It’s holiday time and even if you haven’t booked a trip yet, it’s not too late. But with the economy still in dire straits, you will want to get that holiday at the best price possible. Here are some tips on getting a great deal when you book.
1. Check a deals site
Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-inducing experience, a weekend break away, a spa getaway or a longer holiday, deals sites can be an excellent starting point for your bargain hunting efforts. These sites usually offer huge discounts on all kinds of travel experiences, relying on the fact that many people will book in bulk in order to secure the deal. There’s just one catch – you need to grab those deals quickly as they are usually not available for long. However, if you are one of the lucky ones, you could easily get a half-price holiday or add some luxurious extras to the break you were planning to have anyway.
2. Online Travel Sites
Apart from deals sites, you have nothing to lose by going to travel services providers’ sites and looking to see what deals and discounts they have on offer. Many sites offer exclusive online only discounts, saving you a bit of money on the typical travel agent price. Others have membership schemes which reward you with extras when you book your trip. For example, you might get an upgrade from economy to business class, get valet parking at the airport, or even get an extra night’s accommodation free. It is often worth joining all of the loyalty schemes on offer, as combining the available rewards can significantly reduce the cost of your holiday.
3. Keep Costs Low
Then there are the methods for people who really don’t have a lot of cash. A couple of years ago, one traveller connected with people on Twitter to source discounts and deals which took him halfway around the world on a shoestring budget. Some people use couchsurfing services offered online to score free or cheap accommodation (by sleeping on someone’s couch instead of a hotel room) and collect as many coupons as possible so that they can get discounts on local attractions. If you don’t mind last-minute travel and have no particular deadline, then you can book a standby ticket which costs a fraction of the regular price.
As you can see there are plenty of ways to save money on travel – what’s your favourite discount travel option?
Mohammed Haroon writes for Today’s Great Deal. Check out the Edinburgh’s great deal page for local bargains.