10:59 AM Travel Deals: Best Time to Book Flights | ||||
#hotel and flight deals # Travel Deals: Vow Never to Pay Full Price in 2014Posted by PeterGreenberg.com on December 12, 2013 at 7:45 am
The Best Day of the Week and Time of Day to Book FlightsWhenever you need to travel, it’s entirely possible to get a cheap plane ticket. But, you need to be flexible. Choose off-peak days, especially over the holiday season. Flying midweek is an effortless way to save money: you ll find emptier and cheaper seats. You also need to know the best time to buy flights. And not only that, there is a specific time if you want to get them really cheap. Buy your ticket on Wednesday at 1am, just one hour after Tuesday midnight. Around midnight, the airlines usually reload their computers with the latest low-cost fares that were announced the previous day but will be canceled if they are not purchased within 24 hours. If possible, book your flight after the 7th of every month, as booking is busier right after payday on the first and 15th. Another mistake is booking too early. Unless you are planning travel for high-traffic days, like Christmas or July 4, you stand the best chance for the lowest possible fare 45 days out for domestic travel and 60 days out for international. Watch Peter explain why in this video travel tip. Save Just By Booking Hotels Early
Another option for early savings is through an online travel agency that uses the agency model. Unlike the merchant model common with Hotels.com, Orbitz and Travelocity, websites like Booking.com that use the agency model offer deals up front. In this set up, the online travel agency simply gets a commission from the hotel. The benefit is you have the option to pay at checkout, not when you book. Save Just By Booking Hotels Late
It s not just about technology. Sometimes the best way to save is to pick up the phone to get the best rates. Click here to see the script for the conversation you need to have with the hotel, you re guaranteed a good rate with a few perks thrown in. Save through Package OffersCombining airfare with hotel reservations often results in savings. All airlines have package offers and tour operators take it one step further. Right now, you can save with package deals to Europe.
High Season vs. Low Season
Travel at the Start of 2014 for Snow Bird SavingsRight now Marriott is running a Holiday Getaway Event for 14 of its Florida resorts. The event comes with discounted rates, as well as a $50 resort credit per night. Rates start as low as $149 per night. Book from now until December 26 for travel through January 31, 2014. Your options for Florida hotel discounts include:
Click here for reservations, enter the promotional code P91. A minimum two-night stay is required; offer is valid for up to $200 in resort credit. By Lily J. Kosner for PeterGreenberg.com
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If you want to save on travel, don t focus on finding individual deals. Instead, discover the most cost-effective travel habits. It s knowing the best time to travel as well as the best time to book flights and hotels. This week s travel deals column has a few money-saving lessons (think 2014 New Year resolutions), as well as well as few can t-miss offers (book your first trip of the new year).
Hotels focus a lot of energy enticing travelers to book early. One way to save is to plan ahead. For example, Red Roof Inn just announced its Nicest Price program guests save up to 20 percent off the best available rate when booking 10 days in advance. Here’s how it works: Book online at redroof.com or by calling 800-REDROOF (800-733-7663). When you book online, click on the “Nicest Price” button. There are some disadvantages to booking early. With this promotion and many others, you must pay in advance, which means no credits or refunds are available for early departures, cancellations, no shows, or other reservation changes.
If you re not traveling over a holiday or high-volume travel days, there are apps that actually specialize in finding last-minute hotel deals. Hipmunk has launched its Tonight Only feature that gets you up to 60 percent off hotel rooms. Hotel Tonight has options every day that are discounted from the regular rates. Priceline.com has its own version called Express Deals. It looks for same-day deals that are up to 45 percent off. You don’t have to bid… but it is opaque, meaning you won’t know the name of the hotel until after you pay.
You don‘t have to travel during the low season to get a deal. The key is to be aware. Follow hotels on Twitter and Facebook, plus sign up for any newsletters being offered. Through doing just that we came across a high-season deal at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort Spa. Right now, guests save 40 percent for every second night.The deal is structured so that for every night, you pay regular rates (which start at $209 per room), you save 40 percent on the next night. You can travel anytime between now and April 30, 2014. Of course, a 2-night stay is required. Book online or call 866-716-8108, mention rate plan ZB4.| Total comments: 0 | |