Published: April 29, 2015
As more and more older adults live vibrant, active lives, tourism increases. Whether it’s hitting the road with your family or jet setting with a friend, traveling is ideal for breaking that cabin fever that follows a cold winter. Being savvy and resourceful equates to more trip for your money and that means more enjoyment and life experience.
Let the Bank Help You
Anytime someone offers to foot the bill for an adventure, it is worth investigating. Many Americans are allowing credit card companies to spring for their flight. And it appears they’re happy to do so. Chase, Citicard, American Express, and many others have travel cards that offer huge rewards to the traveler who wants to travel and gain benefits.
Make sure to read the fine print before you sign on the dotted line. Not having to pay an annual fee is always a nice benefit. Also (and perhaps most importantly) make sure you choose a card with enough sign-up bonus to earn you a free domestic flight. Don’t miss out on that benefit!
Most cards require that you spend a minimum amount to receive your bonus points. Make sure the minimum is reasonable and does not require you to spend any extra money. If you’re currently using a debit card this may be a financially sound trade-off. Compare fraud protection offered from credit card use versus debit cards. Doing a little research now will pay off in the long run!
Go Abroad Affordably
If you’d love to go abroad but are not excited about the price tag, there are ways to make your trip a little more attainable. Many desirable tourist locations are inexpensive once you arrive. Instead of aspiring to visit Madrid or Paris, consider an exotic destination like Thailand.
Still have your heart set on Europe? No problem. Greece is home to one of the oldest cultures in the world and has many beautiful attractions. The ancient paradise is drastically less expensive than its European competitors and as the government endures some financial woes, tourism is becoming even more economical.
Voluntourism
Traveling, making a difference, enjoying free room and board, sounds pretty appealing, right? Voluntourism is a relatively new concept, but it is catching on quickly. Some of the premier organizations pay your room and board while you volunteer your time to help a cause in need. In these instances you’re still on the hook for your airfare or other transportation, but those things are often tax deductible. And you can’t beat the heartwarming experience of helping others.
Bargain-Basement
Do you like the idea of being on the water in a tropic climate? Booking a cruise can be expensive, but if you have a flexible schedule you can take advantage of last minute bookings offered by most cruise lines. You may even benefit from some vouchers or free upgrades they’ve thrown in to sweeten up the journey.
