Travel costs hit record high: how to save on summer travel

The Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: 10 Tips To Save

Car rental prices hit sky-high levels in July 2021. Luckily, car rental prices seem to have reached their top and continue to drop. The good news is you don’t have to spend your entire vacation budget on rental cars. These 10 tricks will help you score a cheap rental car for your next road trip, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a cross-country odyssey. But even today, rental cars are far from cheap (and they’re far higher than pre-COVID rates). Inflation has been hitting almost every aspect of the economy, but it’s hit car rental Prices even harder. The average price for a seven-night rental from the most expensive brand, National, was $601, it was just $414 with Thrifty with AAdvantage. Opt for economy cars, which are typically the cheapest, and rent from an airport to avoid cramming five people plus luggage into a two-door car. The most likely to be too small for your party.

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Car rental prices hit sky-high levels in July 2021. Luckily, car rental prices seem to have reached their top and continue to drop.

But even today, rental cars are far from cheap (and they’re far higher than pre-COVID rates). Inflation has been hitting almost every aspect of the economy, but it’s hit car rental prices even harder. Whereas average prices across all items for summer 2024 were up about 23% since before the pandemic, rental car prices in 2024 are up a much sharper 29%.

The good news is you don’t have to spend your entire vacation budget on rental cars.

These 10 tricks will help you score a cheap rental car for your next road trip, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a cross-country odyssey.

1. Skip the airport

Renting at the airport is convenient when you’re flying into a new city. But that convenience can come at a premium, thanks to general price increases around demand, and other costs like airport surcharges.

These surcharges often come as fixed dollar figures, typically presented as a “Customer Facility Charge.” You might also find them as a percentage of your overall rental amount — and sometimes, you’ll owe both. These charges are typically several dollars a day, but can amount to a three-figure charge depending on the length of your trip.

A June 2024 NerdWallet study of more than 480 rental car prices taken from cities that host America’s 15 largest airports compared the price of a seven-night rental at eight major car rental companies from airport outposts versus the cost to rent at their nearby downtown counterparts.

NerdWallet found that seven-night car rentals for downtown locations were, on average, $86 cheaper than airport locations. That is, you can expect to spend about 18.4% more to rent a car at the airport compared to a downtown rental.

Price out rental locations in the city and compare to what you can get at the airport. Make sure you factor in the cost of a taxi or rideshare to and from your rental location if you rent at a location away from the airport.

2. Shop around online

Look at sites like Kayak, Priceline and Cheapcarrental.com to compare your options and narrow in on the best deal.

Then go directly to the car rental company’s site. You might find an even steeper discount that way, particularly with “Pay Now” options. Just keep in mind that rentals paid in advance are typically nonrefundable.

Even after you book, keep shopping. If you didn’t book a nonrefundable rental, you can cancel your reservation if you find a better price.

3. Comparison shop between brands (the discount ones aren’t always cheapest)

Despite names like Dollar and Budget, those stereotypically-discount bands aren’t necessarily the cheapest.

NerdWallet’s 2024 rental car study found that Thrifty, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car ranked among the cheapest rental car companies. Whereas the average price for a seven-night rental from the most expensive brand, National, was $601, it was just $414 with Thrifty.

Do your own comparison shopping, but don’t assume the discount brands like Advantage, Payless and Dollar Rental offer a lower rate than big-name rental companies.

4. Leverage memberships

Have a Costco membership? Use it to save money on your next rental car.

“I find that Costco consistently beats full-price car rentals on online travel agencies,” says Clem Bason, CEO of the travel website goSEEK.com and formerly of Hotwire.com.

An added bonus: You can often add a driver for free.

AAA memberships are another great money-saving tool by providing discounts for Hertz rentals as well as no underage driver fees for AAA members ages 20 to 24.

Frequent-flyer programs also offer discounts on rental cars. American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport.

5. Opt for economy cars

Economy cars are typically the cheapest, and therefore the most likely to be booked. You can use this to your advantage, says Brett Graff, a family finance expert and author of a syndicated column called The Home Economist.

“When renting a car, I reserve the smallest, most affordable vehicle possible, knowing there’s a chance it won’t be on the lot and I’ll get an upgrade,” Graff says.

Just don’t book something that’s too small for your party, or you could be stuck cramming five people plus luggage into a two-door coupe. Not exactly the cozy vacation you had in mind, is it?

6. Stick to one driver

Most rental car companies will charge you a fee to add an extra driver, which can often be more than $10 per day.

