GROUP TRAVEL TIPS & FAQs
Best time to go
How can we coordinate timing.
Saving time and maximizing fun
Avoiding long lines, bad weather and epic meltdowns.
What you need to know
There’s certain things to take in consideration when traveling with more people
Where to stay
Staying at resorts, hotel, or vacation rental?
Best time to go
It’s difficult to coordinate when to go with a large group, so easiest way is to consider the purpose. Is it a reunion, a just for fun, or an out of town wedding, etc. Easiest way is to poll everyone’s date they cannot go and work where the majority can up. If there are kids in the group, beach is best, if mostly adults perhaps a ski trip is best. If it’s a family event to organize there are group deals to negotiate usually with 10 or more rooms.
Maximizing Fun Time
The more the merrier but also more opinions on what to do. If going to a destination, don’t stick to a rigid schedule. Plan a place with activities for everyone (fishing, swimming, pool for the kids, shopping etc.) There can be one group activity, a few suggested researched attractions ahead of times and directions, but best let people have flexibility to do what they want. Plan and be flexible.
Things to know
You can’t please everyone, however you can have a plan and try to accommodate as much as you can. Cooking meals or ordering in is best for large groups, it’s affordable and more bonding time. Plan who cooks, does clean up, make spreadsheets like this one on who brings supplies and helps details expenses to be divided evenly after the trip.
The toughest part is deciding who stays where when renting a house. Courtesy given to those with the most needs (young children, large families) and flexibility is most important. Any special requests made a head of time helps but really if you enjoy each other’s company before the trip, everyone should work together to still enjoy each other’s company afterwards =)
Where to Stay
Booking a large home is often difficult to find, at most they accommodate 20 people which can get pricey, but so can multiple hotel rooms. The hotel rooms are good for those who enjoy privacy, but vacation rentals are usually our choice for group travel, or multiple condos with multiple rooms.
If some are staying longer than others, easiest way to divide by a price per available night stay among families. Example 4 families booking a place for $2000 with 2 families staying 4 nights and 2 staying 2 nights. The available night stay number is = 12 (4*2 + 2*2) 2000/12 =167 per available night stay: So 2 families pay (167*4) and 2 pay (2*1.67) =1336+668 =~ 2000. This makes it fair for those who stay half the time . Of course if the agreement ahead of time is to split evenly that works too.
FAQ
Below you will find some recommended Loyalty Programs to help make the most of your travels
Product
Why We Recommend
Link
Great cashback program for shopping but also travel. Can get 4.5% cashback booking hotels on Expedia or other rates for booking cars.
The platinum card does come with a fee, but the fee covers a “Free” companion tickets yearly along with miles and boosters earned while spending that can get free tickets as well.
If you own a business or individual contractor, you can apply for this card which not only gives you generous welcoming bonus, but gives 3 points for every dollar spent on travel. When you redeem for travel you get additional 25% off so it builds quickly
Hilton owns a family of hotels, so it only makes sense if you are a loyal member to get their card to earn points for free rooms