The beach? The mountains? Amusement parks? 

It's the season for summer vacation — if you can decide where to go and how to afford it!

Vacations can be pretty pricey when you add up the travel, accommodations and food, but there are a lot of ways to vacation on the cheap without missing out on any of the fun. Here are a few tips!

1. Compare, compare, compare. The price of your flight or train, hotel and even museum or attraction tickets may vary based on what website you book through. No matter what city you're visiting, look up the local visitor's center website and see if there are any special deals listed on their website, like a 'key to the city' pass. Then, compare prices across multiple websites to find your best deals. While you're searching, make a note of things like "half price Tuesday afternoons!" at local museums, happy hours and more, and plan your activities around those discounts.

2. Sign up for loyalty programs! Lots of hotels and resorts have loyalty programs that can help you save money on this trip and on future trips, too. It's as easy as deciding on your hotel or resort, signing up through their website, and then booking.

3. Use your points! The rewards programs from your credit cards, including your CommonWealth One VISA, can save you money. See what types of discounts you can get on hotels, rental cars, food and attractions with your rewards. If you're not a member of AAA (the American Automobile Association), now would be a good time to sign up. You can also join AARP for senior discounts, even if you are not yet a senior citizen!

4. Look for off-season or off-weekend deals. If you have some flexibility in your schedule, consider traveling Tuesday through Thursday, or avoid the Fourth of July weekend this summer. You may find better rates on everything if your trip is just a few days and you can avoid a weekend or a major event that increases local demand for cars and hotels.

This summer would also be a great time to set up a special savings account for your next vacation at CommonWealth One! Putting away even $50 per paycheck can give you a nice amount to spend on your 2025 vacation next year without going into debt.

We hope you have fun this summer, near or far. Don't forget to bring your CommonWealth One VISA with you!