How to Get the Best Travel Deal

Getting good deals while traveling can be challenging, but with a little flexibility, savvy travelers can get wonderful vacation packages for not a lot of money.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Credit card
Credit card

Be flexible and alert

Step 1

There are always good deals out there, but oftentimes the best are packages put together by airlines, or tour companies. To find out how to get these deals, sign up for email alerts with nearby airlines, Budget Travel, or travelzoo. You will then get regular emails telling you where the best deals are.

Step 2

Flexibility is crucial when you shop for package deals. Often, airfares are last-minute, and occasionally packages may include some extras that are less appealing. For example, if you're a traveler who likes to plan everything yourself, you may find the best deals include an organized tour for one of the days. That's a small trade-off for some huge savings. Many of the deals on travelzoo require that you change hotels every two days. It's a small inconvenience, but well worth it.

Step 3

Shop seasonally. Just like when you buy produce, getting the best deals on travel usually depends on the time of year. Cruise vacations peak in January and February, so April-May are the best times travel for less. Since Northern Europe is most temperate in Summer and Fall, if you plan your vacation for March-April, you'll find significant savings, and great deals. According to Budget Travel, another good way to find the best deals is to go directly to the airlines website. Often the best prices aren't listed in the big search sites like expedia.com, kayak.com or travelocity.com.

Step 4

If you're forgoing the package deal, don't be afraid to bargain. This can be as simple as just calling a hotel and asking for a slight discount based on the number of nights you're staying, or asking if they offer any discounts for which you may be eligible. AAA members also often get discounts on hotel and car rentals.

Article Written By Andria Tieman

Andria Tieman earned a Master of Fine Arts in fiction and screenwriting with a certificate in publishing in 2006. She has written for a variety of publications covering everything from soccer to vegetarian restaurants. She is presently a part-time reference librarian, freelance writer, sometime teacher/presenter, book reviewer and avid reader.

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