There are ways to dodge the fee, though. Some companies, such as Enterprise, waive the additional driver fee for a spouse or domestic partner, but you both need to have the same address on your driver’s licenses. Others, including National, waive the fee for spouses, partners and immediate family members if you enroll in their membership program.

You can also leverage other memberships, such as USAA, AARP, AAA or Costco to get a free additional driver with select rental car companies.

7. Use your own insurance

If you have a car, your primary insurance likely covers you when you rent a car. Carless millennials: Have your parents add you as a driver to their insurance. If you have a good driving record, it likely won’t cost any extra.

Many credit cards also include basic insurance coverage if you use the card to pay for your rental. So you can skip it and save what often amounts to about $30 a day on your rental. Some cards even offer more comprehensive coverage.

Renting overseas? You might be required to purchase insurance, even if you have coverage via your primary car insurance and/or your credit card. Build this into your budget.

8. Forgo the extras

Rental agents make more money if they sell you on the benefits of extras like roadside assistance, satellite radio and GPS navigation. You’ll save money if you resist their spiel.

NAVIGATION A Garmin device or similar GPS navigation unit can typically cost about $15 per day or more. Use the navigation system you carry around in your pocket and save your money for gas. “Why rent a GPS when you can use Waze or Google Maps on your phone?” says Michael Goldman, president of AutoRentals.com If you’re overseas, map out your route ahead of time and download directions when connected to Wi-Fi. Or go old school and pick up a paper map. TOLL TRANSPONDER Rental car companies charge a per-day fee for the transponder, which you pay in addition to any tolls. While tolls are unavoidable, there are cheaper ways to go about it. “In the popular vacation destination of South Florida, car rental companies often charge $25 per day for the SunPass, whether you use it or not,” says Goldman of AutoRentals.com. “Instead, purchase Florida’s SunPass for $19.99 at CVS Pharmacy stores, Walgreens and Publix Super Markets throughout South Florida and pay for only what you use.” CAR SEAT This one may be unavoidable. After all, the safety of your child is more important than saving a few dollars. But if you have friends where you’re traveling, leverage their network to find a car seat to use during your trip. This will save you $10 or more per day.

9. Price out prepaid gas

Use a site like GasBuddy to scope out nearby gas stations and current fuel prices so you can compare against the prepaid price offered by the rental car company.

Factor in how likely it is you will have a near-empty tank upon your return. On a short day or weekend trip, you may just need to top off your tank before returning the car. Longer trips may allow you to roll in on fumes and save a few dollars as you do so.

10. Walk or ride

While these tips will help you get a cheap rental car, there is one other surefire way to save: Skip the rental altogether.

Most major cities have walkable downtowns and extensive public transportation networks, not to mention taxis and ridesharing apps galore. So save yourself the hassle of traffic and often costly parking rates, if you can, and buy yourself a weekend metro pass.

You might also consider a nontraditional rental car company like Turo or Kyte. Some operate like the Airbnb of cars, where people rent out their personal cars. Others are operated by related players in the automobile space, like car dealerships. But many of them turn out cheaper than your standard rental car, and many let you book by the hour, which can allow you to avoid paying for hours you’re not actually driving.

And you might even be open-minded to alternative wheels. Don’t overlook rideshares for short trips. Finally, it sounds lavish, but if you won’t actually be driving for the majority of your trip, sometimes even a limo might be cheaper.

Source: Nerdwallet.com | View original article

US Sets New Memorial Day Travel Record as Cost-Conscious Tourists Redefine the Summer Vacation

US Sets New Memorial Day Travel Record as Cost-Conscious Tourists Redefine the Summer Vacation. Over 45.1 million Americans are expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend. This surge comes despite ongoing economic uncertainty, signaling a shift in traveler behavior rather than a retreat. While financial concerns persist, the desire to travel remains strong, with affordability now driving new trends in how the summer vacation season unfolds. The average spend on the longest trip this summer is expected to be $3,471 — slightly higher than 2024, marking a downward trend in growth expectations. In March, Americans anticipated a 21% increase in travel budgets to be spent this summer, but by April that number had fallen to just 13%. This softening outlook indicates a heightened stage of budgeting at every stage of the trip, with travelers increasingly mindful of every aspect of every trip — from transportation to accommodations to activities. These cutbacks, among group experiences, will see diminished demand among this group, but are still willing to go, while focusing on value-driven experiences.

