Dugway Credit Union Services

Summertime usually means vacation time, but with airfare and fuel costs going up, many of us find that a typical vacation is out of reach. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up a vacation altogether; with a little research and planning, you can create a memorable – and affordable – getaway.

Airfare: If your budget allows for travel by air, the Internet is a great tool for researching and comparing rates among various airlines and for different dates, if your schedule is flexible. Don’t forget to search nearby airports, especially if you plan to rent a car at your destination. For example, Austin, Texas is only one hour from San Antonio and three hours from Houston. Both these cities have larger airports with more connections and, generally, cheaper fares. There are some airlines, however, that don’t book through Internet travel services, so you’ll have to search for their rates at the company site. Once you settle on an airline and travel dates, first check fares at the airline’s Internet site before you use the Internet travel service; you may get a cheaper rate directly with the airline. Keep in mind, Internet-booked airfare is cheapest when you use an e-ticket; you’ll probably end up paying more if you want a paper ticket.

Lodging: You have a couple of options on hotels: reserve in advance or take a chance. If you prefer to reserve in advance, consider a hotel loyalty card, where you can earn points toward future stays (or other goodies) with each stay. Some even run promotions where you earn extra points for multiple stays or seasonal travel; you might even get bonus points when you sign up. When choosing a hotel chain or group, first make sure it has a nationwide presence so you won’t have trouble finding a facility in most destinations. Then check out the reward amounts and the amount required to redeem the points; some loyalty programs are considerably more generous than others. Once you find one you like, sign up!

If you don’t mind taking a chance, and you are going to a city on dates where hotel rooms should be plentiful, travel without a reservation and shop around. The best place to shop is “hotel row” (this is the area of town where lots of hotels are located, usually on a major roadway), and the best time to shop is after dinner. Just go into the lobby and ask their room rate. Then no matter what they say, ask if they can give you a better rate than they just quoted. Why? Because that late in the day, if the hotel isn’t close to full, they’re going to have empty rooms, and empty rooms mean lost money. They’re better off renting you a room at cost, and every hotel knows their “breakeven” rate. If you still don’t like the rate you’ve been quoted, go to the next hotel. You can always go back to a previous hotel if it quoted the best rate.

If you’re a nature lover and have (or can get) the gear or better yet, your own RV, consider camping. Utah is blessed with some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. One of the best bargains around is the America the Beautiful annual pass, where for $80 up to four persons per car can obtain access to any National Park or facility managed by four other federal agencies at any time for a whole year! Many of the national and state park facilities have RV accommodations, so you can commune with nature plus enjoy the comforts of home-sweet-home-on-wheels. (And if you need a new RV, check out our special financing rate on our home page!)

Drive: Consider driving, if you have the time and a reliable, comfortable vehicle. Even though gas prices are higher than ever, even for a family of two, the cost of gas and lodging on the route are still likely to be less than airfare. You might even consider driving without a particular destination in mind, just a general route; a driving vacation can really be relaxing and fun if you’re willing to take your time and stop at interesting places along the way. Of course, if you have small children, plan accordingly!

One of the advantages of driving is that it offers you the option of packing your food and drinks, saving the cost of restaurants (and offering a healthier fare, as well). Invest in a good cooler and gel-filled freezer packs to keep food cold plus a smaller cooler for ice. Take a couple of days before the trip to purchase and prepare travel-friendly foods: luncheon meats and cheeses cut into square to eat with crackers, tuna or chicken salad, a loaf of bread, carrot and celery sticks, pasta or potato salad, fruit slices, and perhaps some not-so-healthy snacks such as chips and candy bars. Zip lock baggies are the most “pack-able” container. For beverages other than water, clear soft drinks and white grape juice don’t stain clothes or upholstery. Don’t forget cups (which can double for beverages or salads), knives-forks-spoons, and a roll of paper towels. Wet-naps optional.

Remember, if driving, have your vehicle checked for the usual things before taking off. As further insurance against breakdown, consider membership in a roadside assistance program. They not only help if you’re stranded, but their members receive other travel services and discounts.

A home-based vacation: You don’t have to leave town to have a good vacation. Sometimes a series of day or overnight trips near home can be just as much fun and more relaxing. Utah is full of natural wonders; take advantage of them! A home improvement vacation can be a good choice; even though you’re working, the change of pace and the sense of accomplishment can be invigorating, and you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labors for years to come.

If staying at home, take advantage of the amenities your hometown has to offer: public pools, parks, libraries, museums, movie theaters etc. There aren’t many kids who would turn down a chance of spending an afternoon – or series of afternoons – at the pool or playground.

Whether your destination is far-a-field or at home base, a little planning and ingenuity is just the ticket to a $ensible, relaxing, and refreshing summer vacation.

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