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Happy family travels in spring

How to Save for Spring Travel

Last Updated: December 3, 2024
3 min read
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Table of contents

Key Points:

  1. Some airline miles credit cards let you earn miles for every dollar spent on purchases.

  2. To save on trips, avoid booking flights, accommodations, and activities at the last minute.

  3. With some rewards cards, you can earn cash back when you fill up your tank for a road trip.

As winter fades and the days grow longer, many families plan a springtime family trip to coincide with school breaks. But whether on the road or in the air, the price tag for traveling can quickly balloon. If you’re seeking spring travel savings, use these strategies and credit card perks to help offset the cost of travel.

Let everyday purchases pay for your trip

No matter what time of year it is, you can start your travel planning by using credit card rewards you earn for your everyday purchases to offset the cost of travel expenses. As you grow rewards for things like filling up your gas tank or your frequent trips to the grocery store, you can use them to pay for some (or all) of the cost of your flight and hotels. Or, simply redeem your cash back rewards to use as spending money on your trip.

Did You Know?

With the Discover it® Miles Card, you can earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on travel purchases and all your everyday purchases,1 and your Miles never expire.2

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How to save when choosing your destination

When you’re looking for savings, start by looking for the right destination. Your mind may instantly go to the popular spring break spots and tourist favorites. But doing a little extra research will help you find similar locales that will save you money.

Are you eager to go to Mexico this spring? That doesn’t mean you have to join the crowds in Cancun, historically one of the most in-demand destinations for spring breakers. By choosing a less popular alternative like Playa del Carmen, you can enjoy smaller crowds—and save on hotels and activities.

How to save when booking your travel

When it’s time to book your trip, flexibility and planning goes a long way toward helping you save money. For starters, avoid waiting until the last minute to book. Everything from flights to excursions can have prices that may be more expensive closer to the departure date. Even scheduling your spa day or snorkeling tour ahead of time can help ensure the activities are available and cost effective.

You can also save by booking your trip for the right dates. It’s tempting to maximize your time away and leave at the beginning of a weekend. But you can save with a little flexibility by booking your departure or return on a weekday. Weigh the pros and cons of more time away or money savings.

Keep saving on travel while on the go

At the airport

When flying, you may find additional costs for things like baggage or access to an airline’s lounge. Some airline branded credit cards may allow you to avoid these charges.

Read the fine print in your terms and conditions and you may find that you have an airline miles credit card that allows you to check your bags free of charge or use a statement credit to cover the cost of your checked bag.

Not all credit cards offer these benefits, so check with your individual card issuer for details.

Credit cards that aren’t branded with an airline, like the Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card, might be more flexible because they allow you to redeem your rewards for cash to spend with the airline or hotel of your choosing, or on any other expense.

On the road

A host of perks may be available to those traveling abroad or on a road trip.

If you’re traveling by car, keep in mind that some rental car companies require you to provide a credit card when you pick up your rental vehicle at your destination. With Discover, you don’t have to worry about getting stranded. Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.3

With these tips, your next spring travel may be more affordable than ever before.

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  1. Rewards Redemption: Rewards never expire. We reserve the right to determine the method to disburse your rewards balance. We will credit your Account or send you a check with your rewards balance if your Account is closed or if you have not used it within 18 months. You may be unable to redeem rewards in some limited situations such as when you choose to use an electronic funds transfer to redeem rewards to a new (unverified) deposit account.

  2. Redeem Miles: Starting at 1 Mile, you can redeem your Miles as a credit to your account to pay for all or part of your bill, for cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account, or for a credit for Travel Purchases made on your statement within the last 180 days. Each Mile is equal to $0.01. Miles cannot be redeemed directly with a specific airline carrier. Travel Purchases include airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, travel agents, online travel sites, commuter transportation, restaurants and gas stations. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Even if a travel purchase on your statement appears to fit in a Travel Purchase category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in a Travel Purchase category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not be eligible for credit redemption if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. See Terms and Conditions for more information.

  3. Acceptance: According to the Feb 2024 issue of the Nilson Report.

  • Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.