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