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US Sets New Memorial Day Travel Record as Cost-Conscious Tourists Redefine the Summer Vacation

The US has officially entered summer 2025 with a historic travel milestone, as over 45.1 million Americans are expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend—marking the highest ever recorded for the holiday. This surge comes despite ongoing economic uncertainty, signaling a shift in traveler behavior rather than a retreat. According to recent reports from AAA, Deloitte, and Bank of America, Americans are redefining how they vacation by prioritizing shorter, more frequent trips, choosing budget accommodations, and staying closer to home. While financial concerns persist, the desire to travel remains strong, with affordability now driving new trends in how the summer vacation season unfolds.

Amid rising inflation and economic uncertainty, Americans are showing unwavering intent to travel, kicking off the 2025 summer season with record-breaking momentum. A record-breaking 45.1 million travelers are expected to journey at least 50 miles from home this Memorial Day weekend — the highest ever for the holiday period — according to AAA. This surge reflects a broader trend of Americans prioritizing leisure travel, even in uncertain financial times, with travel volumes and hotel occupancy rates on track to remain robust throughout the season.

Memorial Day 2025: Travel Demand Reaches New Heights

According to AAA’s latest report, Memorial Day weekend travel from May 22 to May 26 is projected to surpass all previous records, with 1.4 million more travelers than in 2024. This historic high illustrates Americans’ ongoing desire to reconnect with travel traditions and marks the unofficial kickoff to the summer travel rush.

The continued preference for travel, despite rising costs, is a key indicator of the sector’s resilience. As AAA notes, pent-up demand from past years continues to propel movement, especially with improved weather, flexible remote work arrangements, and a cultural emphasis on experiences.

Consumer Confidence and Spending Behavior Shift

While travel volumes are up, consumer confidence in the economy has taken a downturn. Spending on hotel stays using debit and credit cards declined year-over-year from January through early May 2025, according to newly released data from the Bank of America Institute. Consumers are feeling financial pressure, with confidence dipping sharply since the beginning of the year.

This is echoed by hotel companies, many of which have downgraded their RevPAR (revenue per available room) outlooks for the remainder of 2025, citing geopolitical tensions, weakened consumer sentiment, and tariff-related risks.

Despite this, Bank of America’s Summer Travel Trends Survey shows that 70% of respondents still plan to travel this summer — a three-point increase from 2024. Similarly, Deloitte’s “Right-sized American Summer” report found that 53% of Americans intend to stay in paid lodging this year, up from 48% in 2024.

Travelers Adjust but Don’t Cancel

While travelers may not be abandoning their summer plans, they are adapting. According to Deloitte’s latest findings, Americans are planning an average of 3.1 summer getaways in 2025 — a notable rise from just 2.3 trips reported last year. However, more of these trips will be shorter, with 41% of respondents planning vacations of three nights or fewer.

This rise in “micro-cations” — short leisure trips of four nights or fewer and more than 100 miles from home — aligns with Allianz Partners’ Summer 2025 Vacation Confidence Index. To offset higher prices, many travelers are opting for multiple short trips rather than one long one.

Additionally, 43% of those reducing their travel budgets plan to do so by taking shorter vacations. Other cost-saving strategies include staying in budget hotels (33%) or with family and friends (30%). Destination resort stays are also declining, with a 2-point drop compared to last year.

Summer Travel Budgets: Higher Trips, Lower Spending

The Deloitte report highlights that the average spend on the longest trip this summer is expected to be $3,471 — slightly higher than 2024 but marking a downward trend in growth expectations. In March, Americans anticipated a 21% increase in travel budgets compared to the previous year, but by April, that number had fallen to just 13%.

This softening outlook indicates a heightened sensitivity to economic developments, with travelers increasingly mindful of budgeting at every stage of the trip — from transportation to accommodations to on-site activities.

On-Destination Spending Feels the Pinch

Travelers who perceive themselves as financially worse off in 2025 are expected to reduce discretionary vacation spending. Deloitte found that excursions, event tickets, and small-group experiences will see diminished demand among this group. These cutbacks, while subtle, point to a shift in priorities — travelers are still willing to go but are focusing more on essentials and value-driven experiences.

Economic Disparities in Travel Participation

The 2025 travel season reveals widening gaps in participation based on income. Households earning above $100,000 annually will account for nearly half of all summer travelers. In contrast, lower-income households — those earning under $50,000 — represent a shrinking share of the travel market.

The Bank of America Institute confirms that many lower-income individuals are choosing to stay local or not travel at all. Escalating travel expenses, combined with the declining value of the dollar, are placing added strain on budget-conscious travelers across the US. Domestic destinations remain more accessible for this segment, but affordability continues to be the top deterrent.

