Travel Gift Certificates

For those who have the resources, travel gift certificates can make for unbeatable gifts. Too often our ideas for memorable gifts are limited to things and preclude outings and events. When was the last time someone gave you a trip to a far-off locale or, for that matter, a not-so-distant destination? Unless you're an overbearing meddler in others' affairs, chances are it wasn't so recently.

One reason that most people steer clear of travel-oriented gifts is price. How much vacation can you really purchase for 50 bucks, after all? Surprisingly, the answer is more than you think, especially in light of the airline industry's continuing woes. Carriers are so desperate to stay afloat that many of them sell their reservations at a loss. People who do their homework sometimes find round-trip tickets to popular destinations for as low as 40 or 50 dollars!

Tips for Buying Travel Gifts

If you know your recipients' schedules, it's much easier to purchase them a weekend getaway or day-long excursion. One approach is to find events in nearby cities such as Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, or Las Vegas, then sign them up for two spots on a tour bus that takes a group into town for an afternoon or evening. Many of these travel tour companies include meals in their packages or make stops along the way at historical spots and other points of interest.

Buying a day-long or weekend getaway can be tricky, however, if you don't know your recipients' tastes. As an alternative, you might consider purchasing them a gift certificate to one of the many online travel brokers that offer great last-minute deals. Even if they can't use your present to cover the entire cost of their airfare, they may be able to cover half the amount, a night at a hotel, or even just dinner and cab ride to and from the airport.