| As the Marketing Director for a travel/holiday | | | | entire season and know that they are likely to sell |
| company, I'm always being asked on the best way | | | | availability in the peak season, when demand is high, |
| to save money on holidays (vacations). As I'm privy | | | | but unlikely to sell out in the shoulder months. |
| to a lot of insider information about pricing, I'm | | | | Consider travelling in May, September and October, |
| always happy to share this information with friends | | | | when you are more likely to get a discount, and if |
| and family. Here are my best 6 tips. | | | | you're a couple or smaller party, you could ask for a |
| - Some things benefit from early booking, some | | | | villa for the price of an apartment - this can |
| don't. Typically, hotel prices will drop the closer you | | | | sometimes work because family villas are less popular |
| get to your arrival date, but you may miss out on | | | | outside school holiday periods - and just enjoy some |
| your preferred date or location. Villas and apartments | | | | extra space at no extra cost. |
| are similar in that holiday companies will want to sell | | | | - Register for newsletters This is all about information |
| them for something rather than leave them empty, | | | | and choice. Only register for the companies that you |
| but this will only work if you're booking through the | | | | would trust to take you on holiday, so your inbox |
| travel company directly rather than a travel agent - | | | | isn't cluttered up by endless travel emails! However, |
| travel agents have nothing to lose if it is unsold | | | | most companies advertise their cheap holiday deals |
| because they work on a commission basis. | | | | and offers via their newsletter, often when they |
| Sometimes, it is worth putting in a late request to | | | | don't advertise them on the website because they |
| owners on the "owners direct" type websites but | | | | want the unsuspecting "just found the website" |
| beware that they are typically not bonded or | | | | booker to have the chance to pay full price. Don't be |
| covered by regulations, so standards may slip for a | | | | that person! |
| "cheaper" booking. The exception to this is very early | | | | - Ask and you may receive, don't ask and you won't. |
| booking, when a travel company will often give a | | | | Always speak with a representative of the company |
| discount (or free car hire etc) for an advance | | | | before you book. This is essential, general advice, as |
| booking (typically more than 6 months in advance). | | | | you'll be able to gauge how you are likely to be |
| Flights - well predictably, they're different! As a | | | | treated on your holiday. Do they remember you? Do |
| general rule, they tend to increase in price from their | | | | they respond to you quickly? Are they pleasant? And |
| release to the flight date, so booking early is advised. | | | | while you're talking to them... ask if you can have a |
| And car hire - just make sure that you book it from | | | | discount! It is very unlikely that they'll ever offer, so |
| home as you won't want to see the prices once you | | | | if you don't ask, you won't receive. Just be aware |
| arrive at your holiday destination! | | | | that sometimes, when you do ask, you won't |
| - Try one of the travel industry "innovations" such as | | | | receive either! Don't make your holiday choice based |
| auctions, deals or clubs Many reputable and bonded | | | | only on price - if you save a little but have a far |
| companies now run travel auctions, either via an | | | | worse holiday, then that saving just isn't worth it. On |
| auction site such as ebay or directly on their own | | | | a personal note, I'd advise only booking with a |
| website. There are numerous other tricks and | | | | specialist - ask questions, let them do your research, |
| innovations, such as "Buy one, get one free" holidays, | | | | because ultimately, that's what you're paying for and |
| typically for people who are able (and prepared) to | | | | they should be able to find you the holiday that fits |
| travel in the off-season. There are a number of | | | | your requirements. Look for services such as a |
| holiday "clubs" springing up that offer their "members" | | | | holiday personal shopper that allows you to specify |
| holidays discounted by huge percentages. Never be | | | | your exact needs, or phone and ask questions. |
| tempted to pay to be a "member" but sign up to a | | | | - Go where the locals go. If you're eating with your |
| few to receive their offers - and always check the | | | | fellow country folk, you will be paying more than the |
| prices before booking to make sure they really are | | | | locals. Even worse, you'll probably be eating worse |
| being offered at the discount stated. | | | | food because you're not as fussy as the locals! Be a |
| - Be aware of booking seasonsThere are different | | | | little adventurous (without being dangerous) in |
| booking seasons as well as holiday seasons, and being | | | | everything you do, whether that be the beach you |
| aware of them is crucial in bagging a bargain. For | | | | use, the shop where you buy your groceries or |
| example, villa companies make a lot of sales for | | | | where you eat. It's also more likely that you'll be |
| summer arrivals in December and January, so are less | | | | helping the local economy rather than giving money |
| inclined to shave the price. However, they'd like to be | | | | over to a multinational chain, so you can even feel |
| selling some apartments and hotels, but there is less | | | | good about what you're doing! I hope that by using |
| demand - at these times, you can often negotiate a | | | | some of these tips, you'll be able to save yourself |
| deal on something that has less demand. Another | | | | some money AND have a better holiday. Even if |
| seasonal factor is your arrival date. On the Greek | | | | you've already booked your holiday for the year, you |
| Islands, the season runs from May to October, with | | | | may want to take advantage of the saving advice |
| peak being July and August. Holiday companies will | | | | on, say, car hire or where to eat on holiday. |
| take contracts on their villas and apartments for the | | | | |