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The 8 Best Travel Package Sites for Booking a Cheap Vacation

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Booking a flight, hotel, and rental car together doesn’t just save you time—it can often save you money, too. But before you make such a significant purchase, it’s important to find the best travel package sites for booking your vacation.

I tested more than a dozen vacation package sites to see which ones had the lowest prices and best user experience. I discovered that many of the best vacation package websites allow you to book any combination of flight, hotel, and rental car, while others are more limited (flight + hotel is often the default). Fortunately, some sites will let you add a car onto a hotel+flight package, even if a car isn’t listed on the initial booking page.

It’s also important to compare the price of a vacation booked as a bundle to that same trip booked a la carte as separate components. Booking a package isn’t always cheaper, and sometimes you’ll get  better flight options to choose from if you search for your airfare separately. In some searches, I discovered that the flight options included by default with my vacation package had ridiculously long layovers or undesirable departure times (4:30 a.m., anyone?).

The Best Car Rental Booking Sites

Keep a sharp eye out for resort fees; many of the best vacation booking sites don’t count them in their initial per-person price estimate because they’re collected separately by the hotel, but they can drive up the final cost of your trip. Similarly, optional airline baggage fees can also increase your total bill, especially if you book a flight in basic economy, and some vacation package sites don’t disclose these fees as clearly as others.

Finally, it’s important to know that many of the best sites for vacation packages are owned by the same parent company, so you’ll often find similar inventory and prices from one to the next. Knowing which sites are mostly interchangeable can save you some research time.

The Best Travel Package Sites

We put them to the test to compare prices, inclusions, and more. The following are the best websites to book vacations, listed in no particular order. Scroll down for more in-depth analysis of each one.

• Expedia’s sister sites: Travelocity , Orbitz , and CheapTickets

CheapCaribbean.com

Funjet vacations.

This well-known site is one of the best travel package sites for a reason. Expedia offers a full complement of bundle options (flight/hotel, flight/car, hotel/car, and flight/hotel/car) as well as trips to just about every corner of the globe. It’s reliable when it comes to pricing, too: Expedia offered the lowest price in two of my five tests, and was cheaper than average in all but one test booking.

That said, the amount the site said I was saving on a given package didn’t always match up to the actual price difference when I added up the cost of the trip’s individual elements. In one of my test cases, it was actually cheaper to book my flight, hotel, and car separately. So take those supposed savings with a grain of salt (or even better, price out the components separately on your own to be sure you’re getting the best deal).

Expedia has plenty of useful filters to help you find what you need. You can sort hotels by price, distance from a city’s downtown, guest rating, package discount, and property class, while flight options can be filtered by general departure and arrival times (for example, morning vs. evening), airline, whether carry-on bags are included, and more. You can also sort flight options by duration (longest or shortest), price (highest or lowest), departure time (earliest or latest), and arrival time (earliest or latest). There’s also a map view so you can check out the location of each hotel.

Best Feature: The breadth of choice and consistency of pricing make Expedia perhaps the best site for vacation packages. You may not always get the absolute lowest price here, but chances are you’ll pay a fair rate and have plenty of options to choose from.

Check out Expedia

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Vacation Home?

Expedia’s Sister Sites: Travelocity, Orbitz, and CheapTickets

Many travelers don’t realize that Travelocity , Orbitz , and CheapTickets are all owned by Expedia Group, and typically have very similar inventory and pricing to Expedia. Each of these sites has similar layouts and filter options, too. Like Expedia, these three sites offer every possible vacation package combination involving a flight, hotel, and/or rental car.

It was rare for any of these sites to beat out Expedia’s prices in my tests; in general, the rates were identical (especially on Travelocity, where I didn’t find any deviations from Expedia) or a little bit higher. However, Orbitz and CheapTickets did offer slightly cheaper packages on one flight/car itinerary.

Because the pricing is so similar, it’s probably not worth searching all three of these sites in addition to Expedia unless a difference of a few dollars will make or break your travel budget.

Best Feature: Travelocity, Orbitz, and CheapTickets offer a checkbox on their main booking page to specify “I only need accommodations for part of my trip”—a feature that allows user to select a subset of their trip dates and search for travel packages only within that period. This feature is also reflected on Expedia’s search page.

Note: Expedia Group also owns Hotwire , which I didn’t find quite as reliable as the other three in my tests. For one itinerary, a nonstop flight that the other sites offered was not available when booking a Hotwire package (though it was available when booking a separate flight on Hotwire), and the pricing on some searches was a little higher than on the other sites.

Check out Expedia’s sister sites below:

Like Expedia and its partners, Priceline also offers every possible combination of flight, hotel, and rental car. Its search results pages are easy to navigate, with plenty of filter and sort options, plus a map view for hotels. Priceline offers numerous hotel options in popular vacation destinations at every price point.

One quirk to prepare for: Priceline’s flight result page lists departure and return flights together as a pair rather than letting you choose each one separately. This cuts down on the number of screens you have to click through but could mean extra scrolling while you try to find the exact two flights you want. Not all flights that are available when booking airfare separately on Priceline seem to be accessible to those booking a package—so it’s worth checking both.

Priceline was in the middle of the pack as far as pricing was concerned. It won one of my tests but was the most expensive option in two others; overall, it offered cheaper-than-average prices 60 percent of the time. To help you save money, the site offers “Express Deals” for rental cars, an opaque option in which you don’t know which rental car brand you’ll get until after you’ve booked. If you’d rather choose which company you’re renting from, standard car rentals are also available.

Best feature: Once you’ve selected your flight and rental car preferences, the site will keep them the same as you click through alternate hotel possibilities—saving you the hassle of having to select them over and over again.

Check out Priceline

What Happens If You Don’t Turn Your Phone to Airplane Mode?

As its name suggests, CheapCaribbean.com has a more limited scope than other sites on this list, but it’s worth checking if you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean, where package trips such as honeymoons are particularly popular. The site turned up cheaper-than-average prices for both of my Caribbean tests.

CheapCaribbean.com is one of the best vacation websites for all-inclusive packages. Once you’ve entered your trip information, you can also filter your results by “adults only,” “children’s amenities,” and “luxury.” Each hotel-specific page includes a list of active promotions, on-site activities, and the property’s Tripadvisor Traveler Rating.

In some ways CheapCaribbean.com isn’t quite as sophisticated as other travel package sites. There’s no map available to compare locations of the listed hotel options. Also annoying: not being able to group Houston’s two airports into a single search, though you can select “all airports” for New York City and Washington, D.C. But the affordable deals are worth a few snags, as long as you’re only looking for a flight/hotel package—there’s no option to add a car or create any other package combinations, though you can add travel insurance and transfers, at least for the destinations I checked.

Best Feature: The “ Deals of Fortune ,” or bookings where you know the destination but not the exact resort until about a week before the trip. This is a fun feature for value-conscious travelers who aren’t set on a particular island or property.

Check out Cheapcaribbean.com

A popular meta-search site, Kayak saves travelers time by searching many of the best travel package sites with a single click. Unfortunately, you can’t specify which elements of your trip you’d like to bundle; it searches flight + hotel by default. You can add a car later on some of its partner sites, but if you’re looking for a flight/car package, you’ll have to go elsewhere.

Results list the cheapest available packages from sites such as Priceline (Kayak’s sister company), Expedia, and CheapCaribbean.com. There’s a map view available, and the results page shows both air- and hotel-related filters to make it easy to find nonstop flights, free breakfast, or a specific hotel.

I found that the prices listed on Kayak didn’t always match the price on the source site when I clicked over to find the deal—a fairly common problem with meta-search sites. But I also occasionally discovered that I got a different price after clicking from Kayak than I did when searching the same itinerary from the booking site’s home page. For example, a Las Vegas package was $819 per person on Priceline when I clicked over from Kayak, but just $783 when I booked the same package from the Priceline home page. Another test offered the opposite result, with the price being cheaper after clicking from Kayak than it was when booking directly on Priceline. The lesson: Test both options when using a meta-search site.

Best Feature: Being able to search some of the best vacation booking sites in a single place is a major time saver. Though Kayak doesn’t always find you the lowest possible price, it’s a good place to start your search and get an idea of what’s out there.

Check out Kayak

The Essential Caribbean Packing List

The Funjet home page gives you a single package option: flight/hotel. However, you can work around this by adding a rental car on at the end of a flight/hotel or individual flight booking. There are plenty of sort options for your results, including price, hotel name, rating, points of interest, and location.

One annoyance: Similarly to CheapCarribbean.com, there is no option to select “all airports” for certain cities like Houston or Chicago. And Funjet’s prices aren’t the most consistent, ranking as the cheapest in one test and the most expensive in another. Still, the site is worth comparing to others when booking your vacation.

Best Feature: Rather than making you scour the web for coupons, Funjet automatically applies any relevant promo codes to your search.

Note: If you’re headed to the Caribbean, Central or South America, Hawaii, or Mexico, try your search on Funjet’s sister site, Apple Vacations . The destinations it covers are more limited than Funjet’s, but I found that the prices were often a little better. CheapCaribbean.com is also owned by the same parent company, Apple Leisure Group.

Check out Funjet

Book Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

If you’re ready to book your next adventure but don’t want to commit to a prepackaged bundle, you can still save big by booking your hotel stay with SmarterTravel Hotels.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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11 strategies to find cheap airfare

Editor's Note

Purchasing airfare can be a complicated process, and it can take considerable skill and patience to find the best possible ticket prices. To demystify the process and help you snag a great price on your next trip, we gathered 11 of our tried-and-true strategies for finding the best prices on airfare.

Every situation is unique, so you may not be able to apply every single one of these strategies every time you fly. Your mileage may vary based on your desired route(s) or planned date(s) of travel.

Regardless of where or when you're going, bookmark this story so you can easily reference these strategies for finding cheap airfare.

Start with Google Flights

When shopping for a flight, the first thing you'll want to do is figure out which airlines operate a given route and get an idea of the average prices.

Instead of visiting each airline's website individually, start by searching a site like Google Flights that will produce results from numerous airlines. Google Flights is a robust search tool that not only shows you pricing based on your date and route but also displays alternate pricing via a date grid and price graph that can help you save money.

You can even set up tracking alerts to receive email notifications if the price for your desired route drops.

Related: What you need to know about using Google Flights for award flight searches

Keep in mind that Google Flights is not a booking platform, so you can't actually make a reservation or pay for your ticket through the site. When you click on a flight you want to book, it will take you to that airline's website to complete your booking.

Check carriers that don't appear on third-party sites

One of the main weaknesses of online search engines is that they often won't list the flights of all carriers, such as Southwest and some ultra-low-cost carriers, like Allegiant and Frontier .

The best way to find out which of these carriers serves a particular airport is to search for the route map on each airline's website (or Google the airline name with "route map"). Once you know about any alternate carriers, you can check their pricing and compare it to the pricing you found for the airlines listed on Google Flights.

Search one-way and round-trip flights

More often than not, round-trip tickets are cheaper than purchasing two one-way flights, but we all know there are exceptions to every rule.

For example, JetBlue and Southwest typically price their tickets on a one-way basis; a round-trip flight is simply the sum of the two one-way prices. Occasionally, though, you may get the best round-trip deal by pairing two one-way tickets, potentially on two different airlines.

Remember, Google Flights is a terrific tool to show you when separate one-ways could be the cheapest option.

Just be aware that booking two one-way flights does carry some risk if you need to cancel or change your trip. If you book your outbound and return flights on different carriers and both charge $200 change or cancellation fees, you'll be hit twice if you need to adjust your travel plans. Changing both ends of a round-trip flight booked on a single airline would only incur that fee once.

Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees

Search one seat at a time

There's a little-known quirk in how airlines price seats that can result in much higher prices when searching for multiple passengers versus a single ticket. Airlines place their inventory in fare classes (sometimes called "buckets") that aren't always clearly visible to consumers.

For example, there might be only three seats left in a fare bucket for $300 each, and the next higher bucket might be $400 per ticket. However, if you were to search for four seats, everyone would fall into the $400 fare bucket.

By searching for a single seat, you'll see one of the three remaining $300 tickets. With a little trial and error, you'd then know to book one reservation with three tickets at $300 each and another reservation for the fourth ticket at $400. In this example, applying this simple strategy would save you $300 from what you'd pay by booking all four seats on a single reservation.

To make this a bit easier, many airlines will even tell you how many are left at that price, like this example from Miami International Airport (MIA) to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Delta.

If you had searched for three or four tickets, the price of that one-way flight jumps to $249.30, an increase of $56 per passenger. This trick also works when you need to book multiple award flights that aren't all available at the lowest mileage levels.

Search alternate airports

Sometimes the cost of a flight is just so high that it can make sense to use your second or perhaps third choice of airports. Many airlines allow you to search all airports in a region by specifying the destination as the city (e.g. New York City) instead of a particular airport.

For example, the New York area has three large airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LGA. However, you'll find even more flights if you expand your search to nearby Long Island McArthur Airport (ISP), Westchester County Airport (HPN) and Stewart International Airport (SWF).

When you use Google Flights, for example, you can enter your origin and destination cities instead of a specific airport name. This opens up more – and possibly cheaper – flight options.

Leverage elite status

Having elite status won't get you discounted tickets, but you might be able to use it to save money another way. Having elite status with most carriers will allow you to stand by for earlier flights or perform same-day confirmed flight changes .

This could allow you to book a discounted flight at an inconvenient time, only to change it to the flight you want at no additional cost. Even if you don't have elite status, the charge to stand by or make a same-day confirmed flight change might be less than the fare difference between the flight you want and the cheapest option that day.

For details on the major airlines' elite status programs, check out the following guides:

• What is American Airlines elite status worth in 2023?
• What is Delta Air Lines elite status worth in 2023?
• What is United Airlines elite status worth in 2023?
• What is Alaska Airlines elite status worth in 2023?
• What is Southwest Airlines elite status worth in 2023?

Use the right credit card

The right credit card can offer you significant savings on airfare in a variety of different ways. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 5 points per dollar on all airfare purchases made directly with the airline or through the Amex travel portal (up to $500,000 in annual purchases), worth 10 cents per dollar spent, according to TPG's latest valuations .

Related: The best credit cards for airfare purchases

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. You can also use your $300 annual travel credit toward airfare purchases because they typically code as travel.

Other cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred , the American Express® Green Card and American Express® Gold Card , also have elevated points earnings for flights.

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Check first class

Don't ask us why, but once in a blue moon, you may find that a first-class ticket can be very close to the price of one in economy class — or sometimes even less. Some possible explanations are that people forget to check the price of first class and that many companies don't allow their employees to book first class, even when it's less expensive. Also, discounted first class fares might exist when only full-fare economy class tickets are for sale.

Related: Are first-class tickets worth the splurge?

Either way, always check the price of a first-class ticket before paying for an above-average economy class fare. When you factor in the additional miles you will receive as well as the free baggage allowance, lounge access and in-flight amenities, it may justify a modest premium in fare.

Look for coupons and other offers

Like any business, airlines occasionally offer coupons and other discounts. For example, your Amex Offers could feature airline rebates, or you could save money with an all-you-can-fly pass like those offered by Frontier . Other low-cost carriers like Southwest often offer flight deals that can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare.

When faced with an expensive fare and a shortage of miles, consider buying the miles you need for an award ticket , especially when they are on sale. It rarely makes sense to purchase miles without a bonus and without a specific award in mind, but when you can save money by purchasing miles and immediately redeeming them for an award flight, it can be a great idea.

Reprice, reprice, reprice

Many airlines allow you to rebook your airfare if the price drops after you book your flight. For example, if the price of your Southwest flight drops after your initial booking, you can rebook your flight and receive a credit or a cash refund, depending on your fare type.

Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines also have a " no-change-fee " policy for most flights and fare types. Once you book, check for fare drops on a regular basis and snag that refund if the price drops.

