sunday times travel deals

It's not too late to book summer travel deals, these expert tips make it easier

For anyone still in planning mode for summer vacation , some experts say right now may be the best time to book the trip.

Founder of The Points Guy Brian Kelly explained to "GMA" that the best booking timeframe, known as the goldilocks window, can offer travelers serious savings.

"When traveling internationally, you wanna book at least 60 days in advance and domestic, the sweet spot is usually 45 days," he said.

While airlines are already bracing for record travel this summer, Kelly said to go with the deals rather than the specific destination.

"Demand for travel is strong, especially intergenerational travel," he said. "I recommend -- choose the destination where the deals are so you can spend less on airfare and hotels and spend more at your destination."

Whether you prefer road trips or all-inclusive resorts or cruises, travel experts are seeing deals across the board if you know where to look.

"We've seen great airfares this summer to Hawaii -- JFK to Honolulu we're seeing in the $400 [range] which is 40% below historical prices."

International hotspots this summer like Europe for example, has airfare that's 10% less on average than the same time last year, according to travel booking site Hopper. The average summer airfare, Hopper found, is $325 domestically and $1,000 internationally.

Hot summer airfare deals this week

Boston to Barcelona can be booked for as low as $493 round trip.

Chicago to Paris has airfare as low as $571 round trip.

And Kelly reminded that the key to getting the best deal is knowing how and where to save.

"There's not one day of the week where cheap fares magically appear. If you travel on Tuesdays and Saturdays in general, those days are cheaper than flying on a Thursday, Friday or Sunday," he said.

Golden rule for booking flights: Advanced purchase requirement

Travel expert Scott Keyes of Going.com and formerly Scott's Cheap Flights, regularly reminds people to follow his golden rule of air travel : back-timing when to book based on your departure date, in order to align with an airline's "advanced purchase requirement" found in the fine print of the fare terms and conditions.

"Pull up a calendar and circle 21 days before your travel date," he said. "That needs to be your sort of drop-dead date to get your flights booked by."

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It's not too late to book summer travel deals, these expert tips make it easier

Brian Kelly of The Points Guy explains "the goldilocks window."

For anyone still in planning mode for summer vacation , some experts say right now may be the best time to book the trip.

Founder of The Points Guy Brian Kelly explained to "GMA" that the best booking timeframe, known as the goldilocks window, can offer travelers serious savings.

"When traveling internationally, you wanna book at least 60 days in advance and domestic, the sweet spot is usually 45 days," he said.

While airlines are already bracing for record travel this summer, Kelly said to go with the deals rather than the specific destination.

"Demand for travel is strong, especially intergenerational travel," he said. "I recommend -- choose the destination where the deals are so you can spend less on airfare and hotels and spend more at your destination."

Whether you prefer road trips or all-inclusive resorts or cruises, travel experts are seeing deals across the board if you know where to look.

"We've seen great airfares this summer to Hawaii -- JFK to Honolulu we're seeing in the $400 [range] which is 40% below historical prices."

International hotspots this summer like Europe for example, has airfare that's 10% less on average than the same time last year, according to travel booking site Hopper. The average summer airfare, Hopper found, is $325 domestically and $1,000 internationally.

Hot summer airfare deals this week

Boston to Barcelona can be booked for as low as $493 round trip.

Chicago to Paris has airfare as low as $571 round trip.

And Kelly reminded that the key to getting the best deal is knowing how and where to save.

"There's not one day of the week where cheap fares magically appear. If you travel on Tuesdays and Saturdays in general, those days are cheaper than flying on a Thursday, Friday or Sunday," he said.

Golden rule for booking flights: Advanced purchase requirement

Travel expert Scott Keyes of Going.com and formerly Scott's Cheap Flights, regularly reminds people to follow his golden rule of air travel : back-timing when to book based on your departure date, in order to align with an airline's "advanced purchase requirement" found in the fine print of the fare terms and conditions.

"Pull up a calendar and circle 21 days before your travel date," he said. "That needs to be your sort of drop-dead date to get your flights booked by."

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The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Believing there’s just one optimal day a week to save on flights — and that day is Tuesday — is the stuff of legends. And like all good legends, there is some truth to it … but it’s not the whole story.

The reality is that flight prices change constantly and at all hours of the day, adjusting to real-time demand. Airlines don’t restock on the same day every week like a grocery store, so you won’t find deals by waiting until Tuesdays to book. However, you might find some modest savings if you’re willing to fly on Saturdays or midweek, when there’s less demand than usual.

Here’s what the data shows on the best days to book a flight and when to fly.

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Best day to book a flight

No single day of the week is best to book a flight. You can find deals any day of the week since flight prices fluctuate with demand.

Airlines might offer sales, increase the number of seats on a route or even lower prices to match a competitor, so there’s no actual pattern in what day of the week has the best deals.

Best day to fly

Hopper — a travel booking app — collected flight booking data from October 2023 through April 1, 2024 for May 2024 departures. Here are the findings about the best day to fly.

