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
