We’re all feeling the pinch of the excessive increase in fuel prices and as summer in the Northern Hemisphere approaches, us travel lovers cannot let it get in the way of our dream destinations not being graced by our presence.

COVID-19 restrictions are easing in the travel industry which has caused an increase in “revenge travel” a term that has been dubbed to stick it to the past two years for travelers, but that increase in demand, coupled with other outside factors like high gas prices, has created a huge jump in prices from flights to hotels and even the cost of a road trip — and it doesn't seem to be stopping. Of the 52% of Americans who told AAA they would travel this summer, 42% said they wouldn't consider changing their travel plans no matter the price of gas.

So, we thought we’d weigh in on some tips to ensure you evade spending your budget on fuel and ensure you spend it on experiences.

Book flights early

The best time to book a domestic flight is 1 to 3 months before the travel date, while the best time to book an international flight is 2 to 8 months before travel.

This will give you enough time to monitor and see how prices are fluctuating. If you're looking for summer travel, we would suggest jumping on your favorite flight booking platform now. This is the time to start looking for that cheap flight.

Be flexible when booking a flight

The best way to save money on flights is for travelers to be flexible with their dates and/or destination. It's a tried-and-true way to save money on a great vacation, both before and after the pandemic.

If you have the flexibility of where you can go, this is your signal to get on Google Maps and then see what's available in the next 6 months. Having flexibility and planning ahead are the greatest tools in your arsenal at the moment to circumvent all that's going on in the world.

Road trip, anyone?

I know, it sounds counterintuitive right? It’s actually a great way to get some great travel in relatively unscathed, If you plan the correct route. If you are leaning towards hitting the road this summer there are some smart ways to get around the fuel prices.

Make your road trip more about the destination than journey, adjust this time to ensure you get there in the most efficient way possible. Also, watch your speed, fuel economy actually peaks at about 50 mph on most cars so AAA says drivers can reduce their highway speed by 5 to 10 mph to save some money. This can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%!

Additionally, travelers should avoid excessive idling since it can cost a lot of fuel per hour. And drivers can save fuel by avoiding unnecessary stops and slowdowns

Bring your travel closer to home

Our industry is rebuilding, there is no doubt about it. So, it’s important for us as travel lovers to start from the ground up again. Make the circle bigger over time, so we suggest diving into the internet and finding the luxury spots and getaways that aren’t too far from home.

This way, you can save money on the actual travel and open up the horizons to better destinations.