Tuesday and Friday flights can help you avoid the rush earlier in the week

Sundays and Mondays are the most expensive days to depart for domestic trips. If you can’t fly on the cheapest days, flying on Tuesdays or Fridays might also be a good option. The average airfare is about 12% lower than peak Sunday prices on these days.

Mondays can still be a relatively expensive day to fly domestically. By departing on Monday instead of Sunday, you can expect to save only about $9, or about 3%.

Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally

Meanwhile, international flyers would also be wise to leave on Wednesdays or Saturdays, usually the cheapest days to depart for an international trip. That said, there isn’t a huge difference in price across the days of the week for most international routes.

Hopper estimates that leaving on a Wednesday for Europe will only save you about 10% compared to the most expensive day (Friday).

Fly on the holidays (or as far from it as possible)

Holidays are an entirely different beast, no matter whether it’s the Fourth of July or Labor Day. There are generally more people flying in the days around a holiday, so there are fewer airplane seats available and higher prices.

To get the best deal, book as early as possible. Because many airlines have flexible cancellation policies, it doesn’t hurt to lock in a decent rate ahead of time and rebook if the flight price drops in the months after. According to Google Flights’ 2023 insights, the best time to book a mid-December holiday flight is 71 days before departure.

In many cases, the best day to fly will be further out from the holiday. If the holiday falls on a Monday, flying the Tuesday before will likely be cheaper than flying the Friday before. You can also look at flying on the holiday itself. For example, flying on Christmas Day or Thanksgiving Day is usually much more affordable than flying on the days before or after.

Here are our recommendations for when to fly around some of the major holidays based on recent checkpoint data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

The best days to fly around Memorial Day .

The best days to fly around Fourth of July .

The best days to fly around Labor Day .

The best days to fly around Thanksgiving .

The best days to fly around Christmas .

The best days to fly around the winter holidays .

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Tips to find cheap flights any day of the week

Book one to three months in advance.

Even though no day of the week consistently has cheaper flights, there is a time period during which you should book before prices go up.

Going, a flight deals aggregator, recommends booking domestic flights one to three months in advance to avoid any price surges in the weeks leading up to the departure date. Last-minute flight deals aren’t super common and you risk not getting a seat at all because your desired flight might ultimately sell out. If you’re flying internationally, you’ll want to look two to eight months out.

It doesn’t hurt to look at flight prices before the ideal booking window. Google Flights, for example, sometimes shows in the search results when it expects prices to be the lowest based on historical data for your route.

Set a price alert

Let a computer program do the work for you. Instead of checking flight prices every day, set a price alert on the travel search engine of your choice — whether it’s Google Flights , Hopper, Skyscanner or Kayak . They’ll send you an email when they see the price drop.

Rebook if you find a cheaper price

Most airlines have adopted more flexible change and cancellation policies , which make it easier to rebook your flight and save money.

First, you’ll have to make sure that the original flight you booked will not have change or cancellation fees. For most airlines, that applies to most main cabin and premium class tickets on domestic flights and some short-haul international flights. You usually cannot change or cancel basic economy tickets for free.

If you can cancel or change without fees, set a price alert. When the price drops, you can cancel your flight and rebook (on the same airline or a different one) to get the cheaper price. Be aware that you might only get a travel voucher or credit if you cancel, so you should only use the option if you are fairly confident you will fly with the original airline again within one year.

Be flexible with destination, airport and dates

The golden rule of cheap travel remains: Be flexible . Use Google Flights to see if there are cheaper places to go by leaving the destination field blank when you search. Check nearby airports if you’re set on a destination and use the calendar views to find lower prices on different dates. Maybe embrace a long layover as a chance to see another city on your trip.

After all, the best day to book a flight and the best day to fly is when it’s cheapest, and that could vary depending on when and where you are going.

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This New ‘Standby’ Cruise Fare Costs Just $49 Per Day—but Is It Worth It?

By Jessica Puckett

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Would you be willing to wait at a port city with your bags packed, hoping to board a cruise at the last minute, all in order to secure one of the cheapest cruise deals out there? Holland America—with its industry-first standby fare offerings—is betting yes.

The line’s new Standby List Program allows travelers to put their names on a list of prospective passengers to be confirmed for a voyage if there are unsold rooms on the ship. Standby cruisers only pay $49 a day, but they receive as little as two days’ notice to get ready for the trip.

For flexible travelers, the scheme offers the possibility of huge savings. Here’s everything cruisers should know about sailing on standby.

How do the fares work?

To get on the standby list, travelers can select an itinerary on Holland America's list of standby-eligible voyages and call 877-724-5425 to join. (You can also have your travel advisor add you to the standby list on your behalf.)

Once you're on the list, you'll be charged $49 per person per day (not including taxes, fees and port expenses, which can cost several hundred dollars more). If you’re not selected for the cruise, you’ll receive a full refund.

When the week of the sailing arrives, the cruise line will start notifying standby passengers whether they made the cut. Guests are confirmed for their sailings in the order they were added to the standby list, so signing up early counts. Would-be passengers should expect to hear their status between seven to two days before the voyage’s departure.

