Tag: cheap family vacation

Seek Theme Park Fun and Thrills This Summer

Posted on by shopkick

As much as I love beaches and visits to cities, I will forever and always believe there is nothing like planning a vacation (or even a single day!) to visit a theme park in the summer. Theme parks offering something for everyone – there are shows for entertainment lovers or those who aren’t fans of rides, there are roller coasters for adrenaline seekers, and there are themed attractions created to remind us of some of our most-loved movies. What’s not to love?

To keep your budget in check (and to help you say yes to a theme park vacation), you can earn 10 kicks per $1 spent when you book your trip with Hotels.com through your Shopkick app between now and May 27, 2019. To save even more, you can also trade in your kicks for gift cards that you can use during your stay! With kicks and money saved, isn’t it time to make this summer one to remember by planning a visit to a theme park? I’m going to make a bold statement and say it’s time!

To help you decide which park and destination to visit, I thought I would offer even more inspiration:

Disneyland:

If you and your family have yet to visit a Disney park or if you’ve been more times than you can count, Disneyland should be on your list! The park is located just south of Los Angeles in Anaheim, California, and it’s a complete experience you won’t soon forget. Similar to its East Coast counterpart, Walt Disney World, Disneyland also has Disney hotels and resorts that will add plenty of perks to your experience. With that said, if budget is your main concern, there are a host of well-known hotels located a stone’s throw away from the park or closer to the city. The choice is completely up to you, but make sure to book your stay with Hotels.com through your Shopkick app to earn kicks!

The length of time needed to explore Disneyland is completely up to you! However, Disneyland offers the opportunity to visit the park of the same name as well as Disney’s California Adventure. You and your family will find classic Disney rides at Disneyland, as well as parades and everyone’s favorite characters. Kids young, old, and young-at-heart are sure to enjoy it, but if you’re traveling with an older group or thrill seekers, Disney’s California Adventure and its many thrill rides may be more their speed. Please note: if you wish to explore both parks, you will need to purchase separate tickets.

Universal Studios Florida:

Thanks to its location in Orlando, Universal Studios Florida is one of the most easily accessible parks on the East Coast. Plan to fly into Orlando International Airport (their airport code is MCO) and stay at Universal. There are a few hotels associated with the resort, and there are also plenty more located nearby. Plus, if you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, it’s so easy (and common!) to incorporate Universal Studios Florida into your vacation because they’re quite close to each other.

Before you go, it helps to determine which rides and shows your family is most excited to experience. If everyone loves movies and TV shows, you won’t want to miss Universal Studios Florida. Be warned: If everyone in your party enjoys Harry Potter, a visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter World is a must do! Make sure to allow plenty of time to view every nook and cranny and ride every ride. And, if you’re traveling with a group who loves roller coasters and attractions to test their adrenaline, you will also want to visit Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay:

Busch Gardens has two locations. One in Tampa, and one in Williamsburg. But, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tops our list!

Busch Gardens’ location in Tampa makes it equally as accessible as Universal Studios, Florida. You could even plan the ultimate vacation and visit both in one trip! There are plenty of hotels near the park, and there are even more in Tampa itself. So, it will be easy for you to book your accommodations with Hotels.com through your Shopkick app!

Once you’ve arrived, your family will have plenty of fun at their fingertips. Busch Gardens is home to a host of roller coasters, including the new roller coaster Tigris, so adventure seekers will have plenty of fun. There are also wonderful themed areas for the littlest of visitors, thanks to the recent opening of Sesame Street Safari of Fun! Here, kids can meet characters, see shows, and ride rides that are definitely their speed. And, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay also offers a safari! You won’t want to leave.

Have you booked your trip? You only have until May 27, 2019 to earn 10 kicks/$1 on Hotels.com, so don’t miss out on earning up to 4% back in kicks!

Make sure to download Shopkick for free, and join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more shopping inspiration!

Adventure for Every Budget

Posted on by shopkick

My friends and I frequently talk about traveling together. We love to see where our bucket list destinations align just as much as we enjoy learning about newly discovered gems close to home that will make a staycation feel special with a hint of luxury. After any of our conversations, I feel equally as inspired to book a flight as I do to purchase a hammock or candles to make my nights and weekends in feel more like a hotel stay. My takeaway is always this: Traveling is possible on any budget; sometimes you just need a few ideas!

$99 or Less:

I live in the Northeast, so a walk outside during the first signs of spring always feels like a vacation – it’s such a treat! After spending so many months inside, now is when I start to spend as much time outside as possible. My favorite thing to do outside? Read! In my opinion, the best way to completely enhance any book is to read it in a hammock because I always feel like I’m at the beach rather than in my backyard.

$100-$349:

With its history and location, San Antonio, Texas is 100% on my radar! I think this would be such a fun spot to go with family or a group of friends. Plan to visit the Alamo and stroll along the River Walk to explore great eats and views. Orlando and Los Angeles are both great options at this price point too! And, when you book with Booking.com or Hotels.com, you can earn 10 kicks per $1 spent from today through Tuesday, April 16.

