Save-Money-on-Travel: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

Anyone use any of these tips?

We've done/do a bunch of them...

Travel Offseason: We travel offseason quite a bit, it is harder when your kids are school age though!

Don't Surf/Kayak: We haven't found kayak.com to be any more helpful than any of the other travel sites, or even just going directly to a specific hotel or airline site. It really depends on so many things, I don't think any one place 'is the best'. That's what makes planning travel overwhelming for some folks.

Book A Package: Again, depends on so many factors...we haven't found a package to be a money saving technique on any of our trips. We do check into though. Dh is a master trip planner!

Vacation Close to Home: We do trips close to home, but for us, they're not really vacations. To me, a vacation is at least week. When we travel close to home, we just do day trips or weekend trips (there isn't really a place close to home that we'd want to spend a week or more at). That's just us though...

Ring Up A Better Deal: We definately do this and it's worth a shot! Even with chains! It's really just the way you go about it. Dh is a master at getting us upgraded on flights, hotels etc I don't know how he does it but he's really good at it! It can't hurt to ask!

Be A Happy Camper: We don't camp...it's just not an option for us, but I think it's great for folks that want to do it. We just have absolutely no interest in it.

Consider Hostelling: I think Hostels can be great for people without kids...I wouldn't risk them on a family trip, unless I was already familiar with them. They vary QUITE a bit. I don't have the patience for them in my 'old age'. LOL

Take A Leap of Faith: I know quite a few people that LOVE priceline. I'm VERY picky though about where I want to stay, so we don't use it.

Get In Touch with Nature: We definately enjoy National Parks and areas like them when we travel. Just depends on what you like to do, where you're going etc

Opt for Mom & Pop: We used to stay at B&B's quite a bit...it really depends on where I'm going and what I'm in the mood for. They can be a savings but they can also be really expensive. I also like the anonymity of a hotel. I don't WANT to make conversation at breakfast with other guests...so like I said, depends on the place, where I'm going, what I'm in the mood for etc

Get a Home Away From Home: We've done this many times for our European trips and, knock on wood, it's worked out really well for us! I highly recommend it!

Swap Your House: I know for me, I could never do this. I would not be comfortable with people I didn't know very well in my house.

Take A Last Minute Cruise: Haven't done this but we might try it!

Join a Frequent Flier Program: Been there...done that! We have TONS of points on the carriers that Dh uses when he travels for business. We haven't paid for a flight in over 10 years. It's great!

Bid Smart: I agree! If you're going to use any of the bidding sites, definately take a walk thru the sites that tell you how to do it most effectively.