Vacation Loans: 8 Things to Ponder to Make the Best Choice

This article originally appeared on The Financially Independent Millennial and was republished with permission.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only and are not endorsed by Credit.com.

After months of overworking, you may find yourself dreaming of a family vacation or a weekend trip with friends. Vacation loans can help you cover all expenses, from transportation costs to accommodations and food. But these loans aren’t as perfect as they seem. These kinds of loans come with potentially high interest rates and fees. And, you also need to make payments well after your trip is over.  

Here is your guide to vacation loans to make a well-thought-out decision when planning or paying for your holiday.

1. What Is a Vacation Loan?
2. How Much Could the Vacation Loan Cost?
3. What Are Vacation Loan Types?
4. Who Should Get a Vacation Loan?
5. When Is It Right to Take a Vacation Loan?
6. How to Apply for a Vacation Loan?
7. What Are Vacation Loan Alternatives?

What Is a Vacation Loan?

A vacation loan is a personal loan borrowers use to pay for transportation, hotels, and other vacation-related expenses. Typically vacation loans require no collateral and should get paid in fixed, once-a-month payments.

They work just like other personal loans. Vacation loan amounts typically start from $1,000 and can go as high as $100,000, depending on the lender. Terms usually range from one to three years. However, there are also shorter or longer repayment periods. For instance, there are 3-month payday loans that you can use to cover vacation costs.

There are a few upsides and drawbacks to consider before applying for a loan.

Main upsides to a vacation loan

• Permanent periodic payments: Borrowers can access money when needed and then make stable payments over time. And, it means you don’t need to pay for your vacation expenses upfront.
• Relatively Lower interest rates: Lenders may lend you funds at a lower interest rate depending on your credit score and other financial features.
• An excellent solution for emergency travel: Of course, you can plan for your travel expenses. However, if you face an emergency and need to pay for travel accommodations in the nick of time, a loan can make it possible.
• Possibility of flexibility: You can easily take advantage of the lowest travel prices by taking a loan, even if you do not have the cash on hand.

Main drawbacks of a vacation loan

• The vacation cost increases because of interest: You will have to pay back the loan amount and the interest. It will make your trip more expensive than it would be in case of paying cash.
• Fees can increase the cost of borrowing: Besides paying interest, some lenders add fees on the loan. It will raise the total price of borrowing, may include origination fees and even prepayment penalties.
• Continuing once-a-month payments may lead to extra anxiety: People go on vacation to get rid of stress, relax and get away from everyday worries. In this case, funding your trip with a loan can cause anxiety because of the loan repayment debt.
• It can affect your credit score: The loan taken for your vacation can negatively impact your credit score. A new loan also can immediately impact your debt-to-income ratio, which can limit your probability of getting future loans. 

Can I Get a Loan to go on Vacation?

If you’re qualified to get a personal loan, you can apply for a loan to go on vacation. Already decided that you need to take a loan for your travel costs, apply for the loan immediately without any difficulty. The process is quick and easy:

• Think how much you need to borrow – the loan amount isn’t fixed and can vary by lenders. For instance, small loans from $1,000 to $10,000 or larger ones from $5,000 to $100,000.
• Shop around to find the best lender – the right lender will help you get the cheapest interest rate for your loan.
• Apply for the loan: Fill in the application form where you will get asked to provide documentation like proof of identity (driver’s license, passport, certificate of citizenship, etc.), employer and income verification, and proof of address (utility bill, lease, proof of insurance, etc.).
• Wait for the approval- after submitting your loan request. It usually takes a lender 1-7 days to approve your request and deposit the money directly into your account. 

How Much Could the Vacation Loan Cost?

The APRs of personal loans may range from 6% to 36% or more. Further, some online lenders can decide, taking into consideration the reason you get a loan. For instance, many lenders can charge a lower minimum APR for home renovation loans than marriage loans.

The rate you get depends mainly on your credit score and your income. The higher your credit score and the lower your debt to income ratio, the higher the chance you’ll get approved with a low rate for a vacation loan.

You can use online free personal loan calculators to estimate your monthly payments based on your credit score.

What Are Vacation Loan Types?

A vacation loan is often a typical personal loan that borrowers use for travel. If you’ve decided that a personal loan is exactly what you need, then start looking carefully at personal loan terms. 

Whether you apply for a new loan, refinance your current loan, or apply for an individual loan or credit card, you can save money and achieve your financial objectives by knowing the differences between variable and fixed interest rates.

Fixed Term Loans for Vacations

For the whole borrowing period, for fixed-term loans, interest rates remain the same for the entire loan duration. However, the interest rate of a variable rate loan during the repayment period might fluctuate, up and down. Borrowers who desire predictable payments typically select fixed-rate loans, which do not fluctuate in price. The price of variable-rate loans increases, decreases, or stays the same over time. Borrowers who think interest rates fall are likely to pick variable-rate loans. Variable-rate lending often has lower interest rates. And, borrowers can use it for short-term financing.

