News & Trending Travel News

12 Tricks to Easily Plan a Vacation for Under $1,000, According to a Retiree

Unleash your wanderlust without draining your savings using these budget-savvy vacation strategies.

aged couple enjoying each other
Updated Oct. 1, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

You may have dreamed of traveling nonstop during your retirement. But now that you’re living on a fixed income, you’re finding it hard to bring those dreams to life.

If that describes your situation, don’t give up: Traveling with a tight budget might feel intimidating, but it’s doable.

From using the top travel credit cards to senior discounts at hotels and tourist destinations, here's how you can cover your expenses without going over your budget.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources

Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Book flights far in advance

Prostock-studio/Adobe senior tourists holding boarding passes

The nearer you get to your preferred travel date, the more expensive airfare becomes.

Whenever possible, reserve domestic flights at least two months in advance and international flights at least four months in advance.

Book hotels early — but pay attention to cancellation fees

fizkes/Adobe mature couple using smartphone

To ensure you have a place to stay on the dates you want to travel, it’s wise to book your hotel as soon as you know when and where you want to go.

Make sure you read the fine print, though: Many places will give you a full refund if you cancel by a specific date, but not all. The last thing you want to do is lose some of your hard-earned travel money to a sneaky cancellation policy.

Be smart about Airbnb

K Seisa/peopleimages.com/Adobe A senior couple diligently conducts a budget review while working together on a laptop and examining various documents.

Airbnb offers fantastic opportunities to experience a place like a local, but booking an Airbnb can come with more risks than booking a hotel.

For instance, unlike hotel chains, which typically have standard cancellation policies, Airbnb hosts set their own terms. If an unexpected event causes you to cancel travel plans, you might not be able to get a full refund, depending on the host.

Plus, some common Airbnb scams can take a chunk of your travel budget. Make sure you’re aware of the most popular schemes so you can steer clear.

Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Consider senior memberships

NDABCREATIVITY/Adobe mature couple using digital tablet

Groups like the AARP sell yearly memberships, including discounts on everything from restaurants and movie theaters to airfare and car rentals.

Even better, membership in senior-specific groups is usually pretty cheap. For instance, AARP charges new members $1 a month for their first year. 

With a price that low, you’ll recoup the cost of your membership in savings as soon as you book your first trip.

Get a National Parks Pass

Jesse B/peopleimages.com/Adobe senior friends hiking

International travel can be wonderful for all sorts of reasons, but you don’t have to leave the United States to see some of the world's most beautiful sites.

If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, consider investing in a National Parks Pass. While the regular public pays an annual fee, you can purchase a Senior Pass (available to everyone age 62 and up) for a one-time fee of $80.

Decide what you do and don’t want to spend money on

Prostock-studio/Adobe calculating family budget

Whether you collect souvenirs or travel to a place known for its shopping districts, like New York City or London, consider making a list of items you want to spend money on well before your trip.

Spur-of-the-moment purchases can tip your stretched vacation budget past the point of no return, and knowing what you do want to buy can keep you from throwing money away on things you don’t want or won’t enjoy,

Use travel credit card reward points

Krakenimages.com/Adobe grey-haired man using smartphone

If vacationing is your favorite activity, you might consider looking into travel credit cards offering specific rewards points for travel.  

Of course, taking on debt can be a risky venture, especially if you’re on a fixed income. You’ll get the most out of your travel cards and their rewards if you can pay off your balance every month.

Travel during the off-season

Lazy_Bear/Adobe elderly couple in airport terminal

Apart from major ski towns, most U.S. destinations consider summertime the on-season for travel, which makes winter the off-season when prices are lower.

If you’re put off by the high cost of hotel rooms during your desired travel dates, try plugging in winter dates instead. The cost difference could be hundreds of dollars, depending on where you travel.

Traveling during the “shoulder season” (spring or fall) can also result in reduced rates and smaller crowds.

Leave the beaten path

Rawpixel.com/Adobe senior couple riding a scooter

Even if you travel during the off-season, a popular destination like Disney World or Cabo San Lucas will almost always cost exponentially more than vacationing in a lesser-known location.

An adventure off the beaten path can save you money while treating you to incredible, once-in-a-lifetime sights that tourists who stick to better-known locales can only dream of.

Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)

Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.

No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.

Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.

Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.

Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.

But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).

Apply for the SELECT card today

Book a travel package

Roman/Adobe travel agent giving tickets

Instead of reserving your plane tickets, hotel rooms, ground transportation, and destination activities separately, consider saving time and money by booking a travel package through a travel company like Costco.

Along with saving money, you’ll be saving yourself the hassle of hammering out the most tedious travel details on your own.

Avoid holiday travel at all costs

Viacheslav Yakobchuk/Adobe freelancer typing on his notebook

While a cozy getaway to the Florida Keys over the winter holidays might sound wonderful, its price tag is anything but. No matter where you’re traveling, transportation and lodging prices will almost certainly skyrocket during the holidays.

If you can enjoy the holidays at home and save traveling for a less hectic time of year, your travel budget will go much further.

Take advantage of senior deals

ArtSys/Adobe senior woman holding a credit card

Now that you’ve retired, plenty of places will go out of their way to help you save. 

For instance, the Marriott hotel chain lets all guests over age 62 reserve rooms at a discounted price. Groups like the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens help seniors access expensive Broadway tickets for under $100.

Before you finalize travel plans, check if the amenities and services you schedule offer senior discounts. This will help you avoid throwing away money, and you could be surprised by how much you’ll save.

Bottom line

Kostiantyn/Adobe senior couple relaxing on a sailboat

Living on a fixed income shouldn’t have to mean staying put at home or living a life without fun. 

Use these 12 tips to save money on travel and continue making memories you’ll treasure well into your golden years.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Benefits

Card Details

  • $0 annual fee
  • Simple, flat-rate rewards
  • Flexible redemption options
  • Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
  • Apply Now
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card
4.1
info
Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

$0

+

Why we like it


Author Details

Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith has spent a decade writing for and about small businesses. She specializes in all things finance and has written for publications like G2 and SmallBizDaily. When she's not writing for work at her desk, you can usually find her writing for pleasure near large bodies of water.