Bottom line

Purchasing airfare can be a complicated endeavor, with so many carriers competing for customers and adjusting prices frequently.

Thankfully, there are several simple strategies you can use to minimize your out-of-pocket expense for booking flights. Even if you pick two or three of these as a starting point, you'll be well on your way to finding the best flight prices for your next trip.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare in 2023?
• The best airline credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status

Additional reporting by Jason Steele.

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Use these insider travel tips to save hundreds on your next vacation, here are five ways to save big next time you book a trip..

With the holidays fast approaching and children ages 5 and up finally getting vaccinated, more and more Americans are planning vacations. But it's harder and harder to find a deal.

Planning a trip can be costly with flights, accommodations, tours, excursions, dining and more. 

Still, there are deals to be had if you know where to look. Start by subscribing to emails from travel partners and follow them on social media, so you're among the first to learn about flash sales and special saving opportunities. Being flexible with travel dates and traveling off-peak are also easy ways to save.

Looking for a few more ways to trim that travel budget ? Here are five tips you don't want to miss.

Our best selections in your inbox. Shopping recommendations that help upgrade your life, delivered weekly.  Sign-up here .

1. Be flexible with airport choices

If you always fly out from a big-city airport that's closest to your home, you might want to explore other options. That airport may have the most flights, the most carriers and the widest range of departure times, but the fares might not be the best out there. 

Although it's always easy to do what you're familiar with, pushing yourself to fly from a different airport can save you hundreds.

For example, if you are flying from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale, use Google Flights to search for other airport options like nearby Trenton for Philadelphia. Sure, you may not have as many carriers or flight choices, but the fares can be considerably lower. The savings can be very steep, especially during peak-travel times, or if you're traveling with others.

Additionally, consider an airport that's within a few hours' driving distance to your destination. In the example above, you might want to swap Palm Beach International Airport for Fort Lauderdale. This may add a bit of commuting time but it could yield substantial savings.

2. Understand airline search algorithms

If you're traveling with multiple people, you might find that the enticing flight deal you want disappears when you add any additional passengers to your itinerary.

"This happens because airline tickets are sold in different classes called 'fare buckets,' which are essentially groups of fares that are priced similarly based on certain rules and restrictions," says Willis Orlando, senior product operations specialist with Scott's Cheap Flights .

Instead of having one steady price, airlines offer various prices for the exact same product, in an attempt to sell as many tickets to as many people at as high a price as possible, says Orlando. 

"Airlines do this to maximize the amount of revenue they can get for each flight," he continues.  

"When the price jumps, decrease the number of passengers and purchase one ticket at the lowest price, with any additional tickets purchased at the higher price of the next fare bucket," Orlando says.

If you discover that you can snag better fares by purchasing your tickets separately, buy one at a time and then call the airline afterward to 'link' your itineraries, he says.

3. Consider bundling hotels and flights

It's easy to use sites like Expedia or Kayak to book trips on one platform, bundling both flights and rooms. But take the time to do your research to make sure the rates are truly better than if you booked the trip on your own.

"Vacation packages can save you $500 or more," confirms Steve Oliverez, CEO of InsanelyCheapFlights.com . "If you plan on staying at a hotel during your trip, always check to see if a package deal is cheaper. Brands are usually more willing to offer discounts when it's less transparent, such as in a bundle."

And if you can be a bit spontaneous, you can grab an even better deal. "Unlike flights, package deals are often discounted when booked at the last minute," Oliverez says.

In addition to the booking sites you may know, many airlines like American, Delta and JetBlue offer vacation packages as well. For example, you can save money on a getaway through JetBlue Vacations by using promo codes to save up to $500 on packages to Aruba, Cancun, Montego Bay and Punta Cana. JetBlue Vacations is offering this deal to promote its Insider Experience, which features local concierge services included at no additional charge.

There are four different offers available, each with an associated promo code:

• Get $50 off with promo code INSIDER50
• Get $100 off when you spend $2,000 with promo code INSIDER100
• Get $250 off when you spend $4,000 with promo code INSIDER250
• Get $500 off when you spend $7,000 with promo code INSIDER500

This JetBlue Vacations promo code offer is good through December 31, 2021, for travel through March 2022.

4. Consider different lodging options

You can get access to booking top resorts through timeshare marketplaces and garner direct-from-owner pricing from platforms like RedWeek . 

According to RedWeek, here are some current price comparisons that would save a traveler $500 or more off a trip:

• Marriott's Aruba Surf Club, 7 night stays for only $1,650 compared to $2,152 elsewhere (savings of $502)
• Marriott's Maui Ocean Club, 7 night stays in January for only $3,500 compared to $4,183 elsewhere (savings of $683)
• Marriott's Newport Coast Villas, 5 night stays in November for only $995 compared to $1,632 elsewhere (savings of $637)

RedWeek is a timeshare rental platform that allows any traveler to book a trip from a timeshare owner that isn't using it. Don't worry, you're not joining a timeshare — you just book your vacation, similar to how a homeowner might rent out a pad on Airbnb, but in the case of RedWeek you're actually staying at a hotel or resort. Timeshares typically boast more space, kitchen and laundry amenities, and other perks like free parking and on-property shopping.

5. Sign up for a travel credit card with a big welcome bonus

More and more card issuers are offering generous welcome bonuses that can be cashed in for travel purchases.

Chase is offering welcome bonuses on select Chase co-branded  airline credit cards : new cardholders signing up for the  British Airways Visa Signature® Card ,  Iberia Visa Signature® Card  or  Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card  can earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

If you're a frequent Southwest flier, all three of the consumer Southwest credit cards ( Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card , Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card ) offer a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

If you're more interested in a general travel card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card  is currently offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening, which is worth $750 if you spend it on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.

It can be a little bit of work to maximize your points to cash in on free travel, but it's worth the effort. Check out our guides on using the Amex Travel Portal , the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal and how to make the most of your Avios points for a few ideas on how to get started.

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of  personal finance ,  tech and tools ,  wellness  and more, and follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

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Are vacation packages worth it.

Vacation packages can save a lot on your 2024 vacation, as discounts may be available when booking multiple aspects of your vacation at once, such as the hotel and the flight. Flights and hotel packages can include a car rental at your destination. Check our package deal today on Expedia!

How much do vacation packages cost?

The exact cost of a vacation package varies based on various factors such as destination, accommodation quality, flight class, and even the time of year you visit. The type of vacation you embark on can also affect cost with options like family packages and all-inclusive packages . You can search for your specific price range, too, with plenty of vacations under $1,000 , for example. 

How to choose your vacation package?

To find the best vacation package, you'll need to consider the type of vacation you're looking to enjoy and the destination. Using the site's search function, you can find a wide variety of packages available for your chosen vacation location, while search filters can narrow down options based on vacation type. Browse our deals now.

How to find cheap vacation packages?

If you're looking to save, be sure to set filters for any budget limitations you may have in your search. Additionally, you can sort by price to automatically put the cheapest options first in your search results. Weekend getaway packages can be relatively inexpensive as well if you are looking for cheap getaways. 

How to vacation on a budget?

Budget-friendly travel is easy when you book with Expedia, as we can help you keep prices low via search filters, but that's not all. There are general trends to keep in mind regarding prices, such as travel packages generally being cheaper during the off-season of your vacation destination. Additionally, the higher the quality amenities you opt for, the higher the price typically is.

How to get great vacation deals?

Vacation deals are common with Expedia, as we offer plenty of discounts on great packages, with packages already being a deal compared to booking hotels and flights separately.

How to find last-minute vacation deals?

To book last-minute vacation trips, simply input your travel dates into the search and see what's available at that time for your destination. You can still filter based on virtually anything you can imagine, including amenities, price, star rating, and more.

Where should I go on vacation?

Booking a Hawaii vacation package is especially popular with all sorts of travelers, whether it's families or couples, and Disney World packages have much to offer for families. Consider the kind of vacation you're looking for to determine the perfect destination. 

What are some of the best vacation spots?

Top vacation spots include cheap Caribbean vacations and European vacation packages . With rich culture, history, and stunning natural beauty, a vacation package to these destinations can provide an unforgettable adventure. 

Where to go on a vacation in the US?

Staying in the US still offers easy access to great vacation places with Vegas packages and a Grand Canyon vacation being popular choices among other options. Whether you’re seeking the thrills of the Vegas Strip or the majestic views of the Grand Canyon, browse your options today.  

Where to go on vacation on a budget?

Cheap vacation ideas can still take you to a variety of great cheap vacation destinations, including Yellowstone vacations and Glacier National Park vacations . Parks and outdoor experiences tend to be free, so national park vacations are excellent for a budget-friendly trip. 

What are some great all-inclusive vacation packages?

All-inclusive vacations to the Bahamas and all-inclusive vacations to Cancun are some of the best options available, putting you in a Caribbean paradise. However, all-inclusive vacations are more varied than you might think, with worldwide options. 

What are the best destinations for a family vacation?

Traveling with kids means you'll need to find fun for the whole family, and Orlando vacation packages can put you and your little ones in the world's theme park capital. Of course, a vacation package to Anaheim offers a similar experience on the West coast. 

Where should I go on vacation this summer?

If you're looking to embrace the season, head to the beach with a summer vacation package to Destin . Of course, you may be more interested in escaping the heat with something like a vacation package to Vancouver . 

How to find cheap beach vacations?

In your search, you can apply search filters for beach trip packages and sort your results by price to see the cheap vacation options first. With those standards, you can find amazing cheap trips with beach vacation packages like vacation packages to Panama City and vacation packages to Myrtle Beach . 

What are some great couples' vacations?

Traveling with your partner means a more romantic adventure, which is easy when you book vacation packages to Honolulu . However, you can always opt for the classics and get a vacation package to Paris . Even a simple 3-day cheap getaway can be suitable. 

What are the best destinations for a luxury vacation?

One of the best destinations for luxury is a Las Vegas vacation package , as the city was essentially designed to make visitors feel luxurious. Of course, a Lake Tahoe vacation package can be just as fulfilling as a more outdoor-oriented experience. Golf vacations also tend to be quite elegant. 

How to find great Christmas vacation packages?

To find an excellent package for a Christmas vacation, simply put your travel dates into the search and discover what's available. Vacation packages to New York and vacation packages to Chicago are trendy around Christmas. 

Where to get ski vacation packages?

Ski vacation packages are readily available on Expedia, including vacation packages to Aspen , vacation packages to Vail , and packages to other notable ski resorts. Check out the deals now and book your next ski vacation today.  

Can I cancel my vacation package with Expedia?

Yes, you can cancel your vacation package via your itinerary page on Expedia or by contacting customer service. Remember that some packages are fully refundable, but the details vary based on each unique booking. A fully refundable package may depend on how far out from the travel dates you're canceling and what airline you are travelling with.

Why should I book my vacation package with Expedia?

Booking with Expedia makes it easy to plan your entire vacation in advance. Vacation packages with airfare included can also feature a rental car and even activities in some cases, with discounts typically coming with booking more than one aspect of your trip at a time. One Key members will earn  OneKeyCash  with every eligible booking that you can use to save on future eligible bookings. Membership is free, sign up today!

*OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia,  Hotels.com  and Vrbo.

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clock This article was published more than  5 years ago

This writer tried booking the same vacation four ways. The results might surprise you

There are many ways to book a vacation: You can do it directly with hotels and airlines, through a travel agent, through third-party sites or separately through aggregators such as Google Flights. The choices can be overwhelming, and might lead travelers to wonder: Which way is best?

First, they must decide what they mean by best. Does best mean the lowest price? The most efficient process? Bookings that result in the most luxurious experience? And even then, there’s no easy answer. “There are definitely more ways to book a trip today than there ever have been before, but that doesn’t mean that there is a single way that’s going to get you the lowest price,” says Bjorn Hanson, an adjunct professor at the Tisch Center for Hospitality at New York University. Because each getaway is different, travelers will need to do their research for every trip, Hanson says, to see where they’re going to get the maximum value for their money.

The concept of value, like the concept of the best booking process, varies depending on the traveler, according to Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and the founder of Atmosphere Research Group . “Some people want the lowest price and don’t care about anything else, while others like amenities and inclusions at their hotel and would rather pay more money for a nonstop flight versus a connection,” he says.

The frugal traveler’s essential list of budget travel hacks

Harteveldt prefers the latter approach for his own trips and often turns to a travel agent for help. “I’m a fan of traditional agents because they can sometimes get me room upgrades and deals that aren’t available elsewhere,” he says. “They can also get me extras at a hotel for no charge, like a nice welcome amenity.”

To illustrate how different ways of booking a vacation can lead to different results, I researched a sample trip using several methods. I looked at a five-night vacation for a family of four — two adults and two children — from April 13 to 18, traveling from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. My hotel of choice was the Atlantic Hotel & Spa, an upscale beachfront property with 124 suites, all with balconies and kitchenettes. It also has an Italian-inspired restaurant called Coastal, a spa and a pool. I searched for nonstop flights that would allow us to choose our seat assignments (it’s important that my family can sit together) and carry-on luggage.

Method: Directly through hotel, airline

Hotel price: A reservation agent for the Atlantic Hotel & Spa quoted me $376 a night for an ocean view studio king room, the property’s entry-level category. (All hotel pricing is without taxes.)

Airfare: I found a number of affordable nonstop flights from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport by searching on different airline sites. Given that I’m a frequent flier on American Airlines and have racked up lots of miles with the carrier, the most appealing was an AA flight for $278 a person round-trip, and it was the cheapest.

Total: $2,992

Inclusions: None

Good to know: The reservation agent I spoke with was very friendly and also knowledgeable about the hotel. He was able to answer my questions about the room’s size and help me determine if it would be large enough for my husband, me and our two kids, both under 12 years old. (It probably would be.) He also knew about the property in general and even told me about his favorite treatment at the spa — that would be the Swedish massage.

Method: Travel agent

I called Jack Ezon, the founder of Embark, a New York City travel agency that specializes in luxury trips. All travel agents can try to snag clients extras such as an upgraded room or free breakfast, but agents that specialize in luxury trips tend to have more success. While some travel agents charge planning fees, Ezon said he would not charge a planning fee for a simple trip like mine because he would get a commission from the hotel.

Hotel price: Ezon got me the ocean view studio king for $315 a night.

Airfare: Ezon found the same American Airlines flight I did and quoted me the same $278 a person, round trip, per ticket.

Total: $2,687

Inclusions: Daily breakfast, a space-available room upgrade, early check-in and late check-out, a welcome gift of either chocolate-covered oranges or key lime tarts and a boat tour for four of Fort Lauderdale.

Good to know: Ezon’s insider knowledge about the Atlantic Hotel & Spa was impressive. (Coincidentally, several of his agents had stayed there before.) “Not all studio king rooms are created equal,” he told me. “I’m going to book you in one ending in 12 because they are the biggest and give you 75 more square feet for the same price.” He also assured me that he would be on hand to help if I had any problems with flight delays or cancellations or with my room when I checked in.

Method: Expedia.com

Package price: Here’s where the booking process got tricky. When I searched for an air and hotel package for two adults and two children, Expedia.com showed the Atlantic Hotel & Spa as sold out. However, when I changed my search to two adults only, I got a package price of $1,014 a person for five nights with accommodations in the studio king room. I had a choice of flights with the package, including the same American flight I had been looking at. The site wouldn’t let me book one room plus flights for four travelers. I found the American Airlines flight I wanted for $268 a person. That left me two options. I could book the package and then add two flights, for a total of $2,564; I could also book flights and accommodations separately for four travelers. I found the room for $348 a night. With the four flights at $268, the total would have been more: $2,812, so the package plus two flights was the clear winner.

Total: $2,564

Good to know: Given that I had already called the hotel directly and had also been in touch with Ezon, I knew it wasn’t sold out for the dates I wanted. By tinkering with my search, I was able to book the hotel, but this isn’t something that all travelers would think to do. Those who are keen to book through Expedia.com are likely to choose another hotel and buy a package that allows them to bundle flights and accommodations for the number of travelers in their group.

