1 Sep
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!
Check out some Limited Time coupons available now!
Some super seasonal hotel deals =>
Final Week! Labor Day Sale: Save up to 40%! Final Week! Labor Day Sale: Save up to 40%! - Expires 9/6/10
NEW! California on Sale: Book Today and Save up to 30%! California on Sale: Book Today and Save up to 30%! - Expires 9/27/10
NEW! Football SALE! Follow Your Team and Save! Football SALE! Follow Your Team and Save! - Expires 10/4/10
Final Week! Last Chance! Summer Sale: Save up to 40%. Plus, book 4+ nights and get a free Flip Ultra! Last Chance! Summer Sale: Save up to 40%. Plus, book 4+ nights and get a free Flip Ultra! - Expires 9/6/10
Final Week! Travel to Hidden Gems. Save up to 30%! Travel to Hidden Gems. Save up to 30%! - Expires 9/7/10
Last Minute Deals - Expires September 7, 2010
NEW! Boston from $172! hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! Boston from $172! Travel by September 7, 2010
NEW! Portland from $99! hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! Portland from $99! Travel by September 7, 2010
NEW! San Francisco from $185! hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! San Francisco from $185! Travel by September 7, 2010
Weekly Deals - Expires September 14, 2010
NEW! Los Angeles from $82! Los Angeles from $82 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010
NEW! San Diego from $56! San Diego from $56 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010
NEW! Experience Myrtle Beach for Less: Hotels from $63! Experience Myrtle Beach for Less: Hotels from $63! Book by September 14, 2010
NEW! San Antonio from $79! San Antonio from $79 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010
NEW! Hilton Head from $68! Hilton Head from $68 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010
NEW! Outer Banks, NC Discounts: from $110! Outer Banks, NC Discounts from $110 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010
Top Offers
NEW! Save on Family Fun in San Antonio - Hotels from $45+! Save on Family Fun in San Antonio - Hotels from $45+! - Expires 9/15/10
NEW! Ends Soon: Vegas & More - Flight + Hotel from $213+! Ends Soon: Vegas & More - Flight + Hotel from $213+! - Expires 9/8/10
Hotel Promotions
NEW! Unpublished Rate Hotels - Save up to 50% & get the deal now and the hotel name after you book! Unpublished Rate Hotels - Save up to 50% & get the deal now and the hotel name after you book! - Expires 12/31/10
Seasonal Promotions
NEW! Mountain Vacations: Save up to 30% on hotels when you book a Fall getaway! Mountain Vacations: Save up to 30% on hotels when you book a Fall getaway! - Expires 9/20/10
Car Promotions
Thrifty Car Rental: Compact Cars from $38.99+! Thrifty Car Rental: Compact Cars from $38.99+! - Expires 9/6/10
Cruise Promotions
NEW! Norwegian Cruise Lines: Great Deals + Get a $100 onboard credit! Norwegian Cruise Lines: Great Deals + Get a $100 onboard credit! - Expires 9/15/10
Activities Promotions
NEW! Book a San Francisco Tour, Event or Cruise and Save up to 15%! Book a San Francisco Tour, Event or Cruise and Save up to 15%! - Expires 9/10/10
Air Promotions
NEW! American Airlines Sale: Book Europe from $460+ Roundtrip! American Airlines Sale: Book Europe from $460+ Roundtrip - Expires 9/8/10
Canadian Promotions
NEW! Expedia.ca: San Antonio Sale - Get 30% off Hotels! Expedia.ca: San Antonio Sale - Get 30% off Hotels! - Expires 9/15/10
NEW! Expedia.ca: Ends Soon: Vegas & More Packages from C$502+! Expedia.ca: Ends Soon: Vegas & More Packages from C$502+! - Expires 9/8/10
NEW! Expedia.ca: Quebec Hotel Deals: Starting from C$86! Expedia.ca: Quebec Hotel Deals: Starting from C$86! - Expires 9/20/10
NEW! Expedia.ca: Find Great Deals on over 200 Green Hotels! Expedia.ca: Find Great Deals on over 200 Green Hotels! - Expires 10/2/10
NEW! Expedia.ca: Save up to 40% on tours, shows, and activities in Toronto! Expedia.ca: Save up to 40% on tours, shows, and activities in Toronto! - Expires 9/20/10
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