If you are planning a trip, you might wonder how and where to get the best deals on airfare, hotels, and rental cars. The internet has made it easier than ever to book your own travel. You can compare prices and make reservations in just a few clicks thanks to travel booking sites like Expedia, Travelocity, and Priceline. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most popular travel booking sites and how to find the best deals.
Choosing a Travel Booking Site
When it comes to choosing a travel booking site, there are a few things to consider. The first thing you should do is decide what you want. Do you want to book your entire vacation, including airfare, hotels, and rental cars, all at once? If so, big travel sites like Expedia and Travelocity might be a good option. However, if you are looking for a bargain, you might want to try a site like Kayak, which lets you search rates on hundreds of different travel booking sites at the same time. If you only need a hotel, airfare, or rental car, you may be able to save more money on a specialty site like Hotels.com, RentalCars.com, or CheapFlights.com.
In addition to considering what you want, you should also look for a site that is easy to use. The best travel booking sites are clear and easy to navigate. When you click on a link, it should take you where it promises. The site should save your information as you search, so you don’t have to re-enter your travel dates every time. Some sites even let you save your itinerary and favorite places.
Another thing to keep in mind is hidden fees. Some travel booking sites will add their own fee when you make a reservation, or they may not include taxes or other charges in the price they quote you. Read the terms carefully before you book to see how much, if anything, extra you will be paying. Some sites, like Kayak.com, do not charge booking fees.
Finally, check into customer service. Does the travel booking site stand behind its services? What will they do if you find a cheaper rate elsewhere, or if your trip doesn’t go as planned? The site should have its customer service phone number or e-mail address, as well as its cancellation and other policies clearly posted.
Searching on Travel Booking Sites
The search process for travel booking sites is generally the same. You type in your travel parameters, such as location, departure and return dates, and the number of travelers, and the site generates a list of options sorted by price, rating, or whatever other designation you specify. The types of parameters you can request depending on the site. For example, most sites will let you look for only nonstop flights or refundable fares when you book airline tickets.
Most travel booking sites let you buy airline tickets and make hotel and car reservations à la carte or bundle them into complete travel packages. Buying a packaged vacation should save you money, but that’s not always the case. You have to do some creative cost comparison and add up the individual prices to ensure you’re actually getting a good deal.
As you’re booking your vacation, some sites will give you more information than others. Expedia, Travelocity, and sites like them will let you pick your exact hotel, flight, and rental car company, but Hotwire and Priceline won’t provide you with the final details until you’ve punched in your credit card number.
Conclusion
Travel booking sites have made it easier and more affordable than ever to book your own travel. By doing a little research and comparing prices, you can potentially save up to 50% or more on your trip.