Method: Booking.com and Google Flights

Hotel price: Booking.com, one of the world’s largest accommodation booking sites, found the same studio king room for $350 a night.

Airfare: Google Flights, which is a search engine for flights, turned up several nonstop flights with seat assignments and carry-on luggage privileges, including the $278 a person round trip on American Airlines and $331 a person round trip on United Airlines.

Total: $2,862

Good to know: Searching was straightforward and fast.

The verdict

It wasn’t the cheapest, but booking my trip through Ezon of Embark would have been the way to go for this particular trip. He got me the lowest price at the Atlantic Hotel & Spa and was able to comp me valuable extras, such as breakfast and the boat tour. And then there was the superstar service he provided. I may not have needed his hand-holding for an uncomplicated trip like this, but it was nice to have. A travel agent might not always be the best choice for a vacation, but after this experience, I will definitely consult one before booking future trips.

Vora is a writer based in New York. Follow her on Instagram:  @shivanivora78 .

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Here's what you need to know to plan a trip around the world

Dec 29, 2021 • 7 min read

Don't start planning your round-the-world trip without reading this guide © Getty Images

In 1924, a team of aviators from the USA successfully completed the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe by airplane, a feat that took 175 days, 76 stops, a cache of 15 Liberty engines, 14 spare pontoons, four aircraft and two sets of new wings. This achievement ushered in an era of international air travel, and nearly a century later, travelers are still creating their own round-the-world itineraries. 

You might not have the same worries as those early aviators, but planning a round-the-world trip has never been a more complex process. As COVID-19 continues to alter world travel , heading out on a multi-country trip might be more complicated than it has been in decades. While it might not be the right time to hit the road, luckily it's never too early to start figuring out the logistics of a trip around the globe. After all, who doesn't have a lot of pent-up wanderlust at the moment? 

When it comes to booking your trip, there are several options for booking your airfare, as well as flexibility on timing, destinations and budget. But don't let that overwhelm you – start here with our handy guide on how to plan that round-the-world trip you’ve always dreamed of.

Where and how to get a round-the-world plane ticket

The most economical way to circumnavigate the globe is to buy a round-the-world (RTW) plane ticket through a single airline alliance. These are confederations of several different airlines that make it simple to maximize the number of places you can travel and pay for it all in one place or with points. There are three primary airline alliances to choose from: Star Alliance, OneWorld and Skyteam.  Star Alliance is a coalition of 26 airlines that fly to 1300 airports in 98% of the world’s countries.  OneWorld includes 14 airlines traveling to 1100 destinations in 180 territories.  Skyteam is made up of 19 airlines that serve 1000 destinations in 170 countries.  

Read more:   How to save money when you're traveling

Once you pick an airline alliance, whether because of a loyalty program you’re already a member of or because you like its terms, conditions and destination list, you can purchase a single RTW airline ticket made up of several legs fulfilled by that alliance’s partners. The RTW ticket rules vary between each of the airline alliances, with particulars like Star Alliance’s rule that a RTW ticket can include two to 15 stops. But there are some general principles that apply to most RTW tickets, no matter which airline group you go with. 

You typically must follow one global direction (east or west – no backtracking); you must start and finish in the same country; and you must book all your flights before departure, though you can change them later (though this could incur extra charges). Typically you have one year to get from your starting point to the finish line.

How long do I need for a round-the-world trip?

You could whip around the world in a weekend if you flew non-stop, especially with the advent of new ultra-long-haul flights that can clock in at 20 hours of flight time. However, the minimum duration of most RTW tickets is 10 days – still a breathless romp. To get the most out of your round-the-world ticket, consider stock-piling vacation days, tagging on public holidays or even arranging a sabbatical from work to take off at least two months (but ideally six months to one year). Because most airline alliances give you up to a year to use your ticket, you can maximize your purchase if you plan well.

When should I travel on a round-the-world trip?

The weather will never be ideal in all your stops, so focus on what you want to do most and research the conditions there. In general, city sightseeing can be done year-round (escape extreme heat, cold or rain in museums and cafes), but outdoor adventures are more reliant on – and enjoyable in – the right weather.

Research ahead of time if any must-see destinations or must-do activities will mean facing crowds. For example, if you’re hoping to be in Austria for the famous Salzburg Festival, you’ll want to plan ahead and book your tickets months in advance. If you’re hoping to fit a shorter thru-hike into your round-the-world trip, you’ll want to make sure you’re going in the correct season and starting in the right spot. You won’t get far or have as enjoyable an experience if you’re, say, attempting the Tour du Mont Blanc during the dates of the annual winter marathon or headed northbound on the Pacific Crest Trail in July, missing most of the warmer months. 

Accept youʼll be in some regions at the "wrong" time – though this might offer unexpected benefits. For example, Victoria Falls has a dry season each year , which means a slightly less thunderous cascade, but it does open up rafting opportunities and a chance to swim right up to the lip of the falls in The Devil’s Pool. Going to Venice in the winter might mean grayer skies but fewer crowds. Heading to Kenya and Tanzania in April is likely to mean fewer humans, but not fewer chances to spot wildlife, all while saving money on safari.  Also keep in mind that mom-and-pop locations have their downtime and holiday seasons as well; don't be too surprised if your local bakery in Paris is closed for a holiday week or two in August.

Where should I go on my round-the-world trip?

The classic (and cheapest) RTW tickets flit between a few big cities, for example, London – Bangkok – Singapore – Sydney – LA . If you want to link more offbeat hubs ( Baku – Kinshasa – Paramaribo , anyone?), prices will climb considerably. The cost of the ticket is also based on the total distance covered or the number of countries visited.

Remember, you donʼt have to fly between each point: in Australia you could land in Perth , travel overland and fly out of Cairns . Or fly into Moscow , board the Trans-Siberian railway  and fly onwards from Beijing.  Pick some personal highlights and string the rest of your itinerary around those. For instance, if youʼre a keen hiker, flesh out a Peru ( Inca Trail ) – New Zealand ( Milford Track ) – Nepal ( Everest Base Camp ) itinerary with stops in Yosemite , Menz-Gauassa and the Okavango Delta .

If budgetʼs an issue, spend more time in less expensive countries and plan budget city breaks along the way. You’ll spend more in metros like Paris, Dubai and San Francisco than in Nusa Tenggara , Budapest  and Buffalo . 

Tips, tricks and pitfalls of round-the-world tickets

Talk to an expert before you book a round-the-world ticket: you may have an itinerary in mind, but an experienced RTW flight booker will know which routes work best and cost least. A few tweaks could mean big savings in time and money. Hash out a budget well ahead of time, not only for your RTW ticket, but also for the whole trip. Reach out to friends or travel bloggers who have done a round-the-world trip or are full-time travelers because they can offer tips on how to budget for a trip around the world .

Be flexible: moving your departure date by a few days can save money. Mid-week flights are generally cheaper, as are flights on major holidays such as Christmas Day. Avoid days and times popular with business travelers to escape higher prices and more crowded cabins.

Think about internal travel: it can be cheaper to book internal flights at the same time as booking your RTW ticket, but with the global increase of low-cost airlines, you may find it better (and more flexible) to buy them separately as you go.

Be warned: if you donʼt board one of your booked flights (say, on a whim, you decide to travel overland from Bangkok to Singapore rather than fly it) your airline is likely to cancel all subsequent flights.

You might also like: 10 destinations perfect for solo travel Can visiting lesser-known places offer a better travel experience? 6 things I learned from flying 6 days in a row

This article was first published March 2012 and updated December 2021

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How to Book a Flight to Get the Best Deals

You're guaranteed to save time and money.

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Researching flights and finding the best deals doesn’t have to be a difficult process. While it may seem overwhelming at first, there are tools and best practices you can utilize on your next flight search that can save you time and money.

Researching Flights

Researching flights to find the best deal may not be the most exciting part of your trip, but it’s necessary. Here are some tips to help you search and book the best flight for your needs.

How to Search for Flights

When you want a great deal on a flight, it’s smart to start with a metasearch engine, like Kayak or Google Flights . That’s because these sites search the airline’s website and online travel agencies at once so you can quickly find the best price. Keep in mind there are some airlines, like Southwest, that don’t show up on most third-party websites.

Using OTAs vs. Airline Websites 

Once you find a great flight on a metasearch engine, you’ll most likely head to an online travel agency such as Expedia, Orbitz, or Hotwire, or the airline’s own website, to book the flight.

Online travel agencies may save you money in a few ways. First, they can combine two one-way flights on separate airlines on one single itinerary, which is something you won’t be able to do when booking directly through the airline’s website. They can also monitor price trends for your flight, and you even have the ability to set up an alert if the price drops.

Another way to save money by booking through an online travel agency is to use the in-house loyalty program. For example, members of Expedia’s One Key program can save up to 30 percent when booking a flight and hotel together, plus they can use OneKeyCash for bargains on money on flights, hotels, vacation rentals, cars, and activities. 

Alternatively, travelers who value simplicity may prefer booking flights through the airline’s website. That way, if there’s a problem, there’s no third party that could complicate customer service issues.

d3sign/Getty Images

Comparing Flight Options and Prices

There are a few factors to consider when comparing flight prices, keeping in mind the lowest-priced ticket may not always be the best option.

Cost of Checked Bags and Seat Selection

When searching for good deals on flights, don’t forget to account for things like checked bags and seat selection. These extras can add up quickly, making an affordable plane ticket not so cheap after all. 

If you have elite status with an airline or an airline’s co-branded credit card , you’ll likely be eligible for perks like free checked bags and free or discounted seat selection, so it may be cheaper in the long run to pay a higher base fare on that airline knowing you’ll save on those extras.

Booking Refundable vs. Nonrefundable Tickets

Next, you’ll need to consider booking a refundable versus a nonrefundable fare. "While nonrefundable tickets tend to be cheaper, the flexibility of a refundable fare can be worth the extra cost if your travel plans are prone to change," says Alex Miller, founder and CEO of Upgraded Points.

However, if your plans are set, and you don’t mind the possibility of having to pay a change fee, the more restrictive ticket could make sense. "Nonrefundable fares can mean major savings," according to Miller.

He adds, "Consider whether the refundability is worth the extra cost based on how confident you are in your dates and if the cheaper restricted fare allows changes at all. Just be sure to read the fine print so you understand the restrictions before booking."

Selecting Basic Economy With Caution

Usually, the lowest-priced tickets you see are basic economy fares, which may not include things like seat selection or even carry-on bags. They also often earn fewer frequent flier miles than a regular economy ticket. In addition, passengers with basic economy tickets board the plane last, increasing the chance the overhead bin space is full, which can be a headache. While a basic economy ticket can save you money, the added costs and potential stress could negate the ticket’s savings. 

Monitoring Flight Times

Often, the lowest-priced flights are at odd times of the day, either very early in the morning or the last flight out at night. This can come into play when considering price because it may be more expensive to get to your hotel or destination at certain times of day. Public transportation may not run as often or at all late at night or early in the morning, which could mean paying for a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. 

The cheapest flights could also have long layovers that add unnecessary travel time. Consider the money you may spend at the airport during the layover as well as the value of your time before booking a cheap flight with a less-than-desirable itinerary.

Tips for Booking Flights and Saving Money 

These flight booking tips will save you money on your next trip.

Consider a travel rewards credit card.

Having the right travel rewards credit card can save you money on your next flight. Some offer flight discounts, while others help you save on baggage and other fees. 

For example, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card comes with an annual $75 flight credit, while the Platinum Card from American Express offers a yearly $200 credit that covers incidentals charged by an airline, like baggage or seat selection fees.

Meanwhile, many airline credit cards, including the United Explorer and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express , come with free checked baggage. 

Use points and miles.

Booking a flight with airline miles or credit card points is a great way to keep your out-of-pocket costs low. While you may think you need to be a frequent flier to earn enough miles for a flight, that’s not the case. You can earn plenty of points by using a travel rewards credit card for everyday purchases. 

"With the right loyalty program and credit card strategy, you can save a significant amount on airfare by utilizing points and miles," says Miller, who has earned millions of points and miles by maximizing his credit card spend.

Using points and miles can be especially rewarding on those dream vacations. Miller adds, "For high-priced, long-haul flights, using miles can lead to hundreds or even thousands in savings compared to paying outright."

Be flexible.

Saving money on flights is easier when your travel plans are flexible.

Jarrod West, senior content contributor at Upgraded Points, advises travelers to "be as flexible as possible, both with their dates and destination."

If your travel dates are flexible and you don’t have your heart set on a specific location, you can go when and where the sales are instead of trying to find deals for a specific destination and time.

Google Flights has a fantastic way to help you find the most inexpensive destinations from your home airport. Just search "Anywhere" in the destination field rather than inputting a specific place. Your search results will be displayed on a map with flight prices so you can easily see which destinations offer the best deals.

Adjusting your travel days can also lead to significant savings. Many websites offer a flexible date search, allowing you to quickly see the days with the cheapest flights.

Set up flight deal alerts.

Some websites send flight deal alerts to help you choose the best time to purchase your ticket for the best bargain. The Hopper mobile app uses historical data to predict the dates with the cheapest flights. You can set up an alert or refer to the color-coded calendar when searching for a flight. Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights ) monitors deals from your chosen airport and sends you free alerts when there are great deals available to book. Skyscanner and Airfarewatchdog are two other websites that can help you find cheap flights by setting up flight deal alerts.

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The 10 Best Websites for All-inclusive Vacation Packages & Deals [2023]

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

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1. CheapCaribbean.com

2. cheaptickets, 3. apple vacations, 4. all inclusive outlet, 6. american airlines vacations, 8. funjet vacations, 9. hotels.com, all-inclusive vacation package price comparisons, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

An all-inclusive vacation is a dream for many travelers. Paying for everything upfront means you don’t have to think about how much things cost when you arrive at your destination. Your hotel, flight, food, drinks, and even things like airport transfers can be lumped into a vacation package that can save you money.

In this post, we’ll show you 10 websites that offer all-inclusive vacation packages and deals to help you find the best price for your next vacation. So, sit back, relax, and come with us as we explore ways you can get a great deal on your next all-inclusive vacaotion.

CheapCaribbean.com is a popular site for finding inexpensive vacations. The great thing about this site is that you can filter your results to only show all-inclusive resorts .

To do this, first, enter your destination and travel dates. Then you’ll see your search results. There are lots of filtering options — just scroll down a bit to Experience , and you’ll be able to select only all-inclusive options.

After selecting a resort, you’ll be able to add extras like airport transfers or insurance during the checkout process. If you want to book a flight along with your hotel stay, be sure to select Hotel + Flight before you start your search.

Hot Tip: When booking an all-inclusive resort, be sure to correctly enter the number of guests traveling since prices are quoted per person.

CheapTickets is another website that allows you to narrow your search to include only all-inclusive resorts. After clicking on the all-inclusive filtering option on the left, you can sort your search results by things like price or distance using the sorting options at the top of the page.

One of the nice things about this site is that it has a map feature that allows you to search for hotels by location. This can be helpful if you want a resort close to specific tourist attractions or landmarks.

You may notice that CheapTickets is powered by Expedia, so you might think that both sites offer the same deals. In reality, each site can show different search results and different prices, so it’s a good idea to check both to see which one offers the best deal.

Hot Tip: You may find Hyatt Ziva or Hyatt Zilara properties in your search results for an all-inclusive vacation package. These properties can be booked using World of Hyatt points so keep them in mind if you have World of Hyatt or Chase Ultimate Rewards points burning a hole in your pocket. If you’re planning to pay cash but have Hyatt elite status or are trying to earn Hyatt elite status , you’ll want to book directly since you can’t use or earn elite status when booking through a third party.

