There are a massive amount of travel deals to sift through online so finding the best bargains can be an overwhelming task. Here are 5 tips that will help you make the most of the time you spend searching for deals online.
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Be Flexible
It is essential to be flexible about your travel plans if you want to increase the odds of landing the best deals. Whether that means flying on a different airline, departing from a different airport than usual, or being open to changing your travel time or date, flexibility will make a big difference in savings. The cheapest airfares usually require a Saturday-night stay and many last-minute airfares are posted on the internet on Wednesdays. You can also save a lot more money if you travel early in the morning or late at night when airports are less congested.
Be Aware of Restrictions and Hidden Fees
If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Find out if there are any strings attached before you purchase a travel package or flight ticket. For example, many airfare deal listings do not include taxes, which could raise the price as much as 50%. Some important questions you may want to ask before purchasing flight tickets is whether taxes are included, how much the fees are, and if it would be possible to change your ticket if necessary. Many people don’t realize that it can cost $7 to $30 extra to purchase flight tickets online. E-tickets make it easier to check in because all you need to do is provide your confirmation number and picture ID. However, you have to pay a little extra for that convenience.
Travel During Shoulder Season
Shoulder season is the two to four week period before or after peak travel season. You can still enjoy the great weather and other perks that make a destination popular during peak season without dealing with the high prices and crowds that are associated with it. Hotel rates and car rental rates are substantially lower during shoulder season. By travelling during shoulder season, you can save 25% to 35% on travel.
Make Your Travel Plans Far in Advance
There are plenty of great last-minute bargains to be had but some people’s travel plans just aren’t flexible enough for them to just take whatever deals they manage to get at the last moment. If you are travelling during peak season, make sure to make your travel plans far in advance because waiting until the last moment can cost you a lot of money. Typically, domestic flight prices start going up 21 days prior to the date of departure so try to purchase your tickets before then. If you are travelling internationally, buy your tickets at least three to six months in advance.
Subscribe to Last-Minute Alerts on Travel Deals
You can be one of the first people to get access to great bargains if you subscribe to alerts on a website that publishes a steady flow of deals on travel. There are online travel portals that publish deals from a variety of different sources so you can comparison shop without having to visit many different websites.
