Tip 1: Time it wisely
It may seem counterintuitive, but Bason insists that the longer you wait, the better your chances of maximizing savings will be. Since travel demand is highest on weekends, taking off on Thursday or returning on Tuesday will yield a broader range of options. Avoiding the holiday rush will increase your chances of nabbing better prices than if you travelled over peak time.
Tip 2: Vacation Elsewhere
If you steer clear of popular getaway spots (like Seattle or New York City), you’ll stumble upon some incredible destinations that cost half the price of typical trips – you’ll expose yourself to a new place, and save some cash in the process.
Tip 3: Rely on Trusted Travel Resources
Hotwire.com‘s Trip Watcher and Travelzoo‘s Top 20 Travel & Entertainment deals are useful resources for bargain hunters. And savvy iPhone users should also consider enlisting help from apps like CheapOair.com‘s App, which gives travelers the ability to filter their flight and hotel search by price, star rating, and user sentiment.
Tip 4: Tweet Your Way to Competitive Savings
Airlines and hotels often use social media—like Facebook and Twitter—to advertise discounted rates, also sign up for customized email alerts, so you can find out instantly when prices decrease for your desired destination.
Tip 5: Beat the City Rush
Although opting for one last beach break is a common Labor Day trend, this is your last chance for a weekend in the city before convention season starts. Big cities like New York and San Francisco are still pricey, but you can score unbeatable room rates in places like Washington, D.C., or Chicago.
Tip 6: Consider a package deal
Though it’s a little late to take this approach for the upcoming long weekend, think about bundling your airfare, hotel, and car expenses for your next vacation; when you book ahead of time, hotels, airlines, and car rental agencies are far more willing to provide you with discounts if you bundle products.