Where and When to Find the Best Vacation Deals

By Lauralynn Schueckler
These days’ vacations can end up costing you a small fortune! Luckily, it is still possible to find the best vacation deals if you know where and how to look for them. Here are some tips for finding an affordable vacation deal:
Book your trip last minute
If you know where you want to go and when, booking a trip last minute can save you loads of money. Typically prices for vacation packages will drop significantly if you wait until the last minute. You can find these last minute trips by searching online and booking right away to save lots of money. Click here for a great website on last minute trips and other helpful vacation booking! Hotels.com often has particularly good last-minute deals, so it’s worth giving them a look if you plan to stay in a hotel.
Talk to a travel agent
Booking through a travel agent can end up making the booking process much easier and even cheaper. Travel agents know how to get great deals and will arrange your flight, hotel, transportation and even activities. Just tell them your total budget and what you’re looking for, and they’ll do the rest. You can relax knowing that your whole vacation has been properly handled by a professional. Some travel agencies even offer a money-back guarantee if something goes wrong.
Use multiple online sites
The easiest way to find cheap vacation deals is by simply searching online travel sites. Websites like Kayak and Hotwire allow you to search through hundreds of travel and airline sites that will pick out the cheapest vacations and flights for you. You can compare prices and see what airline or service works best for you. Comparison shopping is one of the best ways to save money. AirfareWatchdog works best for travelers ready to take off at the drop of a hat. The website has actual people lurking on airline sites in anticipation of fare sales and then they getting posted.
Search through classified ads
Although you probably haven’t thought about it, some of the best deals can still be found through ads posted on websites or even in newspapers. Ads usually provide some of the cheapest deals because they are almost desperate for customers. All-inclusive deals are usually advertised a lot. Make sure to do some research to verify that it’s actually a good deal. Also, read reviews from other people who have done the same all-inclusive package if you go that route.
Know when to go
It can be hard to know when to get the best deals, so many websites will let you pick a vacation destination and let you know if you can get the deal at a later date for less money. You can then make your decision on whether you want to wait or book it now. If you have a specific location in mind, do some research to find out the high tourist season and avoid those months at all cost. Going to a location during the “off season” or when many people don’t travel there could save you a ton of money.
Try services such as Airbnb
Airbnb is a fairly new website and way of traveling or staying in the place of your choosing. It is a trusted public marketplace for people to list, discover, and book distinctive accommodations all around the world. You can book online or even from your mobile phone. Whether you are searching for an apartment for the night, a castle for a week, or a private villa for over a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries. Airbnb offers world-class customer service and a growing community of users. Some places are even as low as $27 per night with all the amenities you could want.
Conclusion
No matter where you want to travel or when you want to go, you should always spend time looking around for deals and using different sources to make sure you are getting the most out of your travel package. Get to know travel agents and travel websites, and hopefully you’ll be able to find some of the greatest deals and have an unforgettable vacation!
Lauralynn Schueckler is the Online Marketing Specialist at Advantage Credit Counseling Service. She is the author for Advantage CCS’s Blog called Dollars & Sense. Advantage Credit Counseling Service is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Contact Advantage Credit Counseling at 866.699.2227, or visit them online at www.advantageccs.org.
Views expressed are the personal views of the author, and do not represent the views of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, its employees, its members, or its clients.