22 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2017 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2017 23 Cost Saving Tips on Memory-Making Family Vacations By Rick Seaney / Contributor Iwon’t keep you in suspense. The best present to give or receive during the holidays (or for a birthday or anniversary) is the gift of travel. It’s not just a present; it’s a lifetime of wonderful memories. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Follow these simple hacks to get the most for your money on what may well be a once-in-a- lifetimeexperience. WHERETOGO Thefirstthingtodoissettleonadestination, andthereareplentyofcheaponesoutthere (more for those who live in big cities with hub-type airports). Some airfare search sites have a tool that shows the cheapest deals from your hometown, such as my own Getaway Deals Map, which allows shoppers to say when they want to fly and what they want to pay, then watch prices pop up for cities around the world. It’s a simple way to ensure you get a deal on a memory-makingdestination. SHOPWHENIT’SCHEAP For domestic travel, try shopping Tuesday afternoon. Most airlines release U.S. sales late Monday or early Tuesday, so by Tuesday afternoon, competing carriers have matched the new sale prices. And remember,don’twaittobuyticketsuntilthe last minute because that’s when prices rise sharply;buyyourtickets30daysinadvance ifpossible. FLYWHENIT’SCHEAP Off-peak travel doesn’t mean you can only visitafavoritecityinthedeadofwinter;plan a visit for spring or fall instead of summer, and you will almost always see significant savings, plus you’ll bypass summertime crowds. Careful, there are some off-season high-fare periods (Thanksgiving in the U.S., Christmas/New Year’s in much of the rest of the world), but so long as you avoid thosedates,youwillseedeals. CheaperdaystoflyintheU.S.aregenerally Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; for international travel, weekdays are usually cheaper than weekends. This is a general rule, meaning it may not always be true, so be sure to compare prices for a variety of itineraries. Another shopping hack: If you don’t live in a big hub, consider driving to the nearest one even if it’s a couple of hours away; the savings offered on flights from a large airportcouldmakeitworththeeffort. LOOKFOROTHERTRAVEL- RELATEDDEALSANDINFO Thebestadviceyoucangetforhotelrooms or must-see attractions will come from peoplewho’vebeenthere,especiallypeople youknow;havethoseconversationsbefore youturntotheonlinereviews.Someairfare search sites and well-known hotel chains allow you to sign up for newsletters and will email you deals. Tip: As you check out online reviews, do your homework; for example, don’t book a hotel until you’ve seen pictures of the entire room including thebathroom. SOLOTRAVELVS.FRIENDS ANDFAMILY The gift of travel can be a solo trip for an older kid (though you might want to check and see if other parents are thinking along similar lines, so two kids could travel together). Or ask your son or daughter if they’d mind if you came along. Or heck, make it a real family vacation; after all, nowyouknowhowtokeepcostsdownfor everyone. Some airfare search sites https://www. farecompare.com/ For Getaway Deals Map - https://www. farecompare.com/maps/ Editor’s Note: Rick Seaney, founder of FareCompare.com, is a travel expert who enjoys helping others find great deals on traveling domestically and abroad. Surf for deals at Farecompare.com or reach Rick at TWITTER:@RickSeaney. Fairhill School 16150 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75248 972.233.1026 | Fairhill.org | fairhill@fairhill.org • College Preparatory Program • Multi-Sensory Instruction • Small Student-Teacher Ratio • Fully Accredited School Grades 1 – 12 Fairhill School and Diagnostic Assessment Center Where Students with Learning Differences Succeed since 1971 Sign up for a FREEASSESSMENT