Budget Friendly Travel Tips

Budget travel may not be your cup of tea, but, with economy giving everyone a rough time, travelers are looking for more pocket-friendly means of travel. Here are some tips and tricks on planning as well as taking your next trip:

1. Grab hotel deals

In an effort to increase their bookings, many popular hotel chains are offering travelers significant deals. Fairmont hotels, for example, has slashed rates as much as 20 percent at more than 50 of its properties through April 15. Other hotels are also offering discounts such as free nights and savings packages. You’ll find the greatest values in destinations such as Las Vegas, Hawaii, Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico—places where tourism plays a vital role and rooms need filling.

2. Earn rewards for being a loyal customer

Most loyalty programs, including those of Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Wyndham have eliminated blackout dates for points redemption, so you can get free nights even during peak season.

3. Choose an all-inclusive package

Whether its hotels or cruises, choosing an all-inclusive package can mean significant savings. And there are some great bargains to be had out on the water right now. Crystal Cruises, for example is offering perks, such as stateroom upgrades and discounts as much as $2,000 on penthouse rooms on some Asian sailings.

4. Stay at rented house or apartment

For significant savings—and more square footage for your dollar—consider staying in a privately owned apartment or house on your next trip. Rental apartments and homes gives you that extra privacy and space that you don’t get a typical hotel room that too at lower rates.

5. Use your Flyer miles

This is the year to make use of your miles that you have accumulated over the past. With fewer people taking to the skies, your chances for redeeming miles could potentially increase. Most airlines start selling flights 330 days out, so using your miles as far in advance as possible increases the likelihood of getting an award seat. And if a flight isn’t full approximately two weeks before departure, the carrier will turn to frequent-flier customers to help fill the plane.

Hotels Offer Relief from Stress of Summer Travel

Booming Construction Brings Out Bargains

When Pat Economos of La Grange Park, Ill., went looking for a quick golf getaway this summer, the first thing she did was call the Wisconsin resort she’d stayed at more than a decade ago. Back then, it cost $90 per person per night, which included a room, dinner and breakfast and unlimited golf.

This summer, however, the semi-retired purchasing agent was shocked to discover the rate was $250 per person — that is, until she inquired about midweek prices and was offered a nightly rate of $110. “I’ve always been budget minded,” she says, “and two nights midweek are costing us less than one night on the weekend.”

Welcome to the world of lodging and hospitality circa summer 2008, where being flexible and inquisitive may provide some relief from high gas prices, exorbitant airfares and continuing economic uncertainty. Assuming you can afford to get where you’re going, there are even some deals to be had once you get there.

Read the story about how hotels are offering bargain prices as a result of booming construction and the weaking demand that’s pushing the occupancy rates down.

- source : msnbc.com