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Get Away With Cheap Fall Travel Deals

Posted 10:00AM 09/18/12 Savings Experiment, Travel Industry |
Savings Experiment: Vitamins

When do you like to take vacations?

Did you find our video on Fall travel helpful?

Fall is a great time to take a vacation, but travel doesn't come cheap. According to our experts, though, there are ways to save when it comes to booking flights and hotels.

The key to airfare savings is knowing when to book. Yes, believe it or not, there is an optimal day of the week to book flights. What is this magic day and time? Tuesday afternoon. The reason is that many airlines launch their sales late on Monday. Then, competing airlines respond by lowering their prices, leaving you with a great deal.

Hotel savings work a bit differently. While it's common practice to book far in advance for the best bargain, the early bird does not catch the worm in this case. According to Travelocity, the longer you wait to book, the cheaper your hotel rates will be. In fact, you can find the best rates one week before your travel dates. It seems counterintuitive, but it's true.

So, if you're considering booking a fall getaway, keep these tips in mind while you're researching destinations and preparing to book. Watching the calendar is easy to do, and could save you a bundle before any of your friends can say "bon voyage."

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xak999

Am wondering how true this is.

September 26 2012 at 1:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Papa-Joe

What irritates me MORE then the absurd long lines at airport security, if Hotels/Motels JACKING UP THE RATES ON WEEKENDS.....While visiting our Son and Family, we stayed at a Marriott in the city for two weeks, weekend rates nearly doubled the weekly rate....For what we paid for the Flight, Marriott, and Meals, we could have rented a RV.....Think we'll check into this idea on our next vacation (unless gas prices double again because of our WEAK DOLLAR)......

September 25 2012 at 8:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
megwaugh

Plan to reserve a rental car as far in advance as possible or you may be waiting at the airport or stranded for awhile!

September 21 2012 at 10:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob

Hotels or vacation rentals - yes, often cheaper at the last minute when the accommodations are ready to go vacant, BUT they might not be available at the last minutes, so be sure you have some flexibility in your travel schedule.

September 21 2012 at 5:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bob

Hotels or vacation rentals - yes, often cheaper at the last minute when the accommodations are ready to go vacant, BUT they might not be available at the last minutes, so be sure you have some flexibility in your travel schedule.

September 21 2012 at 5:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dick Larke

Conflicting info on AOL headlines today?The article says Book air on Tuesdays...Bank of America ad right on the same page says Wednesday? I also disagree with the Hotel advise...The longer you wait, the price seems to go up as the hotel has fewer rooms

September 21 2012 at 5:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dick Larke

Conflicting info on AOL headlines today?The article says Book air on Tuesdays...Bank of America ad right on the same page says Wednesday? I also disagree with the Hotel advise...The longer you wait, the price seems to go up as the hotel has fewer rooms

September 21 2012 at 5:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mivogo

The best days to fly are Tuesdays through Thursdays. And yes, last minute hotel deals are plentiful.
Just don't book through HotWire. If you have a problem, they will screw you over without blinking an eye!

September 21 2012 at 1:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
danrothesq

The airlines are crooks. I would not buy anything from them. Elizabeth Warren told me this.

September 21 2012 at 12:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
danrothesq

The airlines are crooks. I would not buy anything from them. Elizabeth Warren told me this.

September 21 2012 at 12:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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