It’s hard to miss headlines about the rising cost of travel, but that doesn’t mean the trip you’ve been dreaming of has to stay a dream. For those who want to travel this year while managing overall cost, AAA Northeast travel advisors are leveraging creative strategies — and their insider expertise — to make vacations a reality.
“Right now, we are seeing our members continue to prioritize travel, but with a more strategic approach,” said Wendy Marley, travel advisor for AAA Northeast. “Travelers are increasingly interested in trips with clear costs and added value, like guided vacations and group travel, cruises and shoulder-season vacations.”
How can you go beyond the same old tips to travel on a budget? Consider the following:
- Reverse your booking patterns: When booking a trip, we usually start with a specific destination in mind. But if the experience of travel is your priority and the location is flexible, travel advisors recommend looking for the best airfare or promotional offers and building the trip around that value.
- Take advantage of secondary airports or nearby gateways: Slight shifts in departure cities can deliver meaningful savings.
- Split trip components strategically: A little bit of legwork to determine the best pricing for all elements of your trip can maximize value. Sometimes it’s beneficial to package certain pieces, while there may be other times that specific promotions or rewards make it worth it to book separately.
- Use shoulder season to your advantage: While it’s often mentioned, traveling just outside of peak season is still an underutilized way to experience destinations when the weather is still very favorable — but with noticeably lower prices and fewer crowds. Shoulder season often delivers a better overall experience, more access, more flexibility and more value, without sacrificing the quality of the trip.
- Choose your airline based on the big picture: For international trips, there are a few important considerations when selecting an airline. European carriers typically operate under different consumer protection frameworks than U.S. carriers, which can offer additional reassurance when it comes to reimbursements and refunds. On the other hand, U.S. carriers may provide stronger loyalty program benefits for frequent travelers. Before you book, evaluate the full picture including price, schedule, routing and overall experience to make a choice that aligns with budget and other travel priorities.
- Advisor exclusives: Many travel companies and cruise lines offer bundled perks that aren’t always available to consumers booking on their own — make sure to take advantage of travel advisors’ insider knowledge.
Last updated on June 24, 2026 by AAA Staff
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