$350-$999:

I visited New Orleans, LA for the first time last year for my birthday, and this southern city blew me away! The food, particularly the beignets, is delicious, listening to jazz live is not to be missed (Preservation Hall was my favorite spot!), and there is plenty to see by wandering around the French Quarter. New York, Austin, and San Diego are forever on my radar too!

$1000+:

If you’re dreaming of heading abroad, now is the time to book your trip with Booking.com and Hotels.com! Consider traveling to Macchu Picchu, Peru to see the Lost City of the Incas; see the Sydney Opera House and say, “G’day, Mate!”, in person; expect to find sun, sand, and sea in Lagos, Portugal; book what looks like it would be the most beautiful trip of them all – Fiji!

Whatever your budget, traveling doesn’t have to stay on your bucket list, especially when you can book through Booking.com or Hotels.com through your Shopkick app and earn 10 kicks per $1 spent through April 16! Make a trip a reality this spring; you deserve it!

How to Travel for Spring Break on a Budget

Posted on by shopkick

Spring break has always offered the first hint of the warmer weather to come, which is why I have a longstanding love for spring break travel. From elementary school through college, my family typically opted to go on a getaway even if we only actually spent a few nights away from home. Our goal was always simple: travel to a destination that did not have snow in the forecast. Even now with many years separating me from the time I spent as a student, March is spring break season in the same way that September signals back to school.

As much as I have always enjoyed the trips I have taken in March, I have always completely understood two of the most common problems that prevent others from taking a trip themselves: where to travel and how to keep the trip budget-friendly. Both aspects can easily become quite daunting; however, I have discovered two wonderful workarounds: Shopkick’s travel wheel and Booking.com and Hotels.com!

Spin the Travel Wheel:

Whenever I used to feel indecisive, I would sometimes find my Magic 8 Ball. I knew it didn’t have any true powers, but I knew how to best solve a problem if I found myself hoping it would say a particular answer as I shook it. Spinning Shopkick’s travel wheel offers the same type of feeling, but I think we can all agree solving where to travel on your next vacation is a fun “problem” to have!

The wheel has plenty of great destinations throughout the United States for trips of all kinds. From areas you can easily drive to throughout the South, like Charleston, Walt Disney World, and New Orleans, to places that are only a flight away, like San Diego, Yosemite, and even Mexico, there are plenty of locations (and ideas about what you can experience) right here. Where will the wheel tell you to travel to?

Book Your Trip with Booking.com or Hotels.com:

Once you decide on your spring break destination, make sure to hop over to Booking.com and Hotels.com from your Shopkick app! You will want to make sure to book through the app because you can earn 10 kicks/$1 spent between now and Sunday, March 10, for all of the spring break travel you book. It’s like earning 4% back in kicks! Both websites have incredible budget friendly options for all of the destinations we’ve mentioned. And, the great news is you can redeem your kicks for a gift card to use during your vacation. What could be better?

Now that we’ve solved two of the most common spring break problems together – where to travel and how to save money – tell us: Where will you travel during your spring break? Where is your favorite spring break destination from past trips? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Make sure to join our social media fun too because you will discover a whole community of passionate Shopkickers just like you.

Love is in the Air

Posted on by shopkick

In January, the holidays officially came to a close and winter’s coldest temperatures arrived over the course of a few weeks. One month seemed to last for a very long time, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I was battling some serious cabin fever. I realized it was time for me to look to my forever cure: travel!

Earn kicks when you book with Booking.com and Hotels.com.

Whether I’m planning a trip that’s days, weeks, or months away, I always love getting lost in the pure enjoyment of planning flights, hotels, experiences, and food. And, my two favorite tools for planning are Booking.com and Hotels.com. What’s even better is you can join me in earning 10 kicks per $1 spent when you plan and book your trip through either site while using your Shopkick app between now and February 18! This month, love truly is in the air.

Where will you go?

Just in case you love talking all things travel too, I thought I would offer more inspiration. My first question: Snow, sand, or city? Let’s dive into all three!

Snow

February and March are two of my favorite months to travel. Spring’s arrival is palpable, but the seasons haven’t changed just yet. As a result, a getaway to the mountains to ski, snowboard, snow tube, and ice skate is a definite possibility. As an East Coast resident, Vermont is one of my favorite spots to ski. There is plenty of snow, and I love exploring the quaint towns in New England when I need a break from the slopes. Of course, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Northern California also have incredible mountains too if you would prefer to head west! They’re all on my list to experience, and you can book your ski trip with Booking.com and Hotels.com through the app.

Sand

By this point in the winter, a warm getaway to enjoy the beach might be more up your alley. Florida and Southern California both have plenty of beaches to enjoy during this time of year. Miami, Boca Grande, and Naples are all excellent beach cities in Florida with plenty more to see off of the sand. And, any of the beaches from San Diego to Los Angeles always promise beautiful views! You could also plan the ultimate trip and skip outside of the U.S. to explore Mexico or the Caribbean.

