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5 Ways To Make Your 2022 Travel Dreams Come True

Making that vacation happen from planning to purchase

by AARP® Credit Cards from Barclays (Paid Content)

Mature couple taking a selfie with Torbay harbour in background

Photo Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK

For those who love to travel, the freedom to travel when and where we want will not be taken for granted again. Travel has a way of bringing all of our senses to life – seeing magnificent landscapes, tasting delicious cuisine, hearing the sounds of laughter from the one you love, and feeling youthful with every new exploration.    

Whether you’re dreaming of vacationing in Alaska or Aruba, Montana or Morocco, Florida or France, these five tips can help you make your travel dreams come true without breaking the bank.

  1. Start planning now. If you already know where you want to go on your next trip – congratulations. You’re well on your way! If you still need to figure that part out, do some research on your dream destinations. Ask yourself these questions to narrow down your list. How long do you want your trip to last (one week or multi-week immersive experience)? Do you want to tour the region on your own (car rental)? How easy is it to get there (nonstop flights)? And, will your must-see experiences and activities be open and available to you (the lavender fields in France or wineries in Napa)? 

  2. Know before you go. Once you’ve determined where you’ll likely be going, set up alerts on your smartphone. You can track airfare and travel deals to get lower prices. You can also get important notifications about when destinations will reopen, restrictions in place, and any quarantine requirements. This information will help you narrow down your destination and activities. 

  3. Best times to book flights and travel. Which day of the week you book your flights does matter. According to a study by Airlines Reporting Corp., Sunday is the day where you’ll likely see lower fares. Additionally, if you can fly from a major hub, you’ll have more access to direct flights, which can save you money.

  4. Travel insurance. Paying for travel insurance is an extra expense up front, but it can save you a lot in the event your travel plans change. You may have declined purchasing it in the past, but given the uncertainty because of COVID-19, travel insurance can give you the peace of mind you need to book your trip now. Insurance plans differ, so read the terms closely to be sure you’re comfortable before booking your trip. 

  5. Reward yourself. Take advantage of travel rewards when you’re ready to book it. Apply now for the new AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays. Use it for your travel expenses to earn unlimited cash back, with no annual fee. How it works: 3% cash back on airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals, 2% on restaurant purchases, and 1% on all other purchases. Plus, as a Limited-Time Offer, you can earn a $150 cash back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days. That’s travel well rewarded. Terms apply.

Regardless of where your travels take you this year or next, stay informed about the changing landscape and prepare to be flexible. With the planning you’ve done, you can shift gears if you need to – even if that means a staycation. Happy travels!     

AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Barclays Bank Delaware (Barclays) pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some Barclays offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact Barclays directly for details.