Tag: budget friendly vacation

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.

How to Take a Budget Friendly Beach Vacation

Posted on by shopkick

Whether it’s due to the below freezing temperatures or our ever-present wanderlust, we always find we’re ready to start planning a getaway (or two!) in January. And, today we’re dreaming of the place that allows all of us to enjoy sun, sand, and relaxation mixed with a hint (or more!) of adventure – the beach!

The beach is meant to act as a true escape, and we know one of the keys to relaxation is making sure to remain within your budget. We’re thrilled to announce for a limited time, you can book your next beach vacation with Booking.com and Hotels.com with Shopkick to earn 10 kicks per $1 spent! The best news? You can book trips now to take throughout the year – there aren’t any blackout dates! Plus, you can cash in your kicks for gift cards to use while you travel.

Now that you’re excited to plan, let’s start talking about beaches to visit. Up first? The United States!

There are miles upon miles of coastlines to explore throughout the world, and the United States has quite a number of incredible spots on its own. If you’re interested in seeing rocky coastlines mixed with classic coastal architecture in New England, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are three beautiful spots to consider. Perhaps Southern charm is in order, in which case places like Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Hilton Head, and Savannah are all perfect spots to mix sand and history. Florida’s Panhandle has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the country, and Alabama and Texas offer plenty of relaxation. If surf culture is your thing, head west to cities spanning from Baja California to just outside of Los Angeles, jet to Hawaii, and don’t forget to consider traveling north to Oregon and Washington.

There are plenty of amazing beaches to experience outside of the United States too, which is why we would be remiss not to mention Mexico. Located just outside of Cancun, Riviera Maya stuns with its pristine stretches of sand, all-inclusive resorts, and plethora of adventure. Swim with whale sharks, snorkel, explore cenotes, or simply lounge on the beach with a great book – you will love your experience. Plus, Cancun’s international airport offers a direct destination for many airlines. Across the country, both Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas offer unparalleled experiences on Mexico’s Pacific coastline. Be prepared for rockier coastlines, incredible sunrises and sunsets, culture, and plenty of time to relax.

Lastly, the Caribbean is brimming with beaches to explore! The Bahamas are some of the closest Caribbean islands to the United States, and each island offers a different colorful flavor and feel. We have only ever heard rave reviews of Turks and Caicos, the Virgin Islands, Curacao, Grand Cayman, and Aruba. All offer dining, history, diving, snorkeling, and some of the most beautiful water to swim in.

Wherever your adventure takes you, isn’t it time to stop dreaming and start booking your complete budget friendly beach vacation? We think so too! Booking.com and Hotels.com to the rescue! But, remember to book prior to 1/27 with Shopkick in order to take advantage of the big kicks.

Let us know where your travels will take you in the comments!

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