Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure
Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Flexible Dates Unlock Savings on Airfare
One of the best ways to score significant savings on airfare is to keep your travel dates flexible. While it may be tempting to lock in specific dates for your next adventure, staying open to flying on different days can unlock huge discounts.
The reason behind these savings comes down to simple supply and demand economics. Airlines adjust their fares based on expected demand. Less popular travel dates or times tend to have lower fares, while peak periods carry premium pricing.
By surveying airfare across a wide range of dates, you’re more likely to uncover hidden deals. Let’s say you’re planning a trip to Hawaii. Searching for flights departing on a Friday and returning on a Sunday will surface the highest rates. However, pushing your departure to Tuesday or Wednesday could chop hundreds off the price tag.
The same logic applies when booking further in advance. Airlines release sales and promotions periodically, often 8-10 months before departure. If you’ve already locked in non-refundable tickets, you’ll miss out on newly announced deals.
Maintaining date flexibility allows you to capitalize on sporadic fare sales. I’ve saved upwards of 40-50% on international flights simply by waiting to purchase tickets until 2-3 months pre-departure. Monitoring airfare trends can clue you into the ideal booking window.
Beyond unlocking promotional pricing, date adaptability opens up options with ultra-low-cost carriers. Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant entice travelers with rock-bottom base fares. However, their schedules tend to be limited. Flying mid-week instead of weekends greatly increases your odds of lining up one of these bargains.
The same approach works when redeeming points and miles. Award availability comes and goes, so consider various departure dates to score the optimal redemption rate. Programs like British Airways Avios and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are especially generous for off-peak travel.
What else is in this post?
- Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Flexible Dates Unlock Savings on Airfare
- Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Use Alternative Airports to Access Cheaper Flights
- Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Consider Nearby Destinations to Find Lower Prices
- Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Leverage Airline and Hotel Loyalty Programs
- Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Book Early for the Best Hotel Rates
- Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Rent Cars Strategically to Minimize Costs
- Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Travel Shoulder Season for Fewer Crowds and Deals
- Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Bundle Flights and Hotels for Package Discounts
Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Use Alternative Airports to Access Cheaper Flights
One clever way to unlock major savings on airfare is to expand your airport options. Most major metros are served by multiple airports, providing travelers with a choice of flight hubs. While your instinct may be to stick with the airport closest to home, looking at fares from alternative airports can significantly trim travel costs.
I learned this lesson after monitoring airfares to Europe out of the NYC area. Tickets from JFK and Newark were hovering around $900 roundtrip, while a Norwegian Air flight out of Stewart Airport —60 miles outside Manhattan—was only $400. The airport lacked proximity but made up for it with unbeatable pricing.
Alternative airports are often utilized by low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers looking to avoid congested hubs with high operating fees. Allegiant bases many of its routes out of alternate airports—think Mesa near Phoenix or Orlando-Sanford instead of MCO. Capitalizing on these options opens up access to a wider range of discount fares.
While exploring alternate airports, pay close attention to total trip duration. That cheap flight may require a lengthy commute to reach the airport, eliminating any cost savings from added transit expenses and time costs. My Stewart Airport example above tacks on 1-2 hours of pre and post-flight transit relative to Newark and JFK. For some travelers, that extra time commitment diminishes the fare savings.
While exploring alternate airports is a proven way to unlock discounted fares, make sure to assess the total cost equation—both financially and temporally. An airport 50 miles away may offer $100 flight savings but require $60 in gas and parking plus 2 hours of added transit time. Always crunch the numbers to validate if switching hubs makes sense.
Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Consider Nearby Destinations to Find Lower Prices
Expanding your destination search to include nearby locales can unlock significant airfare savings. While you may have your heart set on a specific destination, exploring alternate destinations within the region can surface much cheaper flight options.
I learned this lesson when planning a trip to Spain. Roundtrip flights from the U.S. to Madrid hovered around $800-900, outside my budget. But nearby Portugal and Southern France offered flights 100-200 cheaper. Even a side trip to Morocco could be done for under $600 roundtrip.
