| If you've ever typed "discount travel" into a | | | | Stay packed. When that dream vacation deal |
| Google search box, you know the frustrations | | | | arrives in your inbox, you have to be ready |
| of trying to uncover a gem among way too many | | | | to take action. Get yourself organized by |
| chunks of coal. "Discount travel" and other | | | | creating a list of things you'd have to do |
| popular search phrases -- "cheap discount | | | | before skipping town for the weekend. Figure |
| airline travel," "discount travel web site," | | | | out who you need to call to check on the dog |
| or "cruise travel discount" -- typically | | | | or pick up your newspaper while you're gone. |
| return an infinitely long list of | | | | Know where your suitcase is and keep a stash |
| mind-numbing websites that promise exotic | | | | of travel-sized toiletries handy. You could |
| travel for pennies on the dollar. And then | | | | even make a list of your go-to, jet-setting |
| you look for the details. Underneath a | | | | outfits: something dressy for an evening out, |
| possibly attractive home page, many of those | | | | something comfy for walking around town and, |
| travel sites just don't have much substance. | | | | of course, your favorite swimsuit. |
| So what is a bargain shopper to do? Give up, | | | | |
| exasperated, after spending hours clicking | | | | |
| and searching? | | | | |
| | | | Plan early. If you aren't the last-minute |
| Have faith, bargain shopper. You can find | | | | type, do the opposite: Plan your vacations a |
| travel deals out there; you just have to be | | | | year in advance. This is likely to save you |
| strategic in your search. Follow these tips | | | | money on cruises and airfare in particular. |
| and maximize your opportunities to travel at | | | | Cruise lines will book more than a year in |
| a discount: | | | | advance, while airlines usually go out about |
| | | | 11 months. Oh, and if you've saved up enough |
| Subscribe to free newsletters. If you can | | | | frequent flyer miles for free airfare, you |
| handle receiving a few extra emails in your | | | | have to book that ticket a year in advance. |
| box every week, you'll have the opportunity | | | | Airlines usually limit the number of freebies |
| to save a bundle on your travel plans. | | | | they'll offer on each flight, and they book |
| Hotels, airlines and cruise ships prefer to | | | | up fast. If you wait too long, you won't get |
| book up completely, even if that means they | | | | the flight you want. |
| have to shave a little off the price at the | | | | |
| last minute. These travel companies often use | | | | Be flexible. When you're researching a |
| e-newsletters to let you know when they're | | | | specific destination, be flexible about your |
| ready to offer you a deal. Take a visit to | | | | arrival days and the length of your stay. |
| the websites of your favorite airlines, | | | | Experiment with different dates and times; |
| cruise operators and hotel brands and hunt | | | | leaving on a Tuesday instead of a Friday for |
| around for an e-newsletter sign-up form. Try | | | | example might make a huge difference in the |
| a couple of travel agents too, as they | | | | cost of your airfare and hotel. Depending on |
| sometimes have fire sales on complete | | | | the destination and the number of people in |
| vacations. Just make your selections | | | | your travel party, a date change might save |
| wisely--it doesn't do you or them any good if | | | | you enough on airfare to cover the cost of |
| you don't read your emails. | | | | staying a few extra days. Along those same |
| | | | lines, be willing to visit your destinations |
| Be a frequent buyer. Travel companies love | | | | in the off-season: You know, Palm Springs in |
| loyalty. While you're looking around for | | | | the summer, Paris in the winter. You'll save |
| e-newsletters, check into frequent buyer | | | | money and avoid the crowds. |
| programs too. Affinity cards are popular; | | | | |
| these are the credit cards that earn you | | | | Be an outlier. You might be planning a |
| miles or points. Once you have that card, the | | | | vacation around a specific attraction, like |
| airline or hotel will be pretty good about | | | | Disneyland. If so, consider staying in a |
| letting you know how to use it to earn more | | | | neighboring city. The hotels in Anaheim, |
| miles. If you're super-diligent about paying | | | | particularly those within walking distance to |
| your bills, start using the credit card for | | | | Disneyland, charge a huge premium for their |
| all of your regular expenses. Food, gas, | | | | location. The same will be true for hotels |
| clothes, whatever. Just make sure you pay off | | | | surrounding almost any major attraction. Go |
| the balance every month. It may take awhile | | | | to Google Maps and get familiar with the |
| to earn those free plane tickets, but it'll | | | | communities around Anaheim; if you stay 10 |
| be well worth the effort. | | | | miles away, you'll save enough to pay for |
| | | | your rental car and then some. |