I Asked a Travel Agent Which Stores Offer the Best Money-Saving Travel Perks
A recent Deloitte survey found that only 45% of Americans were planning to take a summer vacation with paid lodging, the lowest figure in six years, as consumers continue to deal with soaring prices.
With 32% of non-travelers citing that travel had become too expensive, it’s more important than ever that you stretch your dollars if you’re fortunate enough to get away this summer.
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We spoke with travel experts to figure out which retailers offer the best money-saving travel perks and how they can make travel planning more efficient this summer.
Costco
“Costco Travel is one of the most underrated tools out there for travelers who want to stretch their dollars,” said Joe Cronin, a travel expert and president of International Citizens Insurance. “Their vacation packages, including flights, hotels and rental cars bundled together, often come in meaningfully below what you'd find booking each piece separately, and the added Costco Shop Card that comes with many bookings is real money back in your pocket.”
While you need an active Costco membership, it pays for itself quickly if you’re a frequent traveler. If you’re planning a road trip, you can save money by buying in bulk so you have enough supplies for the entire family.
“Executive Members earn an annual 2% reward on travel bookings, and using the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi yields additional cash-back rewards,” remarked Tym Lewtak, a travel expert and the founder of LuxAtolls.
He also noted that the packages often come with extras like resort credits or waived resort fees. On top of this, he feels that Costco Travel Car Rentals aggregates major providers, routinely offers the best no-hidden-fee rates and allows free additional drivers for members.
Walmart
Cronin noted that pretrip essentials are where Walmart really shines.
“Travel-sized toiletries, luggage, travel adapters, you name it, all at prices that add up to real savings when you're gearing up for a long trip," he said.
Lewtak agreed that Walmart store prices are tough to beat for travelers. In his experience, buying luggage, packing cubes and travel-sized toiletries in-store or through Walmart.com is significantly cheaper than buying from specialty travel boutiques. You can also order in-room snacks, sunscreens and first-aid kits to arrive right as you check into your Airbnb or hotel by utilizing Walmart+ grocery delivery.
Target
Lewtak believes that Target is the best option for vacation essentials.
“Target is unmatched for curating affordable, aesthetically pleasing travel items," he said. "Their private-label brands (like Open Story luggage and Sonia Kashuk travel bags) give premium brands a run for their money.”
He also noted that if you use the Target Circle app, you can often find discounts on local attractions and theme parks to help you save money on your trip. You want to take advantage of all possible savings as gas prices continue to soar and impact Americans.
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Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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