These days, it seems like nothing is cheap. From milk to gas and almost everything in between, prices are constantly on the rise. If you’re planning a trip at any point in 2013, there’s a good chance that the exorbitant travel rates you’ll pay will cause the biggest hit your wallet will experience all year. However, just because the majority of society tends to overpay for travel doesn’t mean that you have to, too. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, below are three ways you can save big by shopping online.
Discounted Hotel Reservations
If you’re headed out of town for any amount of time longer than a day, you’re going to need a place to stay. Don’t just call up the local hotels and book a room, though. Instead, you can take advantage of significant discounts on hotel reservations when you work with a trusted travel site. When it comes to the top travel websites, there are no catches and no strings attached. These sites simply have the type of inside connections needed to get you the lowest possible hotel rates. With the massive buying power of an experienced travel site, numerous rooms are available at a discounted rate, and those savings are passed along to consumers.
Fantastic Flight Prices
If your travels won’t be local, you’ll need to take a plane – and unfortunately, even the most inexperienced traveler knows how pricey airfare can be. Just like travel companies can offer lower-than-normal hotel rates thanks to their bulk buying power, airline ticket prices also fall when purchased in large quantities by these travel sites. When you purchase your plane ticket from a respected leader in online travel deals, you get the benefit of saving a few bucks over your fellow travelers who pay full price. Plus, if you travel frequently in a professional capacity, savings can be even bigger thanks to discounted business class tickets.
Cheap Car Rental
For short road trips, or even just to help you get around town once your plane lands, a car rental can be quite convenient. However, after you’ve paid for all of your other travel expenses, a rental isn’t always in your budget. Instead of opting for public transportation, try renting through the online travel site you used for your plane ticket or hotel reservation. Many of the top travel websites offer car rentals, too, meaning that you can save in virtually every aspect of your trip.
From discounted hotel reservations to fantastic flight prices to cheap car rental, travelling doesn’t have to break the bank. If you know where to look, and if you have the patience to shop around on the various deal sites available online, you can save a boatload of money on your next business or personal trip.
Hailey Andersen is an avid blogger and world traveler.