City

In my opinion, there is never a season in which a trip to the city is not a wonderful idea. The winter offers a great opportunity to explore all of the indoor spots a city has to offer, which means plenty of time spent in museums. You can also add coffee shops, restaurants, shopping, and all things cultural to your experiences list. Check to see if the city you plan to visit has an indoor botanical garden, too! No matter the season, there are always flowers blooming inside. If you are looking for a new city to explore, I always hear incredible things about Boston, Charleston, SC, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. Which city will you visit when you book using Booking.com and Hotels.com through Shopkick?

Whether you choose to visit the mountains, beach, or city, I am certain you will be happy you said yes to traveling solo or with family or friends! So, where will your getaway take you?

How to Travel, Save, and Earn Kicks with Hotwire

Posted on by shopkick

What destinations are on your travel bucket list? If you were to ask us that question, we could easily (and quickly!) name multiple destinations in the United States, Caribbean, and beyond.

There are so many cultures, sights, and cuisines we would love to experience, and we have found traveling is one of the best ways to do all three. Plus, we always feel relaxed and reinvigorated after an adventure to a new place whether it’s an hours long plane ride or a quick drive away.

The decision to travel is never a difficult one to make, but how to find the best rates, when to go, where to stay, and what to see always gives us pause. It’s easy to spend hours upon hours researching your destination, and sometimes that research takes away from the fun. But, we think we’ve uncovered one of the best kept travel secrets: Hotwire!

We once thought Hotwire was simply a site to price compare hotels and flights, but we’ve uncovered there is so much more to the site and brand that makes traveling seem that much more attainable. From saving you time to saving you money, we’re sharing our three favorite Hotwire features below. Get ready to earn kicks with Shopkick while planning your next trip!

Tripstarter:

Having an open mind while traveling always serves us well, and the same philosophy will serve you well while planning your vacation with Hotwire through Shopkick. One of the mysteries of traveling are the questions you’re always anxious to answer: When are flights the most reasonable? When are the best rates available at hotels? What is there to see, do, and eat? What about the weather; when is it the best? By opting to use Hotwire’s TripStarter feature, all of your questions will be answered quickly, easily, clearly, and on one website.

When you visit the TripStarter page, enter in your starting airport followed by your destination. Once you enter both pieces of information and search, TripStarter will begin loading information for you. You will be provided with a chart that details the cost trends for hotels, and when you click the tab at the top you will also be able to see cost trends for flights. Temperature details are always available, as well as the average weather patterns (i.e.: average rainfall). When to save, where to stay, and preferred activities to experience are also listed in a sidebar. You can even see the best deals for the next 30 days! Once you decide on your destination with help from Hotwire’s TripStarter feature, you can continue booking from the same screen.

The best way to keep traveling fun is by limiting how much you need to research, and Hotwire’s TripStarter feature makes sure you’re on your way to enjoying your trip without any hassle!

Hot Rates:

Wherever your travels take you, choosing where to stay can feel like one of the most arduous decisions to make. There are seemingly endless reviews available online, plenty of areas to explore, and multiple places to check for rates. However, Hotwire answers all of these questions (and more!) with their Hot Rates feature!

To use the feature, simply enter your travel dates, destination, and number of guests staying in the room. Once you submit your query, Hotwire immediately loads a number of results at the top of your search that are marked as Hot Rates. The Hot Rates indication means the hotel is discounted by up to 60%. You are still able to see how many reviews the hotel has received from other customers (Hotwire shows reviews from trusted source, TripAdvisor), and you can also see where the hotel is located to make sure it’s in line with the areas in which you hope to explore.

Part of the reason Hotwire can offer the rates at such a discount is because they don’t reveal the name of the hotel until after you book. However, if you click on the listing, there is a feature where Hotwire will reveal that your potential hotel is one of four options. At this point, the names of the hotels are featured for you to click on and explore, and they are always four star hotels!

If you’re willing to be slightly adventurous, Hotwire’s Hot Rates feature is a fantastic way to save without losing an ounce of luxury while traveling! Don’t forget to book through Shopkick’s app in order to earn kicks and gift cards for your trip.

Same Day Arrival:

When was the last time you booked a spontaneous getaway? They’re fun because they feel like an unexpected adventure! In order to keep your spirits high as you embark on your surprise, we highly recommend Hotwire.

The myth about booking a getaway, particularly a hotel, at the last minute is you won’t be able to save any money. However, Hotwire teams up with some of the most desirable hotels in any given city to offer you the best rates. Whether they’re one of the most popular hotels or it’s simply an off time to travel, many hotels and resorts frequently don’t sell all of their rooms for a given night. In order to continue to sell, these same resorts sell their rooms through Hotwire at a discount!

We recommend exploring Same Day Arrival rates on Hotwire through Shopkick. Enter your travel dates, destination, and guest count on Hotwire’s homepage. Then see what rates result in your search. You can also pair your Same Day Arrival rate search with Hotwire’s Hot Rates feature to save even more. Plus, you will earn kicks when you book!

Hotwire, Shopkick, travel, and savings has to be one of the best combinations! We cannot wait to hear about the kicks you earn and which gift card you choose to redeem to use on your next adventure. Where will your travels take you?