6 Ways to Save On Your Next Trip

The key to saving on your next trip is investigating your destination in advance. Below, are some ideas on ways to do just that.

Request for free information. Almost every city or destination has a tourism office. The biggest advantage of requesting free information from these offices is that they usually send you discounts and coupons on hotels, restaurants, car rentals, activities and so much more.

Travel off-season. Research shows that consumers can save up to 50 percent on hotel rates by avoiding peak tourist seasons. Many hotels have a period when they expect fewer guests. This period is usually called "low or off season" and it varies depending on the city. To attract more guests, hotels have been known to discount their rooms as much as 50% off their high season rates. Call the hotels to find out what periods they consider to be off -season since it varies. As long as the weather is decent, off-season is actually a better time to visit many places. Hotels tend to provide better service when they have fewer guests, and you can experience the city in a more relaxed state – without blowing your budget

Bring a friend. In addition to having someone share your experiences with, a friend can also help cut your hotel cost up to 50%. The more friends you have the better. If you are traveling solo, ask the hotels for a single occupancy rate, which can save you as much as 15% off the regular rates.

Inform everyone about your special occasion. Generally, hotels will offer their guest something extra if they are celebrating a special occasion such as birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, etc. Hotels have been known to offer free upgrades to better rooms at no additional cost, a free bottle of wine or even a gift basket. On the other hand some restaurants may offer a free desert, a free glass of wine or even a complimentary birthday cake.

Compare rates. To get the best deal, always make a point to shop around for everything including airfares, hotels, car rentals etc. You should compare rates offered by a company's toll- free number with that offered on their website. Generally, car rental companies offer better rates on their website than on their toll-free lines.

Be flexible. Most major airlines are now offering "last-minute" airfares on their web site. These fares are usually posted three or four days before the scheduled flight. You can also call the airlines toll-free number and inquire if they have any last minute fares to your destination.