How to holiday smarter

Whether you’re planning a lazy week of sun ’n’ surf or a full-blown multi-day road trip, your NRMA membership can help make your holiday cheaper and easier.

Do you daydream about taking a holiday, only to arrive at the planning and budgeting stage and end up putting it in the too-hard basket? With the basics so expensive and our lives so hectic, it seems harder and harder to take time out and head off on a trip.

Don’t worry, though, the NRMA has you covered. Thanks to the My NRMA Rewards program, NRMA members can access a vast array of discounts and benefits, everything from airfares to entertainment. Here are eight holiday hacks that will ensure you travel for less, shrug off the stress, and get more for your money.

1. Get started with the NRMA Trip Planner

If you’re eager to do a multi-day (or multi-week!) road trip but don’t know where to start, the NRMA Trip Planner is the perfect solution. The interactive map will help you uncover escapes in every state, including accommodation and attractions. You’ll also notice all the great places you can redeem member benefits with My NRMA Rewards, so you can get even more out of your holiday. Simply punch in your origin, your destination, and get ready for some serious travel inspo.

2. Cut costs with the fuel app

If you haven’t already downloaded the MyNRMA app to your smartphone, make sure you do before setting off on your trip. You’ll find all the benefits of NRMA membership at your fingertips, including the NRMA Fuel Finder – which shows you the cheapest petrol prices in your area in real time, plus any discounts available to NRMA members. On a long road trip, that could quickly add up to big savings.

3. Find an EV charging station

There are plenty of upsides to owning an electric vehicle, such as smooth and silent driving with no tailpipe emissions, but even with batteries and range improving, taking an EV on a road trip can be an anxious experience. Once again, the MyNRMA app has you covered. Similar to the Fuel Finder (above), its ‘charge now’ feature will show you an interactive map of NRMA EV charging stations in your area and provide details on how to charge up and pay.

4. Get discounts on airfares and car hire

Australia is a big country and epic drives aren’t everyone’s idea of a good time. If you’d like to explore another state, a fly-drive holiday is the ideal solution and (you guessed it) your NRMA membership can help minimise costs. Not only can you access discounted airport parking and Virgin airfares to your chosen destination, the NRMA owns the Sixt car rental company and members receive up to 20 per cent off daily car hire.

5. Save on accommodation

It’s no secret that members are entitled to special benefits and discounts at NRMA parks and resorts – but did you know there are now more than 50 places to stay? From the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland to Port Arthur in Tasmania and Victor Harbor in South Australia, the NRMA has a park or resort waiting to welcome weary travellers arriving from a long day’s journey. No matter if you’re travelling in style or camping for the night, the NRMA has your accommodation covered.

NRMA South West Rocks holiday park

6. Eat out for less

Food and drinks are the holiday expenses that creep up on you. Whether you’re hunting for your morning caffeine fix or planning a family dinner at a nice restaurant, chances are you can get it for less with the NRMA app. Just log into the app, tap the ‘Map’ icon at the bottom of the screen and select ‘Food & dining’ to see nearby benefits. Then tap the result you like and hit ‘Redeem’. Participating cafés, restaurants and eateries are changing constantly, so make sure you check the app regularly while you’re on the road.

NRMA members get benefits at a variety of eateries

7. Enjoy an affordable family fun day

Whether you’re spending a week in the same town or hopping from place to place, you’ll likely want to visit some of the local attractions – and unless it’s an afternoon at a regional museum, it probably won’t be cheap. But don’t worry, the NRMA has secured discounts at an array of major attractions including Gold Coast theme parks, Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo and Madam Tussaud’s. You can even get a discount on skydiving (if you’re brave enough!) or pass a rainy afternoon watching a movie at Event Cinemas.

NRMA members get a discount at Sydney Aquarium

8. Get the best roadside assistance

There’s no substitute for experience and the NRMA has been providing roadside assistance to NSW motorists for more than 100 years. While NRMA members can still call for help on 13 11 22, the My NRMA app has made it easier than ever to get a patrol to assist with a flat tyre, dead battery or breakdown. Complete Care members can even book a free six-point vehicle health check – battery, charging system, tyres, windscreen, oil and water – before setting out.