Summer vacation is here! Whether you’re making travel plans for the whole family or a fun weekend getaway for yourself, searching options online can seem like a chore. Make summer travel booking easier with these five tips.
1. Purchasing flights too early or too late will cost you. Reserve your flights no more than six months in advance and no less than two weeks before the departure date. Apps like Hopper help alleviate stress by allowing you to monitor multiple flight options and set up notifications for when it’s the cheapest time to buy.
2. Whether it’s your flight, rental car or accommodations, read the fine print before reserving. Always check for additional luggage, mileage and cleaning fees. After the extra charges, the “cheapest” option may be the most expensive.
3. Book directly whenever possible. While third-party travel sites are great for comparing prices, they’re not always the best option. Booking directly with hotels, airlines and rental car companies means you’re more likely to get free upgrades, perks and points. Cancellations and changes can be more difficult through third-party vendors.
4. Read customer reviews before buying tickets. Whether it’s seeing a concert, taking a city tour or snorkeling—excursions are a big part of the vacation experience. If you have never worked with a company or organization before, it’s always wise to confirm its legitimacy by running a Google search and reading customer reviews before purchasing.
5. Follow best online safety practices. Never enter credit card information unless you trust the website and see a padlock symbol in the web address bar. Use strong passwords to protect your accounts. Turn on multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Remember to always think before you click.
