It’s that time again–summer travel season. You might be dreading it because you’re afraid to part with your heard-earned cash, but not to worry. You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a fun, satisfying summer vacation. There are tons of resources available to you.
Airfare, Cruises, and Hotels. The travel website Kayak.com allows you to identify deals on airfare, cruises, hotels, and more. Check out Kayak’s deals section for some serious savings. Travelzoo.com is another great place to go. This site has a section that features last-minute specials. And if you’re looking to save on airfare, Airfarewatchdog.com sends e-mail alerts when prices reach a certain point. Also check out Cheapoair.com and Cheaptickets.com, and sign up for their e-mail alerts.
A Home Away from Home. If hotels aren’t your thing, and you’d rather enjoy the comforts of home, think about doing a home swap. Web sites like HomeLink and HomeExchange allow you to exchange homes with another family going on vacation during the same time that you are. Home Exchange boasts more than 40,000 listings in 142 countries. In addition, check out Vacation Rentals By Owner.
Flex Your Membership Muscles. Your place of employment and club memberships can also be a source of savings.
For example, government and military employees can snag discounts at Govvacationrewards.com. And membership clubs such as AAA and Costco also offer access to travel discounts.Search the Web for Even More Deals and Tips. Another handy resource for finding vacation deals is the blog Mom’s Guide to Travel. It features a wealth of advice such as how to see free concerts. And don’t forget social media. You can score a great deal by following an airline or hotel on Facebook or Twitter.
Also visit the hotel or airline’s website so that you can find out about price cuts first.
For example, the Marriott Hotel has a special Marriott Summer Hotel promotion offering free breakfast, free Internet and late checkout, as well as a discount at Marriott Spas and Resorts that includes 20% off spa services and golfing.
Here are three more tips for cheaper travel:
- Know when to look for deals. The cheapest fares are typically posted on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Be flexible with travel dates. The least expensive flights are often on Mondays through Thursdays.
- Don’t put too much faith in frequent flier miles. Know that staying with the same airline doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get the lowest price. In some cases, two one-way fares on different airlines could be lower than the cost of a round-trip ticket.
Bon voyage!
This Labor Day weekend join Black Enterprise and headliner R&B sensation Ne-Yo– alongside the who’s who of top executives, tastemakers and enthusiasts–for the premier golf, tennis, and spa event at the luxurious Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, FL, Sept. 1-5. Reserve your spot for the 2011 Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge today at www.blackenterprise.com/GT. As an added bonus get an extra $200 off your package by entering the following promo code GTEDL2 before August 26th.