Saturday, January 27, 2007

Things to remember when you travel

Traveling can be a lot of fun, but sometimes people are limited in their traveling options because of a budget. Here are some ways that you can save money when you traveling… which will let you bring home more gifts for your loved ones!

1. Shop around. Different travel agencies may offer different promotions, so making a few phone calls may help uncover those hidden deals.

2. Be willing to travel in the off-season. Hotels are expensive and overbooked during the busy season, but during the off-season you'll find great deals on rooms and car rentals when you need them, and hospitality staff who are more relaxed and attentive to you.

3. Travel in a group. Many hotels and airlines offer group discounts so if you and nine of your closest friends can arrange your schedules to travel at once, you will enjoy significant discounts.

4. Be willing to travel at the last minute. If you have a job that allows you to drop everything for a vacation, you may be able to travel at a great rate if you enjoy flying by the seat of your pants. For example, if you contact a travel agent and an airline and asked them about last-minute deals a day or two before the weekend, you may be able to find an affordable travel package that is much less than you would pay if you had booked far in advance. This is because of cancellations. For some reason, other people have not been able to go on the vacation the book, so the hotel or airline or resort wants to fill those seats with another paying customer.

5. Look for package deals. Often, companies in the travel and hospitality industry will partner together to offer great holiday packages. Look for these packages which make traveling much more affordable than simply putting together the pieces on your own. And much easier too!

Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to stay home. Traveling is possible with a limited budget. With a little legwork and the willingness to be spontaneous, you'll be able to find and enjoy affordable vacations.