If you’ve been searching for a vacation package, chances are you’ve run across Apple Vacations . This company is a leader in providing deals on tropical vacations. The site allows you to easily focus on only all-inclusive resorts by selecting All-Inclusive in the Experiences section of the filtering options.

One of the things that makes Apple Vacations a bit different is the ability to add extras during the booking process . You can add the usual suspects like airport transportation and insurance, but Apple Vacations also offers the ability to book things like spa treatments, a rental car, and sightseeing tours.

Hot Tip: Southwest Airlines flies to many popular vacation spots (including international destinations ) but won’t be included on any third-party website. If you want to check Southwest’s prices, you’ll have to do a separate search on the airline’s website.

All Inclusive Outlet specializes in — you guessed it — all-inclusive vacation packages. However, you can also use it to book cruises.

If you have some flexibility or aren’t sure where you want to go, check out the Hot Deals tab, where you can find deals listed by destination, interest, or special sales. Most packages offered on this site are for destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. However, you’ll also find a few options for the U.S., Central America, and South America.

One of the unique things about All Inclusive Outlet is that it offers the ability to purchase Cancel for Any Reason insurance . Known as CFAR coverage, it allows you to cancel for reasons that may not be covered by other insurance plans, like COVID-19.

Hot Tip: CFAR insurance is available to purchase as a separate policy, meaning you can get it without having to book your all-inclusive vacation package through a specific website. For more information, you can check out our complete guide to travel insurance to bring you up to speed on what you may or may not need.

Expedia is a popular online travel agency for searching for flights and hotels, but you can also use it to search for all-inclusive vacation packages. After specifying your departure and destination cities and travel dates, look for the all-inclusive filtering option on the left side of your screen.

One of the nice things about Expedia is that it offers the ability to easily see only properties that have generous refund policies . Just be sure to check your specific hotel’s policy before booking since “fully refundable” can have different meanings at different locations.

Another nice thing about using Expedia is the One Key program. You’ll be able to earn and use points (called OneKeyCash) on eligible trips and gain access to special member pricing. Using a travel agency’s rewards program is a great way to earn rewards when you’re not participating in a hotel chain’s loyalty program.

Hot Tip: If you’re a fan of Hyatt and also love all-inclusive resorts, you’ll be thrilled to know that Hyatt has acquired Apple Leisure Group and its AMR Collection which includes luxury all-inclusive resort brands like Secrets, Dreams, Breathless, Zoëtry, Alua, and Sunscape. You can now earn and use World of Hyatt points at most of these resorts.

If you’re in the market for adding to your AA AAdvantage miles , you might be wondering if you can earn miles by booking an all-inclusive vacation package through American Airlines Vacations . The answer is yes . To limit your search to all-inclusive resorts, select All-inclusive resort under the Property Types filter.

You’ll earn a minimum of 1,000 American miles with any package booked through AA Vacations, but keep an eye out for special deals that come with up to 30,000 bonus miles . You’ll also earn Loyalty Points towards elite status with your purchase.

If you already have some American Airlines miles and you’d like to save cash on your vacation, you can book an all-inclusive vacation with miles ! You’ll only get 1 cent per point in value and since we value American Airlines miles at 1.4 cents each, it’s not a great deal. However, if you have miles to spare and would rather have an all-inclusive vacation instead of flights, this could be a way to make that happen.

Hot Tip: You can either earn AAdvantage miles when booking a hotel or vacation package through American Airlines Vacations or you can use them to pay for your trip. For more information, check out our guide to booking travel through American Airlines Vacations .

While you might think of Kayak as a great website to use for flight searches , it can also find hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages . This easy-to-use site is a metasearch engine. That means it can search for travel on other sites so you can easily see where the good deals are. Then, you’ll be transferred to a separate site to book.

To narrow your search to all-inclusive resorts only, select All-inclusive under Board in the filtering options after specifying your travel details.

You’ll see that each search result lists a separate website where that particular deal can be found. If there are multiple websites offering a similar deal, you’ll be able to see them all by clicking the See all dropdown arrow under View Deal .

Bottom Line: Kayak is a metasearch engine that allows you to search for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation package deals across many online travel agencies at one time. You can learn more about how this website works in our detailed guide to booking travel with Kayak .

Funjet Vacations  specializes in vacation packages, especially all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean.

You can search for all-inclusive resorts by clicking on the All-Inclusive tab on the home page and entering your travel information. The search results show lots of information, including Tripadvisor ratings and any extra bonuses available, like free COVID-19 testing or free accommodations for kids.

During the checkout process, you can add extras to your booking, including trip insurance, airport transfer, rental car, and sightseeing tours.

Keep an eye out for Funjet’s Insider Perks  program, which offers things like free airport transfers, VIP excursions, and room upgrades when you book select hotels.

Hotels.com is a great way to book independent hotels since it participates in a loyalty program called One Key . It’s a nice way to earn and use points (called OneKeyCash) when you’re not booking through a large loyalty program like World of Hyatt or Marriott Bonvoy .

The filtering option to select only all-inclusive resorts is a little harder to find on Hotels.com than other sites, but it’s there. Just scroll down on your search results page until you see Accommodation type in the filtering options on the left. You can then select all-inclusive from that list.

Be sure to create a free account and log in to do your hotel searches so you can see the “secret prices” that can save you money. We found lots of options that were $7 to $53 cheaper per night after logging in.

Hotels.com’s loyalty program is called OneKey, the same program used by Expedia and Vrbo.

One of the nice things about Orbitz is that in addition to filtering by property type (like all-inclusive), you can filter by cancellation policy so you can quickly see hotels that offer free cancellation.

While Orbitz is fairly similar to many other online travel agencies, one of its benefits is the Orbitz Rewards program. You’ll earn Orbucks on flights, hotels, and vacation packages booked through the platform. Then you can use your Orbucks toward future hotel reservations. This is a great way to participate in a loyalty program when you don’t have loyalty to a specific brand’s program.

Now that we’ve gone over some of the best websites for all-inclusive vacation package deals, let’s do a price comparison to see how these sites stack up against each other.

We priced out a 7-night stay for 2 adults at Riu Palace Las Americas, a popular all-inclusive resort in Cancún, Mexico. We checked prices for just the hotel as well as a hotel and flight package. Here are the results:

Prices were for 2 people in a Junior Suite, the least expensive room available.

In this example, CheapTickets and Orbitz tied for the best price for a hotel and flight while Kayak offered the best price for the hotel only, beating out even the hotel’s website.

Going on an all-inclusive vacation is a dream for many travelers. The ease of paying for everything upfront is very appealing to those looking for ultimate relaxation. However, some all-inclusive resorts can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to look for package deals to help you save money.

There are lots of websites out there to help you do just that. While there isn’t 1 site that always offers the lowest price, with just a small bit of research, you can find a great deal. We hope these website suggestions help you find a fantastic all-inclusive vacation package that’s perfect for your next trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the cheapest place to book all-inclusive vacations.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single website that always offers the best prices on all-inclusive vacations. However, several sites often have great prices and deals.

• All Inclusive Outlet
• American Airlines Vacations
• Apple Vacations
• CheapCaribbean.com
• CheapTickets
• Funjet Vacations

Is a flight included in all-inclusive vacations?

Generally, if you’re just booking an all-inclusive resort, flights are not included. However, there are lots of websites where you can book a vacation package that can include things like flights and a rental car.

Is alcohol included in all-inclusive resorts?

Whether or not alcohol is included at all-inclusive resorts varies by individual property. Generally speaking, most all-inclusive resorts will include some type of alcohol in the price. Premium liquors, spirits, and wines will often cost extra.

How do I get the best deal on an all-inclusive resort?

To get the best deal on an all-inclusive resort , you’ll want to use a metasearch engine like Kayak or an online travel agency like CheapTickets to get a sense of which resorts offer the cheapest pricing. If you have flexibility, search for deals by price instead of looking for a specific destination or resort. Try booking either far in advance or at the last minute, and avoid peak travel times like Christmas or spring break. Finally, booking a vacation package that includes flights and a hotel stay is often a good way to save some money on your next vacation.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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12 Unconventional Ways to Save on Travel

Points and miles are major, but there are other cheap ways to travel too.

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Consider setting up airfare alerts, housesitting and traveling midweek to help stay in budget.

Traveling can be expensive, and even when you rely on widely known savings tactics – such as traveling in off-peak seasons or staying at a hostel or a rental with a kitchen – the costs inevitably add up. If you're looking for ways to save on your next trip, add these unconventional tips provided by travel industry experts to your hat of travel tricks.

Get a set of packing cubes

Traveling with just a carry-on bag is a cost-effective option since it's typically free on most major airlines, but it's often easier said than done. That's why packing cubes are a good investment. They don't cost much – you can get a quality set like this one by Bagail for less than $25 – and they inevitably allow you to save space and fit more in your carry-on (or checked luggage ).

[Read: Guide: Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline .]

Choose the flight, then the destination

Scott Keyes, flight expert and founder of Scott's Cheap Flights , recommends changing the way you search for flights to save on airfare . Instead of looking for flights to a specific destination, use a flight comparison tool like Google Flights , Momondo or Skyscanner to browse a variety of airfares from your preferred airport(s). Maybe a trip to Barcelona wasn't what you originally had in mind, but if the price is right, why not head there instead?

Consider alternate airports

While flying from the airport closest to home is always the most convenient option, Keyes also suggests comparing fares from other airports, even those that are a few hours away. You may find prices are hundreds of dollars less to get to the same location, making the combined cost of gas, parking and driving time an excellent investment.

If you can drive a few hours to a larger airport with more flight options in general, that may be even better. Not only do you have the potential to save money, but you're more likely to find a direct flight or a route with fewer layovers.

[Read: What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed .]

Set up airfare alerts

If you're eager to travel far and want to save big on airfare, keep an eye out for short-term airfare offers on websites like Hopper and Trip.com . These sites offer deals that usually last a short time, meaning you have to strike while the iron is hot. "I do this every time I book a flight and I usually save at least 10%, but sometimes up to 75%," says Josh Band of A Backpacker's World . "I once got a flight that should have been $200-plus for just over $50 by setting up an alert."

Go to Europe for Thanksgiving

Many Americans opt to head to Grandma's house or another domestic destination for turkey dinner. However, not as many escape to the Caribbean and Mexico, and even less go to Europe – which means you're more likely to find flight deals to Paris , London and other European vacations you've been wanting to cross off your bucket list.

Travel midweek

There's no set day of the week to book the cheapest airfare, but there are less expensive days to travel, says Keyes. He recommends flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays since most business travelers fly on Sundays and Mondays (and consequently drive up the cost of airfare on those days).

Consider a 'bleisure' trip

If you have an upcoming business trip in a unique or new-to-you destination, consider tacking on a few personal days to the journey. This way, you can enjoy a mini-vacation sans airfare (assuming your company will cover that portion).

[Read: The Best Garment Bags for Travel, According to Reviews .]

Buy travel insurance

It may sound counterintuitive, but purchasing travel insurance can save your bank account (and your sanity) in the event that you or a family member falls ill or has another emergency that forces you to change your vacation plans before or during the trip. A basic and cheap travel insurance policy will suffice, though there are coverage options for a wide variety of needs – including cancel for any reason travel insurance (which is exactly what it sounds like).

Housesit for free accommodations

Did you know you can enjoy free accommodations in exchange for housesitting? Sites like House Sitters America and Mind My House offer housesitting opportunities for a small annual fee (less than $50). Many of the homeowners have pets who need TLC while they're gone, too, making this a fun and budget-friendly alternative to traditional rentals like Airbnb. No matter where you travel, it doesn't get much better than living like a local and playing with pups.

Similarly, you can try couch surfing, which allows you to stay with a local for free. Services like the site Couchsurfing charge a negligible monthly or annual fee to sign up and get verified for safety purposes, while others such as BeWelcome are free. These services also provide exclusive meetups with other travelers.

Read: The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance Plans

Sign up for a family loyalty program

Did you know there are loyalty programs that allow family members or groups to pool rewards or freely transfer rewards to others?

"This can be a great option for infrequent travelers who may not rack up enough points or miles for a free flight or hotel room individually – but can reach those rewards when combined," says Nick Ewen, director of content for The Points Guy . "In some cases, it's a single, pooled account that automatically combines points (like JetBlue). In other cases, you can simply transfer points from one account to another (like Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, or Marriott Bonvoy)." He recommends reading the full terms and conditions of these programs, as some impose time limits, maximum transfer amounts and other restrictions.

Use travel rewards on experiences

Don't forget that both airline credit cards and airline rewards programs can be used to cover more than flights and hotels. Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards make it easy to redeem points for sporting events, dining (including reservations, exclusive culinary experiences and takeout orders) and more.

You can also use points earned on hotel credit cards as well as hotel rewards programs to pay for fun experiences in hundreds of destinations around the world. Options range from cooking classes and concerts to outdoor activities and spa experiences .

Book a refundable car rental

While some companies offer discounts for prepaid car rentals, many travelers say they've had better luck with booking refundable car rentals , allowing them to secure a reasonable rate while keeping a watchful eye for price drops. If a better price pops up, simply cancel your original reservation and book at the lower rate. Frequent traveler Pamela Howard, who writes about her experiences on Our Adventure Is Everywhere , says she's consistently able to save anywhere from $25 to $100 using this tactic on Costco Travel car rentals. "It's simple and that little bit of time rechecking rates pays substantially in savings."

Ewen says you can do the same when you book a flight or hotel using points since many loyalty programs have flexible cancellation policies. "If you lock in a flight at 35,000 miles and see that your same ticket is 30,000 miles just a week later, you should be able to rebook and get those 5,000 miles back into your account," he explains.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• The Top Cheap All-Inclusive Resorts
• The Top Cheap Weekend Getaways in the U.S.
• The Top All-Inclusive Resorts Where Kids Stay Free
• Cruise Lines That Let Kids Sail Free

Tags: Travel , Budget Travel , Travel Tips

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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• Book Travel
• Credit Cards

The Best Ways to Book Travel for Others

Planning travel isn’t for everyone – in fact, it can sometimes represent the biggest challenge for some. They might not know where to start, or they might not necessarily have the time to figure it out.

That’s why, traditionally, they might go to a travel agency for someone to plan everything for them.

However, for many of us who love travelling, planning trips is part of the fun. The more we plan, the better at it we become.

Inevitably, word spreads amongst family and friends, and before we know it, we’ve become “unofficial” travel agents offering pro bono services for everything from giving out travel information to planning and booking.

In This Post

Why book travel for others, hotel bookings on points, hotel bookings with cash, flight bookings on points, flight bookings with cash, activities and tours, possible caveats.

Most of us who book travel for others do so mainly to help friends and family. Other times, we may be travelling with a group, and it simply makes sense to have one person organize and book the trip for everyone, for the sake of efficiency.

If you happen to be a duly-licensed travel agent, then there’s also a monetary motivation, as you can earn commissions on travel bookings. Your travel agent credentials may also entitle you to incentives, discounts, and benefits for yourself and your clients alike.

However, even if you’re an “unofficial” travel agent, then you can still benefit from strategically booking travel for friends and family.

Some examples of this include cash back and rewards portals, earning elite nights towards status at hotels, and points earned through spending on your credit cards.

Frankly, it’s quite tricky to book hotels on points for others. However, there are a few strategies you may employ, such as:

• Gifting a rewards reservation directly
• Transfering points between members on a one-to-one basis
• Pooling points, which allows several members to contribute

With any of these strategies, you’ll have to abide by each hotel loyalty program’s own rules and restrictions. Below, you’ll find a quick summary of which programs participate in each method.

Gifting Reservations

IHG One Rewards , Hilton Honors , and Marriott Bonvoy allow you to add a second guest to a reservation made with points. Marriott Bonvoy officially allows you to book a reward stay in another member’s name up to five times a year.

Best Western Rewards and Choice Privileges also allow gifting of award stays, but only to immediate family members.

World of Hyatt allows the top-tier Globalists to gift award reservations, which are known as “Guest of Honor” bookings.