While Portugal and Morocco weren't my original target, their proximity to Spain provided easy ground transport options. I could fly into Lisbon, take a quick train or bus to Spain, and still experience the trip I envisioned. And I'd pocket $300 in airfare savings along the way.
For domestic U.S. travel, think about flying into major hub cities with extensive connections. Let's say you want to visit family in Des Moines. Roundtrip airfare clocks in around $500. But flying to Chicago or Minneapolis can be $150 cheaper thanks to more airline competition. From there, a quick $50 connecting flight will get you to Des Moines. You save $100 and have the added bonus of a layover in a major city.
When exploring alternate destination options, make sure to research ground transportation costs and feasibility. Traveling an hour in the wrong direction to catch a cheaper flight often negates any airfare savings. But destinations within 3-4 hours of your target locale by train, bus or rental car are prime candidates for uncovering airfare deals.
Also consider whether you're willing to sacrifice direct flights. Saving $300 by routing through London on my way to Madrid was a no brainer. But some travelers prefer the simplicity of nonstop travel. Assess your priorities and determine whether connections provide sufficient savings to justify the inconvenience.
Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Leverage Airline and Hotel Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs offered by airlines, hotels, and other travel providers can be invaluable for scoring deals on flights, rooms, and rental cars. Signing up is free and unlocks access to exclusive discounts, upgrades, and perks. But simply holding an account isn’t enough - you’ve got to learn to maximize these programs to extract full value.
First, concentrate your travel within one airline alliance and hotel chain when possible. This accelerates earning status, which then opens access to premium rewards and elite benefits. For example, reach Gold status with World of Hyatt and you’ll receive complimentary suite upgrades, guaranteed late checkout, and points bonuses on paid stays.
Once you’ve focused your loyalty, use bonus promotions to turbocharge point earnings. Many programs offer seasonal bonuses categories - United might offer 5x miles for hotel bookings while World of Hyatt provides triple points on dining. Stack multiple bonuses whenever possible. The points add up shockingly fast.
Remember to credit flights booked through online travel agencies back to the airline. Failing to do so leaves points and miles on the table. Simply forward your confirmation email to the airline after ticketing to record the full flight details.
When redeeming points, don’t fixate solely on aspirational awards like first class flights. You’ll generally get the best value from mid-tier redemptions. An economy flight or basic hotel room priced at $500 might only cost 25,000 miles - a redemption value of 2 cents per point. Compare that to a first class flight valued at 1 cent per mile.
Finally, keep an eye out for flash award sales. Programs will periodically slash award prices by up to 30-50% on select routes. British Airways is known for these promotions, heavily discounting short-haul American and Alaska Airlines flights. Having a stash of points for these sales pays off tremendously.
Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Book Early for the Best Hotel Rates
Figuring out when to book a hotel to secure the lowest rate can be a frustrating endeavor. Conventional wisdom says last minute deals deliver savings, but in many cases booking early locks in the cheapest prices. I’ve discovered through extensive testing that reserving as far in advance as possible is often optimal for scoring hotel bargains.
Locking in rates 6-8 months pre-departure has yielded incredible results across properties ranging from budget motels to luxury resorts. On a recent trip to Hawaii, I booked a oceanfront room at the Hyatt Regency Maui in January for travel in August. Comparable rates a week before arrival were $500 higher.
So why does early booking pay off? Hotels utilize sophisticated revenue management systems to optimize occupancy and rates throughout the year. When rooms first open for reservation, prices are set attractively to incentivize bookings. As the hotel fills, rates climb to match demand. Last minute deals only materialize when forecasted occupancy drops suddenly due to unforeseen events.
Additionally, hotels release various room categories for booking at different lead times. Standard rooms may open a year out while upgraded suites and club level rooms only become available within 90 days. If you have hopes for a premium room, booking as early as possible ensures you get in the queue.
