SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 12, 2006–With gas prices up 20 percent, airfares up 10 percent or more from last year and few signs of relief in sight, Travelocity is helping consumers fend off higher travel costs into the fall and winter months. To do this, the “home of The Roaming Gnome” today kicked off its largest discount to date on Flight + Hotel packages to popular destinations worldwide.
While experts industry-wide have consistently directed consumers to look for packaged travel offering deep discounts, Travelocity’s “Great Getaway” discount takes it a step further with $200 off any packages for two to Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean or Hawaii for six nights or longer.
And with international fares on the rise, promotions to destinations outside the U.S. are more valuable than ever. Recent Travelocity data also reveals May airfares (including domestic and international travel) are up 10 percent versus last year and June were up 13 percent, reiterating that the waiting game likely won’t pay off.
“Consumers are still trying to figure out how to stay on budget or whether they should just wait it out,” said Tracey Weber, chief operating officer of Travelocity. “Travelers still don’t realize that packages are not only convenient, but offer a significantly better value. Factor all of this and now is an opportune time to book that dream vacation, even into the winter holidays.”
With summer underway and the fall/holiday travel season right around the corner, savvy travelers who book in advance can take advantage of package prices that include:
Sample Great Getaway Package Deals(a)
Hotel & Airline After Great
tickets for two Price if Purchased Getaways $200
Origin and adults, 6 Separately vs. Packaged Additional
Destination nights, 7 days Price Off
------------ ----------------- -------------------------- -----------
New York to Saint Gregory Flights: $1,144 Originally
London, Hotel (four Hotel: $1,163 $1,999
England stars) deluxe If purchased After $200
double room separately: $2,307 coupon:
Virgin Atlantic, Booked Together $1799
departing Sept. Save - $308 ($898.50 per
25, 2006 Newark TotalTrip person)
to Heathrow non- Price: $1,999
stop
------------ ----------------- -------------------------- -----------
Los Angeles Hawaii Prince Flights: $ 633 Originally
to Hotel Waikiki Hotel: $1,293 $1,719
Honolulu, (fours stars) If purchased After $200
Hawaii ocean view room, separately: $1,926 coupon:
Delta Airlines, Booked Together $1,519
departing Sept. Save - $207 ($759.50
7, 2006 non-stop TotalTrip per
Price: $1,719 person)
------------ ----------------- -------------------------- -----------
Dallas to Oasis Viva Beach Flights: $ 743 Originally
Cancun, All Inclusive Hotel: $ 949 $1,525
Mexico Hotel (three If purchased After $200
stars) ocean separately: $1,692 coupon:
view room, Booked Together $1,325
American Airlines, Save - $167 ($662.50
departing August TotalTrip Price: $1,525 per
16, 2006 non- person)
stop
------------ ----------------- -------------------------- -----------
Boston to Grotto Bay Beach Flights: $ 847 Originally
Bermuda Hotel and Tennis Hotel: $1,665 $2,360
Club (three If purchased After $200
stars) deluxe separately: $2,512 coupon:
ocean view room, Booked Together $2,150
Delta Airlines Save - $162 ($1,075 per
departing Sept TotalTrip Price: $2,350 person)
13, non-stop
------------ ----------------- -------------------------- -----------
(a) Prices are in USD and are based on double occupancy and include
tax recovery charges. Sample prices gathered on 7/10/06. Our
real-time dynamic Flight + Hotel packaging engine is constantly
updating prices and availability. Please visit Travelocity to
check current pricing and availability for your travel dates and
departure city.
Travelocity "Great Getaway" Details
The $200 discount is for Flight + Hotel packages booked between now and July 27 for travel through Jan. 7, 2007 (to cover holiday travel), for a minimum of six nights for two travelers. Destinations include Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii, which according to a 2006 Travelocity forecasting poll conducted earlier this year, are the most popular international destinations among travelers. For more information, see www.travelocity.com/great200.
Weber says there are still tricks to finding good travel deals this year and is available to discuss additional advice on how to save in the coming season.
The $200 discount is in addition to the savings already available to travelers who book a Flight + Hotel package on Travelocity. The price of a Travelocity Flight + Hotel package is on average $220 less per booking, based on a Travelocity study comparing prices on all actual Flight + Hotel bookings on Travelocity during the period studied with the prices of a flight and hotel to the same destination if purchased separately. Actual savings vary by destination, origin, length of trip and number of passengers.
About Travelocity
Travelocity(R) is committed to being the traveler’s champion – before, during and after the trip – and guarantees everything about a customer’s booking will be right. If it’s not, Travelocity will work with its partners to make it right, right away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. – booking $7.4 billion in travel worldwide in 2005. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity BusinessSM and GetThere(R) for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
CONTACT: VOLLMER
Sie Soheili, 972-488-4790
sie@vollmerpr.com
or
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SOURCE: Travelocity