It's never too late to start strategizing and making your travel goals for 2023 and beyond. Okay maybe if its the second half of the year it might be a little too late as you've probably missed out on things such as promotions and fare deals.
Related: My Credit Cards for 2023
Here is how you can start making yours.
Determine your travel budget
First things first, you have to know your travel budget. Factor in everything from accommodations, airfare, food, transportation, and activities. Remember that most of the time we exceed our travel budget to always prepare a little extra.
Know where you want to go
The destination you plan to go to will affect your budget so these 2 go hand in hand. For example, a one-week trip to Tokyo could cost you more than a 2-week trip to Bali! If it's a dream destination then it should definitely be worth saving for.
Set specific and realistic goals
It's easy to say you want to go somewhere, but sometimes it just isn't realistic enough for us. I for one would love to go to Iceland (my bucket list destination), but I know it just isn't feasible for me this year unless I somehow win the lotto this year.
Choose the right time to travel
Unlike during the pandemic era while it was low season everywhere, everything is basically back to normal so consider checking when low and high season is. Take into account the weather and certain events in your destination that may affect plane and hotel prices.
Look for deals and promos
It's a good habit to open up google flights every once in a while or that promotions tab on your email to look for some deals. Booking in advance no longer means it's cheaper as the landscape of travel has completely been shaken by the pandemic and a slew of global events as of recently.
Choosing the right airline
Sometimes the place you want to go isn't served by your airline of choice. This could mean you're saving up on frequent flyer miles that can't be used at all for your trip and the miles end up becoming devalued.
So it's really important to make do your due diligence and check which airlines fly to your destinations. With this in mind you can also formalize your credit card strategy intro earning more miles for that airline you're going to fly.
Having the right credit cards
As mentioned above, knowing the right airline is just as important as having the right credit card. Here at The Points Society we're always trying to save and travel the best way we can by maximizing credit card points and miles.
That's why it's important to know if your credit card is a transfer partner of your desired airline and if you can spend enough to actually redeem those flights.
Remember not all cards were created equal.
Make a rough timeline
Having a timeline helps with any kind of planning and is no different here. It doesn't have to be an exact date or anything but having an estimate will help you stay on track. Say mid-October for Japan when the weather starts to get chilly is when you want to go.
If you're attending specific events like a concert or festival then it's best to use an exact date.
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