Helpful Tips to Save Big on Your Summer 2020 Getaway

While the cold and dreary weather of winter may be normal now, the warmth and joy of summer will soon be on its way. If you're eager for a change of scenery, these tips can help you plan a fun and unforgettable summer getaway that you can actually afford.

The best way to afford fun summer travel this year is by taking steps to save money in a travel fund all year long - either once per month or each time payday rolls around. However, you should make sure your travel fund is kept in a high-yield savings account that lets your money grow over time thanks to the power of compound interest.

Hoping to build up a nest egg of funds for travel? Consider signing up for a travel credit card that offers a big bonus. Many of the top travel credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred, let you earn an initial bonus worth $500 or more when you sign up and meet a minimum spending requirement within a few months.

Cruising is an affordable travel option anyway, but last-minute cruises can be especially cheap. Look for last-minute cruise deals on cruise line websites, but you can also check for steep discounts on unsold cruise cabins on VacationstoGo.com. If you're willing to cruise almost anywhere and with any cruise line, you can save up to 82 percent off.

Flying is one of the most expensive components of any family trip, and that cost only compounds when you bring more kids along. To avoid this massive expenditure, consider destinations that are within driving distance instead. You can avoid airfare and the cost of a rental car in one fell swoop.

If you want to save big money this year, skip over the fancy resorts and hotels. Book a rental home or condo instead and share it with family or friends. Not only can you book a big place and spread out the cost, but you can save even more by avoiding pricey resort food and making most of your own meals at "home."

Do you have some hotel loyalty points laying around? Consider cashing them in to pay for at least part of your summer getaway. Also note that some programs like Hilton Honors let you pool points with other people. This makes it a lot easier to gather random points from your spouse and other family members that may not want them or need them.

If you want the RV experience without the huge investment required, consider renting one instead. RVShare.com is the "Airbnb" of recreational vehicles, and they make it easy to find an affordable RV you can use to travel nearly anywhere nationwide. Since owners compete with one another for business, prices are competitive, too.

You can frequently save money if you're able and willing to package your airfare, hotel and rental car into a single booking. Websites like Expedia.com, CheapCaribbean.com and Priceline.com make it easy to find inexpensive vacation packages, so make sure to check.

If you have some airline miles you could spend, make sure to check for deals that can help you stretch them further than normal. Delta SkyMiles has its own "deals page" and so does Air France/Flying Blue. The American AAdvantage program also offers web specials that let you book flights for fewer miles than normal.

All-inclusive resorts include your lodging, food, drinks and entertainment in a single nightly rate, but they may not be as pricey as you think. Budget destinations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic have many all-inclusive properties that offer nightly rates below $200 during off-peak travel times, so don't rule these resorts out.

Make sure you're flexible with your dates, and that you compare several options before you book. You can often fly for considerably less if you depart on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday when compared to a Saturday, for example. Start trip planning with a range of dates in mind before you book, and you'll be in a better position to save in the long run.

Also keep your eye out for cheap flight deals using price tools like Google Flights. Websites like TheFlightDeal.com and SecretFlying.com also release short-term deals to various destinations around the world several times per day, so make sure to subscribe.

If your goal is saving big on summer travel, make sure to avoid travel dates over summer holidays like Memorial Day weekend, July 4th and Labor Day. Travel is almost always more expensive over dates that include a holiday, and you'll probably deal with more crowds to boot.

If you absolutely must fly to your destination this summer, make sure to check pricing from all the airports within driving distance of your home. You may be able to score a much better deal from an airport just a few hours away, making the short trip from home well worth the savings.

Need a free place to stay? Try housesitting for someone through a website like TrustedHousesitters.com. This site connects homeowners who need housesitting and pet sitting services with consumers who are looking to try out a new destination and don't mind taking care of furry friends.

You can also save on summer travel by avoiding checked baggage charges. Consider flying with an airline that lets bags fly free like Southwest Airlines. Also see if you can pick up an airline credit card that offers a free checked bag for you and your guests as a cardholder perk.

Also check discount airlines like Allegiant Air, Spirit Airlines and Frontier since these airlines offer insanely cheap airfare deals on select itineraries throughout the year. Just make sure to watch out for hidden charges for carry-on luggage, seat selection or a printed boarding pass.

Finally, don't forget the golden rule of saving money on travel at any time of the year. Don't forget to shop around and compare prices before you book. You can often find different prices on airfare, hotels, rental cars and other travel when you look at different booking websites, so don't forget this crucial step as you plan the summer getaway of your dreams.