THE COSTS OF TAKING an overseas vacation can be significantly reduced with longer term planning, and some research. However, spectacular vacation deals can also be found at the last minute.
This article outlines how to maximise the value of a reduced travel budget by taking time to do that planning and researching.
If you do the vacation planning and researching yourself, you are likely to realise valuable savings. If you leave these tasks to your travel agent, it is fair to expect to compensate your travel agent for the time taken. However, there may be no extra charge for the time taken as travel agents are normally paid on commission at a minimum.
Even if there is no extra charge, travel agents do not have a driving incentive to find you the lowest possible cost. That is because the lower the cost of your planned travel, the lower will be the commission payment. For you, though, getting the best value within your travel budget helps to minimise using debt to make up any shortfall in the funds which are available.
Here then are six recommended websites that provide a wealth of information for planning and researching your vacation:
1. www.tripadvisor.com – this website provides comprehensive travel planning support. It provides detailed information on trips, cruises, a wide range of accommodation from hotels to bed and breakfast establishments, things to do as well as money-saving tips. This information is not only from the staff of the website but through the reviews of many travellers. This is one of the most popular travel sites worldwide, so the range of reviews is extensive.
The staff of this site not only review a vast number of travel websites for options and deals, but they also travel to assess travel products and services and to verify reviews posted by other travellers of the services and deals that are presented on the website. This website has built up high levels of credibility and utility for travellers.
2. www.airfarewatchdog.com – this provides deals and money-saving tips on flights and hotels. It will track prices and send you alerts of low or lower prices. Occasionally it will provide information on unpublished sales. The staff of this website also assess the price versus location of hotels in advising travellers about optimising value.
3. www.go.today.com specialises in offering vacation packages and customised itineraries for travellers. This is the site to check for that once in a lifetime trip planned, say, to mark a milestone in your life.
4. www.lastminute.com, as the name indicates, provides travel deals and holiday packages at the best prices based on last-minute bookings of flights, cruises and hotels. A special feature is the option of securing theatre tickets or spa specials during the trip.
5. www.beterbidding.com allows the enterprising traveller to bid online for travel deals on two other travel websites: www.priceline.com and www.hotwire.com, which both provide deals on flights, hotels, rental vehicles and vacation packages.
6. www.mindmyhouse.com allows travellers to secure accommodation by providing the service of taking care of the house for the owners. This typically includes the care of the house owner’s pet and gardens or plants. Security concerns arise with this service.
The cost of your vacation trip can be controlled by using these online tools to research and plan well in advance. If you set up the relevant alerts, interesting deals will arrive in your inbox when available. Over time, you will exploit the value of this online guidance to your travel enjoyment cost benefit. Do remember to record your reviews online as well in due course.
• Louise Fairsave is a personal financial management adviser, providing practical advice on money and estate matters. Her advice is general in nature; readers should seek advice about their specific circumstances.
This column is sponsored by the Barbados Workers’ Union Co-op Credit Union Ltd.
