Cruise Travel Deals FAQs Air Travel Deals FAQs
1. How can I get a good cruise rate?
Paying the brochure rate for a cruise is like paying the full sticker price for a car. You should be able to easily find a good discount off those rates with a little bit of research.
- Book early: booking rates become more expensive the closer you get to the sailing date (booking early on a cruise line generally refers to 120 days prior to sail date)
- Shop around: shopping the Internet can be the quickest and easiest way to compare many different cruise rates, but always double check with your travel agent as they can sometimes get deals that are not advertised elsewhere
- Be flexible about your travel plans: as with every other travel industry, cruising during the off season will also help you save money
- Apply any coupons or special discount programs for which you are eligible
2. Do I have to book early to get a good deal?
If you book early you will have a better chance of getting exactly what you want at a discounted price. However, if the ships have low occupancy rates close to sailing, you can still find great deals. With all the new large ships that are being launched, last minute deals are more of a possibility. The caveat is that these deals can be limited and may require a last minute decision.
3. Do cruises ever go on sale?
Yes, 2 for 1 deals are popular sale incentives where two cruises are offered for
the price of one. However, airfare is usually not included in the two for one rate.
Cruise lines have also offered discounted or free airfares; free post or pre-
4. Are there any discount programs available for frequent cruisers?
Yes, cruise lines are beginning to go the way of the airlines and offer special discounts or other incentives to those who have been on previous cruises with them. Most of these loyalty clubs publish magazines to update frequent cruisers on their programs and will often include discounts and other special offers.
5. What is a repositioning cruise?
Since peak seasons vary in different parts of the globe, cruise lines will sometimes move their ships around to keep a higher occupancy rate and to take advantage of those peak season rates. When a ship moves from an existing itinerary in the Caribbean to Alaska or Europe for example, the trip to the new itinerary is called a repositioning cruise.
6. How could going on a repositioning cruise save me money?
The cruise line wants to cover the cost of moving the ship by filling the ship with paying customers. These cruises are different than what the cruise line normally advertises and many are unaware that these cruises even exist. The cruise line will often offer deep discounts on these cruises to encourage bookings. Although you’ll be seeing a different part of the world and probably spend less time in ports than on their normal cruises, you’ll get the same ship and all the good food at a better rate.
1. How can I get a better rate on my airline tickets?
- Make your reservations as soon as you have decided on travel plans -
airlines give discounts for early bookings at least 21 days in advance - the best rates are often those that include a Saturday night stay and have travel dates during the week - Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and easiest way to compare many different
airlines’ rates to find the best deals -
a little research can bring big savings - If you can be flexible about when you travel, do so, it can bring big savings: even
changing a flight’s time during the same day can affect the rate -
often the less popular early morning or late evening flights have lower rates - The best rates tend to be found during the off season and at other times when the airlines are flying at less than capacity
- Check into the possibility of splitting your trip into two roundtrip sections -
a stopover at a midpoint could save you money over flying a direct route; nevertheless, make sure the saving are large enough to warrant the extra stopover - Check into booking your travel plans as a package -
you may be able to save by booking your airline tickets along with your hotel room or rental car - Always ask if the rate quoted can be reduced in any way
- Apply any special discount programs for which you are eligible
- When you reach check-
in, ask to see if any special upgrade deals are available
2. What types of special discount programs are available?
- Check for special deals available with your membership in associations or clubs
- Apply all premium or loyalty club and frequent flyer numbers you qualify for
- Some credit card companies have discount agreements with airlines if you use that card to pay for your trip
- Package discounts may be available if booking your airline ticket in combination with certain hotels, cruise lines, or rental car companies
- Research discounts available for certain age groups and/or students
- Discounts are often available for large groups/families traveling together
- Discounts are often available for government, military or corporate employees if traveling on business though some airlines will also extend these discounts to leisure travel
3. How can I find other businesses that have partnered with my airline to provide additional rewards for using their services?
Check out your airline’s web site. They should have a list of other businesses they
have partnered with that can reward you with bonus points, miles, discounts or other
special offers. Click on the travel partners section of the airline’s website or
the membership program section where these businesses will be listed as participants
or partners.
4. Where can I find information on an airline’s on-
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report contains information
on flight delays, mishandled baggage, over-
5. What types of special discount programs are available?
- Check for special deals with your membership in associations or clubs
- Memberships in premium or loyalty clubs and frequent flyer programs can offer discounts
- Some credit cards have special discount agreements with certain airlines
- Package discounts can be found when booking your airline ticket along with a certain hotel, cruise line, or rental car company
- Discounts are available for some age groups, young and old, as well as, students
- Discounts are often available for large groups traveling together
- Discounts are often available for government, military or corporate employees -
some airlines will also extend these discounts to leisure travel for these employees
6. How will I know which is the best airline for me?
If it’s a onetime flight, you can probably see who flies the route for the cheapest rate. If you are looking for more of a relationship, you’ll want to consider some of the factors listed below:
- Average ticket prices
- Frequent flyer benefits
- On-
time, safety and customer service record - Lenient luggage policies
- Pick an airline that has the most flight options available for the area where you’ll be doing most of your traveling
- Research partnerships with hotel chains, cruise lines, rental car companies and credit card companies
- Find out which airline is most willing to help with special requests