Travelers who aren’t confirmed within two days of the sailing’s departure receive an immediate refund. Truly spontaneous travelers can choose to cut things even closer with a more nail-biting option: They can opt to remain on the standby list all the way up until 90 minutes before departure to see if there’s a no-show. If that doesn't work out, they’ll still get a full refund.

The deal could offer major savings to group travelers who have a bit of flexibility this summer, as the third and fourth guests in a stateroom can travel nearly for free—they would just be on the hook for taxes and fees. But young families are not eligible for cruising standby, as the fares are only available for travelers ages 21 and older. Since it would be a major gamble to travel long distances for an unconfirmed trip, the standby option makes the most sense for people who live in or near eligible ports like Vancouver , Seattle , San Diego , Fort Lauderdale , Boston , Montreal , or Quebec .

How can travelers take advantage?

In 2024, the bulk of standby fares that Holland America is offering are for Alaskan voyages departing Seattle, Whittier, and Vancouver, as well as New England and Eastern Canada voyages departing from Boston, Montreal, and Quebec City.

There are also a handful of transatlantic sailings departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, including an extended six-week sailing in November that meanders through dozens of Mediterranean ports in Italy, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Egypt, to name a few. Most of the dates for the standby itineraries stretch from May through September, with a few options in October and November as well.

It all sounds appealing, but there are a few factors travelers should keep in mind. “With this program, you've got to be extremely flexible in all aspects of your trip,” says Tanner Callais, founder of cruise travel advice site Cruzely . “Some of these cruises sail for extended periods of time, including up to 42 days,” which is the duration of that lengthy Mediterranean sailing. “You also don't know what sort of cabin you'll receive,” he says. “If you're someone that has to have a balcony room, then this might not be for you.

The type of cabin could, in fact, be a deal breaker for certain travelers. Holland America says it charges standby guests for an interior stateroom, a space as small as 143 square feet with no windows. But travelers could be assigned any category of room ranging up to a verandah stateroom, which ranges from 228 to 405 square feet with enough outdoor space to fit two deck chairs. However, it’s all based on availability.

“Travelers who want to benefit from a standby fare should keep in mind that once confirmed, Holland America Line assigns their room,” says Rob Clabbers, founder and president of the agency Q Cruise + Travel . “While that might result in savings, it means travelers may end up in the last remaining and likely less preferred location—above a theater or night club [or] all the way forward or aft. While this may work for some, it is definitely not recommended for those who fear seasickness, have mobility issues, would like to be close to travel companions, [or] want to be near or away from elevators,” he says.

Holland America Line also notes that these deals are intended for travelers who live within driving distance of the departure ports. “Booking a last-minute airline ticket could end up being more than the cost of the cruise,” Callais says. “That said, the fares are so low that if you have the flexibility, then it might be one of the best deals you'll ever find. This is especially the case if you're a solo traveler, as the double occupancy fare doesn't apply.”

Travelers will want to run the numbers on each voyage to ensure they’re receiving the best possible deal for enduring the hassle of last-minute arrangements. Some of the sailings do offer incredible value. “However, on other sailings, the savings are not nearly as great,” Clabbers says. “If you or your travel advisor do some research, you may very well find some sailings at fares that are similar or even lower than the $49 per day standby fare—and without the restrictions.”

For instance, it’s possible to book a seven-day Alaska sailing that departs June 9 on Holland America’s website, with prices for an inside room starting at $349 per person, plus $310 in taxes, fees, and port expenses. “You even get a $50 credit to spend on board per room, but the biggest advantage is that you can confirm this several weeks before sailing, so you can fine-tune your travel plans rather than have to wait until the very last minute,” says Clabbers.

Jessica Puckett

Jamie Spain

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One of the better deals would be the 42-day Mediterranean Cruise leaving from Fort Lauderdale in November. Booking that sailing outright, “you would pay $5,479 plus $435 in taxes, fees, and port expenses per person based on double occupancy for an Inside room,” Clabbers says. But, if you sail the itinerary on standby and get confirmed, “you would pay a total $2,058 per person plus taxes. Obviously that would be a good deal.”

Will other cruise lines start offering standby prices?

You might be wondering why a cruise line would offer fares as low as $49 a day. At the end of the day, more guests on board means ships generate more money. “Obviously, a cruise line wants to sail with every cabin filled to maximize revenue and efficiency of scale,” says Callais. “If a room sails empty, the cruise line is still using the same amount of fuel and paying the crew and captain the same wage.”

The majority of new ships break even at 50% occupancy, while older ships need 80% occupancy to hit that benchmark, according to Tom Baker , president of Cruise Center .

Carnival Corporation, which is Holland America’s parent company, saw an average revenue of $236 per passenger each cruise day in 2023, while its direct expenses per passenger was about $156 each day, according to Callais’ analysis of the company’s earnings report . But whereas most of a line’s expenses are fixed, there’s always more room to increase revenue with more passengers, who are bound to spend more on the ship. “In other words, even if this standby rate is less than the cruise line would make at a normal rate, it's still better to earn a little money from it than zero,” Callais says.

