Holiday travel has its quirks when you live in Southern Arizona. Maybe it’s the annual drive up the I-10 to see family in Phoenix, the flight out of Tucson International with half your neighborhood in the security line or figuring out how to keep gifts from melting in the trunk when December decides to feel like July. However you travel, the costs (and the stress) can add up fast.
A little financial planning can make the journey easier. Here are five money moves to help you spend less time worrying about expenses and more time enjoying the holidays.
Give your travel budget a desert-sized buffer
Flights and gas are the obvious costs, but the smaller things sneak up on you: mom’s famous chili for the potluck, parking at Sky Harbor, snacks from every Circle K stop between here and El Paso. Add in pet boarding, airport coffee, or a ride-share to the terminal, and the “quick trip” isn’t so quick or cheap.
The fix is simple: start with the big-ticket items, then build in a 10–15% cushion. That extra space in your budget is what keeps a flat tire in Bisbee or an unexpected airport meal from throwing you off track.
GasBuddy and other apps can help you find the cheapest stations along I-10 or I-19. Even saving a few cents per gallon adds up on long drives.
Hughes Tip: With myHUB (Hughes Unified Banking), you can see your full financial picture in one convenient place. Sync your accounts, track spending with cash-flow wheels and build personalized budgets that automatically categorize purchases like gas, hotels and holiday gifts. It’s an easy way to stay on top of your travel budget while keeping the rest of your finances in view.
Keep your wallet safer than your luggage
The holidays are prime season for fraud. Busy travelers are distracted, and scammers know it. Skimmers at gas pumps, fake websites offering “last-minute deals,” or bogus shipping emails can trip you up if you’re not careful.
Here are a few easy ways to stay ahead:
●
Turn on alerts. The
myCards feature in the Hughes digital banking app gives you access to purchase information whenever your card is used. You can set limits or lock your card if something looks off.
● Choose safe ATMs. Hughes members can use 55,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide through the CO-OP ATM Network. Look for machines inside well-lit stores or banks instead of stand-alone kiosks.
● Stay smart online. Shop from secure sites and avoid using hotel or airport Wi-Fi when logging into accounts.
If you’re stopping for gas, always give the card reader a quick tug before swiping. Loose readers can mean a skimmer’s been added.
Have a “what if” fund ready
Anyone who’s been rerouted because of dust storms or grounded by snow knows: holiday travel rarely goes exactly as planned. Having money set aside for emergencies keeps a hiccup from turning into a meltdown.
Even $300–$500 tucked away can make a huge difference. It covers things like:
● A night in a hotel if your flight is canceled.
● A tow truck when your car gives out halfway to Nogales.
● Extra meals when travel delays stretch far longer than expected.
Carry both debit and credit cards. Debit works for day-to-day spending, but a credit card gives you added protections like insurance on rental cars or coverage if a vendor doesn’t deliver.
Hughes Tip: With mobile banking, you can transfer money, deposit checks or pay bills from anywhere. If you’re stuck overnight in Albuquerque or Denver, at least your finances don’t have to be part of the problem.
Watch out for sneaky extras
The biggest hit to your travel budget often isn’t the ticket; it’s the add-ons. Baggage fees, resort charges, parking downtown or international transaction fees can quietly eat away at your savings.
Some simple workarounds:
● Ship gifts ahead. Avoid lugging extra bags through Tucson International. Many retailers offer free holiday shipping.
● Ask up front. Hotels may add resort, Wi-Fi, or parking fees. Request the total cost before you book.
● Pack light. Sharing a suitcase with family might save you $30–$60 per bag.
● Check your card. If you’re heading south of the border, know whether your card charges foreign transaction fees. A 3% fee doesn’t sound like much until you realize it’s showing up on every meal and souvenir.
Hughes Tip: While you’re watching travel expenses, don’t forget the bigger picture: your credit health. With CreditSmart, you can check your credit score and full report from Hughes Digital Banking. It helps you understand the factors shaping your score, gives you personalized tips for improvement and even alerts you to changes so you can quickly spot fraud or errors.
Make next year easier on yourself
It might feel too early to think about 2026 travel when you haven’t even unpacked from this year, but your future self will thank you if you do. Setting aside $25 per paycheck adds up to more than $600 by next December. That’s gas for the road trip, a round-trip flight, or the peace of mind that you won’t be putting holiday expenses on a credit card.
Booking early helps, too. Airlines and hotels often run January sales that can knock serious dollars off your bill. The earlier you plan, the less likely you’ll get stuck with only the most expensive options.
Hughes Tip: Hughes makes this easy with savings accounts and automatic transfers. Set it once, and you’ll be ready for next year’s trip before you even start shopping for this year’s gifts.
A smoother season ahead
Traveling during the holidays is rarely smooth sailing. Between packed roads, unpredictable weather and busy airports, there are plenty of chances for things to go sideways. But your money doesn’t have to be one of them.
Plan with a cushion. Protect your cards. Keep a small emergency fund. Avoid the sneaky extras. And, when the season is over, give yourself a head start for next year.
Whether your road-tripping across Arizona or flying across the country, Hughes has tools like MoneyCoach, myCards, mobile banking, and surcharge-free ATMs to make the journey a little easier.
