What do you spend on your average weeklong vacation?

[Anonymous]

We have a 3 and 6 yo, and take one trip a year right now. Our trips these days are usually national parks. We budget around 3000, including flights. We usually do a cabin near the park, and sometimes a vrbo in a nearby city. We try to have a kitchen and shop for groceries for breakfast and lunch.

The lodging takes the most research. We like to have a second bedroom so that we don't all have to go to bed at 7 for a whole week, and that second bedroom can destroy a budget. Hotel points wouldn't help since a suite will cost a fortune and we would be limited by which hotel. There is no Marriott or holiday Inn within minutes of a national park!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you spend on your average weeklong vacation?

Trying not to psych myself out of our potential $3.5k trip.

$2000 for me and 1 child.

[Anonymous]

These comments are all interesting. It seems insane to me that someone would want to spend 4-7K on a vacation in the OBX or the like, but I respect that is your choice.

We go to Europe once a year on all points for a family of five. We generally can't fly out of DC and have to drive to Philly or BWI to make it happen, but it is worth the 5K savings. We also only use points to book hotels or use Airbnb. This is where I also disagree with the earlier food comments because you can save a lot if you aren't eating out every meal (and who doesn't love going to markets in other countries?). And for us, we are concierge level at several hotel chains so a humongous breakfast is covered, and if you wanted to/needed to you can put together a dinner as well.

We have a two week trip to Europe this summer, and the only thing I have paid for is an Airbnb for 3 nights that is less than $100 a night and we are splurging and doing two nights in a castle which is 1K for both nights and includes breakfast and dinner.

We will do a combo of renting a car (using points) and train tickets, which if we buy them three months out will be very reasonable.

The other trip we do frequently is visiting national parks. Then it is airfare and lodging. We eat breakfast in the room and we generally pack lunches to eat on the trails, so just dinner out. We don't do a ton of the planned/pay for activities. These trips cost us around 4K all in.

[Anonymous]

Just returned from a week in the Caribbean (2 adults, 2 kids). We spent about $9k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These comments are all interesting. It seems insane to me that someone would want to spend 4-7K on a vacation in the OBX or the like, but I respect that is your choice.

We go to Europe once a year on all points for a family of five. We generally can't fly out of DC and have to drive to Philly or BWI to make it happen, but it is worth the 5K savings. We also only use points to book hotels or use Airbnb. This is where I also disagree with the earlier food comments because you can save a lot if you aren't eating out every meal (and who doesn't love going to markets in other countries?). And for us, we are concierge level at several hotel chains so a humongous breakfast is covered, and if you wanted to/needed to you can put together a dinner as well.

We have a two week trip to Europe this summer, and the only thing I have paid for is an Airbnb for 3 nights that is less than $100 a night and we are splurging and doing two nights in a castle which is 1K for both nights and includes breakfast and dinner.

We will do a combo of renting a car (using points) and train tickets, which if we buy them three months out will be very reasonable.

The other trip we do frequently is visiting national parks. Then it is airfare and lodging. We eat breakfast in the room and we generally pack lunches to eat on the trails, so just dinner out. We don't do a ton of the planned/pay for activities. These trips cost us around 4K all in.

How do you get the points?

[Anonymous]

Doing vacations as cheaply as possible isn't a priority to us. It means we do less trips per year than people who travel at every break, but it would be really depressing to me to go somewhere and then have to go grocery shopping, pack our lunches for the day, cook and clean, be on a strict activity budget, etc.

Our vacations probably average around $8K, and usually 1 a year. We do other smaller driving trips, but those are usually based around going to see family and they are different in my mind than a vacation.

[Anonymous]

Once a year we take a big trip (Europe, Asia, etc.) that will cost the two of us anywhere from 4,000 to 10,000, depending on how bonus season goes. We'll also take 4 or 4 smaller trips to the west coast, FL, etc., often around weddings. Those will probably cost around 1K each and involve a lot of hotel points, air points, etc.

[Anonymous]

I have over 1m airline miles and about 750k Marriott points. But I also have 5 kids which makes it practically impossible to use points for family vacations. We generally stick to beach or national park vacations and save the points for blowout anniversary trips for me and spouse.

Spending $6k-$7k on two week trip to western national parks. Renting VRBOs outside parks for $3500. Airfare is $2k. Rental van is $800. Food $750.

[Anonymous]

We are at a very nice resort in FL right now. $1300 for hotel -- early check in and late checkout so we paid for 4 nights and are definitely getting a bit more. About $600 for flights -- nonstop. Food has been expensive because we are at a resort. I definitely could have planned better to save some money, but we had never been here so I did not have a game plan in place. And we did some fun activities which will be about $300. I think we will be around $3k. Totally fine considering we haven't been on a family vacation in too long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread highlights why these comparisons are so meaningless. If you have a job that allows you to accumulate a lot of points in travel, you can save a lot on personal travel. If you can travel at times other than spring break, Christmas break, etc. you'll also save a ton.