Although Holland America is the only major cruise line currently offering the standby fare, it could catch on at other companies if it brings in enough money. “Like most industries, cruise lines are constantly looking at competitors and seeing what they are offering or doing that might benefit their business,” Callais says. “If it works, it will get picked up by others.”

Regardless, it’s likely that standby offerings will stay limited to certain lines, as well as specific ports and times of year. “If the program trains too many passengers to just wait and cruise standby, then that could actually end up hurting the bottom line,” Callais says.

But for many travelers, planning and looking forward to a trip is half the fun: "Part of the joy of travel is the anticipation of the experience," says Clabbers.

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Moscow’s tourist revolution

Moscow is a city on the rise, architecturally as well as politically. Hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping arcades are springing up to serve Russia’s powerful, oil-rich elite – and a growing band of international tourists.

But the glass and steel, like the wealth of the city’s inhabitants, is unevenly distributed. Old Moscow, with its elegant Orthodox churches and stark, Soviet-era concrete blocks, lurks around every corner.

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A century of upheaval has left its mark on the city, but historic Moscow still offers up some impressive sights, including the fairy-tale splendour of St Basil’s cathedral, the gold-plated onion domes of

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Sign up for essence newsletters the keep the black women at the forefront of conversation., travel savings, deals, and discounts for families just in time for summer.

School breaks and summers during my childhood were packed with enrichment programs, summer camps , day trips to museums or beaches, amusement park visits, and heading up North to spend time with extended family. However, we’re a long way from the ‘90s, and things are incredibly expensive now.

With inflation impacting our daily lives , it’s no surprise that it’s hitting our vacation funds , too. There are several elements to consider when planning group travel that can be costly: the destination, transportation, food, entertainment, etc. It adds up very quickly. The average cost of a stateside vacation for an individual is $1,984. For couples, that average is $3,969. Families of four average $7,936, and a group of six can see upwards of $11,904.

To help you, we rounded up some travel deals, savings, and destination suggestions to help you plan a memorable and affordable summer trip or two, or even a staycation in your city.

Plane, Train, and Transportation Savings

• Frontier offers a Kids Fly Free program on select domestic routes, an exclusive offer for members of their Discount Den Club. For each adult ticket, children ages 2-14 can fly at no additional cost .
• Amtrak is a great way to get scenic views while skipping the traffic. It has over 500 destinations across the United States (and Canada). Plus, it offers savings that the whole family can enjoy, making it an affordable option for multigenerational travel. Senior citizens, veterans, members of the military, passengers with disabilities, and college students are all eligible for a fare discount. Infants travel for free, and fares for children ages 2-12 are half-price.
• Brightline, a Florida-based train service, also offers a family savings program . Similar to Amtrak’s family discount offer, infants (0-24 months) travel for free, and fares for children ages 2-12 are half-price. Families traveling in groups of four or more can see additional savings of 25 percent. ( Note: Brightline only services routes between Miami, Orlando, Ventura, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton.)
• Amid the influx of gas prices, rideshare surging, and rental car shortages, there’s a lot of appeal in traveling to walkable cities to cut down on transportation costs in a destination. However, through city and county partnerships, Circuit is an app-based, on-demand electric vehicle shuttle service. In most cities, it’s free to hail a ride. In others, the highest rate is $3 per person. ( Note: Circuit only operates within cities in the following states: California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Texas, and Washington, DC.)

Museums, Aquariums, and Area Attractions

• Entertainment is one of the best parts of any trip, but it’s also one of the most costly elements. Don’t turn up your nose at using Groupon to find attractions. I have scored great deals on comedy shows, wine tastings, cooking classes, and last-minute excursions through the marketplace.
• Most of your major cities will offer City Passes or something similar, allowing you to explore multiple spots at a discounted flat rate instead of paying per attraction. I’ve done this several times in Orlando, Chicago, Seattle, and San Diego.
• Although it moves past the summer months, Jacksonville , Fla., hosts Kids Free November every year. Visitors and their families can enjoy free or discounted entry to many of the area’s local attractions. Some of the participating draws are the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens , the Museum of Science & History , and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens .
• The National Park Service facilitates the Every Kid Outdoors program for nature lovers and eager learners in the fourth grade. Eligible children will receive a pass, valid for one year, that grants free admission into any national park (or its partners). The savings are for the entire family. Each fourth grader can bring their family and friends (if they are in the same vehicle) at no additional charge. For families without an eligible elementary student, children 15 and younger can visit any national park at no cost (for entry).
• If you bank at a credit union, you can purchase state-specific museum, aquarium, and amusement park tickets directly through them at a discounted price. Additionally, membership programs like AARP and AAA offer travel savings.

(Note: Recipients of state-supported subsidy programs may be eligible for free or discounted admission to educational attractions such as museums, art exhibits, zoos, and aquariums. Ask your local facility for details.)