On the other hand, Free Night Awards , certain Suite Upgrade Awards, and Points + Cash Awards may be gifted by any World of Hyatt member.

Accor Live Limitless and Wyndham Rewards are two programs that explicitly don’t allow gifting of any award bookings.

Officially, most award bookings made for others won’t earn the gifting member or the receiving member any elite nights or points. Recipients should also not expect to receive the elite status benefits of the donor or their own on gifted stays.

However, your mileage may vary – my most recent gifted reservation through Marriott Bonvoy happened to earn elite nights.

World of Hyatt’s “Guest of Honor” booking is the only official exception, whereby the recipient of a gifted award booking will be granted all the status benefits of the Globalist member during their stay. The donor member also receives elite night credits.

Barring this exception, gifting reservations works well if the beneficiary doesn’t have any elite status, so they won’t lose out on any status perks they’d normally be entitled to.

If your guest has elite status with a program, then the best option is through points transfers or points pooling, as detailed below. This way, the booking can be made under their name and elite member profile, and consequently, their elite benefits will be honoured during their stay.

Points Transfers and Points Pooling

Marriott Bonvoy , Hilton Honors , World of Hyatt, and Best Western Rewards all allow complimentary points transfers to another member. IHG One Rewards charges a fee based on the number of points transferred, while Accor Live Limitless doesn’t allow points transfers at all.

Hilton Honors is the only hotel program that allows points pooling amongst a group of up to 11 members.

Keep in mind that each program may impose limits on the number of points that may be transferred each year, and be aware of the time it takes for the transfer to be completed.

For example, Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer up to 100,000 points to another member each calendar year, and you can only receive up to 500,000 points total each year.

If you’d rather save your points for yourself, there’s the much simpler option of booking hotels with cash. Here are some options for you to choose from.

Up until recently, the only site I used to make cash hotel bookings for others was Hotels.com. The site is easy to navigate and perform searches with, prices are usually comparable to other big travel sites, and refundable options are often available.

Outside of the big hotel chains, it has one of the best loyalty programs, Hotels.com Rewards, which lets you earn a free night with every 10 nights booked. The value of the free night is the average of the 10 nights booked, so essentially, you’re earning a 10% cash back.

One big advantage of the program is that you don’t have to be the one staying to earn rewards. The program allows you to make bookings under other people’s names, which ensures there won’t be any issues at check-in.

You can even secure or pay for the booking with the traveller’s own credit card for trip cancellation and interruption insurance purposes. Once they complete their stay, you’ll get credited for the stay, as long as the booking was made under your loyalty profile.

Aside from the free nights, the rooms you book also count towards your Hotels.com elite status, which has three levels: Member, Silver, and Gold.

Gold status entitles you to free room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out at select VIP properties that participate in the program. Unlike other loyalty programs, the guest you booked for can enjoy these benefits too.

Last year, news came out that Hotels.com Rewards would be merging with other Expedia Group programs to form One Key. Unfortunately, the new loyalty program means a significant devaluation to Hotels.com Rewards.

On the US site, the merger took place in July 2023. Surprisingly, it’s yet to be rolled out on the Canadian site. Until then, you can continue to capitalize on the current Hotels.com Rewards program.

Other third-party booking sites have loyalty programs as well, but they pale in comparison to Hotels.com when you look at the earning rate. For example, Expedia’s rewards program yields a measly 1.4% cash back.

If you happen to reach the highest Gold status and book at one of Expedia’s VIP properties, then the cash back increases to 3.7%.

Rocketmiles

If you’d rather earn airline rewards than cash back, Rocketmiles is another online travel agency that could be used to book hotel stays for others.

The number of miles earned mainly depends on the cost of the stay. However, certain hotel brands and properties earn a better return than others.

Some airline loyalty programs have higher earning rates than others. In particular, Aeroplan , Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan , and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles can yield up to 10 points or miles per dollar spent.

The best part is that you can make the booking for anyone, and the points or miles earned may be credited to anyone’s loyalty account.

Prince Collection

Prince of Travel recently launched Prince Collection , our in-house luxury travel agency. Prince Collection has access to the world’s best hotel preferred partner programs, including Four Seasons Preferred Partner , Rosewood Elite , Mandarin Oriental Fan Club , Marriott STARS , Hilton Impresario , and Hyatt Privé , as well as a wide range of independent boutique luxury properties.

Booking through preferred partner programs gives you and your guests access to exclusive benefits, such as:

• Daily breakfast for two people
• $100 (USD) hotel credit (varies by property)
• Welcome amenity
• One-category room upgrade, subject to availability
• Early check-in and/or late check-out, subject to availability
• Additional property-specific promotions (3rd/4th/5th night free, double points, and more)

In most cases, you’ll also benefit from your hotel loyalty program’s elite status, and earn elite night credits accordingly.

Plus, as a Prince of Travel Platinum member , you stand to benefit from the Hotel Crowns Program, which lets you earn one free night for every 10 stayed. The value of the free night is the average value of the previous 10 nights.

If you’re booking multiple rooms for your group, it’s possible to earn crowns for all rooms, but one of the rooms must be booked under your name. Therefore, when you book five rooms for two nights, you’ll earn 10 crowns, which is enough for a free night for yourself.

For more information on the Hotel Crowns Program, refer to its terms and conditions .

If you’re travelling with a group of family or friends and plan on splurging on fancier accommodation, booking through Prince Collection is a great opportunity to earn a free night for yourself, while giving your travel companions an elevated travel experience at the same time.

Bank-Affiliated Travel Portals

If you’d rather earn points through your credit card program, booking through a bank-affiliated travel portal can be a good option. You may earn 5–10 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases through these portals.

Often, these portals will allow you to book for another person, but the payment typically has to be on your credit card issued by the bank.

On the US side, booking through American Express Travel using your US-issued Platinum Card will earn you 5 Membership Rewards (MR) points per dollar spent on eligible flights and prepaid hotels.

With Capital One Travel or Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel, you may earn as many as 10 points points per dollar spent on eligible prepaid travel bookings.

Meanwhile, on the Canada side, you may use your TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card  on the Expedia for TD portal and earn 8 TD Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible travel bookings.

• Earn 20,000 TD Rewards Points upon making your first purchase †
• Earn  80 ,000 TD Rewards Points upon spending $5,000 within 180 days of account opening †
• Plus, earn up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points back on your birthday †
• Plus, earn 8x TD Rewards Points † on eligible travel purchases when you book through Expedia ® for TD †
• Get an annual TD Travel Credit † of $100 when you book through Expedia ® for TD †
• Use your rewards for any travel bookings available on Expedia ® for TD †
• Minimum income: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
• Annual fee: $139, rebated for the first year †
• Application must be approved by June 3, 2024 to receive this offer

Most airline loyalty programs allow members to use their own points to book flights for others, and some will even allow their members to pool their points for redemptions. Keep in mind, however, that every airline loyalty program has its own rules when it comes to redeeming and pooling points for others.

Air Canada Aeroplan program allows you to book flights for virtually anyone. British Airways Executive Club requires you to add individuals to a “Family and Friends” list before a ticket can be redeemed for them. Other airlines, like EVA Air, have additional hurdles, such as forms that need to be submitted for any additional passengers you’re booking for.

Some airline programs allow pooling points, like Aeroplan’s Family Sharing , Air France KLM Flying Blue ’s Family Account, and British Airways Executive Club’s Household Account. These programs allow miles or points to be redeemed proportionally against the group’s balance.

Aeroplan takes the benefits one step further, allowing members of a family group to score preferred pricing on redemptions based on another member’s elite status or possession of a co-branded credit card .

When it comes to booking cash flights, the strategy isn’t much different than booking a flight for yourself. Generally, I recommend booking directly with the airline you’re flying with, rather than going through a third-party vendor.

Booking through a third-party vendor usually means you’ll have to deal through them when there’s a flight cancellation or delay, which can be a nightmare. Refunds and changes must be made through them as well.

Moreover, since third-party vendors receive slim commissions on flight bookings, they usually don’t offer much in the way of incentives.

Thus, it’s more important to strategize which credit card you’re going to use to book flights.

In Canada, the HSBC World Elite Mastercard, which is no longer open for new applications , earns 3% back in travel rewards on eligible travel purchases with no foreign exchange fees, while the American Express Gold Rewards Card and Cobalt Card earn 2 MR points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases.

If you’re into the US credit card game , the American Express Platinum Card yields 5 MR points per dollar spent on eligible flights booked through its in-house Amex Travel agency.

Meanwhile, the Capital One Venture X card earns 5 miles per dollar spent on eligible flights booked through the Capital One Travel portal, which is the only agency I recommend booking flights with.

Its pricing often reflects what you’d see on Google Flights , but you also get additional benefits, including price-drop and price-match guarantees.

Viator is my go-to site for booking tours, activities, and services, whether for my own travels or for others.

When booking through Viator, you may earn cash back or points through a portal like Rakuten or the Aeroplan eStore .

Alternatively, you may choose to earn your cash back through Viator’s in-house rewards program, which offers a 5% value to use on future bookings.

Note that Viator codes as a travel purchase, so you’ll want to use a credit card with a good travel multiplier. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re booking in the currency of your card, so you won’t incur applicable foreign exchange fees.

Based on my experience, Viator has great online support. Through its platform, you can directly message customer service and the tour company offering the activity.

For example, we had a transfer booked, and our driver was also supposed to be the guide. However, at the last minute, the company subbed in another driver, who didn’t give any commentary during the tour. When I filed a complaint with Viator, it promptly refunded the whole transfer cost, no questions asked.

Another activity provider is GetYourGuide, but it doesn’t offer a rewards program. If you book with them, be sure to book through a cash-back portal like TopCashback, which can give you up to 10% of your booking cost back.

A downside to booking with the online agencies mentioned is that they may be charging you more versus going to the provider directly. Hence, do your research, and always double-check the pricing.

The biggest drawback when booking travel for others is when changes or cancellations need to be made.

Generally, if the bookings were made from your membership or loyalty account, you’ll have to make the changes on the traveller’s behalf. These changes could potentially cause more work than you initially bargained for.

Another consideration is trip cancellation or interruption insurance for the people whom you’re assisting with travel arrangements.

Whenever possible, I use the traveller’s credit card when making bookings, so in the unlikely circumstance that they need to make an insurance claim, they can. To me, this peace of mind outweighs any points or perks that I may acquire from using my own credit card.

While booking for others can be rewarding, it still takes time and effort on your part. Hopefully, through this guide, you found some new ways for you to enjoy a small kickback for your efforts.

Whether it be extra cash back, points, or even a free hotel stay, it’s always nice to be compensated in some way for your time and effort, especially when it doesn’t come at any cost to your friends and family.

• Earn 80,000 MR points upon spending $15,000 in the first three months
• Plus, earn  40,000 MR points  upon making a purchase in months 14–17 as a cardholder
• And, earn 1.25x MR points on all purchases
• Also, receive a $200 annual travel credit
• Transfer MR points to Aeroplan and other frequent flyer programs for premium flights
• Unlimited airport lounge access for you and one guest at Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Centurion, and other lounges
• Credits and rebates for business expenses throughout the year with Amex Offers
• Bonus MR points for referring family and friends
• Qualify for the card as a sole proprietor
• Annual fee: $799

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15 Underrated Places to Travel This Summer, From Kosovo to Quebec

By Jamie Spain

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Planning the perfect summer trip can take weeks of research, preparation, and organization to ensure it goes off without a hitch. But before you get to the planning and booking phase, you'll need to decide where to go. There's a seemingly endless amount of great options out there, and while there's nothing wrong with heading to the same familiar spot over and over again, sometimes you want to get a little off the beaten path and go somewhere you haven't been before. Whether you're in the mood for a nature escape with jaw-dropping vistas, hiking paths, and secluded lodges, or are looking for a big city excursion surrounded by trendy restaurants, unique neighborhoods, and great shopping, we've got ideas for you.

From islands to national parks , here are 15 underrated summer travel ideas, perfect for avoiding the crowds while you explore someplace new.

Domestic destinations:

Finger Lakes, New York | Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota | Isle Royal National Park, Michigan | Catalina Island, California | San Juan Islands, Washington | Crystal River, Florida

International destinations:

Kosovo | Budapest, Hungary | Copenhagen, Denmark | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Sardinia, Italy | Mauritius | Kyoto, Japan | Bora Bora | Quebec, Canada

Domestic destinations

Finger Lakes, New York

A fan-favorite of New York City residents, the New York Finger Lakes are unquestionably idyllic. The perfect destination for a summer weekend , or a weeklong trip with the family, this region is home to some of the most beautiful waterfronts. Dotted with adorable small towns , the 11 long, slender lakes that make up this area are exactly what East Coast summer dreams are made of. Spend your trip navigating nearby state parks; hiking, biking, and exploring; and enjoying everything that lake life has to offer, from jet-skiing to swimming.

Where to stay: Check out the Gould Hotel , a modern boutique property in Seneca Falls; book a night at The Lake House on Canandaigua for an airy, design-forward stay; or head east to the Inns of Aurora .

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Completely immerse yourself in nature at Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park. This gorgeous destination is ideal for getting in some of the best stargazing you could ever imagine. Just like dozens of other national parks , this one has an International Dark Sky Park certificate, designating it as a location that is particularly good for viewing the night sky and stars. Unlike the others, however, Voyageurs is one of the least-visited national parks in the country, meaning you'll be able to truly connect with nature and enjoy seclusion. It's ideal for boat rides and swimming, as it's primarily made up of waterfronts and islands—almost 40 percent of the park is water.

Where to stay: Nearby Cantilever Hotel is great for those interested in exploring the park, but not wanting to stay too far away from civilization. Those who are a little more daring will enjoy the Kettle Falls Hotel , a property that is only accessible by boat or seaplane. If you're really looking to be one with nature, you can rent a canoe and camp at a tent site.

Isle Royal National Park, Michigan

If you're looking for a summer vacation where you can explore an area relatively untouched by civilization, look no further than Isle Royal National Park . A favorite of my family, this park is uniquely difficult to get to (the main island is best reached by ferry), so the only other travelers you'll find here are extreme adventurers and in-the-know locals. It's best to visit during the summer months since Lake Superior is quite cold and foggy throughout the rest of the year. My family heads to this park in the summer months in hopes of spending a few days backpacking , canoeing, and hiking through the near-untouched environment—admiring the nature and wildlife along the way.

Kimberly Wilson

Sarah James

Jessica Puckett

Rachel Chang

Where to stay: While the actual park is best experienced through camping, those who aren't interested in totally roughing it can stay at the Rock Harbor Lodge , centrally located on the main island. Or, book this nearby rustic Airbnb cabin with panoramic views of Lake Superior for the days leading up to your national park visit.

Catalina Island, California

Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Los Angeles , Santa Catalina Island is quite literally heaven on Earth. Hopeful travelers can either take the one-hour Catalina Express ferry over to the island (it departs daily from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point) or charter a private yacht to get them there in style. Whether you're looking to hike the Trans Catalina Trail or simply indulge in some tasty seafood while wandering through the quaint town of Avalon, Catalina Island is a great break from the hustle and bustle of LA. Head a bit farther inland to explore El Rancho Escondido , the acclaimed Arabian horse ranch that's also home to Rusack Vineyards.

Where to stay: For day-trippers or those who plan to extend their vacation to include a stay in Los Angeles, there are a variety of hotels and Airbnbs to choose from, including The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection , The Malibu Beach Inn , and the luxe Chateau Marmont Estate on Airbnb. If you're hoping to stay on-island, the plush Bellanca Hotel is the way to go.

