What do you spend on your average weeklong vacation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Right. The poster was saying That her biggest tip would be this: if at all possible, avoid heavily touristed areas anywhere you go. I don't see that as realistic to most people.

[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.

You are my lost twin!

We travel all the time on a small budget with two kids. We just do our research and planning in advance and get the best value for the money.

[Anonymous]

we do one expensive trip a year--about 5k. Caribbean lately, next year probably costa rica.

Then we do two shorter weekend trips (NYC, usually, try to keep it cheap by staying with friends, driving and just spending $ on activities and food), and one california trip to see relatives (2k on plane tix, plus cash for meals and activities and gas).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think the point was not to stay in the W hotel or similar one across the street from the White House. You can find something just few blocks away for a fraction of the price.