Sail into Savings

• Family cruises can be ideal because they eliminate some of the individual elements associated with traveling, making it a cost-effective option. Plus, they have cool kid’s clubs for parents who want to sneak away for a night out, check out fine dining, or enjoy spa treatments. Adventurous families (think glacier dog sledding, zip-lining, and ATV tours) may enjoy sailing into Alaska on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship. With their current anniversary sale , cruises are up to 45% off, and third and fourth guests who book in the same stateroom sail for free. On select itineraries through Hawaii and the Caribbean, children 18 and under sail free when booked as the third or fourth guest in a stateroom.
• Other cruise lines, such as Norwegian, Star Clippers, and Royal Caribbean, regularly offer a Kids Sail Free promotion for guests 12 and under.

Let’s Go International 

• Another cost-effective travel option for families looking for fun in the sun is to book an all-inclusive vacation. Club Med Resorts have global destinations, each with a Kids Stay Free Package. Children under four are free. Parents will pay 50% for children between 4-11 and receive a 20% discount for each child 11-17.

(Note: The current rate for a passport is $120, which may be a costly expense for larger families. Some may be exempt from the passport fee or qualify for a fee waiver based on the eligibility requirements outlined here .)

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It’s Not Too Late for a Fourth of July Travel Deal

Squeezed by holiday economics, what’s a last-minute, budget-minded traveler to do? Think like a contrarian: Go where the masses aren’t.

By Elaine Glusac

More than 47 million Americans are expected to travel over the Independence Day holiday between July 1 and 5, nearly matching prepandemic levels, according to AAA, the automobile owners group.

More travelers mean higher prices. The travel app Hopper said a good deal on a round-trip domestic flight over the holiday period cost $302 on average compared to $280 for the rest of the summer. AAA puts midrange hotel prices up about a third over normal rates. The rental car shortage has pushed rates up 75 percent over 2019 prices and sometimes higher, according to Autoslash , a service that finds cheap rentals, which recommends avoiding renting in Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands because of exorbitant prices. Florida might be tough, too; six of the top nine most searched destinations on Booking.com in May for summer travel were in Florida.

Squeezed by Fourth of July economics, what’s a last-minute, budget-minded traveler to do? Think like a contrarian: Go where the masses aren’t.

“Places like L.A., New York City, D.C., Austin and Chicago aren’t going to be quite as crowded as the beach, lake and national and state park destinations,” wrote Christie Hudson, a spokeswoman for Expedia, in an email. “As a result, these are also the most budget-friendly places to go for last-minute planners, showing lower average daily rates compared to 2019.”

There may also be a beach, campsite or pool in your holiday future, too, if you cast your net widely, according to the following deals and strategies for finding affordable escapes. Bear in mind that prices change often, and may have shifted since publication. And if you are priced out of the holiday, spend it planning a future trip; the Xanterra Travel Collection, which includes national park lodges, tour companies and Windstar Cruises, is holding a sale June 30 through July 8, with up to 30 percent off room rates and nearly $1,100 a person off cruises.

Shop the remainders rack

Whatever you do, you will need to dig deep to find a bargain. Some of that effort is expedited by sales listings at various travel entities centralizing their last-minute offers.

The tour company G Adventures has a summer sale with trips up to 20 percent off for travel through October. If you’re ready to pack your bag — and can fulfill all travel requirements imposed by the destination country — the company has several sale trips departing in the next week, including eight days walking on the Camino de Santiago in Spain beginning July 4 from $1,062 (Spain is open to vaccinated Americans) or a nine-day family-focused trip to Costa Rica from $1,300 a person, departing July 3 (Costa Rica is open to American visitors without testing or vaccination, but requires specific insurance that covers Covid-19 related expenses).

CheapCaribbean.com , as the name implies, exists to sell you deals. Many are packages bundling all-inclusive resorts with airfare. Its Last-Minute Vacations page has an array of offers in Mexico and the Caribbean over the holiday, among them trips to Playabachata Resort in the Dominican Republic for four nights, including airfare from $591 a person, and five nights at the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda on Mexico’s Riviera Maya from $808 a person, including airfare.

The hotel group Preferred Hotels & Resorts maintains a last-minute deals page , currently with rates from $122 at the Whitehall hotel in Houston.

Check the websites of tourism and chamber of commerce offices in your target destination for local offers. The business association of Provincetown, Mass., at the tip of Cape Cod, for example, maintains a link with last-minute lodging deals, including some over the holiday.

Hit a convention city

Large conventions are still on hold, and the cancellations are being felt across cities popular for meetings , including Orlando, Washington and Chicago, creating a bargain shopper’s opportunity.

Both Mayor Muriel Bowser and President Biden recently issued invitations to celebrate the Fourth in the nation’s capital. Hotel rates are creeping up — compact rooms at the Yotel Washington D.C. are priced from about $146 nightly for the long weekend — with the approach of the fireworks on the National Mall July 4 (free). The new Ven at Embassy Row hotel in Dupont Circle will reserve its rooftop and pool — in view of the Mall fireworks — for guests and screen the movie “Independence Day” there on July 2 (rooms from $250).

