Planning Your Vacation: Three Mistakes to Avoid
Spring is here and we know you’re picturing yourself with your toes in the soft-sugar white sand looking out at the beautiful emerald waters on the Florida Gulf Coast. It’s time to start planning your getaway and we want to help you by showing you three common vacation planning mistakes to avoid.
Vacation Planning Mistakes to Avoid #1:
Not Booking Directly
In today’s world, sites like AirBnB and VRBO are great resources to find rental properties for your vacation. But did you know that you are being charged an additional 9%-12% booking fee just for using their site? The property manager is also being charged similar fees, so you’re most likely paying higher rates than you would had you booked directly through the Gibson website.
Some third-party sites also require you to pay in full or a higher amount up-front. Some sites also don’t allow you to purchase travel insurance either. But, when you book directly through a property management company like Gibson Beach Rentals, they only require you to pay 30% upfront and the remaining balance is due 45 days prior to your check in date. Don’t forget to check for Specials or Flash Sales for even better deals! This provides you with ample opportunity to budget and save accordingly for your dream vacation.
Vacation Planning Mistakes to Avoid #2:
Not Purchasing Travel Insurance
Expect the unexpected. When you’re planning your vacation, you’ll typically only have one thing in mind, which is spending quality time with your family on your much-needed vacation. We know things come up due to unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances, and we want you to be prepared! Travel insurance is only 6%-7% of the total amount of your booking, and is highly recommended, as you never know when an emergency can arise either before your trip or during your stay. You can learn more about travel protection here. If you’re booking directly through a company, you’ll be saving the percentage on booking fees, which will help off-set this cost of the insurance for you and you’ll still be saving 3%-6%.
Vacation Planning Mistakes to Avoid #3:
Not Taking Advantage of Freebies
When you’re planning your vacation, make sure to check out what the property has to offer you. Are there amenities onsite like access to a pool or gym? Is this included with your reservation or at an additional fee? Are beach chairs included or do you have to bring your own? Is there a golf cart or a service that will bring you to and from where you want to go on the resort? Why not enjoy perks with your vacation?
At Gibson Beach Rentals, we offer free activity passes with your reservation (exclusions found on our website; see our page for more details. All Gibson properties include 2 lightweight beach chairs and an umbrella, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own. For our units located on the we provide golf carts for select units, and we offer tram service for all of our Sandestin® properties that will allow you to step aboard the resort-wide shuttle service at no extra cost to you. Don’t worry about having a cocktail (or a few!) and indulge in the most scrumptious restaurants. We also offer exclusive deals and coupons for local restaurants, services, watersport activities, and so much more!
These are just three little mistakes that can have a costly impact made when planning a vacation. When deciding to start planning your vacation, remember that these common mistakes can make the cost of your vacation unnecessarily high.
Now that you have some guidelines, check out these family friendly Spring Break ideas to help you plan the most of your vacation in Destin, FL.
Most importantly, Gibson Beach Rentals wants you to Worry Less. Relax More.
Published on Tuesday, March 26, 2019