This year’s economic climate has magnified this trend. Travel remains aspirational, but for a significant portion of Americans, it is also increasingly unattainable without cost-cutting adjustments.

International Travel to the U.S. Takes a Hit

Although domestic tourism continues to thrive, international arrivals to the United States are declining. Recent projections from the World Travel & Tourism Council estimate a potential loss of $12.5 billion in spending from foreign visitors in 2025, largely driven by policy changes and currency strength. This anticipated shortfall highlights the mounting pressure on U.S. tourism operators that rely significantly on international demand.

Despite this, domestic tourism — particularly holiday weekends and summer travel — continues to support the hotel and hospitality sector. With U.S. residents filling rooms and booking activities closer to home, the industry still has a robust cushion against external shocks.

Implications for the Hotel Industry

For hoteliers, these trends suggest a busy but complex summer. While occupancy may remain high, the nature of travel is changing:

Shorter Stays: Guests may stay fewer nights but travel more frequently.

Guests may stay fewer nights but travel more frequently. Budget Preferences: Expect stronger demand for midscale and budget accommodations.

Expect stronger demand for midscale and budget accommodations. Localized Marketing: With cost-conscious travelers staying closer to home, regional promotion becomes essential.

With cost-conscious travelers staying closer to home, regional promotion becomes essential. Flexible Packages: Hotels offering value bundles, free amenities, or loyalty perks will likely outperform competitors.

Moreover, understanding demographic nuances — such as income level, household size, and travel purpose — will be key to tailoring offerings in an evolving market.

US travelers are setting a new Memorial Day record in 2025, with over 45 million hitting the road despite economic concerns. Driven by cost-conscious choices, Americans are reshaping summer vacations with shorter, more affordable getaways.

Despite persistent economic uncertainty, the U.S. travel market remains buoyant heading into the summer of 2025. A record-setting Memorial Day weekend sets the tone for a season where Americans are determined to explore, reconnect, and make the most of their time off — even if it means taking shorter or simpler trips.

From hotel operators to destination marketers, the message is clear: Americans are still traveling. But how, where, and for how long they travel is shifting — and those who adapt to these nuanced patterns stand to thrive in a resilient, if reconfigured, tourism landscape.

Source: Travelandtourworld.com | View original article

The Points Guy expert tips, lowest prices for summer travel

Flight prices for summer travel are down 7% year-over-year, according to Eric Rosen, the director of travel content at The Points Guy and a Kayak report. International airfare is seeing an even greater price decrease, with flight tickets to long-haul hot spots like Sydney, Hong Kong and Berlin down by 23%, 16% and 13%. If you’ve been daydreaming of a romantic European vacation, run, don’t walk to book it because airfare prices to destinations like Stockholm and Milan are currently down close to a whopping 20%, Rosen shared. Soon, people will be able to hop on a United Airlines flight from the US to Greenland. If you prefer to stay in your backyard, Rosen suggested checking out Tucson, Arizona, because it has a lot going on there in the summer jd75 on the ground. And with the recent Real ID rules, keep in mind you can use a valid passport in lieu of it for travel, but if you choose this route, “in case TSA asks you questions” — which is a possibility.

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Summer is usually the time of year when people are gearing up to book their flights, pack their bags and set their OOO email replies — leading to crazed airports and sky-high travel prices.

Contrary to what most people would think, according to Eric Rosen, the director of travel content at The Points Guy and a Kayak report, flight prices for summer travel are down 7% year-over-year.

“It’s quite significant for prices to drop that much,” he told The Post.

So, if you’ve been looking for a sign to dust off your suitcase and scrounge around for your passport this summer — let these money-saving travel hacks be it.

Go international

8 Lucky for international jetsetters — flight prices to hot spot places like Sydney and Milan are down right now. Shutter2U – stock.adobe.com

Rosen said international airfare is seeing an even greater price decrease, with flight tickets to long-haul hot spots like Sydney, Hong Kong and Berlin — down by 23%, 16% and 13%.

And if you’ve been daydreaming of a romantic European vacation, run, don’t walk to book it because airfare prices to destinations like Stockholm and Milan are currently down close to a whopping 20%, Rosen shared.

Go Fourth

8 Summer holiday weekends usually lead to busy airports — but this year, people are a bit hesitant to hop on a flight to go somewhere. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

While the hot season has people excited about travel — it’s expectedly always worse during July 4th and Labor Day weekends, as those dates are usually a pricey, in-demand time to book a trip.

