Save Money on Spring Break Travel

By: MTA Staff

Published: December 2023

Vacation travel has taken a hit lately, but in 2023, it is projected to make a near-full recovery. The number of travelers is predicted to reach pre-pandemic levels.

While the economy has had challenges, a 2022 travel survey conducted by ValuePenguin revealed that 73 percent of Americans have plans to take a big vacation this year. But that doesn’t mean they’re likely to throw caution to the wind. Travelers are expected to be more intentional about how they plan vacations, with the greatest priority on getting the most value.

How will seasoned travelers get the most value for their travel budget?

Be smart about the timing of the vacation.
Plan much further in advance than usual.
Use a private discount-program travel site, such as the MTA Benefits program through Access.

Planning for the "shoulder season"

While peak summer months are when most people habitually go on vacation, savvy travelers are booking trips during the shoulder season, or the time between peak season and off-season.

Vacationers who travel during the shoulder season will usually find more deals because they’re not competing with as many people for the best hotels and resorts, the most popular theme parks and the highest-rated restaurants. They will also discover that the weather during shoulder season is great for outdoor activities, and they will avoid the scorching heat that accompanies peak season in warm locations. Another great benefit of shoulder season is smaller crowds. Dealing with fewer people is always a bonus when you’re on vacation, right?

Spring Break-ation

This year get the benefits of traveling during shoulder season by choosing to travel during Spring Break … or what the team at Access likes to call "Spring Break-ation."

Start by logging on to mtabenefits.com/access. First-time visitors will need to activate an account using an MTA ID and personal email.

Once vacationers are logged in, they can start shopping for a destination.

Many people want to book their getaway at one of the popular theme parks in Orlando, Florida, or in Anaheim, California. MTA members will find exclusive offers at all of the major theme parks, such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and Disneyland.

In addition, Las Vegas is always among the most popular destinations for MTA members. That’s because they will usually find plenty of great deals at amazing hotels and casinos. Even if you decide to travel at the last minute, check the MTA Benefits site because it always has great deals.

Beyond resorts, theme parks and casinos, savings are available for travelers who book lesser-known destinations on Florida’s Emerald Coast, including the Gulf Coast communities of Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

There are also family-friendly destinations like Nashville, the "Big 5" national parks in Utah, or even unique experiences like a culinary tour of New Orleans. Shop around, and don’t be afraid to try something new and exciting.

Booking the trip

After selecting a destination, it’s time to book the trip. The best advice is to start with booking the flights, and then book the hotels and car rentals.

MTA members have the advantage of not having to use popular online travel booking sites like Expedia, Hotels.com, Kayak, etc. Time and again, MTA members report finding the best prices in the MTA Benefits portal, where our partner Access Nationwide provides savings of up to 50 percent off quotes on the public travel booking sites. This is an exclusive member benefit provided especially for MTA members.

Members can also take advantage of more than 350,000 discounts wherever they travel nationwide, including more than 250,000 mobile offers. MTA members will find deep discounts at popular local restaurants, on fast food, or even at retailers, boutiques, day spas and destination-specific activities.

Start now and save

If saving money is a big priority, then now is the time to start the research. Check out the deals offered by MTA Benefits. You may be surprised by what you find.