In Chicago, the newly reopened Sheraton Grand Chicago , just a few blocks from the lakefront entertainment district Navy Pier , and Millennium Park, home to the Grant Park Music Festival’s Independence Day concerts , July 2 and 3 (free), has rooms over the holiday weekend from $189.

As New York City re-emerges and prepares for July 4 fireworks on the East River (free), many hotels are putting their rooms on sale. Broadway remains dark, but the Westin New York at Times Square is back with a July deal starting at $209 a night midweek and $289 on the holiday weekend, including parking, a complimentary upgrade and late checkout. From July 3 to 6, the average nightly rate at Crowne Plaza HY36 near Hudson Yards was recently $195 (in fall, rates average $350).

Since it was recently announced that fireworks will resume at Disney World on July 1, the bookings in Orlando, a major convention city, are shifting rapidly. Visit Orlando , the city’s tourism office, maintains a list of local deals on transportation, dining and lodging, including rooms up to 25 percent off. The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace has rooms over the holiday weekend averaging $332 a night, but if you can hold out for a weeknight later in the month, you might pay closer to $200, and still get to see the local fireworks. Over the holiday weekend, rates at Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista start around $176 (if you join the free Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program), and Crowne Plaza Orlando Downtown , about a mile from the city’s fireworks at Lake Eola, start around $160.

Go abroad, if you dare

If you’re game to use your passport, now might be a good time.

Time for Travel , an agency based in Davidsonville, Md., has “had great luck with booking people to places like Mexico and the Dominican Republic where a Covid test is not required to enter and the resorts are also providing free return testing,” said Sarah Kline, its president.

If you can get to Tulum on the Riviera Maya through Oct. 31, you can take advantage of a new offer from the Aloft Tulum hotel that includes a room, meals, drinks and snacks from $229 a night.

In nearby Playa del Carmen, the all-inclusive Paradisus La Perla resort has rates starting at $101 a person a night, during a brand-wide sale from Paradisus by Meliá , with discounts up to 40 percent off, running to July 5 for stays through March 2022. In the Dominican Republic, sale rates over the holiday at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana start at $97 a person.

Normally starting at $425 a night, cabins at GeeJam Hotel , the stylish resort on the northeast coast of Jamaica in Port Antonio, are going for $277 a night for three-night-minimum stays July 1 through 15, including breakfast, 15 percent off other food and drink, 20 percent off spa services and complimentary use of kayaks, paddle boards and snorkeling gear. A similar deal discounts its rooms from $300 to $225. Jamaica requires visitors have proof of a negative coronavirus test.

Go where it’s hot, really hot

In normal travel times you’ll pay a lot more for desert destinations in winter than you will in summer when it can be blistering.

Take Scottsdale , Ariz., the resort-filled Phoenix neighbor, for example. Rates plunge in summer, when the pool scene is in full swing. For the holiday weekend, The Scott Resort & Spa has two sizable pools, Caribbean-accented poolside dining and rates from $199 for stays July 1 through 6, compared to rates above $300 beginning in September (use promo code JULY4).

Stay over July 4 and 5 at the colorful Saguaro Scottsdale in Scottsdale’s Old Town and pay $100 a night (use the code SUMMER21). By booking on its website, you’ll get welcome margaritas and a late checkout. Skip the rental car in favor of a loaner bike from the hotel. The shops and galleries of Old Town are easily walkable.

The area is renowned for its spas and Civana Wellness Resort & Spa offers a relatively affordable version. With a fourth-night-free promotion , rooms average $237 a night, July 2 to 6, allowing guests to take advantage of complimentary daily hikes, meditation, yoga and fitness classes.

Camp on the fringes

If you haven’t planned a camping destination for the holiday, don’t head out for the marquee national parks like Yellowstone , which has seen record numbers of visitors since last summer, or Yosemite , where advance reservations are required.

Joshua Bush, the chief executive of Avenue Two Travel , based in Bryn Mawr, Pa., has been living out of a 45-foot R.V. since December and has visited 26 national parks, often making campground reservations six to nine months in advance. He recommends targeting secondary sites like Pinnacles National Park in central California (park campsites there are sold out July 2 through 4 with availability before and after), and other parks in the system, including national lakeshores.

“The National Park Service has a fantastic app that geolocates where you are and says, yes, you might be close to Sequoia National Park, but you have national historic sites nearby that might not have a waiting time,” he said.

Other strategies include calling for reservations and telling the agent that you are willing to change campsites during your stay.

“Sometimes you can cobble together a stay, if you’re willing to move,” he added.

Booking platforms like Tentrr , Pitchup , Hipcamp , Campspot and Campendium have made it easier to find individual campsites or small, under-the-radar campgrounds.

Tentrr, where many property owners offer fully equipped campsites, including canvas tents with beds, toilets and solar-heated showers, has several sites available over the Fourth with rates starting at $135 a night, including the Catskills site Mountaintop in Hobart, N.Y., and Berkshire Mountain Hideaway in Richmond, Mass., with hiking trails just beyond the tent flaps.

