3 Mar
Best times to get airline tickets, hotel reservations, travel deals
When to buy: On a Wednesday, 21 days (or a couple of days earlier) before your flight.
Why: Airlines make major pricing changes (and run fare sales) every week, typically on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. Try not to buy airline tickets less than 14 days away from when you plan to fly out because the prices will suddenly increase.
Best time to get hotel reservations
Hotels often have specials on a seasonal basis. While hotel reservations should be made at least a month in advance, it’s always a good idea to call the hotel directly (not the 800 number) and find out which times of the year are their busiest (eg summer or during similar holidays). Hotels with many rooms to fill will often be willing to make a deal, while those almost booked to capacity are far less likely.
If you're staying at a property that serves mostly business travelers, you may find great weekend deals, while B&B's and other leisure properties tend to have lower rates midweek. For certain countries, know when the peak seasons to visit your destination are -- such as wintertime in the Carribean or summertime in Europe. Rates will be very high at those times of year, so scheduling your trip for a less popular travel time could save you heaps on your hotel stay.
With regards to Bahamas and Gulf of Mexico - you can save up to 50 percent by booking in Summer. From September to December, hotels in Hawaii usually drop 20 percent of their room rates.If you’re looking for a late-season ski trip, you should try booking a hotel in April or May.
Often at various hotels discounts may be found around 6pm or later on any evening, as the hotel is looking at all its remaining empty rooms and is - in theory - desperately keen to sell them at any price at all over and above its marginal cost of servicing an overnight stay (which is somewhere between $25 and $50, depending on what is included in the cost). This of course applies to some but not all hotels.
Also if you’re going to try and get a last minute deal, always speak to the manager or supervisor. The employee at the front desk probably doesn’t have the authority to override the regular price and grant you a last-minute bargain. Alternatively try looking on Priceline and make your lowest bid on a hotel room. It is one of the best ways to get a deeply discounted 4 star hotel room. Please note though you may not always get the exact hotel you initially chose but hey a bargain is a bargain!
Some super seasonal hotel deals =>
Top Offers
NEW! Hawaii Hotel Sale: Save up to 50%! Hawaii Hotel Sale: Save up to 50%! - Expires 3/31/10
NEW! Southern Charm: Free Nights and Hotels from $48! Southern Charm: Free Nights and Hotels from $48! - Expires 3/31/10
Hotel Promotions
NEW! Washington D.C Hotel Sale: Free Nights & Free Attractions! Washington D.C Hotel Sale: Free Nights & Free Attractions! - Expires 4/13/10
NEW! Escape Winter in Phoenix & Save up to 30% on hotels! Escape Winter in Phoenix & Save up to 30% on hotels! - Expires 3/15/10
Vacation Promotions
NEW! Dominican Republic Vacation Sale: Save up to 60% on hotel and flight + hotel packages! Dominican Republic Vacation Sale: Save up to 60% on hotel and flight + hotel packages! - Expires 3/31/10
Seasonal Promotions
NEW! National Park Travel Guide: Get great deals on hotels in or near National Parks including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite & more! National Park Travel Guide: Get great deals on hotels in or near National Parks including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite & more! - Expires 3/31/10
Car Promotions
Updated! Hertz: Free Weekend Day with minimum 3-day weekend rental. Hertz: Free Weekend Day with minimum 3-day weekend rental. - Expires 3/31/10 Air Promotions
NEW! AA Sale: Canada to the US for less: Flight + 2 Nights from $326!
AA Sale: Canada to the US for less: Flight + 2 Nights from $326! - Expires 3/31/10
Top HOTELS.COM Promotions
Top Promotions
NEW! Spring Sale - Save up to 30%! Spring Sale - Save up to 30%! - Expires 4/5/10
NEW! Spring Sale - Save up to 30% in San Francisco! Spring Sale - Save up to 30% in San Francisco! - Expires 4/5/10
NEW! Spring Sale - Save up to 30% in Boston! Spring Sale - Save up to 30% in Boston! - Expires 4/5/10
NEW! Spring Sale - Save up to 30% in Puerta Vallarta! Spring Sale - Save up to 30% in Puerta Vallarta! - Expires 4/5/10
Update! New York on Sale! Save up to 30% on hotels! New York on Sale! Save up to 30% on hotels! - Expires 3/15/10
NEW! Texas on Sale: Save up to 30% in Dallas! Texas on Sale: Save up to 30% in Dallas! - Expires 3/22/10
Last Minute Deals - Expires March 2, 2010
NEW! Houston from $39! Hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! Houston from $39! Travel by March 2, 2010
NEW! Fort Lauderdale from $109! Hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! Fort Lauderdale from $109! Travel by March 2, 2010
NEW! Chicago from $79! Hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! Chicago from $79! Travel by March 2, 2010
Weekly Deals - Expires March 9, 2010
NEW! Lake Tahoe from $34! Lake Tahoe from $34 at Hotels.com! Travel by March 9, 2010
NEW! Cancun from $70! Cancun from $70 at Hotels.com! Travel by March 9, 2010
NEW! Maui Island from $113! Maui Island from $113 at Hotels.com! Travel by March 9, 2010
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