We all know how expensive traveling during the holidays can be. Here’s a few simple tips that could save you some money on traveling during the holiday season.
ACT NOW
Unfortunately we do not have months to sit around and wait for the best ticket prices. The time to act is now. Though sometimes waiting until the last minute can score you deals, when it comes to travel, you just might miss out on affordable prices and even a seat as things tend to sell out fast.
FLY ON SPECIFIC DAYS
According to Kayak, the best days to travel for Thanksgiving (domestically) is Monday and Tuesday as prices can fall beyond 20 percent which equals savings on your end. You can also see some savings if you fly back on the actual holiday which though potentially inconvenient can mean extra bucks in your account.
CONSIDER THE RED EYE
I know we all need our beauty sleep but save some cash while traveling overnight and sleep on the flight. Red eye flights generally fly super late or early in the morning (depending on how you look at it) and tend not to be crowded like ordinary flights. Should you be up to the challenge then you should definitely consider this option.
CHECK OUT CREDIT CARD REWARDS
It’s a good idea to check your credit cards for any possible rewards you can put towards your holiday travel. Depending on the company you might just get lucky with discounts and other deals not available to the general public.
PUT THOSE MEMBERSHIPS TO GOOD USE
Honey if you have a membership with AAA or other companies and aren’t using their perks, you are missing out! Tons of hotels along with various organizations offer great savings for members that can help cushion your wallet during the holiday season. Even if it’s not publicized on a travel accommodation’s website, double check to see if it’s accepted.
DON’T JUST RELY ON DISCOUNT SITES
As awesome as sites like Orbitz and Travelocity are, make sure that you don’t rely solely on them for your travel pricing. Yes they do offer great deals (especially last minute) but do be sure to double check the actual airline’s website as they may have some great deals of their own.
ONLY TAKE A CARRY ON
Hopefully you are a savvy packer when it comes to your luggage as too many checked bags can quickly add up. With many airlines now charging upwards of $40 for a single bag, ask yourself if those additional pieces are truly necessary. If you can, only pack what you need via a single carry on that you can take with you on the plane. In fact, this might be a safer option considering the amount of bags that go missing during the holiday season.
LOOK FOR REBATE OPPORTUNITIES
Should you have already booked your holiday travel accommodations please pat yourself on the back as you will not have to work around the clock endlessly in attempts to find availability. However please note that this does not mean you shouldn’t continue to check out prices for your travel plans as some companies are willing to provide rebates should the prices go down post purchase. Just make sure they don’t try to sneak in a rebooking fee.
LOOK FOR LAST-MINUTE DEALS
If you want to roll the dice and leave things to chance, consider waiting last minute on booking your travel accommodations. Just know there’s a 50/50 chance you may score a major deal or luck out with things already booked… you just never know how things will go. In most cases, companies slash their travel prices at the very last minute as an attempt to fill any vacant seats.
via Madamenoire.com