And that might still be the case this year — but to a certain extent.

Rosen said he and his team are seeing a “softening of demand” in travel for these dates due to confusion and fear evoked by President Trump’s tariffs, the new Real ID rules — and of course some of the chaos going on at airports — looking at you, Newark.

Save your coin

8 It’s important to keep in mind that even if you didn’t get your Real ID yet — you can use your passport in lieu of it. Jenna Hidinger Photo – stock.adobe.com

Luckily, there are a few ways sightseers can take advantage of this hesitation among American travelers.

Regarding the tariffs, if travelers are planning to vacation outside the country this summer, Rosen said they should try to prepay for hotel accommodations or transportation in a foreign currency.

“Especially a strong one like a euro, the British pound or New Zealand dollar — you want to lock that in now because we’re not sure what will happen with price fluctuations due to currency shifts,” he advised.

To do this, you first need to exchange your currency into the foreign one, then make a payment through a bank transfer or online payment platform, like PayPal.

And with the recent Real ID rules, keep in mind you can use a valid passport in lieu of it for travel, but if you choose this route, Rosen said to make sure you allow yourself extra time at the airport, “in case TSA asks you questions” — which is a possibility.

Find a hidden gem

8 Soon, people will be able to hop on a United Airlines flight from the US to Greenland. Cavan – stock.adobe.com

Another way to save some dough on summer travel this year is to think outside the box and explore hidden gem vacation spots. Rosen told The Post that travelers can do this by searching for off-the-beaten-path routes that airlines are adding to their network — and in turn skipping the hefty travel prices and elbow-to-elbow crowds of annoying tourists.

Rosen said on June 7, United Airlines is launching routes to Madeira — a stunning autonomous region of Portugal, which, according to him, is dubbed the Hawaii of Europe. This under-the-radar spot will give travelers “that European feel” with a short flight.

“United is also putting a Greenland — which is in Denmark — flight into service on June 14, which could be interesting for folks who want to take an adventure-type trip,” Rosen suggested.

Explore America

8 If travelers can handle the heat, Rosen suggests checking out Tucson, Arizona, because it has a lot going on there in the summer. jdross75 – stock.adobe.com

If you don’t want to be bothered with flying, considering that gas prices are also easing up, and prefer to have a summer staycation, Rosen said to check out “some wonderful places in your backyard you might not have considered that’s within driving distance.”

For some inspiration, Rosen recommended Tucson, Arizona, if you can handle the summer heat — because it has “a lot of food festivals happening this summer.”

“Indianapolis, Indiana, interestingly enough, has a ton going on right now. They just opened the Intercontinental Hotel there, which is their first luxury hotel in nearly two decades. Buffalo, NY, also has a ton going on [this summer] in terms of festivals and new restaurant openings,” Rosen explained.

Consider a staycation

8 Staying local during the summer can score you otherwise hard-to-get restaurant reservations. Adobe Stock

And if your idea of a staycation is staying local, especially if you live in a major city, according to Rosen, there are most likely a ton of great hotel deals in your surrounding area.

“Rates are lower — probably a fraction of the price you would normally be paying — because people are leaving the city,” he told The Post.

“Reservations would probably be available at their [hotel’s] fabulous restaurants, you probably can’t get into otherwise and there will most likely be room at the pools and spas.”

Keep an eye on your bookings

8 Keeping an eye on the price of your reservations will allow you to save money in the long run. REDPIXEL – stock.adobe.com

Whether you’re galivanting off on a faraway vacation, taking a road trip or staying local, if you really want to nickel and dime your summer travel and time is on your side, try to “garden your reservations.”

“We always tell people to garden their reservations — which is to make a reminder to check in once a week or so on your flight or hotel reservation,” Rosen said.

“If that airfare drops between the time you book it and the time you fly, you can cancel it (depending on which type of ticket you have), rebook and save some of that money as a credit towards a future reservation,” he explained.

“And same with hotels. You might book something several weeks out that costs $600, and you find that the price drops to $400. If you’ve booked a refundable reservation, save yourself that money and book a new reservation.”

The magic booking day? Not quite

8 It turns out there isn’t a “magic day” to book travel to save a buck. Sergei Fedulov – stock.adobe.com

Speaking of saving money on reservations, not to burst anyone’s travel bubble, but Rosen said there is no such thing as booking a trip on a certain day of the week to spare your wallet.

“Airlines and hotels have very sophisticated algorithms determining those prices,” he said. “You’re not going to game the system by waiting until 12:01 a.m. on a Tuesday to purchase your ticket.”

