Travelers may not associate cold weather with great deals on summer travel, but if you haven’t started booking your vacation, you should start as early as possible to save the most money.
The key to the success of any trip is a good travel advisor. With more and more technology-focused airlines, hotels, and destinations and the lasting impact of the pandemic, it can be very confusing for travelers to save money while booking the perfect vacation.
Agents can solve this confusion and help people find the best deals without compromising on their big summer vacation dreams.
“Unfortunately, many consumers spend a lot of internet trying to get the best summer travel deal,” said Scott Lara of TheCruiseGenius.com. “The good news is that travel agents have done all the work for you.”
“If it’s a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or other type of summer getaway, a local travel agent is your best resource,” Lara continued.
When booking a flight, buying tickets for summer flights in the dead of winter is an easy way to save a few bucks. High season airfares between June, July and August are likely to be the most expensive due to demand, but booking at least three months in advance for domestic travel will help ensure prices stay low.
For international summer travel, airline expert Scott Keyes believes Americans should book their flight two to eight months in advance to ensure the best deals possible. Keyes also said flying on Tuesday would save travelers the most money.
For cruise travelers, Wave Season—which runs from January to March—is the perfect time to book discount summer sailing adventures. Whether it’s luxury excursions, scenic river cruises, or just a fun jaunt through the Caribbean, Wave Season can be the best time of year to book.
“I have my A-list cruise clients who have booked three cruises at the time of departure this year to take advantage of WAVE’s existing offerings of discounted rates and added perks, which only professional advisors can provide through their own consortium,” luxury travel consultant James Ferguson said.
“Internet research is encouraged by my clients, through which we fine-tune their efforts and requests, to make their cruise or vacation unforgettable,” Ferguson continued. Or as I like to say, beyond the pamphlet.
As for hotels, booking before summer hits highs will ensure travelers get the coveted rooms and pay below-average rates during the property downtime.
As spring break and summer holidays approach, demand will surge, filling hotel rooms to nearly capacity and driving prices through the roof. By booking during the off-season, properties are more willing to work with travelers on rates.
Another factor to consider is the constant threat of inflation. With everything from fuel prices to food costs still rising, business and international travel has remained subdued, giving travel-related companies more incentive to keep prices low to entice people to buy.
