Stressed from the holidays? Tired of the crowds? Over the cold? A new survey shows 92 percent of Americans plan to travel next year, but with airfares and hotel costs on the rise, scoring a deal can feel impossible.
Hiking, biking, boating, climbing, scuba, swimming, sledding — whatever you can think of, you can do it.
Luckily, there are ways to save on your dream trip!
First, when booking flights, try shifting your dates by one day earlier or later.
Also, consider “halfway trips.” That means you break flights into two separate bookings to get a cheaper rate.
“So, you do one way up from this airport or to this airport and one way back from a different airport and ends up costing less than the original round trip,” explained Bob Walker, Franchise Owner and Travel Advisor.
When it comes to accommodations, book directly with the hotel instead of a third party. Ask for a discount or upgrade. The same goes for Airbnb rentals. Try to contact the owner themselves.
Some platforms like Spare-Fare, Roomer, Plans Change, and Transfer Travel let you buy bargain trips from others who are stuck with nonrefundable flights, hotels, or packages.
Also, reward programs can help you get future deals.
“Sign up for hotel loyalty programs. Just keep banking those points,” said Walker.
Also, target dead weeks — those off-peak windows just before or after holidays when you’ll find huge discounts on flights and hotels.
Experts say some luxury properties slash rates by 30% to 50% during those lulls.
Be bold about choosing destinations off the beaten path. Less competition often means better deals.
Incorporate a few of these strategies, and your dream trip can be closer than it seems.
Experts say if you really want to catch the best fare, search multiple sites at the same time. Use Google Flights, Hopper, Skyscanner, and Kayak. And remember, prices often dip mid-month and mid-week. If you’re flexible and fast, you can still beat the bots and save hundreds.