So the same trip that you can take for $2k in early May with points from work travel will cost you $10K over spring break with no points.

Guys - very extensive international traveler here and have been since I was a kid. I am also an earlier PP about using points. Neither my DH or I have a job now that involves business travel - all of the points we currently have we have gotten from recent credit card sign-on bonuses and spending. Read The Points Guy or Million Mile Secrets or any number of travel blogs and educate yourselves. You are wasting so much money on these trips! And no, cash back cards do not give you a better rate of return than using points on flights or hotels. And yes, you can redeem points for suites.

For those who are looking to travel smartly and at a good value: Disney will definitely be the most expensive, but they do have deals sometimes (go on the Mouse Savers message boards - these people know the inside scoop). Europe is expensive to get to but if you keep your eyes peeled (Google Flights fare alerts, Airfarewatchdog, etc.) and are flexible with your travel plans, you can get a good deal on flights. Once you are there, no, it is not more expensive to eat in Europe than the US. Yes, there is a lot of street food, markets, etc.

My biggest tip would be this: if at all possible, avoid heavily touristed areas anywhere you go. That is where you will be ripped off the most (hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.). Once you pick a travel destination, do your research (TripAdvisor, travel blogs, etc.) and you will find the people who know the lay of the land. These are the people who are either locals or who travel extensively and they know how to get a good deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Read The Points Guy or Million Mile Secrets or any number of travel blogs and educate yourselves. You are wasting so much money on these trips! And no, cash back cards do not give you a better rate of return than using points on flights or hotels. And yes, you can redeem points for suites.

I have read those blogs a bit, as I travel extensively for work, but honestly - I just don't care enough. My time/enjoyment is worth more than playing the points game. Lots of people do enjoy it, but for me, it makes me hate planning a trip.

I do look at my points accounts and see what I can get for them, but I don't strategize to maximize them. It's a choice/tradeoff I make. I have plenty of money but not enough time and have realized spending the time I do have doing things that are maddening to me totally isn't worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread highlights why these comparisons are so meaningless. If you have a job that allows you to accumulate a lot of points in travel, you can save a lot on personal travel. If you can travel at times other than spring break, Christmas break, etc. you'll also save a ton.

So the same trip that you can take for $2k in early May with points from work travel will cost you $10K over spring break with no points.

Guys - very extensive international traveler here and have been since I was a kid. I am also an earlier PP about using points. Neither my DH or I have a job now that involves business travel - all of the points we currently have we have gotten from recent credit card sign-on bonuses and spending. Read The Points Guy or Million Mile Secrets or any number of travel blogs and educate yourselves. You are wasting so much money on these trips! And no, cash back cards do not give you a better rate of return than using points on flights or hotels. And yes, you can redeem points for suites.

For those who are looking to travel smartly and at a good value: Disney will definitely be the most expensive, but they do have deals sometimes (go on the Mouse Savers message boards - these people know the inside scoop). Europe is expensive to get to but if you keep your eyes peeled (Google Flights fare alerts, Airfarewatchdog, etc.) and are flexible with your travel plans, you can get a good deal on flights. Once you are there, no, it is not more expensive to eat in Europe than the US. Yes, there is a lot of street food, markets, etc.

My biggest tip would be this: if at all possible, avoid heavily touristed areas anywhere you go. That is where you will be ripped off the most (hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.). Once you pick a travel destination, do your research (TripAdvisor, travel blogs, etc.) and you will find the people who know the lay of the land. These are the people who are either locals or who travel extensively and they know how to get a good deal.

I don't disagree with you, but I have a different opinion on touristy areas. Specifically: if I'm going to London, I want to be in a great location so I can walk everywhere. I don't want to stay out in the sticks and have to travel to/from the area I want to be in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread highlights why these comparisons are so meaningless. If you have a job that allows you to accumulate a lot of points in travel, you can save a lot on personal travel. If you can travel at times other than spring break, Christmas break, etc. you'll also save a ton.

So the same trip that you can take for $2k in early May with points from work travel will cost you $10K over spring break with no points.

Guys - very extensive international traveler here and have been since I was a kid. I am also an earlier PP about using points. Neither my DH or I have a job now that involves business travel - all of the points we currently have we have gotten from recent credit card sign-on bonuses and spending. Read The Points Guy or Million Mile Secrets or any number of travel blogs and educate yourselves. You are wasting so much money on these trips! And no, cash back cards do not give you a better rate of return than using points on flights or hotels. And yes, you can redeem points for suites.

