Traveling with kids? Avoid these mistakes

No one wants to spend more than they have to on a vacation. But with the family in tow, it's even more important to keep the budget in check.

Families can make a lot of money-burning blunders if they're not prepared. Here's how to avoid the biggest mistakes on your next family trip.

BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT TRAVEL DATES Arranging your getaways around school vacations can be tricky, but flexibility is the single most important money-saving factor when planning a vacation. Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly, but that often means kids miss class. If you're traveling with the family, try flying on Saturday -- another traditionally cheap day to fly. Avoid Fridays and Sundays, which are the most expensive.

CONSIDER PACKAGE DEALS When booking a vacation, most people lock in a flight and then decide on everything else. But by reserving each part of the trip one by one, you may end up spending hundreds more than you would with a package deal.

MAKE EVERYONE A FREQUENT FLIER Most parents wouldn't think about signing up a preschooler for frequent flier programs, but the miles can easily add up if your family travels a lot -- especially on an airline like Delta, where miles don't expire. Once you rack up those miles, be sure to use them wisely. George Hobica of airfarewatchdog.com recommends redeeming miles only for flights that cost more than $300; he says they are best used for pricey international trips.

DON'T IGNORE HOTEL ADD-ONS Although a free breakfast or Wi-Fi might not be a deal breaker for a hotel stay, try to choose hotels with these services to avoid piling up extra expenses

PACK LIGHT Although you probably already are calculating what your family's checked luggage will cost, don't underestimate the chance your bag will be overweight. While most airlines charge $25 for the first checked bag, they charge about $100 if the bag weighs more than 50 pounds.