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How to Pay for a 10-Year Anniversary Trip

How to · Event

How to Pay for a 10-Year Anniversary Trip

Plan ahead to head back to your honeymoon spot without carrying the debt for the next ten years.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $5,500 before anything else
Across the 0% window $305.56/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $5,500 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Ten years goes by fast. Going back to your honeymoon spot is the perfect way to celebrate, but it takes some planning to make the numbers work. Because you are targeting the shoulder season—that sweet spot between peak crowds and bad weather—you need to lock in flights about six months out, while lodging can usually wait a bit longer.

We want to clear this $5,500 trip before it starts collecting interest. If you split that cost over the next year and a half, it comes out to $305.56 a month. Here is how to map out the booking timeline and the payments so you can focus on the memories, not the bills.

Remember that the 18-month window is a strict deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance on your Citi Simplicity® Credit Card when those 18 months are up, the standard variable APR will kick in on whatever is left, which quickly makes your trip much more expensive.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your shoulder season dates

    Figure out when your original honeymoon spot hits its shoulder season. This is when flights and hotels drop their prices but the weather is still good. Mark these dates first so you can build your booking timeline backward from there.

  2. 02

    Book your flights early

    Airfare is usually cheapest about five to six months before departure. Jump on these first because flight prices only go up as the seats fill. Use your card here to start the purchase clock.

  3. 03

    Spread the cost with the right card

    We can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card to buy us some time. It offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. By putting the big trip expenses on this card, we can pay it off slowly without extra fees.

  4. 04

    Secure your lodging next

    Once your flights are set, look for your hotel or rental. Since shoulder season has lower occupancy, you have more leverage here and can wait until three to four months out to book.

  5. 05

    Automate your monthly payment

    Divide the $5,500 total by 18, which gives you $305.56 per month. Set up an automatic transfer for this amount every month so you do not have to think about it or risk missing the window.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

When is the best time to book shoulder season travel?

For most destinations, the shoulder season falls in late spring or early autumn. You should start tracking flight prices about six months before you want to leave.

What happens if I cannot pay off the balance in 18 months?

Any remaining balance after the 18 months will start accruing interest at your card's regular APR. It is best to pay a little extra each month to make sure you hit zero before the deadline.

Should I book flights and hotels together as a package?

It depends. Sometimes packages save money, but booking them separately lets you space out the purchases and gives you more flexibility if plans change.

Is it safe to wait on booking activities?

Yes, you can usually wait on tours and dinners until a month or two before the trip. Focus your early budget on flights and lodging, which fluctuate the most in price.