First rule is to always look for your fares as far in advance as possible. If you know when you are going to have to be in Tiny Town start looking for either the best fares or, the best fares with the most miles... Generally, the two are not separated by more than a few dollars. Check several sources to find the best price as some of those sources may have a direct discount with a particular carrier. Those sources can include online sites, your personal travel agent, and a friend who travels and who may have a discount coupon they will give you and the airlines themselves.
Travel agents are an excellent source of information and fares. They too may have discounts with particular carriers or access to consolidator tickets that can save you money but may not award frequent flyer miles. And, if they have been in the business for awhile, they will have a feel for sales and seasonal changes to fares.
Don’t forget the airlines. While they will not offer you an unsolicited discount (you have to have a coupon number or some other offer reference and ask for the discount) they will find the cheapest travel for the times and dates you specify... This is where the second rule comes in.
Second rule is to be as flexible as is possible. Tell whomever it is you are working with your options. If you are traveling from New York to Los Angeles, these options can grow exponentially. You can depart from three major airports in New York and arrive at five in Los Angeles and, those fares can be very different. At times, several hundred dollars will separate the same trip between different airports in the same market. Provide your agent, airline or web site a window of days for your trip. After all, you are at leisure. The more flexible you are the better your opportunities become.
Third rule is to follow up, follow up, and follow up. Once you have found that low fare between X and Y, check back every few days. You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that the fare has fallen due to a fare war. No, I didn’t say disappointed because you have spent your money and there is nothing you can do about it, I said pleasantly surprised. If that reduced fare is in your class/fare base, your ticket will most likely be reduced.
"Why stay at the Pitz when for the same price, you can stay at the Ritz?" Anonymous
What you have to do is look at the total package, the whole picture. While these discoveries are not earth shaking and will never rival the location of the 10th planet from the Sun, they will let you stay at better properties and keep some cash in your pocket.
Hotels that cater to business travelers are like airlines... Weekdays, the prices are high, weekends they fall. Hotels that cater to leisure travelers are like "supposedly" low cost airlines and keep their prices level all week. With proper planning and other tips and tricks, it is very possible to stay at Marriott, Hiltons, Sheratons, Hyatt and Westin hotels, to name just a few, for the cost of mid price chains.
Planning ahead for the leisure traveler should mean a month or more. . Many chains have advance purchase discounts which require an immediate deposit or full payment to retain that price. Make sure that everything else associated with your travel is in order before you book. While it is possible to find a sympathetic ear if something happens and you can not make your travel, don't count on it. Watch for those all-important coupons and notices in your monthly statement but be sure to use those coupons when they really are to your advantage.
Watch the weekly specials that come from the chains directly or from the airlines as they tie them to their weekly email specials. If you are a frequent guest at "Plush Hotels" and you see a special on a nearby "Outstanding Hotels" property, call the front office manager/reservations manager at Plush. Tell him, "You know, I see that Outstanding is having a special weekend rate at their property down the block from you and since I am a Double Super Doper Aluminum member with you guys and would really prefer saying in my 'home' hotel, could you extend that price to me?" Once again, all they can say is no and there is a good chance that because of your status, hey will extend Outstanding's price to you... Be prepared to fax or email the offer from Outstanding Hotels to the contact at Plush.
Many properties will work hard achieving name recognition of their frequent customers, that is, "Good morning Mrs. Smith," as you enter the restaurant for breakfast. If you do frequent the same property several times a year, try to do the same. Learn who the front office manager is and who the supervisors are in the various departments are as well. When you check in, ask the desk clerk to, "Say hello to Ms. Brown for me please and tell her I am back." You will feel better about knowing who to contact should you need assistance and they, like you, feel good being called by name. And, don't be surprised if you are upgraded.
packages are available for just about every budget and travel preference. You can combine flight and hotel, flight and all inclusive hotel, train, car and hotel, flight and train, flight and cruise, cruise and train (Alaska railroad), theme park and flight and hotel, casino package with flight and hotel and on, and on, and on. Almost anything is possible. And, there are packages for just about everyone!
Be specific and if necessary, write down exactly what you want and work from there.Take a basic package and add what you want either by yourself or with help from a travel professional.
Buy from a reputable company,check the credentials. The same holds true for Tour Operators who have their own association (USTOA), as do other travel professionals. All the associations work to satisfy customer complaints and rectify difficulties the public encounters with their members.
Some tips... Always try to book the hardest free element first. This will usually be the rental car. Seems that blackout dates tend to outweigh available days and read the fine print which reminds that some locations may also have additional blackout dates. Be flexible and work with several dates and, even see if you can forgo a car on a particular day like arrival or departure. It much easier to return a car the night before your departing flight and use public or hotel transportation to get you to the airport or train or what ever form of transportation you will be using that day. Even if you are not using a car award, check out prices for the car first as this can be the source of some excellent savings on overall cost. The next hardest thing depends on whose award you are using. Also location will dictate the ease in booking awards. Your willingness to be flexible will impart that same flexibility in most of the people who deal with you in the travel industry.
Second tip... It is much easier to book award travel in the shoulder or off season and in many cases, you will benefit from added extras like free breakfast or room upgrades. Off season travel lends itself to less costly travel.
Third tip... Use inclusive awards if they are a "cost effective" option. Special level awards will sometimes combine air and hotel. These awards are offered by the major chains and may require some supplementation from your credit card points to make them happen.
Fourth tip... This should have been first, plan ahead. You may not be able to find a business class seat to Asia because, it hasn't been released yet. Ask to be booked in what is available and "wait listed" for the remainder. Don't immediately jump to the unrestricted double point redemption option. This is just way to costly in terms of points. Remember to just ask them what happens in the process. Your interest will be rewarded with an explanation.
Final tip... Practice, Practice, Practice! The best way to perfect your skills at anything is to exercise your abilities. Pick an arbitrary destination and see what you can do. Check vacation packages from airlines, agents, auctions and even specialized vacation consolidators. Remember to include the value of the freebies they throw in with the deal, if they have no value to you, don't include them. Play with dates and times and remember that weekends are peak at most resorts and casinos. Try a number of combinations and look at special offers for hotels like those negotiated for people who book through 1travel.com. Services like this will also allow you to receive weekly mails of specials and beyond the specials will be other offers which deserve a close look. It can be complicated but you will have some fun at it and save a bundle too.
Your hard work and attention to detail will pay off and you will have a
wonderful trip which you have prepared after many hours of research on the
internet, talking to friends and using any and all available assets. There
is nothing more satisfying than staying at the Sheraton Key West Suites for
free. Or, driving the full size car when your coupon for a free week allowed
you an economy or smaller. )