travel intel
The spring and fall shoulder seasons can net you big cruise savings
Vacation Values How to save on your cruise , hotel stay , car rental and more By Liz FLeminG
Great trips don ’ t have to involve over-the-top expenses . Plan ahead and follow our savvy tips to help make this year ’ s beach basking a bargain !
Get wily with your wheels There are a few ways to rent a car without busting your budget . Pre-paying for your rental typically nets a lower rate ; selecting a non-airport pick-up and drop-off location can , too . Consider adding an extra day or two to your schedule : A four-day booking can be more economical than shorter periods and a full week may end up offering the cheapest per-day rate . And return your vehicle with a full tank to avoid paying the rental company ’ s higher gas prices . AMA members also save up to 20 % on car rental rates with Hertz . Visit AMARewards . ca / Hertz for more info .
Savvy hotel savings Hotel brand loyalty can pay dividends ; book regularly to enjoy frequentsleeper rewards . Booking through AMA offers further incentive : Whether you ’ re at a fancy Fairmont or a more modest Best Western , you ’ ll benefit from a discount of up to 20 percent — on top of loyalty perks that you could earn , such as free parking , Wi-Fi and potential room upgrades . Plus , our Best Price Guarantee gets you the best rate — so you can sleep like a bargain-loving baby .
top tips for theme parks Is this the year for a big theme-park holiday ? First , check out AMA ’ s multipark and multi-day passes , which can save you money and make for a more relaxed schedule . At your destination , set a daily “ treat allowance ” for each child to avoid being overwhelmed by the inevitable toy and candy kiosks . See if the park offers passes to shorten your queuing time , and keep healthy snacks on hand to stave off hunger without paying for pricey park food .
Cost-conscious cruising You may be surprised just how far your travel dollars will sail on a cruise vacation — if you time things right and take advantage of onboard package deals .
Choose a shoulder season like fall and early winter , or April and May , and you ’ ll save on most cruise ships . Shore excursions can add a lot to your cruise costs , so selecting a cruise line that offers at least one freebie per port might be your best choice , even if the initial price of the cruise seems higher .
A few other tips to consider onboard : Many ships charge for bottled water ; bring your own refillable bottle instead . And be sure to check the price of onboard internet . The service can be both expensive and slow , so write your messages in a text editor before logging on , then quickly paste them into your email and send .
AMA Cruise Specialists are experts at matching your preferences and budget to the right ship and the right trip . Find a Cruise Specialist at aMatravel . ca / Cruise or call 1-866-989-6594
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