- Travelers face high prices and crowds this summer.
- The best way to get around high prices and crowds: be flexible.
- There are ways to stay flexible during the busiest travel season of the year, from planning your trip to the tools that get you there.
Life is full of commitments, and that will never be truer than when you’re traveling this summer.
Flights will be full. Just before Memorial Day, the Transportation Security Administration set a new record for most air travelers screened. It checked nearly 3 million passengers on May 24, surpassing the previous record set last Thanksgiving. US airlines are projecting a record summer. They expect to carry 271 million passengers in June, July and August, a 6% increase from last summer.
The roads will be congested. GasBuddy’s latest summer travel survey predicts that 76% of Americans plan to take a trip sometime between Memorial Day and Labor Day – an 18% increase from last summer.
check out Elliott Confidential, the newsletter the travel industry doesn’t want you to read. Each issue is packed with breaking news, in-depth insights and unique strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don’t tell anyone!
Hotels are also full. Average hotel occupancy will increase to 63.4%, the highest level since 2019, according to consultancy HVS.
To know more: Best travel insurance
There’s only one way around the high prices and crowds: be flexible.
“With peak season prices, crowds, flight delays and more, your itinerary should be done in pencil — not pen,” said Bill Smith, CEO of Landing, a company that offers flexible rentals. “Being flexible can help minimize your travel expenses while maximizing your adventure this summer.”
There are ways to stay flexible during the busiest travel season of the year, from planning your trip to the tools that get you there. Being a more flexible traveler also means thinking about traveling a little differently – bending but not breaking.
Should you repeat your vacation?Let’s settle this once and for all.
E-waste fees:Travelers are drowning in unwanted fees during the summer of surcharges
Ways to Become More Flexible This Summer
So how do you become more flexible? Here are some examples:
- Fly to another city. Sometimes the place you’re trying to visit is very popular – and expensive. That’s what happened to Phil Strazzulla when he tried to visit Milan last summer. Airline ticket prices were over $1,000. But he could fly to nearby Zurich, Switzerland, for less. So he did. “Not only did this save us more than $300 on each ticket, but the trip through the mountains was spectacular,” recalls Strazzulla, who runs a software analysis company. “Travel flexibility can result in cost savings — and a unique experience.”
- Get off the beaten path. Being truly flexible can mean stepping out of your comfort zone a little. “Instead of Rome, Italy, go to the Puglia region,” says Lynna Goldsby, cruise planner at Travel With Lynna. “Instead of London, try Normandy or Bath.” Trying these alternative destinations can still satisfy your wanderlust, but also reduce your expenses for lodging, restaurants, tours and transfers, she said.
- Take a detour. Airfares are often cheaper if you fly outside an airline’s hub. Don’t waste this opportunity, said Linda Robert, travel coach at Back in the Groove Again. Airlines such as Icelandair, Qatar Airways and Copa have stopover programs that allow you to enjoy a day or two at their hubs before heading to your holiday destination, often at no extra cost. “This strategy enriches your travel experience and offers a cost-effective way to see more places,” she said.
Here are some useful flexibility tools
There are some new ways to be flexible.
For example, Landing, which is a favorite of digital nomads and location independent workers, launched a new tool this week. Its 12-month Flex Stay program offers renters the opportunity to save up to 30% on monthly rates by committing to live with Landing for a year, which has locations in more than 375 cities.
“This new offering gives members the freedom to roam our entire nationwide network of fully furnished apartments as much – or as little – as they want throughout the year,” said Smith.
Another new feature is Airbnb’s flexible date search, which lets you select a time period instead of a specific date to see more options. Airbnb introduced the feature during the pandemic and can help you save up to 20% on vacation rentals.
One of my favorite tools is available on almost every online travel site worth its salt. It is the possibility of searching for air tickets or hotels based on more flexible schedules. Google Flights and Kayak are great for showing more flexible options. Pro tip: Don’t limit your flexibility to dates; Select a region you want to travel to, which may include an alternate airport.
The new airline will protect the consumerrules help you when you fly this summer?
Tipping is ‘not a right’:Should travelers stop tipping for everything?
You can also be flexible when it comes to the rate you pay, said Mahmood Khan, a professor of hospitality and tourism at Virginia Tech. Hotels reduce their rates by about 20% if you pay in advance (but you need to make sure you do, because these lower rates are usually non-refundable).
“Sometimes, selecting a hotel far from busy destinations but comfortable for commuting helps find an economical deal,” he added.
But how do you put it all together this summer, including your flexible itinerary and tools? Funny you should ask.
What are some more ways to increase your travel flexibility?
There are also new strategies for increasing travel flexibility, which can help you save money and a big headache when you’re on the road.
“A critical skill is knowing how and when to put white space in your itinerary,” says Stephanie Chastain, owner of Infinite Ireland Travel, a boutique travel consultancy. “Too rigid a schedule leaves travelers vulnerable to travel mishaps that derail well-intentioned plans.”
What is white space? That’s literally it – a blank page on your itinerary. An empty afternoon with free time. A leisurely breakfast instead of waking up at the crack of dawn for a full day excursion. It’s a rest day every two or three days, to avoid vacation burnout and to give your schedule some wiggle room.
Even experts continue to relearn the lesson of flexibility. For example, I recently had to fly from Anguilla to Miami at the last minute, and the flights were ridiculously expensive – about $800 for a one-way ticket. As soon as I got ready to book, I realized that Anguilla is a short ferry ride from St. Martin, which has more flights.
Total Savings: $200.
Being flexible means thinking about travel differently than everyone else. It’s the belief that there are many ways to get to your destination and that if you don’t arrive on the exact day your vacation starts, it won’t be the end of the world. Travel companies love to hook up with you when you absolutely need to be somewhere at a certain time. Be a contrarian. But don’t go too far.
Bend it so it doesn’t break
Some of the best travel advice for people who want to be flexible comes from veteran travel consultant Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips, a travel agency. She told me that lowering your expectations is one of the best ways to stay flexible.
“Life is not perfect,” she said. “Your trip will likely involve unforeseen and unpredictable events.”
One more thing: be also rigid is a recipe for a terrible trip. I’ve made this mistake before, and believe me, it’s not fun.
You don’t want to go too far. Of course, schedule your flight on a weekday to avoid high fares. Try booking your flight using one of Google Flights or Kayak’s flexible fare features, or check out Landing’s new flexible program.
But if you make too many concessions, it won’t really be a vacation. You’ll end up staying in a motel in the suburbs, far from all the attractions, and miss out on all the fun. Be flexible, but be smart.
Bend – but don’t break.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a customer service news site. If you need help with a consumer issue, you can contact him here or email chris@elliott.org.