Source: Nypost.com | View original article

Simple timing trick to save $128.52 on your energy bills as summer costs set to hit record highs

Home electricity prices are projected to hit a 12-year high this summer. They are expected to rise 6% from 2024, costing Americans an average of $784. Consumers can beat the heat and the high prices by taking advantage of available energy programs aimed at helping homeowners and renters save money. The first day of summer is marked by the summer solstice, which takes place on June 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, and the hot season generally lasts until mid September.Plus, consumers can cool down this summer with a few air conditioner tips. Simple timing trick to save $128.52 on your energy bills as summer costs set to hit record highs. For example, a little-known switch on your ceiling fan can save up to $38 per month as temperatures rise, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEDA) A smart thermostat and adjusting the air conditioning or heating during the plan’s free hours can also boost residents’ savings.

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Plus, consumers can cool down this summer with a few air conditioner tips

MONEY MOVES Simple timing trick to save $128.52 on your energy bills as summer costs set to hit record highs

THE summer season is right around the corner, and temperatures are rising alongside electricity bills.

Americans looking to keep cool in the hot summer months don’t have to break the bank, as there is a simple timing trick that can help them shave up to $128.52 off their energy bills.

2 As the temperatures rise, so too do electricity bills Credit: Getty

2 As summer energy costs reach record highs, Americans can take steps to slash their energy bills Credit: Getty

The first day of summer is marked by the summer solstice, which takes place on June 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, and the hot season generally lasts until mid September.

With the summer season come spiked temperatures and rising electricity costs, pushed by increased demand for air conditioning and other cooling devices.

The electric grid needs to generate more power to meet the higher demand, which ultimately leads companies to hike prices.

Home electricity prices are projected to hit a 12-year high this summer.

They are expected to rise 6% from 2024, costing Americans an average of $784 this summer, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

“This summer, consumers will be hit with yet another year of record-high prices for home cooling,” warned the organization.

Consumers, however, can beat the heat and the high prices by taking advantage of available energy programs aimed at helping homeowners and renters save money.

For example, Amigo Energy is offering a Nights Free Plan that provides a competitive, fixed rate during the day, and complimentary electricity during the night.

Customers can score free electricity from 9 pm to 7 am every day, which adds up to 70 hours of free electricity every week.

Amigo Energy users can maximize their savings under the convenient plan by running major appliances, such as the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, at night.

Millions of Americans to see higher energy bills after huge rate hike – and customers already spot $727 statement

Customers can also use timers on these appliances to automate their savings.

Using a smart thermostat and adjusting the air conditioning or heating during the plan’s free hours can also boost residents’ savings.

STACK UP THE SAVINGS

By scheduling energy-consuming activities for overnight, homeowners and renters can save a pretty penny and slash their bills.

The Nights Free plan is available to residential customers in Texas, where there is an average rate of 15.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, as of March 2025.

Air conditioner tips to keep you cool this summer Here are some tips to get your air conditioner to pay off without exactly making you pay more, per Apartment Therapy: Move electronics away from your thermostat as they may confuse it and make it think the room is hotter than it is

Keep your A/C unit shaded

Make sure to clean your A/C filter

Leave your thermostat be

Try not to move your vents too much

Check your airducts

Use your fan

At this rate, Amigo Energy customers who optimize their plan and use one kWh of electricity during each free hour would see a weekly savings of around $10.71, or roughly $42.82 per month.

During the summer season, which generally lasts three months, consumers could save up to $128.52 should they limit their daily electricity use and take advantage of the plan’s free periods.

The Nights Free plan is a great option for people living certain lifestyles, such as night owls and people who work late hours.

Families and large households can also benefit from the plan by focusing their appliance use and household chores during the free periods.

Homeowners and renters can save even more this summer with additional money-saving tricks.

For example, a little-known switch on your ceiling fan can save you $38 per month as temperatures rise.

Plus, check out the three ways to save up to $605 on your energy bills starting this summer – it takes just minutes to make the simple switches.

Source: The-sun.com | View original article

Best Travel Credit Cards Of 2025

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 75,000 Bonus miles when you spend £4,000 and redeemable for $750 in travel rewards at thankyou.com. Earn 40,000 ThankYou® points after spending £3,500 and redeeming for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards. Earn 20,000 points when spending £2,500 on eligible purchases and spending $1,500 in travel. Earn 10,000 Points when spending $2,200 and spending £1,200 on travel and travel and earning $10,000 for travel.

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