The Internet is great for a lot of things — wedding planning, seeing cat GIFs and booking your trip of a life time. But navigating the online travel space can be a bit overwhelming. Travelocity’s senior editor Courtney Scott gives her top tips.
1. Bundle
Don’t worry, you won’t be forced into taking home a puppy like in those Vonage commercials, but you will get some major savings. Says Scott: “One Travelocity study found that you can save up to $525 by bundling your flight and hotel together. You can also group your car rental into the package for continued savings. Vacation packages give travelers access to airline and hotel pricing not available to people who book separately, and they are dynamic, so you can pick and choose the right hotel and flight for your dream honeymoon. Often, packages also include bonus extras like free transfers, extra activities, or a welcome basket of wine and treats in-room.
2. Zone in
A key to getting the best deal when booking online is to buy when you see a good deal. Don’t be wishy-washy; prices fluctuate, and the longer you wait, the higher they go. Of course, knowing the difference between an actual deal and what you think might be one may be tricky business but, according to Scott, Travelocity has got that base covered. “Travelocity puts out a price to beat every travel season, which consumers can use as a gauge when booking. You can also monitor for pricing by signing up for deal alerts that send you automatic emails when prices drop.”
Another insider trick? It’s all about the timing: “Typically, most airlines offer the best deals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, in attempts to match their competitors’ rates the previous Friday,” she adds.
Photo Credit: David Champagne Photography
3. Go off-season
In addition to booking your trip as far out as possible, Scott suggests utilizing the destinations’ traditional down times to nab the best prices. “For example, January to March is considered Wave Season, a time when major cruise lines offer up their biggest deals of the year. Traveling in the low season or shoulder season is one of the best ways to save money and visit places that otherwise might be out of your financial reach,” she notes.
4. Explore off-the-beaten path
Another way to get a serious bang for your buck is to try a road-less-traveled type of destination. “Typical honeymoon locations may have less enticing offers than less typical one. For example, honeymooners may choose Nicaragua over other beach destinations because prices are much less expensive, and it’s perfect for an adventure. Travelocity data shows that Nicaragua has been a trending destination among consumers for the past two years. The surf is also fantastic, and beaches will be less crowded.”
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5. There’s an app for that
An advantage to booking a honeymoon package with the online travel agent site is the concierge service it provides. “If you’re faced with cancellations or weather events, Travelocity’s mobile app allows you to make on-the-go bookings, keep track of your itineraries, shop for hotels on an interactive map and book mobile exclusive hotel deals. Travelocity also guarantees that your booking will be right, or fix the problem immediately,” explains Scott.
Check out more of the top travel apps ►
For more of Courtney Scott’s tips, check out the Window Seat blog on Travelocity.
—Jenna Mahoney
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