Pitchup is currently showing about 45 campgrounds in the United States with availability over the holiday weekend, including Little Heaven Ranch , a primitive campground about 35 minutes from Grand Canyon National Park; a three-night stay costs $150.

The demand for camping has inspired new openings, including Camp Fimfo on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, Texas, about an hour from Austin and San Antonio. The parklike campground, with swimming pools, a water park and tavern, opens July 1 with 80 R.V. sites, three A-frame cabins and a number of offers , including 25 percent off stays of five nights. Standard rates start around $117.

Hit the road

It’s a repeat summer for R.V. travel, partially because so many families discovered the value of loading into a cabin-on-wheels compared to buying multiple airfares. Do your itinerary planning before renting an R.V. or van to make sure you can find an adequate place to stop (or practice boondocking , which is camping off the grid, often on Bureau of Land Management property). Once you’ve made those reservations, you’ll find reasonably priced vehicles still available for the holiday.

Outdoorsy , a platform for R.V. owners to rent their vehicles, puts the average cost around $160 a night. Use the code All4Outdoorsy to get 10 percent off on bookings made through July 4 for travel now or later.

Travellers Autobarn rents camper vans in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco with unlimited mileage. A summer discount program offers $50 to $250 off vehicles rented for five days or more (use the promo code “Fifty” for rentals of five days and “OneHundred” for 10 days or more). The vehicles start at $69 for a standard van and $122 for a Kuga Campervan with a microwave, sink, refrigerator and gas stove.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

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Best Travel Deals of December 2023 – Save Big on Expedia, Priceline, & More

Looking to lock down late travel details for your winter or spring getaway? Check out these December travel deals to save on your next trip.

Best Travel Deals

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

If you're trying to find deals on a last-minute holiday trip or book a winter or early spring getaway, we've rounded up some December deals to help steer you in the right direction and save money on travel expenses to get you where you're going for less.

Planning ahead is a surefire way to save. Booking domestic flights about three weeks to three months in advance can yield the best savings. With that time frame, reserving one-way or round-trip air travel in December can save you money on late winter getaways, Spring Break travel, or even just a weekend getaway. For international trips, you'll want to book about three to six months in advance – or up to 10 months in advance during a destination's peak season – to get the lowest airfare.

Winter is a big time for travel to warmer climates, so it might be harder to find the best deals this month but be sure to check travel sites for last-minute discounts.

Sites like Priceline , Expedia , Booking.com , and Orbitz are offering discounts on flights, hotels, and travel bundles this month. Hotel and rental car companies are also giving exclusive discounts when you book through them.

Today’s Best Travel Sales

Current deals can be found on some of the most popular travel booking websites and brands. December deals include:

• Booking.com : up to 15% off Getaway Deals for stays through Jan. 3, 2024
• CheapOair.com : up to $30 off flight fees with code LD30
• Expedia : up to 30% savings or more on hotels
• Priceline : up to 50% savings on select hotels with Pricebreakers
• Marriott : 15% off or more on three-night or longer stays at select locations with coupon code
• Orbitz : savings up to 35% with Last-Minute Deals
• Budget Rent A Car : up to 35% off when paying for vehicle rental upfront
• Hotels.com : up to 35% off beach getaways

Best Travel Deals Going On Right Now

Some of the best deals happening now are available for a limited time, while others are offered year-round. Coupons for signing up for an account or email newsletter are typically always offered, while deeper discounts generally have an expiration date.

Here are all the best deals going on right now:

Booking.com

Booking.com 's Getaway Deals can save you up to 15% on accommodations for stays through Jan. 3, 2023.

You can search using your own parameters or peruse a list of Getaway Deals locations curated by Booking.com. This offer is good for participating hotels and other properties around the world.

Up to 15% off Getaway Deals for stays through Sept. 28, 2023

CheapOair.com

CheapOAir.com offers links to cheap flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. In December it is offering a promotion that gives you up to $30 off its own fees on flights with coupon code LD30, which you can apply during checkout.

Other savings you can benefit from are a $15 discount on fees when you join the travel site's email promotions list.

$30 off flight fees with code LD30

Expedia is offering 10% to 30% of hotel stays. It also offers special deals for members if you join the OneKey program with savings of up to 30% off.

The website also lists trip ideas, from one- to four-day trips and more, as well as recommended destinations that can help you save money on travel.

20% or more off hotel stays

Priceline 's new service, Pricebreakers , reduces the price of stays at top-rated hotels by up to 50%.

Here's how it works: Priceline will show you three deeply discounted hotel choices that are highly rated, but you won't know which hotel you've booked until the reservation is complete. The company says it's only able to offer these marked-down prices from certain hotels discreetly, so the exact accommodation isn't transparent until you've booked it.

