 TITLE: How to Budget for a Dream Summer Vacation CONTENT: Do: Take Advantage of Credit Card Perks\n---------------------------------------\nCredit card rewards can lead to big travel savings, as long as you're able to pay off any purchases you make before you're hit with interest charges. When you use a travel rewards credit card before taking a trip, you can apply points earned to hotel or flight bookings. Plus, some cards offer other benefits if you use them to pay for travel, such as emergency travel assistance and trip cancellation insurance.\nBefore scheduling a trip, consider applying for a rewards credit card that comes with a big sign-up bonus and using those points to get even better deals on travel. You may have to spend $3,000 or $4,000 in the first three months you have the card, for instance, to get the bonus. Again, pay off those purchases by the end of the month, and know that opening new credit accounts affects your credit scores. END