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How You Can Downsize Costs Without Sacrificing Memories
There's no need to bust the budget in order to enjoy a romantic,
fulfilling honeymoon trip. To get the most mileage from your money,
simply follow our rules of the road.
Memorable. Unimaginable. Everlasting. Your honeymoon, right? Maybe.
But if you max out your credit to pay for a honeymoon, you're more
likely to be describing your monthly credit-card bills than the
hoped-for afterglow of your special trip.
As couples super-size travel plans and live out fantasies, noted
financial advisor Suze Orman cautions, many are starting married
life mired in multi-digit debt that may outlive the marriage.
If you want a joyous shared experience - instead of years of financial
debris - to be your lasting honeymoon memory, check out these dollar-shaving
tactics to minimize costs and maximize your travel experience.
Don't Equate $ Spent With Satisfaction
Don't be lured into overspending. As Renee Duane, owner
of Unforgettable Honeymoons, a Portland travel agency, wisely notes, "a
honeymoon is about your experience together as a couple... Going
to a luxury resort doesn't mean you will have a memorable (trip)."
Spend Where It Matters
Determine what's non-negotiable (an exotic locale, posh lodgings,
etc.) and what you're willing to compromise on. Spend accordingly.
With established priorities, it'll be easier to make the inevitable
trade-offs.
Set a Budget
Use budget calculators such as MoonRings.com's interactive
version and Honeymoon Specialist.com's worksheet to nail down spending
by category. Without detailing expenses, you're likely to under-budget
for your trip.
Duane's formula for concocting a budget? "Take what you're spending
on the hotel (per day) and double it to give you an idea of how
much more you'll need" to spend on other items.
Do Your Homework
How far will your dollars stretch? Check newspaper travel sections;
read Frommer's Budget Travel magazine (a timely and credible
source for deals, discounts, and info on U.S. and foreign venues);
review offerings from reputable on- and offline tour operators
and discount and last-minute travel specialists.
Consider destinations such as Mexico and Canada where the dollar
is strong; you'll get more for your bucks. Locales with high tourist
traffic and heavy competition usually offer good deals.
Be as Flexible as You Can
To get the best deals, rethink when you'll leave, where
you'll go, where you'll stay, and how you'll get there. Choose a
different location. Book a shorter stay. Depart from a major hub,
book a discount air carrier or charter, fly midweek, late at night.
Opt for a tour package. Postpone - or delay - the honeymoon until
the less-expensive off- or shoulder season.
Ask for Help
Fund your dream trip with donations of miles (for free airfare)
and dollars (Sign up at an on- or offline honeymoon registry.)
Use What You've Got
Exchange your frequent-travel plan miles and points for
heavy-ticket airfare and luxury hotel and resort stays. Use what
you save on airfare or lodgings to land better deals or upgrades.
Seek Expert Advice
Save your time and your sanity - they're both priceless.
You could spend from now until your first anniversary researching
the "best" deals. Experienced agents can help you swiftly navigate
the maze and minefield of budget-travel options to find your best
match. They can also help you identify hidden costs, vet vendors
and provide first-hand knowledge of destinations.
Don't Buy by the Numbers
Price doesn't tell the whole story, advises Duane, "You
need to know about the property and the experience it provides." If
you don't know whom you're buying from and where you're going, your
honeymoon could resemble a horror story rather than a fairytale.
Most important, don't pick a location only because it's cheap.
When comparing options, consider the overall value in terms of
your needs.
Read the Fine Print
Is a rate per person, per night, or per package? Never assume anything.
Know what is - and isn't - included in quoted costs, minimum
and maximum stays, and other conditions and terms that affect
the total price. Airport and room taxes and fees and other charges
can up seemingly low-cost advertised package or per-night rates.
Opt for Alternative Accommodations
Can't afford a week or more in a foreign hotel? Firms such as Tuscan
House (www.tuscanhouse.com) specialize in comfortable and affordable
local rentals (apartments, condos, villas, etc.). Really cash-strapped?
Consider house swapping.
Love the outdoors? Rough it in a rental cabin in the nation's
campgrounds. Or camp in style in a Douglas Fir cabin at California's
Costanoa Coastal Lodge and Camp (800-738-7477).
Capitalize on Special Savings
Spring and fall, many Caribbean properties chop 35% from their
rates. "If you've already booked your trip," says Duane, "ask
your travel agent about rebooking at sale prices."
Scope Out Early- or Last-Minute Booking Discounts
Some cruise ships offer substantial discounts for early bookers
and/or hefty savings for closer-to-sailing bookings. Check Web
sites that specialize in short-stay, last-minute air/land packages
(expedia.com, Site59.com) to U.S. and foreign destinations.
Don't Overlook Other Discounts
Many new hotels and resorts feature introductory rates and exceptional
deals. Check special rental-car deals offered by alternative
vendors; rail and air passes; city sightseeing and entertainment
discount coupons, packages and offers; and restaurant and theater
discounts.
Identify Yourself as Honeymooners
Don't be obnoxious or demanding. Travel vendors often throw
in free goodies (an upgraded room, free drinks, etc.) or offer unadvertised
discounts on room rates.
With planning and a flexible attitude, you can have a dream honeymoon
without incurring a nightmare of debt.
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