“We can’t right now,” my client of three years tells me. She goes on to say that expenses are up. Gas is four dollars a gallon, and recreational travel in this economy is just not in the cards for them. But most people don’t realize that, with proper planning and execution, they can still check off those bucket-list destinations. Here are just a few ways I help our clients travel in this economy.
Cruises
Some cruise lines allow you to book two, sometimes even three years out. This can allow you to pay the cost incrementally over twelve to twenty-four months. Cruise deposits can be as low as $50 per person. Some lines, like Virgin Voyages, partner with Upgrade to offer zero percent financing, which appeals to many travelers. Travel advisors help their clients stay on budget by repricing the trip to ensure the best deal is grabbed. They can also manage those monthly payments for you.
Additionally, many people are exploring local destinations to travel in this economy without the high costs associated with long-distance trips.
Outside of financing, cruises allow you to cover a lot of ground in a reasonably short amount of time. For example, a Mediterranean cruise could cover four different countries in ten days, and you are only unpacking once. Check off four bucket list destinations in one trip. Cruises also allow for downtime, and that’s the point of a vacation. Right?
When planning, it’s crucial to consider how you can travel in this economy while maximizing your experiences.
Points & Miles
The next tactic takes quite a lot of discipline and follow-through. Put your monthly expenses on an airline or travel credit card. I suggest Delta or United for specific carrier miles that also fly internationally, or the Capital One Venture Card.
Using points and miles can significantly help those looking to travel in this economy.
Just make sure you are paying it off each month so you actually get the points. When it comes time to book, I help clients find the most bang for their buck, as airlines will sometimes offer discounted mile rates, as well as savings for booking off-peak times.
Many clients ask how to use their points effectively to travel in this economy.
Theme Parks
Disney is expensive. I know I’m just stating the obvious, but hear me out. This was actually the topic of one of the first videos I ever posted on the THK Travel YouTube channel: “Why You Think a Disney Vacation Is Out of Reach”.
Finding discounts is key when considering how to travel in this economy, especially at popular theme parks.
As soon as the booking window opens for Walt Disney World, your travel advisor can get your vacation package booked. But! But! Welcome to vacation math class. Let’s look at this trip example:
Budgeting strategies are essential if you want to travel in this economy and enjoy your experiences.
A family of 4 is planning to travel to Orlando,
October 21–26, 2027,
staying at All-Star Sports on a
4-day Park Hopper
with the Quick Service dining plan.
This trip prices out to around $5,600. With a $200 deposit, that leaves a balance of $5,400 to pay over 56 weeks.
Remember, planning ahead can help you travel in this economy and make your dream trips a reality.
—– or roughly $96 a week.
Broken down like that, it’s a lot more manageable than it looks. But if you just glance at “$5,600,” you’re going to dismiss it as out of reach. That’s where a good travel advisor comes in – walking you through how to actually make it happen for your family.
Travel advisors are experts at helping families travel in this economy without breaking the bank.
The same idea applies to Universal Orlando: book as far out as possible and bundle as much as you can. Official packages more than 45 days out can be booked with just $50 per person down, plus a payment plan to spread out the rest. Your travel advisor can reprice the trip along the way to make sure you’re getting the lowest amount possible,
Don’t underestimate the power of early planning to travel in this economy effectively.
….. and don’t forget to circle back to those airline points and miles to help cover the flights.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, it’s about finding ways to travel in this economy and enjoy life despite financial constraints.
The next time expenses feel tight, and travel feels like the first thing to cut, remember: the choice isn’t between surviving now and traveling later. It’s about when the money leaves your account, not whether the trip happens. Survival mode doesn’t have to mean giving up on the bucket list, it just means planning smarter, not bigger. That’s what I’m here for.
Let’s chat. Reach out today: hello@thktravel.com
If you’re feeling unsure about how to travel in this economy, I’m here to help guide you through the options.
