When booking a flight to your family vacation spot or booking a discounted hotel room, knowing when and where to find deals can make all the difference in your travel budget. Knowing these times and places where deals are most prevalent will help maximize every dollar of your travel spending.
Airfare prices are highly volatile and driven by the cost of jet fuel. To find the best fares possible, it’s important to be patient and research airfares daily.
1. Know What You Want
When it comes to achieving what you desire, there are multiple methods. The key is knowing what you want and then taking action towards achieving it.
No matter if you’re searching for a job, car, or better relationship, taking time to define what you want will pay off in the end. It also helps identify an achievable path forward and keeps you on track towards reaching it. To do this, create a game plan. What’s great about this process is that it can actually be fun and rewarding!
2. Be Flexible
Travel is increasingly unpredictable, making flexibility an absolute necessity. In the past, changes to plans after booking meant having to cover additional costs or paying expensive fees; but that’s no longer the case.
Travelers are increasingly seeking flexible policies that enable them to cancel and rebook their reservations at any time. Offering a free cancellation policy of up to one day before arrival can help your establishment stand out in uncertain times and secure more bookings.
3. Do Your Research
Finding a great deal on your next vacation requires research. Search for package deals from your favorite airline or hotel chain or fork over some cash at a last-minute discounter for a great bargain. Kayak and Airfarewatchdog are excellent places to begin when looking for flight and hotel comparison shopping. Plus, don’t miss their award-winning travel blog for no-obligation tips from real world travelers. Whether you’re after ultimate relaxation or an adrenaline rush, there’s sure to be something that fits both budget and taste perfectly!
4. Look for Package Deals
When booking flights and accommodations, package deals may offer you some great value. But be sure to use caution when searching for them.
Package deals are a collection of products, discounts, features or services purchased together in one transaction. They may include airfare and hotel bookings as well as additional add-ons like car rentals or activities.
Planning ahead for the best deals usually opens four to six months ahead, so it’s wise to start early. However, last-minute package deals can still be found if your travel dates are flexible.
5. Rent a Car
Renting a car, whether for an extended or short trip, can be cost-effective. But it’s essential to know what to look out for and how to avoid getting surprised with extra fees.
Gas — Most rental companies require you to return the car with a full tank of fuel. Otherwise, they’ll charge you their rate.
Equipment — Pack your own radio, satellite receiver and child safety seat to save money on daily fees that could reach as high as $3 for these items.
6. Look for Deals on Airfarewatchdog
There are a number of websites and mailing lists that offer carefully curated airfare deals, usually starting in a specific city or destination. These resources can be beneficial to travelers with limited flexibility who wish to explore a certain region.
Another excellent resource for finding cheap flights is Airfarewatchdog. This website actively searches for the lowest fares from thousands of airports around the world and also features a feature called “Today’s Top Fares,” which displays the top deals from your chosen airport.
7. Book Early
When booking flights and hotels for your vacation, the amount spent can add up quickly. If you’re not careful, you could end up shelling out more money than necessary for your getaway.
Though there isn’t one ideal time to book, there are some general tips you can follow to get the best prices on flights and accommodations.
Generally, the best time to book airfare for domestic flights is 120 days before departure and up to six months prior to international travel. Flights may get cancelled or prices fluctuate, so booking early will save you money in the long run.