Variety of special savings for Priceline’s 25th anniversary

Up to 50% savings on select hotels with Pricebreakers

Travelers booking through Marriott can save from 15% to 25% on three-night or longer stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts. Reservations must be made by March 12, 2024, and you must use the promo code UK8 when making a reservation.  

This promotion is good at select Marriotts around the world, including luxury hotels and family-friendly options, and you can use filters on the website to find participating locations.

Families can also save by getting 50% off a second room for kids who are 16 or younger.

15% off or more on three-night or longer stays with code UK8

Orbitz is offering up to 35% off its Last-Minute Deals . You can save on all your impromptu travel needs with these last-minute travel deals, including finding cheap hotels, vacation rentals or packages, airlines, car rentals, and activities.

The website includes a variety of options for travelers to choose from, and most hotels have free cancellation.

Savings up to 35% with Last-Minute Deals

Budget Car Rental

Budget Car Rental is taking 35% off the price of vehicle rentals in the contiguous U.S. and Canada when you pay upfront at participating locations. Use the Budget Customer Discount promotion D822121 to find the lowest rates when booking. Some vehicle restrictions apply.

The company's other periodic promotions include free vehicle upgrades and markdowns on weekly vehicle rentals.

Budget Rent A Car

Up to 35% off when paying for vehicle rental upfront

If you are looking for some last-minute deals, you may want to check out Hotels.com . Currently, the site is promoting up to 35% off beach getaways for hotel stays in popular locations.

If you plan to be a frequent user of this site, you may want to consider joining the site's free membership program, as it allows you to earn discounts on future travel bookings.

20% off fall getaways

Find Travel Coupons Online

You can find more travel coupons online right here at U.S. News Deals . We round up active promo codes and discounts from popular travel sites and car rental companies and list them all in one place to save you time.

So when you're looking to save money on your upcoming trip, make U.S. News Deals your first stop.

Check out the current promotions and coupon codes for the following sites:

• Barcelo Hotels & Resorts »
• Booking.com »
• Budget Rent A Car »
• Budget Truck Rental »
• CheapOair.com »
• Enterprise »
• Great Wolf Lodge »
• Hotels.com »
• Priceline »
• OneTravel »
• Southwest »
• The Parking Spot »
• Travelocity »

For more coupons and promotions, many travel sites offer a discount when you sign up for their email newsletters. Free loyalty programs and paid memberships also include member-only prices, among other money-saving perks.

Travel Deals – Tips To Save

Having a coupon isn’t the only way to save money on travel plans. Finding the best price on top of a discount can mean significantly more savings. Here are tips to save:

Track prices

Monitoring the price of flights, hotels, cars, cruises, and other accommodations will help you find the best price. Many travel sites have a tracking feature or allow you to save trip searches so you can monitor prices of one-way and round-trip flights, rentals, or other accommodations you’re interested in and be notified when prices drop.

Use a travel app to find the lowest price

A number of apps can also track prices and give you options, letting you know which are the cheapest. Some examples are Scott's Cheap Flights, Skyscanner, Hopper, and Kiwi.

In addition, some booking sites offer discounts if you download and use their app for the reservation process. The website should note if this is an option, so be sure to look for it if you're interested.

Shop during sales

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are popular sale days for big discounts across the board, and that includes travel deals. And don't forget about Travel Tuesday, which follows Cyber Monday and features a variety of deals – from extra points on flight bookings to a free night stay and other discounts on accommodations as well as vacation packages.

For other times of the year, signing up for email newsletters from your favorite travel websites will keep you in the know of upcoming sales. Some have weekly or even daily sales.

Browse different sites 

Some sites may offer lower prices than others. By shopping around, you’ll see the different options and prices available for your trip. Don’t dismiss booking directly from an airline, hotel, or cruise company, as they may have offers not available through third-party sites.

Time your trip

Certain months yield lower prices. In general, January and August are known for cheaper airfare, so researching off-season months for your trip destination can keep more money in your pocket and help you avoid tourist-heavy periods.

Be flexible with your trip details if you can

This won't always be possible, but if you can keep your options open, you might find a great deal on a flight to a specific destination or a hotel in an area you might not have originally considered. Timing, too, can impact price, so if you can alter your travel dates, you may be able to take advantage of vacation deals.

Join membership programs

If you’re loyal to certain companies or websites, consider joining their membership programs to earn member-only discounts. Some may even give you a coupon or other reward, such as bonus points, for signing up. Plus, you'll be notified about sales, including hotel deals, cruise deals, and other promotions.

Consider using a travel rewards credit card

Some membership programs offer travel credit cards that you can use for everyday purchases like groceries and gas to earn points for future travel discounts. If you want more flexibility, choose a rewards card not affiliated with one travel company. If you travel frequently and generally use credit cards for purchases, this could be a good way to save on trip expenses.

One thing to check before signing up for a card is its annual fee. Some have no fee, while others may charge several hundreds of dollars per year.

Use your points

Similarly, if you collect points or miles, check to see if you've accumulated enough to save on your travel costs. Some programs also allow you to purchase points, which could be a cost-effective method to pay for your trip, depending on the point conversion rate.

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