Going on summer vacation is a rite of passage for many American families. It’s a time to recharge and create new memories. The current economic headwinds may make that more challenging in 2025.
However, there is still an opportunity to take a meaningful trip that won’t bust your budget.
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Here are five ways to score the best deals on summer holiday travel.
Travel at the Right Time
Traveling during a major holiday, like Independence Day week, is always fun. It’s also busy. According to AAA, Independence Day week travel was the busiest ever in 2024. Traveling over that period may not enable Americans to snag the best deals.
“The best deals tend to pop up at the very start of summer in early June and again in late August, once the peak crowds start to thin out. Mid-summer, especially around holiday weekends like July Fourth, is when prices across transportation and lodging are typically at their highest,” said Matt Schoolfield, travel insights expert at Flix North America.
If you’re not tied to traveling at a specific time, waiting for non-peak days can often reap decent savings.
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Bundle Your Travel
Purchasing everything you need for a trip can be overwhelming. Consolidating the purchasing process may provide Americans with money-saving opportunities.
“Consider combining your transportation booking with hotel or attraction bundles when available,” noted Schoolfield.
Possibilities can be found when looking at “vacation” or “travel deals” tabs on airline or travel sites. Daily deal sites like Groupon also offer ways to find deals under its “travel” tab.
Choose the Location Wisely
Visiting the beach is always fun, particularly for Americans living in landlocked states. Going to a national park is of similar interest. Unfortunately, those locales may be more expensive.
“Places that are mostly summer spots, think coastal beach towns or national park gateways, might see higher prices because demand is concentrated in those warmer months,” added Schoolfield.
Visiting a larger city may offer more opportunities to save, he noted.
“Destinations with year-round tourism, like Chicago, San Francisco or New Orleans, are more likely to offer summer deals since they aren’t as tied to a single peak season,” Schoolfield added.
Be Creative in Your Booking
Creativity is essential to save money on travel this summer. Choosing refundable travel options can help assist this, especially in light of current economic challenges.
This may allow Americans to cancel more expensive trips when they find something cheaper. However, consult the airline or hotel’s policies before canceling to avoid a nasty surprise.
If you’re renting a car, for example, Costco allows members to cancel and rebook on its site when they find something cheaper. Every little bit helps stretch the travel budget.
Booking Last-Minute Can Still Save
Last-minute booking has long been a way to save money on travel. That could damper travel demand as consumer confidence diminishes, but last-minute travel deals may still be available.
Americans may want to consider larger carriers, if flying, to save. Discounted carriers may feel heightened pain if lower-income Americans cut back on travel spending, according to The New York Times. Carriers like American, Delta or United may offer better last-minute deals. Following a similar philosophy when considering a hotel chain is also wise.
“Overall, staying flexible, whether that’s with travel dates, destinations or how you get there, can make a big difference in finding affordable options,” said Schoolfield. Flexibility when you book and go can be helpful in finding deals, even when looking last minute.
Summer vacation can be fun and refreshing. With some due diligence, it’s still possible to get deals without cutting the fun.
Sources
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Ways To Get the Best Deals on Summer Holiday Travel in 2025
