Getting Best Travel Deal
Here are 10 Steps for worry-free travel:
Getting best travel deal and planning the travel details for your next trip can be daunting due to personal preference, abundance of options, time allotments, and costs. Here we provide our top 10 travel planning tips and advice to make sure you get the best value for the money you spend.
Select Destination – Research Online – Search Travel Sites – Be Flexible – Booking Flights – Booking Hotel – Rental Car – Final Checklist
Please note for full transparency this blog post (as with all our blog posts) contains some affiliate links meant to aid our readers. We may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after visiting any of these links within the blog.
Select Destination
1. Select destination and dates. This is not an easy task with so many options and variables. Getting the best travel deal we recommend starting research and planning at least 2 months ahead of travel in USA (unless you are planning to visit and stay in a National Park – then 9 -12 months may be needed) and up to 6 months ahead for international destinations.
- Looking for inspiration and deals? Check out Expedia Deals and Vacations!
Online Research
2. Read travel blogs & travel agencies‘ comments on destination online for a well-rounded view.
- Visitors’ comments will help you get a picture of what to expect.
- Confirm there are no major events during the dates you plan to visit which could increase costs of hotels and flights as well as make things more crowded than usual.
- Understand when the high season is and plan accordingly. We save time and money as well as avoid crowds by traveling shoulder seasons whenever possible.
- Note and identify local information as well as tips shared by fellow travelers on everything from where to eat to best rental cars available. We’ve found great local restaurants as well as taxi services we may have never found without the internet.
Search Online Travel Sites
3. Search various / different online travel sites for the general cost of Hotels and Flights for available dates. Some of our preferred booking sites to check out:
- expedia.com,
- hotels.com
- trivago.com,
- TripAdvisor.com
- Any airlines you use and collect frequent flyer miles!
- Many hotel chains such as Marriott will give points towards stays by using their credit card.
Be Flexible with Dates
4. Check Hotel / Airline / Rental Car costs for a range of travel dates close to your preferred dates, especially mid-week vs weekend dates alternatives.
Be Open Minded
5. Getting best travel deal make sure you check vacation rentals e.g. VRBO.com for a cost & conveniency comparison. VRBO won’t have room service but may provide a local feel with unique locations.
Plan Flights Early
6. Booking Flights – it pays to plan.
- Set up email alerts with Google Flights for any special deals or discounts.
- Compare flight options carefully both Departure and Return flights, times, and duration. Sometimes that 5 hour lay-over is just not worth the $20 saving.
- Double check any connections time and terminal locations as getting to a specific gate in Atlanta with a 20 minute lay-over can be tough without an electric car. Plan ahead.
- Check bundling options vs. basic cost. If you aren’t going to check a bag, be aware of what you are paying for.
- If using frequent flyer rewards, compare use of miles vs. mix of miles and cash.
- Look at seating charts e.g. Seat Guru before selecting seats.
- Be aware of cancellation policy time period and of any associated fees.
Book Hotels for Quality & Value
7. Booking Hotel
- Reserve early but Book nearer the date as occupancy may have changed and booking hotel rooms early does not necessarily mean getting the “best rates”.
- Many hotels offer different prices by room size and view and in bundles. A phone call is recommended to complete the booking.
- As with airlines, check out their cancellation policy.
- Credit card membership may provide upgrades.
Renting a Car?
8. Booking a Rental Car
- Compare deals online and reserve a car of your choice early.
- Follow up nearer the date to check whether the deals have changed. This could save you some money.
Reserve / Book Activities
9. For Booking or Reserving Activities or Events during your trip or vacation, we suggest using viator.com which offers Tours, Day Trips, Tickets, Sightseeing Trips and More on a reserve now, pay-later basis.
Checklist for Peace of Mind
10. Checklist Before you Leave
- Know your Insurance coverage reference details and keep them in your wallet.
- Advise Bank Card of travel and location as some Banks will not process purchases without notification — even with a debit card.
- Order currency if necessary but know the exchange rates through ATM Bank Cards is usually best. Plus you aren’t walking around with a bunch of cash. We rarely use anything but a VISA when we travel but have pulled out local cash for tipping,
- Have a complete list of Medications and ensure full supply. Carry these with you rather than packing in a suite case which could be lost or on way to another destination without you!
- Secure the best phone coverage for location and lowest cost for call and text. Avoid $$$ roaming charges by contacting your carrier prior to leaving the country.
- Take you Passport and Visa if necessary and DO NOT PACK these in luggage. Carry them with you.
- Take your Phone and Laptop as well as chargers and necessary adaptors.
- Emergency Contact information should be kept with you in a wallet or purse with your Passport.