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Vacation Budgeting Made Easy: How to Save Money for Your Next Trip with Bask Bank®

Planning a vacation is exciting — but it’s also an investment. From airfare to accommodations, dining and activities, travel costs can add up quickly. That’s why pre-planning and smart saving are essential steps for creating a stress-free and financially savvy getaway. Whether you're dreaming of a tropical beach escape, a European adventure, or a cozy mountain retreat, the key to making it happen without financial stress is vacation budgeting. 

With Bask Bank®, you have access to innovative tools and strategies that support a solid vacation savings plan — helping you save money for vacation, earn American Airlines AAdvantage® miles¹  and turn your travel dreams into reality. Here’s how you can plan ahead and travel smarter with Bask.

5 Tips to Save for Your Summer Vacation with Bask Bank

Tip 1: Start saving early with a dedicated vacation savings account.

Creating a separate savings account when saving for a vacation is a simple way to stay organized and committed to meeting your travel goals. With Bask Bank, you can even nickname your vacation savings account — think Florida Getaway or Europe 2025 — so you always know those funds are set aside for adventures. 

Planning far in advance? Consider opening a Bask Certificate of Deposit (CD). With terms starting at just 3 months and going up to 24 months, a CD helps lock in your savings, protects against impulse spending and earns competitive interest along the way.

Pro Tip: Think about where you want to go, how you want to get there and what kind of experience you want to have. Saving for a vacation early gives you more flexibility and less stress, and it opens the door to better travel deals. 

Tip 2: Be strategic when booking flights. 

Flights are often one of the largest travel expenses — but a little strategy goes a long way when booking.  

Travel experts recommend booking domestic flights one to three months in advance, while international flights should be secured two to six months ahead of your departure date. Sundays are usually the cheapest day for booking tickets. Take advantage of price tracking tools that monitor fare changes and send notifications when prices drop, helping you secure the best possible rate to help save money for vacation. For the best deals, consider flying on weekdays. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically your cheapest options. 

Even better? With a Bask Mileage Savings Account, you can earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every dollar saved annually — giving you the ability to save for your trip while building up miles that can help cover flights, upgrades and more. 

Tip 3: Travel smarter with your Mobile Wallet. 

Before you board, be sure to set up your digital wallet with all your travel essentials. Save your boarding passes and add your Bask Interest Checking digital debit card and other cards for easy tap-to-pay convenience on the go. Digital wallets not only streamline your travel experience but also provide added security — making it easier to pay without carrying cash or physical cards. These features support effective vacation budgeting by enabling travelers to monitor and adjust their spending in real time. 

Tip 4: Maximize the value of your American Airlines AAdvantage®️ miles. 

With American Airlines AAdvantage®️ miles earned through Bask Bank, your rewards go beyond flights. Your miles can be redeemed for flight upgrades for a more comfortable journey and exclusive rates at hotels that might otherwise be outside your vacation budget. You can also access car rentals at more than 500 destinations worldwide, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. You can even use your miles for vacation packages or unique travel experiences that create lasting memories. Saving for vacation and earning miles simultaneously allows you to stretch your travel budget while elevating your overall experience.  

Tip 5: Plan daily budgets in Excel and track spending with Manage Debit Card. 

For travelers who love to plan (or want to avoid overspending), creating a vacation budget in Excel or Google Sheets can be a game-changer. 

Start by breaking down your trip by day and category. Allocate funds for meals and snacks based on typical costs at your destination. Budget for transportation needs like ride services, rental cars and gas. Before booking activities and excursions, research not just the costs but also their scheduled times. Don’t forget to set aside funds for shopping or souvenirs to bring home from your travels. Finally, build in an extra spending buffer. Unexpected expenses are inevitable, and you’ll want the financial freedom to take advantage of any unplanned opportunities. 

Then, while on your trip, use Bask Bank’s Manage Debit Card feature within Online Banking to stay on track. This feature is only available for Bask Interest Checking Account holders, who can earn 1.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)² and explore additional features to help manage everyday spending, such as Zelle®️³, Bill Center and Direct Deposit.  

With Manage Debit Card, you can view your purchases in real time to monitor spending as it happens. You can also set transaction alerts or spending limits to help you stick to your budget, instantly lock or unlock your card if it is lost or stolen. Throughout your trip, compare your planned budget in Excel to your actual card activity, making adjustments as needed to stay on track of your vacation budget.

Choose the Right Savings Tool for Your Travel Goals 

By combining your detailed vacation budget with Bask’s real-time card management tools, you’ll feel more in control of your finances and prepared to enjoy your trip — while still leaving room for spontaneous fun. Effective vacation budgeting is a critical component of travel planning. By utilizing the best savings accounts and digital tools offered by Bask Bank, you can develop a robust vacation savings plan, earn valuable rewards, and enjoy trips with confidence and financial peace of mind.