Having some flexibility in your travel dates can help you score a deal. Some online travel agencies offer package deals that include airfare, hotel accommodation, car rental, and more.
It is wise to browse rates in an incognito browser window, as some websites are known to track your search and jack up prices accordingly. Luckily, online agencies are fighting back against these sneaky tactics.
Look for Package Deals
Online travel companies are household names that offer easy searching and booking of individual components of a trip (flights, hotels, car rentals). However, many also specialize in bundled flight and hotel vacation packages. They do this by purchasing blocks of air seats and hotel rooms in advance and then reselling them at a discount. This is known as wholesaling.
Expedia is one of the best online travel agencies to book these bundled deals. They also allow you to customize your search results by filtering for the types of hotels and amenities that are most important to you. They also have options for filtering for specific travel dates and limiting how many layovers you’re willing to endure.
Another good option for more spontaneous travelers is a free app that monitors prices for destinations on your list. It will send you alerts as the prices drop, which is especially helpful for budget-minded fliers. A popular meta-search site searches flight + hotel by default and lets you add a car later.
Sign Up for Email Alerts
Whether you’re looking for a specific flight or want to stay on top of price trends, signing up for email alerts can help you keep track of travel deals. Some popular sites let you set up alerts based on your home airport and favorite destinations. Other sites allow you to search for flights based on your desired destination and notify you when prices are low.
Some of these sites also offer deals on hotels and car rentals. Others are focused solely on flight deals. You can also sign up for email or social media updates from individual airlines to get their best deals.
For people who love collecting points and miles, an app is an excellent way to track their balances and book award flights when available. The app lets you set up alerts based on your preferred dates and destinations, and it also helps you determine how much it will cost in points before you book the flight.
Look for Discount Codes
Many travelers use a travel website to book their entire vacation (car, hotel, airfare), but there are also times when customers must book just one aspect of the trip. These customers may need more time to browse multiple websites to find the best deals, but they may be interested in using a coupon code to save money on a specific item or service.
Airlines and online travel agencies love to offer discount codes to their loyal customers, especially around the holidays. These coupons can be found in various ways, including social media and special promotions or advertisements. They can also be redeemed directly on the airline or travel agency website by entering the code in the box where you enter your flight details.
It’s important to remember that customer acquisition costs 7x more than customer retention, so be sure to use appealing coupon codes to keep your existing customers happy and coming back! Bundling your services in unique and attractive packages will help you stand out.
Look for Special Offers
Online travel agencies are popular for travelers because they offer various options and a simple booking process. They often offer package deals that bundle airline tickets, hotel rooms, and rental cars into one price, saving you money compared to buying them a la carte. In addition, many of them host independent reviews, giving you a better idea of what to expect from a particular destination or activity than the information the company provides.
Some apps will monitor prices on specific routes and alert you when deals are found.
Book Early
Online travel agencies are a godsend for anyone who loves to hop around the globe on a whim. Most people are familiar with significant OTAs, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of smaller ones offering great deals. One of the most popular is Farewatcher, which monitors prices for a particular destination and alerts you when sales are to be found.
Most online travel agencies will also bundle airfare, hotel, and tours into a package that could cost less than buying each component separately. For example, a company offers tours and activities in over 130 countries that can be booked on its site. Similarly, an online travel agency is known for its “secret deals” that include airfare and hotels for a discounted price.
Another advantage of using an OTA is that they tend to be less likely to play pricing games than airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. For instance, some OTAs quote an initial low price and then add on fees, which can mislead consumers.