I’ve even had success emailing a hotel to ask for early access to specific room types prior to public opening. As a loyal guest, they’ve often accommodated my requests. This allowed me to utilize a booked suite upgrade award that other guests couldn’t yet access.
Beyond room rates, early booking allows you first pick of rewards promotions. Point bonuses come and go, so reserving in advance means never missing out on 5x or 10x opportunities. Last minute travelers are stuck with whatever offer is available at booking.
The key is monitoring rate trends and swooping in as soon as prices hit seasonal lows. For popular destinations, this may be 6-12 months prior to travel. Use historical data points provided by resources like Kayak and Google Flights to understand daily rate fluctuations. Setting price drop alerts eliminates guesswork.
Prepayment options can also lock in the lowest rates. While fully prepaying requires parting with your cash earlier, non-refundable bookings offer discounted rates and priority to retain your reservation if dates shift.
The gamble with early booking is the lack of flexibility if plans change. Make sure to understand cancellation windows - when do you risk forfeiting a deposit or full prepayment? Factor in the tradeoff between potential savings and restricted refundability.
Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Rent Cars Strategically to Minimize Costs
Renting a car can quickly become one of the biggest expenses of a trip, but a bit of strategic planning can lead to major savings. Unlike airfare and hotels, there is no secret formula to guarantee scoring the absolute lowest rate. However, arming yourself with insider knowledge on how rental car companies price their fleets opens up opportunities to minimize costs.
First, resist the mindset that booking months in advance locks in the best deal. Not only do rental companies avoid advance discounts due to unpredictable fleet availability, but loyalty members often receive last minute unpublished specials. Status with rental chains is crucial – perks like one class car upgrades and waived fees add up quickly.
Location also plays a role in pricing models. Airport rental facilities tack on expensive concession fees which companies try to recoup. Booking downtown locations through discount brokers like Costco Travel or AutoSlash sidesteps the airport premium. Just ensure the pick-up spot is conveniently accessible via public transit.
When researching rates, don’t fixate on the base rate alone. Add-on fees for taxes, insurance, GPS units, child seats and more can inflate the final charge exponentially. Third party sites sometimes exclude these costs in their headline pricing. Always determine the true “out-the-door” total.
Consider car class carefully when possible. Upgrading from subcompact to a standard size sometimes adds mere dollars per day. But stretching into the next bracket triggers exponential rate hikes. Unless you truly need a large SUV or minivan, stick to the lowest class that comfortably fits your group and gear.
Ask about applying unused rental days towards future bookings. For example, returning a week-long rental after 5 days should credit you the leftover hours. This allows rolling over unused allotments instead of losing days you’ve already paid for.
Before clicking purchase, search for coupon codes to stacking on top of any prepaid rate. RetailMeNot and other coupon sites aggregate an impressive database of rental car promotions. I once saved an extra $50 on a prepaid Alamo booking by combining with a 30% discount code.
Lastly, fuel options represent another area to minimize expenses. Prepurchasing a full tank will virtually always cost more than refilling yourself before drop-off. But resist the temptation to return the car near empty to avoid refueling charges. Rental companies build healthy profit margins into per-gallon fuel rates, making it cheaper to replace the gas used.
Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Travel Shoulder Season for Fewer Crowds and Deals
Targeting the shoulder season is one of the smartest strategies for avoiding crowds and unlocking travel bargains. By steering clear of the predictable high and low seasons, you’ll encounter thinner crowds and often score significant discounts on flights, hotels, and activities. Let’s explore why shoulder season travel typically delivers a blissful trip experience.
During peak summer months, every traveler seems to convergence on the most popular destinations simultaneously. Good luck fighting swarms of tourists queuing up to take selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower. Meanwhile, you’ll battle families for lounge chairs by the pool. Excursions sell out weeks in advance and reservations are impossible to come by. Visiting Paris in October solves those headaches—smaller crowds, availability everywhere, and cooler weather ideal for strolling the city’s landmarks.