San Juan Islands, Washington

A 2019 Readers' Choice Award winner, named one of the best islands for beautiful scenery, this collection of more than 400 islands off the coast of Washington is ideal for a Pacific Northwest weekend getaway. The three most popular (and largest) islands to explore are Orcas , San Juan, and Lopez—all easily accessible by ferry. Travelers can enjoy a laidback vacation with comfortable temperatures and a relaxed atmosphere: hop on a bike and explore the area; spend time sailing, hiking, and fishing; or take a walk to admire all of the islands' natural beauty, from the mountains to the lakes.

Where to stay: Glampers, campers, and regular hotel-goers will all adore the Lakedale which has accommodations for every type of traveler.

Crystal River, Florida

Home to one of the best beaches in Florida , Crystal River is unlike most other cities you'll find in the Sunshine State for one major reason: It's one of the only places in the world where people can swim alongside manatees . If you've ever wanted to truly get up close to these gentle giants, this is the city to visit. Head to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to see your fill of the endangered animal, and spend some time taking in the natural beauty of the nearby springs and parks.

Where to stay: The Plantation Resort on Crystal River is home to a variety of different activities including a 27-hole championship golf course and a family-friendly resort with 196 accommodations.

International destinations

There's a reason Kosovo is on our list of the Best Places to Go in 2024, and it has everything to do with the jaw-dropping scenery that can be found in every corner of this country. Outdoorsy folks who want to spend their time hiking and biking through untainted valleys, mountains, and countryside will appreciate the chance to explore the newest European country. Travelers who who are looking for a taste of the young nation's history can head to the national museum; afterward, explore the streets of Prizren taking in the architecture as well as the historic mosques and churches.

Where to stay: Book a night at the Hotel Gracanica in the quiet suburb of Prishtina, or pamper yourself at the luxe Ujevara e Drinit Resort near Peja. For something a little more traditional, enjoy tasty Kosovo dishes as well as classic comforts at the rural Ariu Guesthouse . (Check out our guide on where to eat, play, and stay in Kosovo for even more recommendations.)

Budapest, Hungary

Skip Western Europe and instead head to the beautiful capital of Hungary . Luxuriate in the mineral-rich thermal baths you'll find around the city , or spend your days exploring the historic Castle District, walking along the Danube, and meandering through the city streets. You can even take a faux hot air balloon trip to enjoy the best view in the city. If you plan your trip for August, it may coincide with the Sziget Festival , one of the largest music and cultural festivals in all of Europe.

Where to stay: Book a night at 2024 Gold List winner, The Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest , or spend a few nights at the adults-only Hotel Clark Budapest . (Check out our guide on where to eat, play, and stay in Budapest for more recommendations.)

Copenhagen, Denmark

There's no better time to visit Copenhagen than during the summer months when the weather is warm, the days are exceptionally long, and the waterfront views are breathtaking. Aside from being ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world , sustainably-minded travelers will appreciate how eco-focused the place is, and enjoy a trip to CopenHill, the multi-use waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope, climbing wall, and cafe. It's also worth checking out the Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg Castle, and the picturesque Nyhavn harbor .

Where to stay: Check out our favorite hotels in Copenhagen , including the grand and historic Hotel d'Angleterre , the Nimb Hotel which was originally built as a castle in 1909, and the modern Villa Copenhagen .

Buenos Aires, Argentina

From awe-inspiring museums to culture-packed tours to dance halls perfect for learning to tango , there's no shortage of amazing things to do and see in Buenos Aires . Whether you're spending the day simply walking the streets and taking in the sights; exploring the colorful La Boca; watching a soccer match; learning to tango; or going to the Colón Theatre to see the opera, this will be a trip to remember.

Where to stay: Some of our favorite hotels in Buenos Aires include the luxe Palacio Duhau ; the Jardín Escondido , once home to Francis Ford Coppola; and the Faena Hotel Buenos Aires located right by the water in Puerto Madero.

Sardinia, Italy

There's so much more to Sardinia than just a beautiful coastline and wonderful beaches. While the long, warm days are perfect to spend by the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, travelers who want a little more substance to their vacation can head inland to experience the island's charming towns, rustic cuisine, and ancient ruins.

Where to stay: Rest your head at the Cascioni Eco Retreat , set on a 90-acre nature reserve with gorgeous views of the surrounding land. The colorful Su Gologone Experience Hotel is another great option, as is the luxurious, high-end Hotel Cali de Volpe .

Another location on our list of the Best Places to Go in 2024, Mauritius is about 1,200 miles east of Madagascar . From its gorgeous coastlines with pristine beaches to the luxury accommodations and unparalleled nature, this island destination is nothing short of paradise. Head here during the Northern Hemisphere's summer months to avoid wet season. Your main activities on Mauritius will be water-based, from diving and snorkeling to sitting on the beach and admiring the coastline. If you need a break from relaxing, take a trip to the Bel Ombre Nature Reserve, the Botanic Gardens, or the capital city of Port Louis.

Where to stay: Check out our favorite hotels in Mauritius , including the four-time Readers' Choice Award winner and two-time Gold List winner, One&Only Le Saint Géran . You can also book a stay at the legendary resort, Lux Belle Mare , or the kite-surfers' paradise of Riu Palace Mauritius .

Kyoto, Japan

Instead of heading to the mega-popular Tokyo or the bright and lively Osaka, consider touching down in Kyoto , one of the best cities to experience traditional Japanese culture. Spend the day exploring the temples and shrines that are dotted throughout the city; take a walk through Gion, the “Geisha District;” or while away a few hours in the Kyoto National Museum. The best times to visit Japan are at the very end or beginning of summer when the season overlaps with spring and fall, and while it'll certainly be a bit warmer during the peaks of summer, it's no less beautiful.

Where to stay: From the Ace Hotel to the Shinmonzen , there is no shortage of great hotels in Central Kyoto. If you're interested in something a little different, tour guide Sara Aiko from Traveler 's Ask a Local series recommends taking a trip to Moksa , a gorgeous property in the north of Kyoto surrounded by temples and nature.

Nothing says romance like staying in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. The winter in French Polynesia corresponds with the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning June, July, and August experience less humid and more comfortable temperatures. This time period also falls during Tahiti 's dry season, so you don't have to worry about being rained out. You could easily spend your days simply lounging in your bungalow and slipping into the crystal waters whenever you feel, but Bora Bora is also ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, and taking a boat or a 4x4 island tour.

Where to stay: Bora Bora is particularly known for its luxury overwater bungalows. Conrad Bora Bora Nui is a more private option with exceptional snorkeling and coral, The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is perfect for honeymooners and families alike, and the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is home to over 100 bungalows, fine dining, and an exceptional spa.

Quebec, Canada

When you think of summer travel, your first thought is probably an island getaway or a far-flung destination that you've only read about in books. But, don't overlook all of the beauty that our northern neighbor has to offer. Quebec City is home to all the same type of charm you'll find in Europe but without the exceptionally long flight to get there. Spend some time in Old Quebec City —home to some of the oldest streets in North America—taking in the history and culture that make this city worthy of its title as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Or, head to Montreal , where you can enjoy a variety of museums, the open-air market, and great culinary options. Don't forget to explore the nature and French architecture found in the greater province.

Where to stay: For a wonderful stay in Quebec City, Hotel 71 is a six-time Readers' Choice Award winner while Auberge Saint Antoine Quebec City and Le Germain Hotel Quebec are both five-time winners. For a wellness-focused retreat , head to Monastère des Augustines . In Montreal , check out the Auberge du Vieux-Port on the St. Lawrence River, or Hotel William Gray in Old Montreal.

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8 Smart, Easy Ways to Travel for Less in 2024

You’re not imagining it—trip costs are pricier than they’ve been in five years. We’ve got some simple strategies to keep costs down even while rates are headed up. Don’t book your vacation until you read this.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Travel is so expensive post-pandemic. But I don’t want to give up the idea of an annual vacation. How can I keep costs down? —Tripping Out Over Expenses

Experts predict that this year will be the busiest ever for travel since before the pandemic. And for many, it’s already feeling like it might be the priciest. According to NerdWallet’s February 2024 travel inflation report , the cost of hotels, entertainment, and dining out are rising, with overall travel expenses for the past 12 months up 3.1 percent through January 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Hotels will be a big vacation investment. Lodging rates increased 5.2 percent between December 2023 and January 2024 alone. And traveler beware: the average daily hotel rate is projected to grow nearly 5 percent more in the next year, according to hotel-commerce platform SiteMinder . There’s been little respite from room rates hovering near all-time highs at properties across the U.S. this winter, and staff shortages will likely mean continued high prices but fewer services. You’re getting gauged even more for dining out: in January, prices for restaurant meals were 25.6 percent higher than the same month four years ago.

There is some good news: airfare—on domestic routes in particular—is predicted to drop 16 percent this year, according to Kayak. The travel-research engine estimates it will cost $461 on average to fly in the U.S. I recently booked a round-trip, direct flight from Denver to Newark, New Jersey, in April on United for a very reasonable $227. That’s about half of what I was paying for the same flight in April 2018.

That said, the overseas flights I’ve booked for spring and summer travel have given me serious sticker shock. International airfare departing from the U.S. is up 10 percent compared with 2023, according to Kayak . In the past, I’ve scored direct flights from Denver to Los Cabos, Mexico , for under $400; a flight for late March this year was $1,200. Similarly, a late-May flight from Denver to Majorca, Spain, was priced at over $3,000, when in the past I’ve seen it for as low as $600.

Some experts are optimistic that additional flights and routes , especially those from upstart low-cost carriers like Breeze Airways and Norse Atlantic Airways, will help lower international fares, but I’ll believe it when I see it. For now your best strategy is to book overseas fares early. According to Kayak, eight months is the sweet spot and can save you between 8 and 18 percent.

If you’re on a budget but still want to go big in some fashion, don’t despair; you can still have an affordable annual vacation if you’re willing to be flexible on timing, strategic about choosing a destination, and plan ahead. Here are some of my tricks, plus tips from industry experts on how to make that happen.

1. Travel in the Shoulder Season

Shoulder seasons are periods when destinations see fewer tourists but aren’t closed for the off-season. The perks are fewer crowds and often great deals on hotels and flights, but on the flip side, shops and restaurants may be shuttered or have limited hours. Weather can also be a gamble. In Mexico , for example, September and October are the slowest months of the year for tourism; they’re also the wettest, and the time tropical storms are most likely to hit both coasts, says Zach Rabinor, founder of Journey Mexico.

Don’t dismiss destinations during a rainy season, though. In Costa Rica , you can save 30 to 40 percent between August and November and enjoy deserted beaches and lush rainforests, says Javier Echecopar, cofounder of Journey Costa Rica. “Those months are considered rainy, but usually with clear mornings followed by afternoon showers,” he says, adding that on the Caribbean side of the country, the coast tends to be very clear during those months, a result of microclimates.

If you’re seeking value above all else, you may need to skip bucket-list destinations this year, even during the slow seasons. I booked a trip to Rome in March, and while streets and major attractions were quieter, prices weren’t cheaper for my flight, hotels, or restaurant meals.

Jenna Swan, a travel agent with Embark Beyond, says you’ll find more value visiting less iconic cities during shoulder season. “A room in Paris could easily cost two or three times the amount of a room in Madrid,” she told me.

2. Pay Attention to the Extra Costs of Travel

I used to be quick to jump on a cheap airfare or hotel rate without considering the bigger picture. When choosing between a 6 A.M. flight priced at $450 versus a 10 A.M. priced at $500, I’d book the seemingly more affordable option. What I didn’t factor in was that getting to the airport would tack on extra fees: the $10 bus route I typically take doesn’t run that early, which meant I’d have to pay upward of $100 for an Uber, or drive and fork over as much as $50 a day for airport parking.

Additionally, major airlines are piling on more fees, for everything from checked bags to select seats, and airline websites often use design strategies known as dark patterns used to push consumers to buy extras (like a rental car or trip insurance) during their purchase.

3. Book an All-Inclusive Vacation

Once associated with budget travelers and bottomless drinks, the all-inclusive-resort model has gone upscale, with properties that feature Michelin-star restaurants, fine wines, and privately guided activities. The initial price tag can seem spendy, but when you factor in everything, you get incredible value.

And all-inclusive stays aren’t just for beach holidays. Package-vacation pioneer Club Med now offers properties in Quebec and the Alps. A family of four booking Club Med’s five-night ski getaway in Charlevoix, Canada, can save upward of $7,000 compared to a plan-it-yourself ski vacation in Aspen, Colorado—even after factoring in airfare.

4. Use a Travel Agent

As a seasoned traveler, I used to think a travel agent would be of no use for me. I now view these professionals as travel wizards. They have industry connections that translate to free room upgrades and special perks, like resort credits, complimentary breakfast, and occasionally other amenities such as a bottle of wine waiting in the room, free airport transfers, and VIP access to museums and adventure sites. If anything goes wrong, they’re on call to help. And they know how to score great deals. When I reached out to a travel agent about the exorbitant Majorca flight, he was able to bring the cost down to $1,753—almost half of what I was looking at spending—by mixing airlines and connections.

5. Check the Exchange Rate—and Head to Where It’s Most Beneficial

Last summer I traveled to Croatia, not realizing the country had embraced the euro. When I visited in 2020, the dollar’s strength against the kuna made Croatia feel like an economic destination. But now it’s just as pricey as vacationing in France or Italy.

A good exchange rate gives you extra buying power to maximize your travel experience (think: more activities and spectacular meals). In Canada, given the strength of the U.S. dollar, everything is essentially 30 percent off for Americans; in Australia, around 35 percent. Asian countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, and South America nations like Colombia and Argentina, are also excellent places to stretch your dollar. 

6. Let New Flight Routes Dictate Your Destination

Low-cost carriers offer some of their lowest prices when launching new routes. Frontier, for example, has promoted fares as low as $19 in the days following the announcement of new routes. And even after promotional fares disappear, having a new airline on a route adds competition that tends to nudge prices down. Many major airlines are also launching new routes this year. American, for example, will begin flying to the new airport in Tulum, Mexico, this month. Follow travel sites like Skift and the Points Guy, which keep up with this information.

7. Reconsider Hostels. Many Are New and Hip.

Yes, the grungy backpacker hotels of your post-college days still exist, but there’s also a crop of clean, budget-friendly hostel chains attracting crowds. Check out A&O , Freehand (which describes itself as “a collection of hotels that combine the social culture of a hostel”), and Generator . According to Oliver Winter, founder of A&O, the largest hostel brand in Europe, nearly 28 percent of guests are between the ages of 25 and 34. Boutique hostels often offer private rooms with an en suite bathroom, bunk rooms to accommodate families or groups of friends, and a place to make meals so you’re not forced to fritter away your budget dining out. I’ve stayed in a four-bed bungalow bunk room at the Freehand Miami with friends, and it felt as stylish and immaculate as a boutique hotel, plus, the bar, Broken Shaker, makes some of the best drinks in the city.

8. Save on Meals (but Still Eat Your Heart Out)

I always try to book a hotel room that includes breakfast in the rate. My strategy: eat a hearty, late breakfast and then pocket a muffin and a banana for a snack later on that can tide me over until an early dinner.

Taking advantage of local street-food scenes can also save you heaps. A&O’s Winter says that Florence, Italy, is a little-known street-food city (though not full of food trucks, as Americans might imagine, but shops that sell various hot and cold sandwiches and beverages you can enjoy on the street). He likes Da’ Vinattieri , close to the National Museum of Bargello.

For the past 15 years, Outside travel-advice columnist  Jen Murphy has gone on a weeklong European ski vacation with friends that typically costs less than a long weekend of skiing in the U.S. She is a huge fan of off-season and shoulder-season travel and thinks the term “rainy season” should be changed to “green season.”

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FinanceBuzz

8 Proven Ways To Find Cheaper Airline Ticket Prices

Posted: November 26, 2023 | Last updated: December 6, 2023

Hopping online to purchase airline tickets can cause quite a shock due to their high prices. 

Earn Points and Miles: Find the best travel credit card for nearly free travel

Thanks to the cost of gas, staffing issues, and pilot shortages, it’s not cheap to travel by plane. That’s why we’re here to help you get the best deals on airline tickets so you can start traveling more . 

