Travel

Not long ago, consumers were forced to wait on the phone with the airlines to find a flight. To find the best price, they needed to shop around and waste more time talking to the airlines. With the popularity of the Internet, things have changed dramatically but there’s still legwork for those that want to find the best deal on travel. Flexibility is the key to discovering that gem among the rubble in travel deals. Here are some tips on how to dig them out:

• Check with your credit card company to see if they offer travel miles. Partnerships between the two companies mean savings for you.
• Sign up for all of the airlines membership perks. You can trade those miles in for reduced or even free flights, especially if combined with your credit card miles.
• Check with online discount travel sites and sign up to be notified of last minute vacation deals. If the airline has trouble filling a flight, these places buy up the bulk of the tickets to sell to you at a lower price.
• Try a last minute flight. Call the airline two days before your wanted departure date; ask if there are any unsold or cancelled tickets that you would be able to pick up. They would rather sell a ticket at a reduced price than have the seat be empty.
• Go directly to the resort website, sign up for their newsletter to be notified when off-season sales start so you’ll be ready when the mood strikes to head out of town.
• As the tourist season winds down, your last minute plans are just heating up! Keep your options open to travel in the fall and early spring when school is in session and people are settling down from their summer vacations. Resorts and airlines know it and will send out emails to boost their slumping sales.
• Be flexible in your travel transportation. Can’t find a flight for a good price? Try the train or rent a car in the off-season and take in the sights you’d miss while in the sky.
• Be your own travel agent. With some advance planning, you can search for your destinations best deals. Check with the airport to see what airlines fly into them and check those airline’s websites for their web specials. Sign up for their newsletter or mileage programs to receive member-only last minute flight specials.
• Visit your local travel agency. Many times they will be first on the list to know of airlines special deals and can pass those savings to you. Visit their website to sign up for the agency newsletter or fax and be ready to book when those last minute deals pop up.
• Try an online auction site where you can pick up ticket that can legally be sold or transferred to your name.

With these tips, a great travel deal is just a click away!