3 On Your Side: Honeymoon Savings
by Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It's wedding season which also means many couples are planning honeymoons too. An average honeymoon costs around $4,500 these days. But 3 On Your Side consumer reporter Jim Donovan talked to the folks at Kiplinger's about some easy ways to save.
First comes the wedding, then the honeymoon. If you're look cut the cost the experts at Kiplinger's Personal Finance say, skip the blender and adding your honeymoon to your gift registry.
Websites like Traverlersjoy.com, Honeyfund and Honeymoon Wishes allow your guests to chip in to your honeymoon funds as their gift to you.
"The etiquette gurus at the Emily Post Institute have weighed in and they agree there is nothing tacky about it and it's perfectly, perfectly acceptable to have a honeymoon registry," said Kiplinger's editor Stacy Rapacon.
Using a travel agent can often help too.
"Especially on the high end trips because they have relationships with these other travel companies like hotels and airlines," said Rapacon.
Choose an affordable destination, something off the beaten path.
But if you're married to the idea of going to someplace like Hawaii, there are ways to save.
"The travel booking site, Hipmunk, they found that it's actually cheaper this year to fly into Maui than Honolulu, so just little things like that to look into can save you a lot of money," said Rapacon.
Even the days you fly on your trip can have a impact on your pocketbook.
"The middle of the week is a sweetspot for people who are trying to save money on their plane tickets. Fewer people fly on Wednesdays specifically, on Tuesdays as well," said Rapacon.
Kiplinger's also suggests you flaunt the fact that you're newly wed.
While it may not get you a discount on airfare, it could get you a few perks, free champagne, meals or even an upgrade at your hotel.