Here are the best tips to help you find the most affordable airplane tickets for the times you just need to get away.

Use a travel or airline credit card

One easy way to save on airline tickets is to purchase them with the best travel credit cards, which give you points for each dollar you spend. 

The best airline credit cards offer similar rewards programs, allowing you to acquire miles that you can save up and redeem for discounted or even free flights.

Some credit cards will also offer free companion tickets. Just be sure that you don’t carry a balance on either type of credit card, as interest rates and annual fees can negate any benefits you rack up if you let debt build up without paying it off in a timely manner.

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Plan your trip far in advance

You may have heard that there are magical times when you can book a flight to snag the best possible price on airline tickets. 

However, that might not always be the case, especially considering the fluctuating price of oil and general market uncertainty.

To that end, it’s best to book your flight as soon as you know you will be taking one. Travel experts suggest booking your summer trip in winter, and vice versa. Think of it like buying a bathing suit when it’s chilly or a parka when it’s beach weather.

Book on certain days and fly at unpopular times

You’d be hard-pressed to find a person who delights at getting up at 3 a.m. for an early flight or boarding at 11 p.m. for a red-eye flight. However, the discomfort and exhaustion of traveling at the crack of dawn or the dead of night might translate into some serious savings for you.

Also, purchasing your airline tickets on certain days of the week, like Thursdays, and planning to depart on a Wednesday can chip away at the cost as well. 

Although the savings may not be huge, any savings helps. So yes, the days and times you both book and fly can spare your wallet.

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Add a connecting flight

Let’s face it, booking a direct flight is certainly the easiest and most hassle-free way to go about air travel. Your bag travels with you in one plane, you don’t have to run through the airport to catch a connection and delays will stress you out far less this way.

However, you’re likely to pay more for a direct route. If you want to save some cash, then book a connecting flight. 

You do run the risk of arriving at your connecting flight a sweaty mess and will have to add extra time to your overall travel schedule, but you’re going to the same place in the end.

Book with a budget airline

We’ve all heard the horror stories of flying on a budget airline, but take those with a grain of salt. The reason? These airlines have grown significantly in recent years, and have quadrupled in size since the last time oil prices were soaring into oblivion.

Additionally, more people are turning to budget airlines to book their flights, from a mere 4% of travelers in 2008 to 15%, and growing today.

You do have to be mindful of hidden fees on budget airlines, including for carry-ons and such, but in the end, you can wind up with serious savings.

Sign up for sites like Travelzoo

If you have flexibility about when and where you want to travel, you can find some of the best airline tickets and travel packages around on sites like Travelzoo.

This company has an entire staff of experts who spend their time scouring the web to find the best deals on a wide variety of trips, from quick beach getaways in Mexico to bucket list trips like African safaris, eco getaways to the Galapagos Islands, and more.

All you need to do to access these deals is sign up with your email address, and each week you will get a list of their top 20 picks, with cheap airfare included in many of them.

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Book with a site like Expedia

Another way you can save money on plane tickets is by booking your flight on sites like Expedia. For one, you can often (but not always) find cheaper flights on Expedia as opposed to booking them directly with a carrier. 

Additionally, if you’re willing to bundle your flight, hotel, and car rental, you’ll often find that doing so comes out cheaper than the sum of its parts.

Expedia also offers last-minute deals similar to Travelzoo if you’re up for a spontaneous adventure. Just be sure to compare shops, and read the cancellation policies very carefully. Finally, Expedia also offers reward programs, but airline and credit card reward programs tend to be more lucrative.

Use a travel agency

This last bit of advice might sound like a relic from a time gone by, but booking with a travel agency can still save you money, even in the era of oodles of travel websites. 

For one reason, they have expertise that can be exceptionally valuable, especially if you are planning a complicated trip to a place you’ve never been, like South Asia or the Middle East. 

Additionally, you often don’t have to pay extra to utilize an agent, as their compensation comes from the hotels and services they work with. Just inquire about fees up front, and prepare to save.

Bottom line

While flying in general is more expensive lately, especially if you have to book at the last minute, it’s not impossible to score some savings. This is especially true if you do a little recognizance beforehand.

If possible, consider saving money on travel by taking the train if you can reach your destination, as those fares can be far cheaper. You can see more of the country, too. 

More from FinanceBuzz:

• 6 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know.
• Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
• 7 things to do if you're scraping by financially.
• 9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day

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So You Want to Get Into Train Travel: A Beginner's Guide to Rail Vacations

Published on 3/20/2024 at 6:05 PM

It's often said that it's not the destination, it's the journey that matters, and perhaps there's no better example of that than train travel. In an era of hyper-productivity , we often find ourselves scurrying from one must-see landmark to another, ignoring all the in-betweens. But with the rise in slow travel, taking vacations by train is starting to emerge as one of the most popular ways to see the world .

In recent years, train journeys have even become a trendy way to travel for the ultimate jet setters: celebrities. "All I want to do is live on a train," Margot Robbie told Vogue in 2023, admitting she often spends her free time browsing train sites around the world to plan her next great rail journey. "You literally wake up and you open the window and it looks like 'The Sound of Music.'"

Robbie has already taken the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and British Pullman , both part of the luxurious Belmond Trains, as well as the Seven Stars , which goes across the Japanese island of Kyushu. And she's not the only one: Victoria and David Beckham took a family trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express the summer of 2022, and Maria Sharapova shared views from her stunning 2021 ride on the Royal Scotsman, also a Belmond Train.

"When you travel by train, your vacation gets off to a magical and immediate start that you can't get by air or road," Trainline travel expert Hollie Conway tells PS. "Not only do you set off in one city and arrive somewhere magical with no effort, you get to experience the beauty of the surroundings along the way uninterrupted."

Conway also finds it to be far more reliable, especially in Europe, and far more sustainable, as trains produce up to 75 percent less carbon emissions than by car or plane, per findings published in %0Ahttps://www.travelweekly.com/Strategic-Content/Austria-travel-by-train" target="_blank">Travel Weekly .

With train travel, there are all sorts of price points and ways to turn the journey into the experience. Here's what to know before planning your first great rail vacation.

What's a Good Train Trip For a First-Timer?

With so many itineraries out there, the choices can be overwhelming, but it's best to go with your instincts. Fora advisor Thomas Spears says the Belmond's Royal Scotsman or Golden Eagle are both solid introductions to train travel, since they entail a "short journey through fantastic scenery, with a local-inspired luxury." Spears likens it to staying in a "five-star hotel that changes cities each morning when you wake up."

Nature lovers may also enjoy Rocky Mountaineer , Spears recommends, which journeys through "some of the most beautiful and untouched nature." The rail booking company Vacations By Rail says that train is one of its most popular, best known for its trips between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies, though they also have one between Denver and Moab. "It is a luxury train experience with glass-domed ceilings in the train cars, so it is easy to soak in all of the views on the leisurely, daylight-only route," a rep for the company says.

If you're looking to tiptoe into overnight trail travel — on a budget — Fora advisor Chloe Kletsa points to the Madrid to Lisbon trip. "It is just one overnight so you can test the waters and see if a longer journey would suit you," she says, suggesting a single or double occupancy cabin. "When sleeping on a train for the first time, it takes a bit of getting used to, lying down feels different to sitting on a seat. You may not sleep that well that first night as you get used to the movement and the noise."

But if budget is not an issue, Kletsa recommends going for the gold standard on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express route from London to Venice, which she calls "a must" since it's also a "short one-night journey which gives you a taste of what a true luxury train experience can be."

What Are Some Other Popular Train Trips?

When we asked experts to name some of their other favorite and trending train journeys, the list hopscotched around the world. Dan Reisig of Railbookers says one of his favorites is through Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre , saying it's "an unbelievable combination of history and natural beauty."

Conway is also a fan of Italy, but from Rome to the Amalfi Coast via Naples . "The landscape is very special, and you even have the ability to hop off the train to visit the archaeological site of Pompeii and walk up Vesuvius on the way," she says.

Kletsa has her eyes set on the Belmond Andean Explorer , saying "I believe the landscapes you ride past, plus the level of luxury and comfort that these trains provide, will make it a true once-in-a-lifetime experience." But she says the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express connecting Paris and Istanbul is a popular pick, as is the new Paris to Portofino launch.

Also fun: the Nordland Railway between Trondheim and Bodo , which Kletsa calls a "gorgeous, scenic 10-hour ride that resembles the Polar Express during the winter months, and in the summer the sun never sets so one can enjoy a full 10 hours of sightseeing from their seats."

Spears adds that Eastern & Oriental Express in Southeast Asia "seems to be gaining in popularity" while countries like Laos and Vietnam are starting their "mid-tier luxury trains." He's also seen an "uptick" in requests about the Maharajas' Express in India.

What's It Like on Board a Train?

Like cruises, hotels, and planes, there are varying accommodation levels for every kind of traveler.

"Your first long-haul trip will not disappoint."

"Trust me when I say, your first long-haul trip will not disappoint," Conway says. For European trips, there's a good deal of comfort and hospitality, from easy check-in to the dedicated space for relaxation, and even the food and drinks, which Conway says is "100 percent better than airline food." But above all, she says it's the scenic views along the way that make every step of the journey an experience.

For those traveling in an overnight sleeper train, the cabins can range from shared rooms with bunk-like beds to spacious suites similar to hotel rooms. Across the board, expect everything to be smaller and "leverage clever design to provide the same functions and amenities," Spears says. He also points out that some cabins will be converted between day and night to accommodate sitting-up and then laying down for bed.

The main difference compared to air travel is that you're not confined to your seat. "You can get up, walk around, get something to eat or drink (or bring your own!), and the train journey will become one of the most memorable parts of your entire vacation," Reisig says.

Spears compares it to a cruise ship, with many of the more high-end journeys having activities on board and stops with excursions. But he notes that dining options can be limited — after all, train kitchens are naturally smaller than those on a ship — so plan ahead, especially if you have dietary restrictions. "There's nothing worse than boarding a seven-day train trip and finding that you don't like or can't eat the meals," he says.

What Are Train Travel Prices Like?

In general, train travel is "very competitively priced and oftentimes can cost the same or less than air," Reisig says.

Kletsa adds that trips like those on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are "comparable to a transatlantic business ticket for one night, or first class for longer journeys." The one-night trip from London to Venice on that Belmond train starts at around $4,941, while a one-nighter on the Rocky Mountaineer starts at $1,720, as of press time. Budget options are also available, which will help shave costs off of hotels and air.

Booking ahead can sometimes make a difference, like the Eurostar can be expensive if not booked well ahead of time. For instance a last-minute fare between London and Paris is now $290 but can start as low as $52. European sleeper trains generally have the same pricing, no matter when you book.

"For luxury trails, the initial ticket price might seem slightly higher, but the experience is one you'll never forget, especially for those who take a dream vacation," Conway says. "Budget trains often hit popular destinations and major cities, making them a convenient choice for those seeking cost-effective travel."

What Are Some Mistakes First-Time Train Travelers Make?

While trains don't have the same tight space restrictions as planes, the Vacations by Rail team still advises first-timers to not overpack . "Each train is different, but some have limited space for luggage so avoid packing any non-essential items," the company's spokesperson says. Also, make sure you can handle your own suitcases on and off the train, unless you've booked an escorted trip with baggage handling.

Cultural cues may also be different depending on where you're going. For example, in some European countries, passengers don't usually talk on their phones on board. Conway adds, "People love taking their pets on the train so don't be surprised if you spot a dog, cat or even a bird."

But most of all, use the time intentionally. Vacations By Rail suggests studying up on your next destination, journaling about the last one, or even just napping: "After all, what better way to prepare for the thrills to come than being well-rested?"

How Do I Book a Train Trip?

The booking process will be different depending on the train operators and specifics of the journey. If your trip involves segments on a local train, it can be challenging to navigate booking sites in other languages. But trains do sell out, so it's important to book early.

First timers may benefit from using a company like Trainline , a platform that helps you search, compare, and buy tickets all across Europe; Vacations By Rail , which offers rail vacation packages worldwide; or Railbookers , an independent train vacation booking company that customizes everything to your needs and budgets.

"Travelers who want to experience the best that trains have to offer on a vacation but insist on doing all of the planning themselves often regret it," Reisig says. "Every train system has its own set of booking rules, on-sale dates, and oftentimes even languages. It quickly can become overwhelming — especially if something changes or goes wrong."

Turning to experts can alleviate the concern over details getting lost in translation, and Railbookers says its consultants can help you figure out everything from the best itineraries for your needs to the most strategic seats in the train for the views, as well as what to do in every destination. And if there are snags, they're just a call away.

Who Should Go on a Train Trip?

Train trips are a great choice for a wide range of travelers.

Kletsa says that for solo travelers, it's a way to experience multiple destinations on a trip. "You will have the chance to meet other passengers, make connections, and build friendships — and who knows, maybe even romance can be in the air," she says. "We've all watched 'Before Sunrise' after all!"

Another group that's starting to hop on board? "I'm seeing more and more millennials asking about train travel as an alternative to cruising," Spears says. "It's more eco-friendly, often has more premium stops, and can provide a similar 'moving hotel' experience."

But rail journeys truly can be one of the most enchanting ways to experience the world. "Train travel is the perfect way to experience any destination . . . because it allows you to immerse yourself in your surroundings and fully appreciate the destination," Reisig says. "Whether it's the comfort of a sleeper car on an overnight train, to enjoying the cuisine and camaraderie in the dining car, train travel has something for everyone."

Travel and pop culture journalist Rachel Chang is a magazine editor (Us Weekly senior editor, J-14 editor in chief, CosmoGIRL! entertainment editor) turned freelance writer. She's a regular contributor to Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, and has written for POPSUGAR, New York Times for Kids, Wall Street Journal, Lonely Planet, and United's Hemispheres, among others.

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The Best Ways to Book a Cruise

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Not all cruise sites are created equal. While you may find comparable prices on different sites, each site has its own benefits, offers and cancellation policies. 

So, what's the best way to book a cruise? From our findings, here are the top cruise booking sites for your next vacation, plus the pros and cons they offer travelers.

The best cruise websites and how they sweeten the deal 

For sailings across the caribbean, mexico or central america: cheapcaribbean.

CheapCaribbean.com is the best cruise website for the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America. It offers a best-price guarantee plus limited-time offers and discounts.

If you find a better deal within 24 hours of booking, CheapCaribbean will price match and beat it by $25. The company's customer service is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Best-price guarantee.

Customer service is available seven days a week.

Charges a $24.99 processing fee on reservations.

Must provide an email address to receive the best deals and promos.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

For reviews from other cruisers: Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic is an independent website that encourages community members to post reviews and share tips.

Its message boards offer ways for website visitors to ask questions and share feedback with others based on their personal experiences and opinions. The site also acts as a metasearch for cruise deals, pulling in prices from multiple cruise websites.

Read cruise reviews from travelers who've been on that itinerary before.

"Deal Score" ranks deals to find the best value.

Price tracker shows 90-day trends for cruise prices.

Must click through the deal to book your cruise on other websites.

Prices are not guaranteed and can change before booking due to fees and restrictions on the sites where the cruises are being sold.

To review several cruise prices at once: CruiseDirect

CruiseDirect is the best cruise website when all you want are cruise prices. It doesn't offer hotels, flights, rental cars or other reservations you may want for your next vacation. CruiseDirect does, however, offer bonuses for travelers booking through its site.

Travelers can filter search results by destination, cruise line or departure port on various ships. This site offers cruises for every type of traveler, from budget to luxury, and every type of ship, from riverboats to mega-ships.

Bonus offers on every reservation provide extra value.

Best-price guarantee and free reservation holds.

Buy now, pay later financing options.

Promos offered by cruise lines aren't exclusive to CruiseDirect.

