| A few years ago, the Travel Industry Association of | | | | but plenty worthy of a week's stay and you might |
| America estimated that a typical vacation cost about | | | | slash your nightly bill from $200 to $129. |
| $2,200.00 That amount has no doubt gone up and | | | | Reserving a rental car works much the same way. |
| probably will skyrocket when 2008 totals come in. | | | | Car Rental companies usually offer high rates the |
| For the sake of argument however, imagine if you | | | | further out you reserve a car. So by waiting to |
| cut that total down by just $100 to $150 or even | | | | reserve maybe 30 days or less to arrival, you can |
| more by planning smartly - you'd save a ton over the | | | | probably slash the daily rental rate from $59 to a |
| next few years. | | | | budget pleasing $39 or even lower. |
| Some vacations are no-brainers: you just come home | | | | Airline fares are more of a gamble. While airlines MAY |
| one day and say "Let's head to the hills for a few | | | | have lower rates the further out you book them, |
| days" or "Let's go to the islands for a week." You | | | | they also may not show you all the rates they have |
| are not going to find many bargains that way as you | | | | available and you don't see them. It would likely chap |
| may be so late in booking, prices are out of site. In | | | | your hide to book a Hawaii flight for $449 per ticket |
| these cases, you simply grin and bear it. On the other | | | | and 3 months later see them offered at $329. But |
| hand, not having a reservation may yield a CHEAPER | | | | people who DIDN'T reserve flights in Jan 2008 to go |
| hotel rate depending on where you are going and | | | | to Hawaii in the summer were then faced with fuel |
| how booked the hotels are. | | | | surcharges and higher ticket prices by May and June. |
| But imagine if you plan a summer trip in January. The | | | | You have to decide which option works best for you |
| only thing you have to beware of are flights or | | | | and perhaps be willing to forego Hawaii for this year |
| hotels that have artificially high prices because you | | | | and go somewhere cheaper like a National Parks tour |
| are reserving so early. Here is where researching | | | | or Florida. |
| your options can pay off. By investigating hotels | | | | In the above examples, if you did cut your six night |
| months ahead, you can perhaps cut $25 off the | | | | hotel bill by $25 and a car rental by $20 per day, you |
| room night price, especially if you avoid Third Party | | | | have realized an immediate savings of over $250 |
| Travel sites, by waiting to book later in the spring. Or | | | | (after taxes). Not a bad return for simply planning |
| you can find accommodations that are not as elegant | | | | smarter. |