HOW TO TRAVEL WITH A GROUP FOR FREE OR ALMOST FREE
Scoring a free trip may sound like a pipe dream, but did you know that you can qualify for huge discounts when you travel in a group with your friends and family? It’s true–not only can the entire group find lots of benefits from group travel, but as the group leader, you can travel for free (or close to it!).
Group travel doesn’t have to be overwhelming or difficult. Does your family get together annually? Consider organizing a family reunion trip. Do you travel often for work? Leading a corporate trip could help you save. Are you part of a fraternity/sorority, book club, church group or organization? Start getting your crowd organized now, and you could end up getting the free trip of your dreams.
If you’re interested in group travel but unsure of how to get started, check out the tips I’ve selected to help you begin your quest to travel for nearly free.
Take Charge & Lead the Way
One of the most important steps you need to take as you start considering a group trip idea is becoming a leader. Without a leader, no group can stay organized and meet its goals. With group travel, it’s important to have a leader who can take charge when it comes to things like decision-making, organizing the details of the trip, and making sure all members of the group stay on track with payments and needed information. The group leader is the person who serves as the glue that holds your trip together!
Decide on a Destination
As the group leader, you may have to make many of the decisions regarding your trip, but when selecting a location to visit, it’s important to get feedback and opinions from those who will be traveling along. Instead of asking your family and friends for a specific location they’d like to visit, try asking more experience-related travel questions, such as “Would you prefer the excitement of a city or the relaxation of an all-inclusive resort?”
If you can narrow your selections down to 5-10 options, that will help the decision-making process to be less overwhelming and more focused. Provide your travel group with a brief list of choices and then consider their feedback. Even if some members of the group differ in their preferences, it should give you a better idea of what the majority are interested in.
Select a Travel Experience Theme
Choosing a theme for your group travel event is a great way to get your friends and family members involved and excited. A travel theme sets the tone for the entire trip, so this should be one of the first steps you take when thinking about going on a group trip. Will the travel experience be focused on adventure and outdoor activities or will it be a pampered, relaxing escape to a luxury resort? Is it a girls’ trip or something for the entire family that includes kid-friendly experiences? Settling on a travel theme can help the group feel like a team and make the build-up to the experience even more fun.
Start Preparing Early
One of the best ways to ensure your trip-planning energy is put to good use is to get started early. Begin your initial research and preparation one year out, and set up payment deadlines that are realistic but firm for your group members. This will give everyone time to plan out a trip budget instead of having to get funds together at the last minute.
Be the Group Cheerleader
The best way to keep your travel group engaged is to make the trip-planning process exciting! Trip-planning can often take months of preparation, so don’t let the excitement fizzle. Use social media groups and your own original hashtags to build anticipation and motivate everyone to stay involved. Keep your travel crew up-to-date on your destination ideas and be sure to point out how fun the experience will be. These tools for keeping your travel group engaged can also help serve as informal payment reminders!
Read the Fine Print
As a group leader, you’ll have a shot at huge discounts and possibly even free accommodations when you lead a large group of travelers. However, it’s essential that you always read the fine print and stay aware of the specifications of each location. Make sure you know how many reservations are required before the leader earns a free booking and take time to reach out and ask about other great offers that might be available.
Set Higher Goals in Case of Cancellations
When leading a group trip, it’s important to consider that there may be last-minute cancellations. If you’re hoping to travel for free or nearly free, then you’ll want to set a goal for reservations to be slightly higher than the minimum required to reap group leader discounts. This way, your travel plans are not compromised should an emergency cancellation occur right before you’re set to take off.
Communicate All Inclusions to Your Group
Be transparent with your group members about all of the inclusions that come with the trip, as well as any experiences that are not included in the total price. These details will not only help your friends and family build an appropriate budget but also highlight the special events and excursions that you have in mind for the trip. They may want to pack specific outfits and accessories to go along with some of the planned experiences.
Work with a Travel Professional
Taking the reins as the leader on a group trip requires extensive planning and a lot of hard work. It can be an overwhelming task if you try to handle it on your own. Fortunately, as your Travel Agent, I can help you carry the load and make the trip-planning process a stress-free and fun experience. By working with you to coordinate and organize your group trip, you’ll still be able to benefit from all of the advantages of being a group leader, while getting professional assistance and helpful tips throughout the process.