With Summer being one of the most busiest times of the year for travel, here are some tips on how to score that perfect deal for your getaway based on our personal experiences here at The Harrin Group.
- Be Flexible In Your Travels, If Possible
When booking travel, it is worth it to see if a flight can be cheaper leaving from a different airport than your home base. For instance, in most cases that I have seen, it has been far cheaper to depart from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) rather than San Antonio International Airport (SAT) for destinations in the U.S. and abroad. One quick search on Google Flights found that one can travel from Austin to New Orleans for a week in July, at$75 RT at the time of publication.
2. Book Early, But Not Always
In our experience, it has been beneficial to book your travels as early as possible, with middle-week departures resulting in cheaper fares. Typically, 3 months or more is a safe bet. Sometimes though, you can score “last-minute” deals on travel, as we experienced with a recent car rental on the travel service platform: Kayak.com. While we thought we had a “great” deal on a weekly car rental , a quick double check a few weeks before leaving found savings of an additional $100. Needless to say, this was quite a surprise and a reminder to always be on the lookout for deals. Oh, and look for coupons too, such as on RetailMeNot.
3. Always Have Travel Insurance When Going Abroad
Yes, I know, we had to throw it in somewhere, but hear us out. With medical emergencies having the potential to nearly wipe out our savings, simply put, if you plan on traveling abroad to far away places like Thailand or Oman, having a good comprehensive travel insurance policy can give you the peace of mind for the unexpected. For instance, Brian Harrin of The Harrin Group recently was abroad on a group trip to Israel, when he suddenly became sick about 4 days into the trip. With over-the-counter medicine from the equivalent Walgreens not doing any good, Brian went to the local urgent care in Tiberias, Israel for help. Because Brian had a comprehensive plan in force before leaving, his out-of-pocket expenses were zero and Brian had the confidence in knowing if he needed to go the hospital, he would have coverage. Many people are surprised to learn just how affordable these policies can be, such as a 26 year old female traveling for 8 days to Costa Rica, for $12.20 total, $0 deductible and $1M in coverage. Not too bad, huh?
4. If Things Go Wrong With Your Flight, Don’t Be Afraid To Speak Up
It’s bound to happen. You manage to somehow find parking at the airport, wait in that 20 minute line just to tag your 1 suitcase, get directed to the massive TSA security line, just to wait another 30 minutes and after all that is said and done, the airline informs you that your carry-on must be checked or better yet, the plane is delayed for another hour. While some may complain at first and then forget about, others may take action in the form of calling, tweeting, or emailing the airline to give them a piece of their mind. While it may not always lead to what you’d like, sometimes you may be surprised. Brian Harrin of The Harrin Group did this recently with Delta Airlines, as he missed his connection by 2 minutes and it did not help that the plane left 8 minutes early either. Brian first used Facebook Messenger to write Delta, but got a disappointing response. Instead, he tried emailing them with his account in a positive demeanor, and to his surprise, Delta offered him compensation for each passenger in his group. You just never know what kind of response you may get!
5. Stay Outside Of The Tourist Traps
Ever go on vacation wanting to experience the real local culture? Try staying and visiting the non-tourist districts of your destination and you will get just that. For instance, when visiting Puerto Rico, while Old San Juan is certainly a must-see, it is hardly the only area worth visiting on the island. Venture off into Fajardo on the east side of the island, Ponce on the south, and Aguadilla on the west for the full Puerto Rican experience. Also, check out AirBnb tours, as a viable option to get some keen insight of your destination from passionate locals.
Well folks, wherever you plan on traveling this Summer or any time in the future, we hope you found these 5 tips handy. No matter your destination, remember to cherish those moments forever and make the most out of your trip!
Here at The Harrin Group in San Antonio, TX, we can help you have a stress-free trip abroad with our international medical plans, that can cover your for those extreme activities such as skydiving or ensure you can see a doctor if you get sick. Reach out to us today for a custom quote or feel free to run a quick quote on your own here.
Safe Travels!
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Source: Google Flights, Kayak, RetailMeNot
