The two keys to saving on airline tickets and accommodations are planning ahead and flexibility. Timing is crucial. Shifting your travel dates by as little as a week or two can yield big savings.
Book early for peak-season and major holiday travel
There is really no way around it. With more travelers competing for the same seats, availability as well as cost is a key consideration in peak season. Air travel over the end-of-year holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years), for example, can be pricey because deals are scarce. Book months ahead to get the best airfare deals around peak dates and to ensure that you get a seat.
Avoid traveling in the high season
Flying to popular destinations in peak season is expensive, as are lodgings and related travel expenses. Here are some tips to help avoid paying top-dollar for your airfare and accommodations.
Rethink when – and where – you want to travel
If you're willing to shift your travel dates or consider a different destination, you can net substantial airfare and hotel bargains. So get creative. Postpone a family visit till a few weeks before or after the end-of-year holidays. Consider a family celebration in the shoulder season of your favorite destination. Shift time off from summer to fall and consider an international destination for your next vacation.
Consider off-season and shoulder-season deals
Off-season travel to the Caribbean, for example, can be as enjoyable as a trip during the peak season. The weather and beaches are just as welcoming but, traveling during the off-season is better. With fewer visitors, attractions are less crowded and you're likely to get better service at restaurants and other venues.
If you're a skier, it might not matter to you that the summer rates to popular ski resorts are bargain priced, but you will be interested to learn that you can find winter airfare and ski-package deals right before and after the peak season at top spots when travel vendors offer discounts to boost business.
Shoulder season – the period between the low and high season – offers savings opportunities as well. Mexico is delightful in late spring when the cold-weather-weary crowds have left and airfares are more affordable. And Europe in the early fall is especially attractive with shoulder season airfare savings as well as fewer tourists and comfortable weather.
Find airfare savings all year round
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