Many people are traveling in retirement. And many of them aren’t traveling cheaply: Americans 50 and older say they plan to spend more than $6,650 on vacations this year, and about half of them say they’ll spend more than that in 2023, a figure that could well surpass the $10,000 they’re planning to spend in 2021. AARP Survey find.
Some are planning to venture abroad, while others are planning to travel within the United States. But no matter your destination, there are steps you can take to make your retirement vacation more enjoyable and enjoyable. cheaper.
1. Travel light
No one wants to lug around heavy bags, but traveling light is especially important if you have mobility issues or physical limitations. “We try to never take more than we can carry in one trip,” says Veronica James, who writes about her retirement travel experiences with her husband, David, on the site The Gypsy Nesters Blog“This saves us from having to leave our luggage behind while we hail a taxi or take a bus, or even while we check into a hotel. We always have everything with us.”
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Tip: Buy some packing cubes, small compressible bags that you can use to pack more clothes into your suitcase.
2. Fight jet lag
“Jet lag is something that doesn’t get better with age,” Veronica says. “Living in Southern California and having our daughter and grandchildren in Paris, nine time zones away, has left us with some world-class jet lag in recent years.” To combat jet lag, the Jameses like to break up their Paris trips with stops in New York or Boston, where they visit family for a few days before continuing their journey across the Atlantic.
Advice: Stay hydrated during your flight, as dehydration can worsen the physical symptoms of jet lag, studies show.
3. Choose an aisle seat for long-haul flights
Older people are at greater risk of deep vein thrombosis caused by lack of movement. If you're taking a long-haul flight, choosing an aisle seat can make it easier for you to stand up and stretch, which will also help prevent your muscles from becoming tense and stiff.
Advice: To prevent blood clots, the National Blood Clot Alliance recommends walking for 30 minutes before boarding. Wearing compression stockings can also help reduce the risk of blood clots if you have circulation problems.
4. Stay hydrated
According to the Cleveland Clinic, extreme heat is more dangerous for older adults, whose bodies are at greater risk of dehydration. Be sure to drink plenty of water during your trip and watch for signs of dehydration, such as fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, chills, muscle cramps, or skin flushing.
Advice: In addition to drinking water, eating foods that are high in water, such as cucumbers, peppers, apples, watermelon and celery, can help you stay hydrated.
5. Beware of travel scams
About one in three adults say they have been scammed when booking or taking travel, and a third of them have lost $1,000 or more, according to a recent study. McAfee Investigation over 7,000 people. While anyone can fall victim to a travel scam, older travelers should be especially vigilant as they are often targeted by fraudsters.
Advice: Be wary if you don’t see a contact page or physical address, phone number, or email address on a travel booking site. This could be a sign of a fake company looking to steal your travel money. If you’re a victim of a travel scam, report the fraud to FTC Online or by calling 877-382-4357.
6. Consider alternative destinations
You may have a bucket list of places to visit that includes popular tourist destinations. But you could save money — and avoid big crowds — by traveling to less-crowded cities. According to the Association of Office Property Owners (AARP) According to a survey, 29% of people aged 50 to 59, 23% of people aged 60 and 18% of adults aged 70 and over say they are ready to visit unique or off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Advice: Looking for travel in Europe? Instead of heading to popular destinations like Italy, Spain or Amsterdam, consider less-traveled countries like Lithuania, Bulgaria or Georgia, where you can find cheaper flights and hotel rates. 6 Great International Vacations Within Your Reach.
7. Take advantage of senior discounts
Keep an eye out for cheaper hotels, cruises and car rental rates for seniors, as well as senior discounts at restaurants and attractions.
Advice: Planning to travel by train in the United States? Amtrak offers customers 65 and older a 10% discount on most fares and rail routes. Love exploring national parks? Seniors 62 and older can purchase a one-year pass to America the Beautiful — the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for just $20 or a lifetime pass for $80.
8. Never put medication in checked baggage
Always keep your medication in hand luggage to avoid any problems if your luggage is lost.
Advice: Carry a list of your medications, including your doctor's contact information, in case you need to replace medications lost during your trip.
9. Get travel medical insurance
Health insurance may provide you with limited emergency care coverage when traveling outside the United States, but it will not cover most medical evacuations. This is where a travel medical insurance policy arrives. The average plan costs $89, according to travel insurance comparison site Square mouthBut costs can vary depending on your age and the policy's coverage limits and exclusions. Even healthy seniors may benefit from having an insurance policy because they are more prone to falls and accidents due to reduced bone density, balance issues, and slower reflexes.
Advice: If you have any pre-existing health conditions, make sure your travel medical insurance policy covers them.
10. Use memberships to get travel deals and discounts
Jennifer Huber, author of Solo Traveler Blogsays she takes advantage of her AAA and AARP memberships to get cheaper hotel rates. Plus, “I’m an annual member of the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda, Florida, and because they’re part of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Garden Network, I get free admission to over 360 (gardens) across North America,” she says. “Last year, I visited at least four gardens on my travels, plus the family gardens, so the membership paid for itself.”
Advice: If you enjoy visiting museums while traveling, consider joining a museum that includes access to the North American Reciprocal Museum Association, which offers free admission to hundreds of cultural institutions in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. You can find participating museums at NARM Website.
11. Choose a hotel that meets your needs
Not all hotels can accommodate guests with mobility issues. If stairs are a problem, make sure the hotel has a working elevator or ask if they can provide you with a ground floor room.
Advice: If you use a wheelchair, call the hotel and ask if the bathroom is spacious enough to accommodate a wheelchair and if the shower has grab bars.
12. Use a travel rewards credit card
“One of the most important ways to reduce your travel costs is to get credit cards that offer the most travel benefits,” says Jim Ferri, a retired travel agent and author of Blog Never Stop Traveling. In fact, many credit card companies market their rewards cards to retirees, who often have a significant portion of their disposable income devoted to travel. “Credit card companies, especially those in the travel industry, are eager to have you as a customer,” Ferri says.
His advice: “Look for cards that offer a variety of perks, such as thousands of sign-up bonus points, airline statement credits, and free or discounted tickets. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. »
Advice: Check out Kiplinger's list of best credit cards with travel rewards to find a card that fits your spending and travel habits.