Customer service can be unfriendly.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

For budget-friendly options: Priceline

Priceline was originally known for its "Name Your Own Price" promotions, but has grown into a full-service online travel agency offering flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises, saving consumers more than $1 billion dollars per year.

Travelers who book a cruise with Priceline receive up to $2,000 to spend at sea, plus waived deposits on their reservations.

Up to $2,000 to spend on board.

Waived deposits of up to $500 when booking your cruise.

110% best-price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Ability to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more from the same site.

Must call Priceline to get exclusive offers and unpublished fares.

Restrictions make the best-price guarantee harder to benefit from.

» Learn more: Tips for getting the best cruise deals

For booking travel experiences beyond the cruise: TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is an online reviewer community where travelers share their experiences, pictures and ratings of hotels, suggested activities and more. This honest feedback and travel inspiration also make it one of the best websites to book a cruise.

Search over 70,000 cruise deals from more than 60 sites at once.

Dedicated ship pages share details, reviews, photos and itineraries.

Too many search results make it harder to narrow down your choices.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

To match with a vacation planner: Avoya Travel

Avoya Travel is a family-owned website that matches travelers with a vacation planner based on their preferences. It's the best way to book a cruise using a travel planner because it offers a low-price guarantee without charging extra fees for the planner.

The downside is that online pricing is not "live." Therefore, you must speak with a travel planner to get the latest prices and book your cruise.

Match with cruise planners according to your needs.

Does not charge Avoya fees for booking, changes or cancellations.

Get a low-price guarantee and the expertise of a vacation planner without extra fees.

Must become a member to unlock the best deals.

Pricing on the website is not "live" pricing, so actual cost may vary.

Cannot book a cruise online. You must speak with an independent vacation planner.

» Learn more: The best cruise insurance right now

To book a vacation package with an airline or hotel

American airlines cruises.

American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn airline miles when booking cruises at BookAACruises.com . All members earn one mile for every dollar they spend on cruise reservations, up to 10,000 miles. Some cruise specials offer up to 100,000 miles based on your selected cruise.

If you have an American Airlines credit card, you'll earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles. These miles and Loyalty Points count toward airline elite status. Additionally, trips booked through this site are eligible for promotions offered by the cruise lines.

Earn miles and Loyalty Points toward travel and elite status.

Cardholders earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles on cruises.

Cruise experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cruise reservations are offered by a third party, so customer service issues can be a challenge.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Delta SkyMiles Cruises

Delta Air Lines is another airline that allows members to earn airline miles when booking cruises through its portal. Booking through SkyMilesCruises.com helps you earn Delta SkyMiles on your purchase.

Members get up to 10,000 miles on most cruises and up to 100,000 miles on luxury cruises. Plus, the site waives deposits on eligible cruise reservations.

Can earn up to 100,000 miles when booking a cruise.

Waives deposits when booking eligible cruises.

110% price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Most cruise awards are capped at 10,000 miles.

Miles earned are based on the length of the cruise, not the amount spent.

United Airlines Cruises

United Airlines MileagePlus members can earn up to 25,000 miles when booking a cruise through United at Cruises.United.com .

When you have a United Airlines credit card, you'll earn up to 45,000 miles. By offering up to 4x miles per dollar spent (or 7x as a cardholder), this site is the best way to book a cruise and earn airline miles on your purchase. If you have Premier status, you receive additional perks on select cruise lines, like wine and onboard credits.

Earn up to 7x miles on cruises.

United MileagePlus Premier members receive additional perks.

Can redeem miles to pay for some or all of your trip.

Not all cruises can be booked online.

Prices do not include a nonrefundable $24.99 processing fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Cruises

If you want to earn hotel points on your cruise, Marriott Cruise with Points is the best cruise website for you. You'll earn up to 6x points on your cruise purchase, or you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for your trip.

Plus, Marriott cardholders can earn an extra 2x points when they use that card for their purchase. While most cruises max out at 25,000 Bonvoy points earned, some luxury cruise lines offer up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Earn up to 6x points on your cruise, up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Marriott cardholders receive an extra 2x points when paying with their cards.

Can use Bonvoy points to pay for your cruise.

Redemption value of Bonvoy points is only 0.4 cent.

Must call to book cruises using points.

Processing fee of $24.99 per reservation.

» Learn more: Airline credit cards vs. hotel credit cards

For cruise package deals: Costco Travel

Costco is a retailer that offers exclusive products and pricing to its members. Through its Costco Travel website , members receive exclusive prices and benefits when booking hotels, rental cars, cruises and travel packages.

Executive Members earn 2% back on Costco Travel purchases and receive additional benefits on select packages. Plus, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cardholders earn 3% cash back rewards on Costco Travel purchases.

Earn 2% rewards and extra perks with Executive Membership.

Some cruises offer Costco gift cards or onboard credit.

Must be a member to book reservations with Costco Travel.

Directly with the Cruise Line

In some cases, booking directly with the cruise line can be best because it eliminates a third party. If there's a problem with your reservation or you need to make a change, you don't have to worry about the booking site and the cruise line pointing fingers at each other.

This may be the best approach if you know which cruise line you want to book and which cities you want to visit. However, you may miss out on promotions offered by third-party sites.

Simple search functions.

No hassles with third parties for problems, changes or cancellations.

Less likely to get scammed by fraudulent sites.

Miss out on deals offered by third-party sites.

Harder to compare prices, benefits and routes from multiple cruise lines.

Comparing cruise prices across websites

Without being able to compare prices, it can be a challenge to determine the best site for booking a cruise. To make it easier to compare, we priced out a 7-night Caribbean cruise for two adults. 

We selected the lowest-priced balcony room on Royal Caribbean departing from Miami in August 2023. Here are the results:

Mitigate cancellation policy risks with travel insurance

If you're worried your trip plans being disrupted by bad weather or a change of plans, travel insurance might help. This optional standalone insurance can be purchased separately from your cruise bookings.

But you might not even need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for travel expenses on that card.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for cruises

Booking a cruise recapped

When looking for the best way to book a cruise, the price is virtually the same on every website. The difference lies in how each seller sweetens the deal.

Several cruise booking sites set themselves apart from the competition by offering additional benefits to encourage booking through them. Additionally, being able to book other parts of your trip — like flight and excursions — on the same site, or offering access to a travel agent, distinguishes some of the best cruise websites. 

When prices are the same, we recommend cruise bookers compare the perks being offered, then book on the site with the most appealing bonuses, like onboard credits, airline miles, hotel points or cash back.

If you're searching for cruises on a third-party website, you may question the legitimacy of that site. This is especially true if the site doesn't look professional or some of the information is outdated.

For this reason, you should stick with one of the best cruise booking sites on this list because they've been vetted for legitimacy and have a good track record with travelers.

Yes, last-minute deals can be the best way to book a cruise. If your travel plans are flexible, these deals can save you a lot of money. Keep in mind that you may not be able to book your preferred destination or routing if it is sold out.

Unfortunately, most cruise lines do not offer free cancellations or changes to take advantage of price drops after you book. Passengers can always negotiate with a booking site or cruise line, but they aren't obligated to refund the difference. Instead, they may offer you onboard credit, complimentary excursions or credit toward another cruise booking.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

'Supply and demand on steroids' as peak Sydney to Melbourne flights exceed $900. What does it mean for holiday travel?

If you're not a fan of watching race cars go around in circles, you may have gotten a shock if you needed to book a flight from Sydney to Melbourne this week.

With Formula 1 grand prix events kicking off at Melbourne's Albert Park on Thursday, it was rare to spot a one-way fare for less than $400 from Monday.

By Wednesday, across Jetstar, Rex, Virgin and Qantas, flights were a minimum of about $500 to upwards of $900.

In some instances, it was cheaper to book a seat in business class than economy.

While it's not uncommon for airlines to hike up prices around sporting events, holidays and concerts, Chris Ford from Compare the Market said with Easter approaching this was a "double whammy".

"It's sort of a double hit that can extend over a period of time," he told the ABC.

Experts have called it "supply and demand on steroids" during peak periods.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) monitors the prices and profits of the major domestic airlines but plays no role in regulating fares.

So, airlines have the freedom to increase prices according to market demand and conditions, aviation analyst and associate professor at RMIT, Chrystal Zhang, said.

"The key question is really, 'How high can the airline go?'"

She warned nowadays people need to book trips months in advance and be willing to be flexible around "hot events" and holidays. 

Best days to avoid Easter holiday hikes

Concerts and events generally only lead to fluctuations over a few days, Mr Ford said.

But when Taylor Swift mania took hold last month, airfares to Sydney and Melbourne spiked over a sustained period, even across regional airports.

In the lead-up to Easter, Compare the Market analysed which days were best to travel and how long it would take for prices to start to drop.

It found consistent patterns in its reviews over Christmas, showing fares inevitably "skyrocket" before public holiday days.

Comparing where prices were at about two weeks out from Easter, there was a difference of hundreds of dollars between the cheapest and most expensive days to fly.

With the Easter long weekend falling on March 29 to 31, flights out of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to the rest of Australia's major cities were the most expensive on March 28.

The cheapest days in the lead-up were between March 18 and 22.

On the other side, flights were most affordable from April 4 to 12.

Prices will continue to rise

Over the last two weeks, flights have been increasing incrementally along key routes, and are expected to continue to rise, Mr Ford said.

"We're not talking hundreds of dollars at this point in time, but it will be interesting over the next few days to see how much they do nudge up."

This week, flights from Brisbane to Sydney were about $170 one-way on March 28, Mr Ford said.

They come down to $110 on April 4, then a few days later prices are at $74.

"You're looking at around $100 from peak to trough over a two-week period," he said.

On the Melbourne to Sydney route, a flight on March 28 this week was selling for around $180 depending on the flight times.

When Compare the Market analysed flights a week ago, the most expensive flight from Melbourne to Sydney on March 25 was $174.

Now, with the pinch of grand prix demand and most flights being close to sold out, the cheapest flight is about $400.

By April 9, there are flights for $52.

Weekend crowds at the international racing event are expected to exceed 440,000. 

"If there is a lesson to be learned for future needs, it's doing that research as early as possible," Mr Ford said.

How far should you book in advance?

There are some opportunities to find cheaper prices as holidays approach, but it depends on how much time you have and if you're open to "inconvenience", Mr Ford said.

Generally, flights will be less expensive during early mornings and late nights, and from regional airports.

"You need to be able to be more flexible and open to travelling slightly out of town, or getting to the airport at 4am for a 6am flight," he said.

But, the best way to avoid getting stung is to book early, and check terms and conditions in case flights are cancelled, Professor Zhang said.

She suggested these days it's best to generally book flights about three months in advance.

"Two to three months before you plan the travel is a kind of suggested time to finalise your schedule and your overall itinerary," she said.

Depending on the demand of the particular route, you will start seeing prices rise up to two to three weeks, she added.

"And you really need to be mindful of these very hot events in hot destinations, whether that's a big conference or a popular sporting event."

'People will still fly'

Rico Merkert, professor of operations and supply chain management at the University of Sydney, said there have always been increases during peak seasons, but it has become more excessive since the COVID pandemic.

"Supply and demand on steroids," he told the ABC.

"What happened is that we didn't have enough capacity or [there was] reduced capacity." 

Now, there are chances to "capture an audience" when there are holidays and events like a Taylor Swift concert.

"Sydney to Melbourne is one of the busiest routes on the planet, so it's difficult for airlines to add more capacity — more flights," Professor Merkert said.

"But they see that suddenly everyone wants to fly so that means they can easily increase the fares and know people will still fly."

Jetstar said strong demand from Sydney to Melbourne was a factor in their high prices this week.

"Most customers book well ahead of when they want to travel and like all airlines, our cheapest fares sell out first," Jetstar said in a statement to the ABC.

Falls into 'price gouging' but is it illegal?

These practices are unfortunate for people who have no choice but to book last-minute travel, Professor Merkert said, adding that it would "fall into the category of price gouging".

It also isn't isolated to airlines, with petrol prices already increasing in the lead-up to Easter.

"It's the same with a car, if you have to drive to Orange (in regional NSW) to see your family, you might be able to take a train but there are all sorts of other destinations in NSW where you have to travel further and you have no choice," he said.

The ACCC said increasing prices during periods of high demand is not illegal, but businesses just need to provide clear and up-front information about the price consumers will pay.

Currently, competition is the best hope of keeping prices within reason.

"The ACCC tries to ensure that there's sufficient competition in the market," Professor Merkert said.

"If there are two or three airlines in this space, surely one will have a slightly better deal.

"But in fact, if one raises fares by 30 per cent, then the others won't be far behind."

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FAROE ISLANDS, DENMARK TRAVEL GUIDE 2024-2025: Comprehensive insider insights on the best ways to explore the culture, cuisines, and top attractions for a memorable experience Kindle Edition

Dreaming of emerald-green cliffs and colorful houses backdrop? Craving a rendezvous with nature's whispers and fjord adventures? Wondering how to turn your Faroese fantasy into reality? If your answer is a resounding YES, then this travel guide is your golden ticket to unlock the wonders of the Faroe Islands.

Embark on Your Journey:

From touchdown at Vágar Airport to seamless island-hopping, our stress-free guide ensures a smooth start to your Faroese escapade.

Discover Hidden Gems:

Explore Tinganes, Tórshavn's beating heart, and stand in awe at the majestic Cliffs of Kallur Lighthouse. Nature's marvels await your eager gaze, promising unforgettable memories.

Find Your Sanctuary:

Whether it's the cozy comforts of Hotel Føroyar or the authentic hospitality of Gjaargardur guesthouses, your home away from home awaits. Rest easy amidst Faroe's stunning landscapes.

Savor Culinary Delights:

Indulge in the flavors of Barbara Fish House and other local gems, where seafood reigns supreme and every bite tells a story. Experience Faroese dining at its finest, a feast for the senses!

Embrace Outdoor Thrills:

Strap on your hiking boots for misty trails in Saksun or spread your wings in Mykines, the puffin paradise. Adventure beckons at every turn, promising adrenaline-pumping experiences.

Immerse in Culture and Entertainment:

Dive into Tórshavn's vibrant culture – sip coffee at Café Natur, mingle with locals, and soak up the lively ambiance at Sirkus. The Faroese spirit awaits, ready to enchant and inspire.

Master Practical Tips:

Weather wisdom, packing hacks, and insider secrets our guide equips you with all the essentials for a seamless Faroese adventure. Leave no detail overlooked!

Ready to Dive In?

If you're ready to turn your Faroese dreams into reality, then don't hesitate! Click Buy Now and let the adventure of a lifetime begin. With our guide in hand, the enchanting Faroe Islands are yours to explore, one breathtaking moment at a time.

GET YOUR COPY NOW !!!

• Print length 131 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publication date March 20, 2024
• File size 3196 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CYQ6YSD7
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 20, 2024
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 3196 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 131 pages

About the author

Raymond park.

Raymond Park is not just a traveler; he's a seasoned explorer with a passion for sharing his adventures. Having journeyed through over 40 countries and explored more than 100 cities, Raymond's wanderlust knows no bounds. His love for travel has transcended into a fulfilling hobby - crafting insightful travel guides brimming with personal anecdotes, practical advice, and hidden gems unearthed during his expeditions.

With a keen eye for detail and a knack for uncovering the essence of each destination, Raymond's writing transports readers from armchairs to distant lands, offering a firsthand glimpse into the sights, sounds, and flavors of the world. Whether navigating bustling city streets, trekking through remote landscapes, or savoring culinary delights, Raymond's travel guides are infused with authenticity and passion, making them indispensable companions for any globetrotter.

Through his writing, Raymond Park invites fellow adventurers to embark on transformative journeys, providing them with the tools and insights needed to turn their travel dreams into unforgettable experiences. With each page, readers are not just informed, but inspired to explore the world with open hearts and curious minds. Join Raymond on his quest to uncover the essence of travel, one destination at a time.

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