According to AAA, May is the month when most families finalize their summer travel plans. It is also the time of year when most summer camps and other activities for kids close registration, so parents know exactly what their calendars look like until the new school year starts.
With the economy still in disarray, many clans may be hesitant to book trips outside of their particular region. Flying is no picnic when you have young children and the cost of multiple flights can really add up. The same goes for long road trips that involve frequent hotel stays and even more frequent gas-ups.
If you are brave enough to do battle with summer crowds, then be sure to have a plan in place. In addition, you might want to keep the following points in mind if you are trying to save on summer travel costs:
Hidden Fees: This is a major issue with airlines, but hidden fees are also present at rental car companies. Don’t be fooled by an extremely low daily rate for a rental car. Before you sign on the dotted line ask about taxes, fees, insurance and other extras. In some cases hidden fees can nearly double the rate you thought you were getting.
If you are traveling with young children, keep in mind that most rental car companies charge about $15 to rent a child safety seat. In addition, if you are directionally challenged, a GPS costs about $14 a day, and electronic toll collection is $1.50 a day. Insurance can be another $50 or so a day. However, if you are already covered by your car or homeowners insurance, you should decline the offer.
Additional Airline Charges: Children under the age of two fly free if they sit on your lap on domestic flights. However, what many parents don’t realize is that they will have to pay for a seat for their child if they are flying internationally. The standard international fare for children is 10 to 20 percent plus fuel surcharges, which can add up to be hundreds of dollars.
Also, if you’re a frequent flier who wants to upgrade to business or first class on an international flight while you are traveling with a baby, be prepared to dig deep. You could wind up paying more than $1,000 for a lap child.
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