Finding Travel Deals Online

In today’s tough economy, travel can be difficult. A great way to save money on your vacation is by finding deals online. Over the past few years, numerous travel sites have arisen designed to get you the best deals on flights, lodging, and much more.

Airfare

Airfare can be a sticking point for many, so here are some great tips to beat those high prices. Instead of flying one way, look into connecting flights. You can expect to save a couple hundred dollars per person, at the cost of a longer flight. Always book in advance, and be open to moving your dates around for the best fare. Another way to cut the cost of flying is with neighboring cities, just as long as the drive to the final destination is reasonable.

Hotels

When finding the best deal on a hotel, there are several ways to get great discounts. First and foremost, try to plan your travel dates for the middle of the week or the off-season. During these times, rates are often discounted by a large amount. A second way to save on a hotel is through an online entity. Such websites as Expedia and Orbitz offer deals on rooms that are unable to be found anywhere else, due to special agreements between the hotel and website.

A third option to find a great deal on a hotel is a bidding-based site, such as Priceline or Hotwire. These companies allow you to name your location, quality, and price of the hotel you want, but the catch is that you don’t know the exact details until the transaction has been finalized and charged to your account. Once everything has been paid for, the website tells you which room, hotel, and neighborhood you will be staying in.

Car Rentals

To find the best deal on a car rental, here are some tips to keep in mind. First, once your travel dates and times are finalized, go online to a multiple company comparison site. One such example of such a service is at carrentals.com. Carrentals.com allows users to compare multiple rental companies and their fleets in a quick, simple interface by simply typing in the airport and travel dates. Another tip is to remember to check prices the night before you rent. Doing so could reveal an unexpected price drop due to inventory fluctuations. Lastly, keep the basics of car rental in mind, e.g. read over the terms carefully and keep a mental note of the car’s condition when you picked it up. Some unscrupulous rental agencies won’t hesitate to charge you repair fees for damage you didn’t cause.