Recession-Proof 2008 Vacation plans with Smart Splurge Strategies

03-27-2008

American Express Travel Offers “Insider Tips” for All Travel Tastes and Budgets

 

People are passionate about travel.  It’s an important part of their lifestyle and for many it’s a way to indulge in their personal passions, whether that’s golf, food, wine, etc.  With people working longer hours than ever, an occasional vacation is something they have come to expect.   Therefore, even in a tightening economy, American Express Travel is finding that people are not looking to eliminate travel altogether, but rather change the way they approach it.  They are looking for ways to maximize their travel dollars and be more savvy and resourceful in their vacation planning. 

 

Here are some tips that American Express Travel is offering travelers:

Ask the expert.  Tap into the knowledge and expertise of travel agents.  Travel agents have access to valuable information, tips, deals and packages that aren’t widely available and that can put an out-of-reach vacation well within grasp.  And in addition to helping travelers find the best value, they also help make the most out of the travel experience with their intimate knowledge of destinations around the globe and expertise in a variety of categories of travel.  For example, American Express Travel Counselors’ areas of expertise include everything from around-the-world travel to cruising, family, and adventure vacations. 

You don’t have to go far to experience something new.  Previous surveys of American Express Travel Counselors have revealed that travelers are increasingly looking for new and unique experiences.  While traveling afar certainly offers that, there are new and unique experiences available much closer to home as well as new and unique ways to experience tried-and-true destinations.  For instance, if you’ve already visited LA and San Francisco, try San Diego or if you’ve already been to Houston and Dallas, give Austin a try.  The election year also offers a unique opportunity to visit some of the country’s leading presidential museums and/or libraries, such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Illinois, for a family lesson in the election process.

 

You may be cash-poor, but points-rich, so tap into your point and mile banks to subsidize the cost of your trip.  Travelers can use points or miles towards airfare and hotels to make their trip more affordable, and using rewards points for travel has never been more easy, flexible or inclusive.  A great example is American Express’ Membership Rewards Pay with Points feature which allows Cardmembers to use their membership rewards points without any black-out dates or other usual restrictions associated with redemption.  The Beauty of Pay with Points is also that Cardmembers can use their points for ALL travel rewards, not just airline tickets, but also hotel accommodations and even entire cruises.  Finally, if a Cardmember doesn’t have enough points to cover the entire cost of the redemption, they can use points to cover a portion and another form of payment for the remainder of the cost.  The process is easy and available to Cardmembers whenever booking travel at www.americanexpress.com/travel

 

Cruise the Open Seas.  Lock in Your Costs. This all-inclusive vacation option helps travelers manage their budgets by ensuring that virtually all costs are included and eliminating most concerns about foreign exchange rates.  In fact, cruising’s popularity is growing considerably because of the value it offers and also due to a new generation of cruise offerings that provide more variety and flexibility than ever before, including new and increasingly exotic ports-of-call around the world, lavish onboard amenities and opportunities for customized excursions and experiences. 

 

Off-the-beaten-path destinations can offer affordable luxury options.  If a European vacation is a must-do, head off-the beaten track.  Savvy travelers looking for more affordable luxury European destinations, are heading to Eastern Europe’s old world capitals such as Budapest, Prague and Warsaw.  Croatia and Hungary also offer affordable luxury and a rich travel experience.  For those most concerned about exchange rates, travel where the dollar is strong.  Many Central and South American countries, such as Argentina and Guatemala, offer favorable exchange rates and a variety of experiences from eco-friendly vacations, to high-end luxury - at a great value.

 

Save a day, save a bundle. According to American Express Travel Counselors, simply cutting back your vacation by one day can provide significant savings, which can be put towards upgrades, tours, excursions, dining out, spa treatments, and other experiences that enhance and enrich the overall vacation experience. One way to maximize time is to choose flight itineraries that have early arrival times to the destination and late departure times on the return.

 

Membership has its privileges. From your credit card provider to your professional membership organization, travel benefits and savings are available that help enhance the vacation experience while offsetting costs.  For example, American Express’ Fine Hotels & Resorts program provides Platinum Card members complimentary amenities such as room upgrades, complimentary continental breakfast and late checkout at over 600 participating hotel properties around the world.  Similarly, its Cruise Privileges program offers Platinum Card members luxurious, value-added cruise benefits including room upgrades, shipboard credits and spa credits when booking a cruise vacation of six days or longer on any participating cruise line partner. 

 

[Back to Press Releases Main]