# Save Big on Your Summer Family Vacation. Here's How.

Everything from airfare to hotel rooms costs more these days, making family vacations feel out of reach. Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy and a father of two, shares practical strategies that help families maximize their travel budgets without cutting corners on fun.

Travel rewards programs offer the fastest path to savings. Kelly recommends signing up for airline and hotel loyalty programs months before booking. These programs let families earn points through everyday spending on groceries, gas, and utilities, then redeem those points for free or deeply discounted flights and stays. Families who time credit card applications right can earn bonus points worth thousands of dollars in travel value.

Flexibility matters enormously. Traveling in shoulder season, just before or after peak summer, delivers better prices. Flying midweek instead of weekends, and choosing less popular destinations, stretch vacation budgets further. Kelly suggests booking flights on Tuesday or Wednesday, when airlines drop prices to fill empty seats.

Alternative accommodations beat traditional hotels. Vacation rentals through Airbnb or VRBO often cost less than hotel rooms, especially for families needing multiple bedrooms. These properties sometimes include kitchens, letting families prepare some meals instead of eating out for every meal.

Package deals combining flights and hotels work for some families. Bundled bookings often cost less than booking separately, though Kelly recommends comparing prices first to confirm actual savings.

Transportation beyond flying deserves attention too. Road trips with kids require planning but eliminate airfare costs entirely. Families staying closer to home cut gas expenses while reducing travel time, leaving more time for actual vacation activities.

Kelly emphasizes starting early. Booking six to eight weeks ahead typically yields better prices than last-minute scrambles. Planning around school calendars also helps families find cheaper travel dates outside peak weeks.

The goal remains clear: families deserve vacations, bud