Vacation Line of Credit

A line of credit for your vacation can also be a good option for you. An open, revolving loan that a borrower may use on request is a line of credit. Indeed, it’s also known as a credit line. The lender sets the total credit limit that can get extended depending on the borrower’s creditworthiness. And the borrower may access money any time from the loan line up to its maximum amount.

Flexibility is the primary advantage of a line of credit. A borrower who takes out a fixed loan receives a lump sum payment and immediately begins making interest payments on the whole balance. A person may borrow as much or as little of the available credit as they need with a line of credit and only pay interest and fees on the amount borrowed.

Who Should Get a Vacation Loan?

Anyone eligible to apply for a loan can take a vacation loan. However, borrowers generally use these loans out of necessity. For example, in specific or urgent cases.

While vacation loans give one’s the chance to take a fantastic trip, it’s essential to consider that they are increasing the overall cost of the vacation trip and can harm the credit score. 

If you consider this option make sure you won’t fall into debt and end up in a difficult financial situation.

When Is It Right to Take a Vacation Loan?

It would be ideal if you could pay for your vacation with your savings. However, if there is no other option, even a small loan amount can help you make your vacation trip.

You might need a vacation loan for:

• Emergency travel. If you have an urgent meeting, an accident happens to one of your relatives, you have a business meeting, and you don’t have saved money or don’t have an emergency budget, a personal loan will be the best option.
• Once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Some special situations may justify vacation loans. If it’s going to be crucial in your life, it’s definitely worth the risk to take the loan.  

How to Apply for a Vacation Loan?

The application for a loan is like any personal loan application. You need to provide some details about yourself. You can apply for a loan by phone, online, or by visiting a lender’s organization within a minute.

The only requirements for getting an online loan are:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Have an active checking account;
• Provide some proof of income as well as valid identification;
• Have a stable work and income.

Where Can I Borrow $5000?

When you’re in search of $5,000 personal loan options, here are some places to look:

Online lenders can be a worthy supplier for $5,000 loans as they usually offer a simplified, online loan request process. Some lenders even can approve your request and lend you money within the next business day. Online lenders can also offer a better interest rate than a bank or credit union. One thing to note about online lenders is that it can put the consumer at a higher risk of fraud. So, make sure to verify that the lender is legitimate before moving forward. 

Banks – Although not all banks offer personal loans, the application process might not be as easy and quick. There are some benefits of borrowing from the banks. You can get some discounts on the interest rates if you have a bank account with a definite organization.

Credit unions – are also ready to provide you with the amount you wish to borrow. You need to join a credit union before it considers lending money to you. Credit unions can offer you the loan at competitive rates and, at the same time, will encourage all members to save regularly to help union members in need of financial assistance.

Steps to Getting a Vacation Loan

If you have decided you need a vacation loan, you can get it in simple steps:

• Check your credit history to see whether you need to improve your credit score and fix all possible errors before you apply.
• Shop around for all lenders and available options to find which one is cheaper, and decide which lender is the best for you.
• Do your research into several lenders and determine which option is best for you. Applying to too many loans can have a negative impact on your credit. So, make sure you’re only applying to your top choices, all within around ten days to reduce the impact of hard credit inquiries.
• Prepare all documents–your Social Security number, bank account numbers, driver’s license, passport, certificate of citizenship, etc.
• Submit your application and wait for the answer. 

What Are Vacation Loan Alternatives?

Even though loans for vacations are easy ways to fund trips, they will cost you, the borrower, as you will end up paying high interest. Moreover, borrowers will have to make regular payments that can disturb their financial advancement.

You can avoid that, bearing in mind the alternatives to vacation loans.

Save Up for a Vacation in Advance

Holidays are expensive to afford with just one payment. But people usually plan their vacation, which means you will know in advance how much you will spend on it. So you can save up for your vacation beforehand.

Make a Budget for Traveling

Before planning a vacation, start by forming a travel budget that you can afford with your personal finances. Ideally, you’ll be able to pay for your trip without any problems or worries.

Check out the Best Discounts

The prices of trips, hotels, tickets, and further vacation costs vary over the year. Many resorts and travel agencies offer low prices, sometimes even great discounts, which will help you save on your vacation. If you haven’t decided on a fixed time for your vacation, you can take advantage of the offered discounts.

Use Credit Card Points to Cover Your Vacation Costs

Travel credit cards give you points that you can use for vacation expenses such as airline miles or a complimentary stay in a hotel.

By using these cards for your daily expenses throughout the year, you can earn reward points to pay a good portion of the cost of your vacation.

Take a Staycation

If you don’t have enough credit card points or enough money saved to fund your ideal trip, you might want to reconsider and take a staycation instead.

There are often fun places to visit nearby. And, people often take it for granted because the destinations are nearby. So, instead of going over budget and paying back a vacation loan for months or even years after your trip is done and over with, consider a staycation and enjoy all the lovely places close to home.

Even though a loan might help your dream vacation to come true faster, it’s better to decide earlier and postpone until you can manage to pay for all expenses. Think about when you want to have a vacation and try to set aside a lump sum every month to enjoy the rest you deserve.

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