upcoming holiday weekend, as well as throughout the summer.
“For many families, summer travel can quickly become a budget-buster,” said Jim Prueter, travel spokesman for AAA Arizona. “However, travelers who take the time to create a budget, utilize planning tools and take advantage of available discounts can ensure that they will return home from a blockbuster trip that doesn’t break the bank.”
To help maximize travel dollars, AAA would like to recommend the following tips to help travelers make the most of their money while on vacation this summer:
Saving in the sky…
- Keep travel dates flexible. To obtain the best airfare, be flexible with travel dates and avoid departing and/or returning on a weekend date, or over a holiday weekend. In addition, airlines typically add between $10-30 to fares during peak travel days during the summer.
- Limit checked bags. Most airlines charge fees upwards of $25 for checked bags each way, which can equate to a price tag of $200-400 for a family of four. If possible, consolidate bags among your family or traveling party to reduce this cost. Check with your airline for limitations on size and weight, to ensure you do not incur additional cost for oversized or overweight luggage.
- Pack snacks. Free in-flight meals are a thing of the past! Buying a sandwich or snack pack aboard a flight typically costs $5-10, which can total $20-50 for a family of four. To save money and curb your hunger on longer flights, bring snacks from home. According to the Transportation Security Administration, food, must be wrapped or in a container.
Saving on the road…
- Prep your vehicle. Ensuring tires are properly inflated can improve fuel economy by as much as three percent. This translates to fuel savings of up to eight cents per gallon, according to the Department of Energy. The average Memorial Day road trip for Arizonans is 754 miles, which means checking tire pressure before hitting the road can help keep up to $60 in your pocket rather than your fuel tank.
- Pack meals. One of the conveniences to a road trip is that there are no restrictions on what or how much you can bring along. Packing a cooler with pre-made meals for your traveling party can help cut back on dining out costs while on the road.
No matter the mode of transportation…
- Take advantage of freebies. Many hotels offer a complimentary breakfast or have a “kids eat free” with a paid adult meal offer. By taking advantage of $30-40 in free meal costs per day, a family of four can stand to save $90-120 over a three day weekend, or $210-280 over the course of a week.
- Ask for discounts wherever you go. AAA members, for example, receive special member pricing at many hotels, tourist attractions and other retail partners. A complete list of savings, including discounted attraction tickets, can be found on AAA Discounts. iPhone users can download the free AAA Discounts app, which uses a phones GPS to help travelers find discounts at more than 110,000 retail partners across the U.S. and Canada.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members. Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. In 2008, AAA was ranked the No. 1 “socially responsible” brand by Landor’s BrandAsset® Valuator.
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