Even though we’re living during pandemic times, there’s nothing like getting a jumpstart on planning your first post-COVID trip!

For many Caribbean nationals, having a passport is more for identification than actual travel because, let’s be real, that’s expensive!

Consideration for things like airfare, accommodations and spending money may serve as a deterrent to those who want to vacation abroad but think it too expensive. However, trips can be made significantly cheaper if one plans accordingly.

Buy tickets

early (enough)

As a general rule, try to stay away from buying last-minute

tickets. On that note, you also want to stay away from getting tickets too

soon. Purchasing tickets between two to three months in advance of your planned

travel date could get you the best prices, depending on the season, according

to acheapair.com study based on 917million airfares across 8,000 markets.

Travel during holiday periods and to popular destinations will cost more. For

example, the difference between tickets to New York bought for travel in

October may vary by as much as US$100 or more each when compared to one bought

for travel in December, closer to Christmas.

Visit a

cheaper location

Consider travelling to a cheaper city or country than where you

have planned. Closer and less popular destinations often come with more

reasonable airfares than you would find when compared to hotspots frequented by

Instagram influencers. So, Miami over New York or Mexico instead of Europe will

almost always work out to be less expensive.

Plan and

save

We love the idea of living in the moment and spontaneous trips

sound fun but will usually involve unplanned expenses. Think carefully about

what you would want to do with your two weeks’ vacation and work towards a

well-thought out trip that allows you to maximise your time while minimising expenditure.

Your bank account will thank you later.

Travel Light

In an age where you are charged for everything on flights,

bringing additional bags will add up, costing anywhere from US$25 per bag one

way for the first bag with the second being even more. Pack smart and travel

light.

Eat Like A

Local

By that we don’t necessarily mean eat food from that area; eating

like a local means eat where the locals would eat. Ask for suggestions from the

people around. They know where to get the best food and at the most reasonable

price. The only thing that beats delicious is delicious and cost-effective.

Visit

Friends and Family/Go Where You Know People

Go where you have friends and or family. This seems obvious but

many people choose to stay away from people they know because of the expectations

and the desire to avoid family drama. However, staying with relatives

eliminates the cost of accommodations and, oftentimes, food.

Earn

Miles/Points

Speaking of credit cards, get you one that gives you travel points

or discounts at hotels etc. I got a *insert bank and credit card here* four

years ago and since then I’ve been able to redeem points three times for

round-trip tickets to New York and Miami. I use my credit card for most regular

expenses and then immediately pay it off in full to avoid interest rates while

watching the points add up.

Travel in a

group

And if you insist on avoiding family at all costs, then plan your

trips with a small group of friends to split costs for things like taxis,

accommodations and meals which can really add up.