By Teresa McUsic


Summer travel is right around the corner, but with high gas prices, a weak dollar and an airline industry in turmoil, few Americans will get through the season without digging deeper into their wallets.

According to a survey released from AOL Travel and Zogby International, nearly 60 percent of Americans feel they have less money to spend this year on summer vacations than they did in 2007 and they are looking at ways to save on their travel costs.

To save money, one-third of those surveyed said they are planning to stay with friends or family for lodging, while 37 percent plan to drive instead of fly. Twenty percent of those surveyed are planning a vacation rental instead of a hotel this summer.

To sidestep some of the problems and costs associated with summer travel this year, here are 11 money-saving tips to consider:

1 Save up to 5 percent on gas
While this might not sound like a lot, with today’s gasoline prices, a 5 percent discount is as much as 18 cents off a gallon, said Curtis Arnold, founder of the U.S. Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms and author of the recently released book, How to Profit From Credit Cards. Arnold’s Web site, www.cardratings.com, shows that Discover’s Open Road credit card and Citi Dividend Platinum Select both give the 5 percent discount, as do some gas cards like Shell and British Petroleum.

2 Figure gas costs before you go
AAA will tell you what gas costs throughout the country and will estimate your total gas costs by car make and trip at www.FuelCostCalculator.com. Although the number may not be pretty with gas costs already up nearly 22 percent over last year ahead of traditionally rising summer prices, at least you’ll know what you’re in for. Then be sure to use cruise control at the highway speed limits and keep tires properly inflated and the engine tuned for maximum mileage efficiency. And go ahead and use the air conditioner; studies show that it has minimal effect on mileage.

3 Fly midweek
The forecasters at Farecast.com say that flying on Tuesday or Wednesday will save on average $55 a ticket. With summer airfares up 12 percent domestically and 10 percent internationally, such savings add up. Farecast takes flight-cost information from a large number of sources and not only gives current prices but offers predictions on where the flight costs will be headed in the next seven days.

4 Pack light for flights
American Airlines recently announced a $25 fee for checking a second bag for most domestic passengers, but they were one of the last airlines to implement such a policy. For a complete listing of baggage policies and fees for all major airlines, go to www.bestfares.com/news.php?newsID=195. It also may be worth a call to the airline.

5 Make the most of getting bumped
A new rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation goes into effect in May 2008 that requires passengers involuntarily bumped from a flight and who arrive more than two hours after their original time now will be paid up to $800, double the original rule. Bumped passengers who arrive under two hours will now get up to $400. The new rule applies to all planes that can carry 30 or more passengers.

6 Get help with canceled flights
Arnold reminds air travelers that their credit-card company can help with disputes with airlines in the event of a canceled flight or bankruptcy, he said. If you can’t resolve the problem with the airline, he recommends the “merchant dispute procedure” by calling or going online with your credit-card company. “They’ll go to bat for you,” he said. “Some companies will credit your account instantly while they work on resolving the dispute.”

7 Consider trip insurance
Americans are increasingly turning to trip insurance as well for such problems. Most plans cost 4 percent to 8 percent of the cost of the trip, but the coverage can cost more. To compare plans and costs, go to www.InsureMyTrip.com or www.TotalTravelInsurance.com.

8 Maneuver for best exchange rates
Although there’s not much that can be done about the low exchange rate of the dollar against virtually all other foreign currencies, you can get more bang out of your buck using a credit card or automatic-teller machine. Banks and credit-card companies get better exchange rates than you can on the street, according to Arnold. Be sure to check whether your card has a foreign-transaction fee, however. Visa and MasterCard have a 1 percent FT fee, and the card’s issuing bank usually tacks on an additional 2 percent fee. Discover and Capitol One cards have no foreign-transaction fees, Arnold said.

9 Let your lodging pay your gas
For the fifth year in a row, the Web site BedandBreakfast.com has offered its Tanks a Lot program, where its members will offer free gas to come to their B&B. The Web site lists nearly 7,000 B&Bs and inns.

10 Get the best hotel/rental housing deals
Check search engines Kayak.com and Farecast.com for discounted hotel rooms listed online. Individual hotel Web sites also often have Internet specials if you book online. For a look at rental properties, especially for larger families, check out Vacation Rentals by Owner at www.VRBO.com, or these Web sites: VacationSpot.com and GreatRentals.com.

11 Stay closer to home
I’ve lived in Texas almost 20 years and have yet to go to Tyler to smell the roses or Palo Duro Canyon to see the sunset or Schlitterbahn to swim at the country’s most popular swim park. And my daughter told me recently that she was too young to remember our trips to Sea World. This may be the year for you to see what’s in Texas’ back yard.