For those who are looking to travel smartly and at a good value: Disney will definitely be the most expensive, but they do have deals sometimes (go on the Mouse Savers message boards - these people know the inside scoop). Europe is expensive to get to but if you keep your eyes peeled (Google Flights fare alerts, Airfarewatchdog, etc.) and are flexible with your travel plans, you can get a good deal on flights. Once you are there, no, it is not more expensive to eat in Europe than the US. Yes, there is a lot of street food, markets, etc.

My biggest tip would be this: if at all possible, avoid heavily touristed areas anywhere you go. That is where you will be ripped off the most (hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.). Once you pick a travel destination, do your research (TripAdvisor, travel blogs, etc.) and you will find the people who know the lay of the land. These are the people who are either locals or who travel extensively and they know how to get a good deal.

I don't disagree with you, but I have a different opinion on touristy areas. Specifically: if I'm going to London, I want to be in a great location so I can walk everywhere. I don't want to stay out in the sticks and have to travel to/from the area I want to be in.

How many outsiders travel to the DC area to vacation and forego the monuments because they are tourist traps? Makes no sense...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread highlights why these comparisons are so meaningless. If you have a job that allows you to accumulate a lot of points in travel, you can save a lot on personal travel. If you can travel at times other than spring break, Christmas break, etc. you'll also save a ton.

So the same trip that you can take for $2k in early May with points from work travel will cost you $10K over spring break with no points.

Guys - very extensive international traveler here and have been since I was a kid. I am also an earlier PP about using points. Neither my DH or I have a job now that involves business travel - all of the points we currently have we have gotten from recent credit card sign-on bonuses and spending. Read The Points Guy or Million Mile Secrets or any number of travel blogs and educate yourselves. You are wasting so much money on these trips! And no, cash back cards do not give you a better rate of return than using points on flights or hotels. And yes, you can redeem points for suites.

For those who are looking to travel smartly and at a good value: Disney will definitely be the most expensive, but they do have deals sometimes (go on the Mouse Savers message boards - these people know the inside scoop). Europe is expensive to get to but if you keep your eyes peeled (Google Flights fare alerts, Airfarewatchdog, etc.) and are flexible with your travel plans, you can get a good deal on flights. Once you are there, no, it is not more expensive to eat in Europe than the US. Yes, there is a lot of street food, markets, etc.

My biggest tip would be this: if at all possible, avoid heavily touristed areas anywhere you go. That is where you will be ripped off the most (hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.). Once you pick a travel destination, do your research (TripAdvisor, travel blogs, etc.) and you will find the people who know the lay of the land. These are the people who are either locals or who travel extensively and they know how to get a good deal.

I don't disagree with you, but I have a different opinion on touristy areas. Specifically: if I'm going to London, I want to be in a great location so I can walk everywhere. I don't want to stay out in the sticks and have to travel to/from the area I want to be in.

How many outsiders travel to the DC area to vacation and forego the monuments because they are tourist traps? Makes no sense...

I wouldn't want to stay in Rockville or NoVa if I was a tourist traveling to DC. Sometimes it's better to stay in close to the tourist attractions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These comments are all interesting. It seems insane to me that someone would want to spend 4-7K on a vacation in the OBX or the like, but I respect that is your choice.

We go to Europe once a year on all points for a family of five. We generally can't fly out of DC and have to drive to Philly or BWI to make it happen, but it is worth the 5K savings. We also only use points to book hotels or use Airbnb. This is where I also disagree with the earlier food comments because you can save a lot if you aren't eating out every meal (and who doesn't love going to markets in other countries?). And for us, we are concierge level at several hotel chains so a humongous breakfast is covered, and if you wanted to/needed to you can put together a dinner as well.

We have a two week trip to Europe this summer, and the only thing I have paid for is an Airbnb for 3 nights that is less than $100 a night and we are splurging and doing two nights in a castle which is 1K for both nights and includes breakfast and dinner.

We will do a combo of renting a car (using points) and train tickets, which if we buy them three months out will be very reasonable.

The other trip we do frequently is visiting national parks. Then it is airfare and lodging. We eat breakfast in the room and we generally pack lunches to eat on the trails, so just dinner out. We don't do a ton of the planned/pay for activities. These trips cost us around 4K all in.

How do you get the points?

Different poster. We have a Starwood credit card and always have at least 100,000points. This is enough to stay at most of the Starwood hotels. We have done several vacations staying at a Starwood hotel for free using points - Disney Dolphin, Westin Scottsdale, Westin Philadelphia, Westin NYC, etc.