Tips for budgeting your next vacation
By Bankrate.com

Myvesta, a Rockville, Md.-based consumer counseling group, offers these vacation planning tips:

• A consolidator or discount travel agency can get fares dirt cheap. Some of the best deals are likely to be for overseas travel during busy seasons when few sale fares are available. Pay with a credit card and make sure all restrictions and refund policies are crystal clear.
  
  
• Consider using frequent flier miles for part or all of your travel. Miles are estimated to be worth 2 cents a mile, so compare the cost of cashing in miles with buying a discount ticket.
  
  
• Ask if frequent flier miles can be earned at a hotel or for car rental.
  
  
• Consider smaller airports. For example, hundreds of dollars might be saved if you plan to depart or land at Chicago's Midway Airport rather than busy O'Hare.