Throughout the years, people have almost always rewarded themselves with a fabulous trip to an exotic place by using their frequent flyer miles. Many chose Europe or Hawaii as their destination, with others selecting the Orient, Africa, or any other place that they desired to visit. Some referred to these trips as “second honeymoons”, especially if they were experiencing marriage problems. Today, things have changed drastically.

It is just one more sign of the economic turmoil in our country that consumers are now using their frequent flyer miles for much more mundane trips. Traveling is being limited to necessary trips such as family emergencies or visiting relatives. Whereas, in the past these trips would have been paid for from family funds, there is no extra money available for many today, so the miles are enabling trips to be made.

Many are also using their miles because they see the value of their frequent flyer miles being diminished. Airlines are raising the number of miles for a trip or placing additional limitations on usage. They have shortened expiration times and consumers are reacting by using their miles now, rather than waiting to see what other changes may be made to these programs. Currently, using them can save money at a time when most of us are looking to save, plus provide free trips that will enable us to maintain family contact when needed.

Many people this year are skipping their annual vacation as a means of saving money. Some are planning to travel locally and see the sights that are seldom visited by people who live in the area. I know I was raised in New York but only toured the Statue of Liberty when my elderly aunt visited from Pennsylvania and asked to be taken there.

If you are one of the lucky ones getting away from home this year, you might want to follow the lead of many others and consider renting a room with a kitchen. These rooms seldom cost much more than an ordinary hotel but offer the opportunity to save a great deal of money on food. This can be a real budget-saver and an extremely comfortable way to travel. They are usually referred to as the “extended-stay” offerings from major hotel chains. Examples of these are brands such as Homestead Studio Suites, Residence Inn by Marriott, Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites. There are others but, before making a reservation, be sure to confirm the availability of a full kitchen and, if wanted, laundry facilities. Some offer only “kitchenettes” and may not meet your needs.

Another route being taken by travelers this year is arranging for a vacation rental. The Internet provides access to a huge variety of rentals all over the world. One site lists more than 100,000 rental properties. Finding a property in the area you are planning to visit should be simple, however, you are taking this property sight unseen and really have no guarantee as to the condition, cleanliness, etc. If you have someone in the area who could check this out for you, that would be wonderful. Otherwise, you are taking a gamble if you are renting directly from the owner or through an agency whose reputation is not well-known to you. This rental property will provide the same savings as the “extended-stay” hotels discussed above.

The above are options that are available to you in order to have your vacation and still save some of the money you would pay to stay in a hotel room and eat all of your meals at local restaurants.