All-Inclusive Resort Hacks That Can Help You Save Big

Planning an all-inclusive getaway makes vacation budgeting a breeze since your lodging, food, drinks and some activities are included in your nightly rate. However, all-inclusive resorts can cost a little or a lot, and you can get more bang for your buck if you do your research and make an informed decision. The following tips can help you save money on your all-inclusive vacation whether you prefer a luxury resort or affordable family fun.

Travel agents can frequently offer discounted nightly rates as well as room credits or upgrades that can make your vacation a better value. Better yet, using a travel agent for your all-inclusive vacation is entirely free, so you can snag a great deal and get some help with planning with zero out-of-pocket cost.

Having your heart set on an exact destination is the worst way to save money on an all-inclusive getaway. As you shop around, consider different beach destinations, islands, or locations for your trip. Instead of Riviera Maya, Mexico, consider Los Cabos or Mazatlan. Instead of Antigua, try Jamaica or the Dominican Republic.

All-inclusive resorts offer so much to see and do that you'll barely spend any time in your room. In fact, you'll probably spend your days enjoying all the food and drink you can consume, as well as on-site entertainment and activities. The bottom line: You can save money without sacrificing fun by booking the basic room type instead of splurging for a suite.

If you have flexible rewards with programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, you can redeem your points for a stay in an all-inclusive property. With Chase Ultimate Rewards, for example, you can use points to book any hotel you want through the Chase portal, which partners with Expedia.com.

Traveling during peak travel dates or over the holidays is always more expensive, but that seems to be even more true when it comes to all-inclusive resorts. To get more bang for your buck, consider traveling on off-peak travel dates or even during shoulder season.

Earning hotel points can also pay off if you want to save money on an all-inclusive stay - or even stay entirely for free. After all, hotel loyalty programs like World of Hyatt, IHG Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy boast some all-inclusive resorts you can book entirely with points.

Following all-inclusive resort brands like Palace Resorts and Palladium Hotel Group on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms is a great way to find out about their upcoming deals and sales. Also make sure to sign up for their newsletters, which deliver the same type of information to your inbox.

Some all-inclusive resorts let kids up to a certain age (usually 12) stay for free with an adult, while others tack on an extra person charge for each child you bring along. Check for all-inclusive resorts with kids stay free promotions, and you can save big on a family trip.

Leaving the kids at home can also lead to considerable savings on your nightly rate and flights to get to your destination. Some luxury all-inclusive resorts with relatively affordable rates, including UNICO 20º87º Hotel Riviera Maya, are even adults-only. This means you can get a break from your kids and avoid dealing with other people's children on your trip.

Consider bundling both your hotel and your flight in one reservation, and you could easily save money compared to if you had booked separately. Some websites even feature all-inclusive resort package deals with lower pricing on select destinations or specific resort brands.

Make sure to compare pricing for your dates and resort across multiple websites, and don't forget to check with the resort brand itself. You may find a better deal or a better cancellation policy if you book with the resort directly, but discount websites can offer lower prices, too.

Make sure to read the fine print as you shop around for all-inclusive properties, including whether there is an upcharge to bring children along. Also check for new destination taxes and fees, and don't forget to budget for cash tips and excursions.

Speaking of excursions, you don't have to book day trips through your resort. No matter your travel destination, you can search for snorkeling tours, adventure tours and other day trips through websites like Viator.com. Many excursions even include pickup and dropoff at your resort in the booking rate.

All-inclusive resorts in beach destinations are notorious for marking up "essential purchases" like sunscreen or Tylenol. You'll save a lot of money if you bring sunscreen, medicine and toiletries you'll need for your trip along with you in your checked luggage.

Some all-inclusive resort brands sell timeshares, and they may try to lure you into a sales pitch with some sort of free gift. You'll save time and energy if you avoid timeshare pitches altogether. You'll also avoid actually buying a timeshare if you skip the meeting in the first place.

Quite a few discount airlines fly to destinations with plenty of all-inclusive resorts. For example, Southwest Airlines flies to Mexico, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and plenty of other warm weather locales. This airline features cheap fares and everyone gets two free checked bags.

While all-inclusive resorts include your food, drink and entertainment in your nightly rate, that doesn't stop them from offering some extras. However, you'll save money if you avoid the lobster upgrade at dinner as well as the check-in upgrade to a room with a view.

Make sure you buy travel insurance if you have to prepay for your trip, and especially if you're visiting Mexico or the Caribbean during hurricane season. While travel insurance will make your trip slightly more expensive, it will ensure you don't lose everything if your trip is canceled or interrupted for reasons beyond your control.

You can also use the travel insurance you get with your travel credit card, although you should check for limits and exclusions. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with benefits like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement when you use it to pay for travel with a common carrier.