Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Getting Your Money's Worth When Traveling

By Billy Moss


The lowest and the cheapest travel deals are not always the best deal. Travel is big business and very competitive, so you can expect to be swamped by offers from travel agents. Therefore you should weigh all options before choosing the right one in order to get the most out of it.

The first thing you will have to establish is where you want to go and how much money you have, then focus in getting yourself a travel discount. Your slogan should be "collect and choose," meaning you collect all the offers you can get your hands on and choose that most advantageous.

Don't forget to make your plans so you will not grope around. Also, when making your travel plans, adopt the motto "the earlier the better." This will give you ample time to search and choose.

Experienced travelers on business or pleasure know that there are always ways of saving on your travel expenses, and some of these ways are found below.

Don't buy tickets from travel agents. Tickets from travel agents costs more than tickets sold directly by airlines. If you are buying more than one ticket, buy them at the same time. Booking fee may be discounted.

Depending on your itinerary, you may want to inquire about a package tour which is usually cheaper.

When planning a more complex trip, a travel agent can save you more time and money.

So you can compare prices, check the internet. Look for websites that cater to travelers looking for information. Aside from prices, you can also get more travel news and information.

Time your travel with the seasons. Make your travel before or after the peak season when everything is cheaper. Booking for an off-peak season also would give you the best deal. If your schedule is flexible, you may exploit it. Look for hotels and airlines who provide sizeable incentives to early bookers.

Note that small airlines have lower airfares. It is wrong however to equate these small airlines with small airplanes.

Alternative airport also could provide you with substantial discounts. Your travel agent should know about this.

Plan ahead. The earlier you book, the better deal you will have.

Get a travel insurance. Insurance can prove very helpful and worth the premium you paid for it. If you end up being sick in foreign country, your insurance back home might not cover it. Thus you might end up using your vacation budget on hospitalization.

Apply for the frequent traveler membership programs of airlines and hotels. Hotels and airlines give their customers incentives and rewards for regular use of their services.

Many people love to bargain, and so should you because there is always the chance that you can get a good deal. Don't forget however that the cheap rates may have a tradeoff in other forms of services, so take a step back and see the whole package before deciding. Travel will be more enjoyable if you get the most of your hard earn vacation budget.




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