How to Compare Travel Rates

One of the things everyone is looking for is a bargain travel rate. This is especially true for airfare, but it applies equally well to things like car rentals, hotels and even cruises, package deals and guided tours. The Internet provides the primary tool for comparing travel rates and finding a good bargain, but there are a handful of steps to follow to make the most of that tool.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Pencil or pen Pad of paper Calculator
Pencil or pen
Pad of paper
Calculator

Step 1

Make notes on paper and be prepared to do some arithmetic. You will be collecting, adding and comparing a lot of data. Trying to keep it all straight in your head is not the way to do this.

Step 2

Use a cross-referencing website like Kayak.com to collect your base data. For example, if you were looking for package vacations, you can look at what Kayak itself, plus CheapCaribbean, BookIt and Travelocity all have to offer at the same time. It's a good way to establish a baseline for just about anything.

Step 3

Check with the individual vendors to see how rates compare. For example, if you see a good flight on an airline, always look at the pricing of that same flight by that airline. Sometimes the airline itself is offering a lower rate because circumstances have changed since they sold the seats or seat-rights to the online travel agency.

Step 4

Go to a website like Farecase.com, which has tools for predicting where airfares are going in the near-term. This is a handy way to compare the costs of particular travel dates against each other, especially when you are trying to build your own trip.

Step 5

Try to rebuild a package deal yourself. It may sound impossible, but if you can score a couple of really good bargains on airfare, accommodations and/or car rental, and have some flexibility about dates, you can undercut a package deal and get the independence to plan what you want to do in the bargain. Also, if you can't undercut a package deal yourself, it will become quickly apparent, so this won't step shouldn't take a lot of time.

Tips & Warnings

Try hunting for bargains in the middle of the week, especially when it comes to airfare. This is usually when both airlines and online travel agencies are out to move things that aren't selling, so it is the best time to get some good deals. Always include all regional airports in your searches for the purposes of comparison, but also remember to include the costs of getting to that airport. For example, in Washington, D.C., fliers can use National, Baltimore-Washington and Dulles airports. However, in 2009 National could be reached most cheaply by the Metro (about $2.50 round-trip), Baltimore-Washington by commuter train ($12), and Dulles by bus ($18). It is important to add costs like that to get a real comparison.

Always include all regional airports in your searches for the purposes of comparison, but also remember to include the costs of getting to that airport. For example, in Washington, D.C., fliers can use National, Baltimore-Washington and Dulles airports. However, in 2009 National could be reached most cheaply by the Metro (about $2.50 round-trip), Baltimore-Washington by commuter train ($12), and Dulles by bus ($18). It is important to add costs like that to get a real comparison.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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