SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2004-- From the Best Time of Day to Book a Weekend Rental Car to Top Spots for Fall Fares, Travelocity's Amy Ziff Shows How to "Work the System" to Get the Best Deals
Budget remains top of mind this year for the majority of
travelers, even over destination choice according to a poll of
Travelocity(R) members. To help consumers meet their budget goals,
travel pro Amy Ziff provides tips on booking strategies and
suggestions for cutting costs on every leg of the journey. From
flights and cruises to rental cars and hotels, Ziff partnered with
experts throughout Travelocity to get the low-down on travel industry
pricing systems.
Travelocity insiders relayed several “rules of the road” to help
travelers pocket extra cash, beginning with taking advantage of
“shoulder seasons,” or the time period immediately before or following
the popular travel season for a particular destination. Another key
way to save is by keeping an eye out for last-minute deals, such as
air + hotel packages leaving anywhere from a few weeks to a few hours
before departure. In some cases, travelers also can reduce costs by
varying the time of day they book flights.
“Travelers can always save on some aspect of their trip. The key
is knowing how to play the game in order to effectively lower the
cost,” said Amy Ziff, Travelocity editor-at-large.
Bargain Destinations: 1. Florida, Arizona, Mexico or the Caribbean -- Visit during the summer months for good deals during their "off" season, which starts as early as May in Mexico. 2. Europe -- Lower prices often can be found from late fall through early spring, with the exception of the holidays. (For example, some fares to London last winter were as low as $205 roundtrip from the United States.) 3. Hawaii -- Although popular year-round, the lowest fares are generally in September and October as well as January and February. (Base fares can start as low as $250, which is significantly below normal.) Airfare Tips: 1. Try booking by September for Thanksgiving and winter holidays, before fares spike. 2. Plan travel for the two-week period immediately following Thanksgiving, as bargains can be found around the country during that time across all modes of transit. 3. Bargains often can be found by booking a flight and hotel together. For example, Travelocity has bundled rates and special airfares offered via their TotalTrip(SM) flight + hotel booking tool that aren't available when booking components a la carte. 4. Utilize fare tracker services such as Travelocity's FareWatcher(SM) system, which allows travelers to input their favorite destinations and receive e-mail notifications when those routes drop in price. (This is extremely effective for travelers who know exactly where they want to go.) Rental Car Tips: 1. Car rental suppliers have sophisticated revenue management systems and know very quickly when competitors have closed off their inventory, often resulting in immediate rate increases. Therefore, the earlier in the day travelers book, the better. 2. Consider renting at off-airport locations, as there are sometimes fewer taxes and fees and may serve as a good alternative if airport locations are sold out. 3. Generally, the best time of day to rent a car to get the best rate is after noon on Thursdays with a Saturday night stay. Cruise Tips: 1. Top traveling months to find the best cruise deals are: January, February, October, November and December. 2. Set sail in May and September for Alaska, Bermuda and Europe, as it is shoulder season for these destinations and less expensive. 3. Take advantage of "repositioning" cruises to catch a bargain (which is when ships move to seasonal destinations from transatlantic to pacific coastal cruises). Hotel Tips: 1. Competition on the Web has made pricing very competitive, so be sure to buy a low-price guaranteed hotel whenever possible. 2. Buying a non-refundable room may get a better rate, but beware. Non-refundable means you can't cancel for any reason.
Amy Ziff is available to discuss a complete listing of booking
tips and inside secrets on the topics above. Also, for more travel
tips and advice, visit www.travelocity.com/atoz.
About Travelocity
Travelocity’s industry-leading technology and straight-talking,
honest information help travelers take more rewarding and affordable
trips. With 44 million registered users and booking nearly $4 billion
of travel in 2003, Travelocity negotiates thousands of low-priced
deals with the world’s most reputable travel providers — top
airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, and other
destination attractions and services. Additionally, Travelocity offers
deeply-discounted rates for weekend getaways and dynamic packages
through its Last Minute Deals and TotalTrip(SM) shopping engines, and
provides customer service support over the phone 24 hours a day. Based
in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also operates Travelocity
Business(SM) for corporate customers, powers international travel Web
sites in eight languages, and has been recognized for its consumer
advocacy and global leadership in online travel. More information
about Travelocity is available at www.travelocity.com. Travelocity is
owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in
travel commerce. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at
www.sabre-holdings.com.
CONTACT: Vollmer Public Relations Judy Haveson, 212-554-7425 judy@vollmerpr.com or Amanda Borichevsky, 972-488-4790 amanda@vollmerpr.com SOURCE: Travelocity