Bob
Diener, Co-Founder of Getaroom.com, has tips for travelers that are confronting
the changed travel environment. Demand for travel is much greater than
it was a few years ago during the height of the recession. Greater
demand means the supply of great rates and deals is lower, and savvy
travelers need to look in new places to find savings. Whether you’re
traveling with family or friends, it’s important to remember these tips!
1.
Think
about summer. The summer travel season is looking crowded, with many
hotels, airlines, car rentals and cruises selling out of their most
popular items. Travelers
should book as far in advance as possible in order to grab decent
rates.
2.
Lock
in those rates. Upheaval in the Ukraine and other sensitive areas is
causing currencies to fluctuate. Travelers should book early to take
advantage of current
rates and book in US Dollars , avoiding potential higher rates due to
currency fluctuations.s.
3.
Travel
on a big holiday. Flying on Christmas or Thanksgiving Day is always
cheaper than the preceding days. This is an especially smart tactic for
people who only
need an hour or two of flight time to reach their destination, because
they can get to loved ones before all the festivities are over.
4.
Embrace mobile
apps. Travel has officially gone mobile. Travelers that are unable to
book in advance should have tools on their mobile device to help them
book
last-minute hotel rooms and airline tickets. Rates are often lower on
apps when booking last minute.
5.
Lower
the fees. Travel and fees now go hand-in-hand together. Smart travelers
will take steps to avoid fees, for example using their own device for
Wi-Fi, bringing
food on the plane, and trying to negotiate various resort fees. The
rise in travel costs can be offset by reducing fee expenditures.
6.
A
shoulder to fly on. The so-called “shoulder season” can vary from
locale to locale. No matter where it falls, it is a time when travel is
slower for the certain
area, which means potential discounts for travelers who enjoy more
peaceful exploration. Typical shoulder season times include: May and
October for South Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean, July and August for
NYC, Boston, and DC, and August for France (the
locals go on vacation.
7.
Go
low tech. Use your smartphone as an actual phone, and call up
Getaroom.com for unpublished rates which feature 10 to 20% off any other
rates, and are only available
over the phone.
8.
Get
your freebies. As the economy improves, more people are taking out
credit cards and looking to spend. Airline or hotel-branded charge cards
offer significant
rewards for signing up and for other actions. Freebies range from free
checked baggage to triple miles for certain purchases.
9.
Join the clubs.
Frequent member programs help you to squeeze additional value out of
your flight, car rental, cruise, and hotel activities. Airlines often
have
dozens of partners that can help the individual earn more miles by
simply completing forms or performing other actions. Pay attention to
mileage-boosting specials to further bring up your loyalty point
balances.
10.
Read reviews. An
independent hotel might not seem like a gem unless you have a chance to
read some of its reviews from recent travelers.. Smaller hotels work
hard
to establish higher review rankings, and this can benefit you through
more personalized service.
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