My 2008 Travel Goal

To travel as much as I can for $2000 or less. 

I love to travel, simple as that.  However, I do have a limited budget.  I am not a wealthy man yet.  One day I will be and I will have an unlimited budget.  For now, I will have to make do with what I have.

My $500 Travel Budget Challenge clearly outlines what will be tracked during my travels.  I did some simple math and discovered what I could do with my limited budget.

If I save $0 per travel , then $2000 = 4 travels ($500)

If I save $100 per travel, then $2000 = 5 travels ($400)

If I save $175 per travel, then $2000 = 6 travels ($325) 

2008 will be an interesting year to plan my travels because of my goal to move to York by September 2008.  The biggest question mark is whether I get a job offer before I move or not.  Until I get such an offer, I will have to presume that everything will proceed as planned.

After talking to my parents, I discovered that I have two trips to plan for because it involves my family getting together.  I also have to use up some of my A+ points from AirTran before the first 2 points expires in February 2008.  As a result of these three factors, I have decided on three trips already.  A fourth one is tentative but is included to round out the first group of challenges (save $0 each travel).

January Trip to York

Because of a flexible holiday pay schedule at my employer, I can combine my New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Day, and President’s Day into one long weekend.

• One free 1-way AirTran flight
• One free 1-way coach trip to the airport
• Expenses will include 1-way coach trip for my return
• Expenses will include 1-way AirTran flight for my return 
• Free lodging (I normally stay with my girlfriend or my family)
• Meals usually varies between eating at home and restaurants

Summer Trip to Hershey Park

I have been to Hershey Park once a year for at least 2/3 of my life.  I can whole-heartily recommend this terrific theme park to anyone.

• My parents will foot the park admission fees and meals
• Possible expenses will include airfare if I haven’t relocated to York
• Possible expenses will be minimal if I have relocated to York

Summer Trip to Wildwood, NJ

This is my annual trip home to south Jersey where many a summer I have spent at least a week vacationing in what I think is the best spot on the entire east coast, Wildwood.

• My parents will foot the hotel and some meals 
• Possible expenses will include airfare if I haven’t relocated to York
• Possible expenses will be minimal if I have relocated to York

December Trip to NYC

This is still a question mark but after going to NYC for two years in a row now, I have a better idea of how to plan for a short weekend to the city to enjoy the holiday season.

• Expenses will include lodging across the river
• Expenses will include meals and beverages
• Expenses will include train fares and gas

About these trips… 

Yes, my parents are very generous to be footing the bill for two of the trips, Hershey Park and Wildwood.  This is a family tradition so it goes without any questions in my family. 

Since I am past the age where I no longer need to be supported by my parents, it is agreed that I assume some of the expenses for myself during these trips.

About my AirTran A+ points…

One factor to consider is the remaining A+ points I have on my account with AirTran.  Until I upgrade my account to A+ Visa card holder or Elite status, my points are only good for 12 months from the date of award as opposed to 24 months with the upgraded status.

• As a result of my 2007 travels, I have 14 points
• As a result of my January trip, I will use up 8 points and add 1 point
• This will bring my balance to 7 points

This means I need to purchase one more 1-way flight to acquire 8 points which is redeemable for a free 1-way flight.  I have until September 2008 to do this.  This is possible with the summer trips. 

The question mark is whether I have relocated to York or not.  If I have relocated, then I suppose I could take weekend trips to the cape.

Possible Trip to Cape Cod

• Expenses will include round-trip coach
• Expenses will include gas to the airport 
• Expenses will include round-trip airfare
• Meals will be a minimum (Eat with my family) 
• Free lodging (I would be able to stay with my family)

Either way, purchasing 1 round-trip flight over the summer will bring my A+ AirTran points back to 9 points.  I am faced with yet another dilemma.  Until I upgrade my AirTran status, I have to use up the remaining points from my 2007 travels or risk loosing them.

That means I have two options at this point.

• Purchase a round-trip flight between January and Hershey Park
• Wait till my summer trips are over and plan a trip in the fall. 

Option A (between January and Hershey Park) will allow me to accumulate 9 points, of which 8 points can be used for a free 1-way flight for the summer trip.

Option B (wait till summer is over) will allow me to accumulate 9 points, of which 8 points can be used for a free 1-way flight in addition to purchasing a 1-way flight in the fall.

It will be interesting to see how my travels in 2008 plays out.  I do have to admit that writing this down helped me see the value of my plans and especially my AirTran points. 

Not everyone has the chance to fly as frequently as I did in 2007 but it is certainly worth considering your options if you are an A+ Visa holder, which is something I will be looking into for 2008.

Your turn, tell me what your thoughts are, what can I do to minimize my travel expenses or rather, stretch my travel budget even further.