GREENVILLE, S.C., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- With Memorial Day upon us, many travelers are heading out this weekend for a little "R & R." Very often, the family budget ends up determining the weekend plans. According to Uniroyal Tire and savings expert Stephanie Nelson, planning a fun and memorable Memorial Day vacation doesn't have to break the bank. By following these 15 easy travel tips, families can cut costs during every stage of their trip, no matter where the desired escape.
Uniroyal Tire and "Coupon Mom" Stephanie Nelson recommend the following as their top 15 best-kept secrets for saving hundreds on your Memorial Day travel:
On the Way
Gas:
1. Check the inflation pressure of your tires. Research conducted
by Uniroyal found that most Americans are driving around on
under-inflated tires. You need to check your tire inflation
pressure "cold" once a month and adjust accordingly. The proper
inflation pressure can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual
or on the placard usually located inside the doorjamb. The
pressure indicated on the tire sidewall is the maximum pressure
allowed, not what is recommended for your vehicle. This simple
step can save up to nine cents per gallon.
2. Maintain proper wheel alignment. Making sure your vehicle is
properly aligned can save as much as 15 cents per gallon. Your
local Uniroyal dealer can assess your vehicle's wheel
alignment.
3. Replace clogged air filters. This is a biggie! A clean filter
versus one that is severely clogged can mean savings as much as
31 cents per gallon. Air filters also keep impurities in the
air from damaging internal engine components.
Airfare:
4. Book your airfare as soon as you can. By booking at least 14
days in advance, you'll have a better chance at lower rates.
5. Shop smart with online search engines. Use a travel search
engine to identify the lowest fare airline, but then go
directly to that airline's Web site to make sure you are
getting the lowest fare available.
Airline Parking:
6. Use parking coupons. Typical airport parking charges average at
least $10 to $12 per day. By using coupons, you can cut that
amount by up to half. Sites such as www.longtermparking.com
offer coupons in cities nationwide.
7. Keep an eye out for savings offers. Often you can find airport-
parking coupon offers on the bottom of your printed airline
itinerary, on printable coupon Web sites, in direct-mail coupon
packets, and on coupon Web sites. When you see these items,
clip them and save.
Where You Stay
Lodging:
8. Think outside the hotel. If traveling with family on vacation,
hotel alternatives such as extended-stay hotels with kitchens
and free breakfast, condos, or houses will offer more space and
also help save money on meals.
9. Lookfor private owner rentals. Web sites such as www.vrbo.com
(Vacation Rental By Owner) offer bargains because the owners
are not paying management company fees, which are typically 40
percent of the reservation cost. Private owners may also
provide savings tips to renters such as local coupon books,
restaurant recommendations and tips to get discounted tickets
for local attractions.
Rental Car:
10. Bid online for rentals. If you are willing to pay for your car
rental on a nonrefundable basis, you can save dramatically by
using a site like Priceline.com or Hotwire.com where you can
name your own price. You select the specific location where
you need to rent the car, the dates you need it and the car
size you require. You cannot select the specific rental car
company. Your credit card is charged if your bid is accepted,
and then you will see which company you rented from.
11. Utilize Shuttles. If you are staying at a hotel with airport
transportation, check to see if you can turn your car in the
night before you fly out and use the airport shuttle to get to
the airport. This strategy may save you a full day's rental
charge.
While You Play
Attractions:
12. Know where to look for entertainment deals. Check Web sites
like www.frommers.com for tips on what to see, how to get
discounted rates at popular attractions, or to find out about
free events.
13. Ask the locals. Check the visitor's bureau Web site of the
city you plan to visit to find information about free bargains
and local promotions.
Eating Out:
14. Sign up for savings. Sign up for email newsletters at national
chain restaurants to get printable coupons before you leave
home. Combine these coupons with discounted gift certificates.
For example, both TGI Fridays and Maggiano's give a free $9
appetizer coupon immediately when you sign up for their
newsletters.
15. Find savings online. Look for discounted restaurant gift
certificates by zip code from restaurant.com, or check
rewardsnetwork.com for participating restaurants in the area
you are visiting for 4 percent to 20 percent rebates.
Uniroyal and Nelson will offer additional money-saving advice throughout the year as part of the Uniroyal "More Mileage for your Money" campaign. "This campaign is a logical extension of Uniroyal's mission to provide good quality, affordable tires to American drivers," said Kaz Holley, Uniroyal(R) brand director. During the "More Mileage for your Money" campaign, Nelson will travel across the country educating consumers on easy ways they can save money throughout every season of the year. Tips and advice can be also found year round on Nelson's Web site, www.couponmom.com.
Nelson specializes in helping consumers become savvier about finding everyday bargains and value. She knows all the tricks of the trade when it comes to maximizing value and slashing spending in many areas, including automotive, travel, clothing, restaurants, groceries, gifts, theme parks, gardening and entertainment. She is a regular on- air contributor to ABC News' Good Morning America, and a bi-weekly columnist for ABCNews.com.
Uniroyal Tire is one of the world's leading tire brands for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw(R) and Laredo(R) tire series. Uniroyal(R) tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties. Visit Uniroyal Tire online at www.uniroyal.com.