How to Find the Best Travel Deals

When it comes to traveling, deals and discounts can be hard to come by. Plane tickets and hotel costs are constantly rising and depending on where you want to go and what time of year it is, a vacation may seem unaffordable. 

Though the internet has made it easier than ever to find the best prices for travel, it has also become overwhelming. Too many companies claim that they have the best price, forcing you to book as soon as possible to not lose out. But, just because they claim to have the lowest price, doesn’t mean you can’t find a better one and save hundreds, if not thousands, on your next trip. 

Search engines, like Kayak.com, are a great place to start your search for flights, hotels and even rental cars. Kayak compares prices from multiple websites, giving you the option to choose where you purchase your trip. It will then lead you to the website of your choosing to complete your booking. 

Google Flights is a great source when it comes to finding low airfare prices. Here, you get the prices available directly from the airlines available. If you choose to book through Google Flights, discounts and special rates for hotels and rental cars are often offered. 

Another helpful platform for searching for the best deals in airfare is Hopper. You can use their website or mobile app to search for one-way or round-trip flights. Hopper makes predictions on when prices are likely to change and tells you if you should buy now for the best deal or wait, as prices may go down. You are also given an opportunity to freeze the price in case they only get more expensive. This guarantees that even if costs rise, you get that flight at the price you froze it at. 

For travel deals, from local to international, Groupon has some of the best offers around. With savings ranging from 20 -75 percent, it can be hard to not book a trip. Some offers include round-trip airfare and hotel, but you can also find deals on places to stay and things to do, like resorts, casinos and spas. 

Using direct sources, like a hotel or airline website, may also be a good place to check. Hotels and rental car companies often give discounts for early booking, AAA members, military members and more. Airlines may have last-minute cancellations or special offers that you can only see from their website. Also, becoming a rewards member for hotels and airlines can save you hundreds a year, especially for those who travel more frequently. 

There are many other websites and apps that can help you save money on vacations—sometimes, too many to keep track of. So instead of tiring yourself out searching for the lowest prices, start with these sources to find the best deals and discounts out there. 

If you’re still concerned with high costs, consider a stay-cation and save up for next year. Who knows, by then you may have saved up enough money to book more than one trip using discount and deal sources like these!