Do you feel like you’ve just won the lottery after scoring a super deal on a flight, hotel room or rental car?
Sadly, these days, it seems like you need lady luck or divine intervention to snag a decent deal when traveling. With sky-high gas prices and astronomical airfares, you’re not crazy to think that the deck is stacked against you when it comes to finding deeply discounted rates.
Fortunately, there are ways you can stretch your travel dollar without ending up with a pulled muscle, including:
Bundling: These package deals combine flight, hotel and rental car fees, so you pay a single reduced rate for all elements of your trip. In some cases, you can save up to 60 percent on airfare and hotel accommodations compared to what you would have to pay for individual portions.
All-inclusive: This is a simple way to travel if you don’t want to be constantly digging into your wallet on every leg of your trip. Some of the most popular all-inclusive travel options include resorts, such as Sandals or Couples and cruises. The idea is to charge one price for accommodations, meals, beverages, activities, tips, and in some cases, air and ground transportation. To maximize your savings using this option, it’s a good idea to travel off-season. When occupancy numbers are down, all-inclusive resorts traditionally offer deep discounts to entice as many travelers as possible.
Last-Minute: There is a growing misconception that waiting until the last minute to book a vacation is the best way to guarantee a low rate. Contrary to popular belief, last minute travel is not always cheaper. The best cruise cabins, airline flights, and hotel rooms typically go to those who book well in advance. However, if you are a procrastinator at heart, you can sometimes take advantage of unsold hotel rooms, cruise cabins, and airline seats at a substantial discount. The key is to be flexible, which is often not an option when you are traveling during the holidays or booking a honeymoon.
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