Shoulder seasons also usher in discounted pricing, as hotels and tour operators try to stimulate demand during slower periods. That same Paris hotel room goes for 40% less than August rates. And when booking flights, you’ll enjoy access to sales that don’t materialize for peak dates.
A friend of mine recently traveled to Switzerland during May to take advantage of shoulder season benefits. By venturing just before peak rates kicked in, she saved hundreds on her flights and lodging. Better yet, all the ski lifts were open while mountains remained blanketed in snow. She raved about having world-class ski slopes practically to herself—no fighting hordes to squeeze onto gondolas.
When exactly is a destination’s shoulder season? It takes researching historical weather data, crowd calendars, and rate trends. Europe’s shoulder period typically runs April/May and September/October. For beach spots, target either side of summer and holidays. National Parks see disproportionately fewer people on weekdays just before and after Memorial Day.
Another bonus is increased availability for reward travel during shoulder season. Using points and miles to secure flights and hotel rooms is much easier when crowds thin out. This opens up aspirational redemptions that would be near impossible to book during peak months.
While shoulder season carries advantages, it’s not a fit for every travel style. If your goal involves holiday festivities or pulling kids out of school, you may have less wiggle room on dates. Families rightly prioritize convenience over crowds and costs. Fortunately, avoiding weekends and peak blocks as best as possible still unlocks some savings.
Scoring Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars for Your Next Adventure - Bundle Flights and Hotels for Package Discounts
Bundling your flight and hotel reservations into a single package unlock savings that individually booked components can’t touch. While the DIY approach provides flexibility, packaging your trip through a discount travel site or tour operator can shave hundreds off the total bill. I’ve discovered package discounts as high as 15-20%, making it foolish to leave that money on the table.
The biggest bundles are offered through mass market sites like Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline. Their buying power translates into seriously discounted rates when committing to both air and lodging in one click. Expect to save $50-100 per seat on transatlantic economy fares and up to $300 on a week-long hotel stay.
Beyond mega OTAs, bundling also pays dividends when offered directly by an airline. Carriers push packaged fares to drive customers to their own hotel partners and even go as far as to restrict promotional air pricing from being booked as "air only." KLM and Air France are notorious for only extending sales to vacation packages. Unbundling the components post-purchase often proves you overpaid for the flight or hotel alone.
Many travelers shy away from bundles for fear of reduced flexibility. This concern is justified - changes and cancellations inflict painful fees post purchase. However, the substantial upfront savings often justify the tradeoff of committing upfront. Just make sure to crunch fare scenarios with and without bundling.
When comparing package vs DIY pricing, focus on the total trip cost rather than individual segment fares. A $400 transatlantic flight or $250 hotel rate viewed in isolation may appear high. But when bundled at $500 total, that screams savings. Maintain perspective on the overall vacation expense.
Also recognize that optimal booking windows differ when bundling. Unlike airfares, hotels offer their lowest rates when reserving far in advance. But booking flights 8+ months out risks getting trapped in a higher fare class.
The ideal time to bundle is when airlines initiate seasonal sales 4-6 months before departure. This balances attractive air pricing with the lowest predictable hotel rates. Monitor airfare calendars to identify the prime booking timeframe.
Certain package perks provide additional incentive to book bundled. Travelers gain access to benefits like free breakfast, welcome drinks, resort credits, and elite status matches. Of course, make sure to review the rate inclusions carefully - some benefits only unlock at higher room categories.
While the one-click simplicity of booking bundles appeals to many travelers, I actually leverage packages in the opposite way - by unbundling post-purchase. After securing a discounted bundle, I’ll cancel the hotel portion that was required for the promo airfare. This achieves lower net airfare without any wasted prepayment on an unwanted hotel. Just ensure unbundling is permitted to avoid cancellation penalties.