Fast 5 Travel Tips: HOT HOT Deals

Black Friday sales are abound. You can cash in on travel deals right now.

Here are the first 5 offerings:

1. Westjet.com - flights & vacations on sale. Hot deals include bargains like this one to San Diego California. Look at those flight times...no overnight stop in Calgary and no driving to Winnipeg on icy roads!

2. Aircanada.com Their sale includes destinations across Canada, to the USA, plus International and Sun destinations too. You can travel until April 30th 2016 if you book during this sale. Yes, Spring Break dates ARE included.  One really great deal I spied was to Fredericton, NB. $418! Unbelievable to fly to the Maritimes on Spring Break at that low of a fare. Definitely worth the drive to Winnipeg to board that flight. 

3. Sheraton Hotels are offering 25% off on hotel rooms booked before December 6th. Book now and travel into September, 2016.

4. Redtag.ca is a bonus savings of $15-$100 per person if you book your travel package with them.
There are great deals to Mexico, including 5 star resorts at under $1200 with taxes included.

5. On November 30th there will be a Twitter Travel Auction presented by Air Transat. They are auctioning off vacation packages on twitter. This is the second Cyber Monday auction for them. Funds raised go to charity. Last year's packages were hot sellers, with some going for $1000 less than retail. The trips up for auction will be revealed on November 27th. 

Here's a sample of one of the winning bids from last year. 

My best advice to you in shopping for travel deals this week is to act quickly. The top bargains will sell out easily. And, if it's in your budget, book your Spring Break flights now. It will be the best opportunity for savings on those popular dates. 

Fast Five Travel Tips: Black Friday Strategies

Are you getting twitchy thinking of the deals on the horizon? Will you shop in the malls, or buy on-line? And while you are planning your holiday purchases, you may wish to take a moment and consider your upcoming travel needs as well.

In the past, there have been deals on select flights or select hotels, rather than blanket discounts. You can expect deals to be available this weekend, as well as additional deals on "cyber monday."

Here are my tips to maximize your success buying travel and getting that deal this weekend.

1. Identify your needs. Make a list of the hotels and destinations you need to go to in the next 6 months. (Think hockey/volleyball/school/family obligations.)

2. Wish List. Make a list of your possible travel dates for "wish list" travel.  As in, if there was a remarkable deal to Arizona, WHEN would it be possible for you to go? If those dates and deals line up, you might just hit the jackpot.

3. Get in the loop! If you're not a member/social media follower of the hotels/airlines/travel companies you wish to buy from, add them now. Sign up for their e-mails, follow them on Twitter. You want to be among the first to know of the deals.

4. Grab your money. Will you be using a credit card? Pay Pal? Know your limits which card(s) offer additional benefits for travel purchases. (For example, travel insurance included, rental car benefits, etc.)

5. Know the norm. (Know the current and average prices of what you're after) Scout the websites and travel blogs now. Know the current prices so you are not fooled by misleading advertising or big bold statements. Just because it "looks" like a big deal, doesn't mean it is.

Lastly, when the deal comes, be prepared to act. Just like the shopper grabbing that last coveted Christmas toy from the shelf, someone can just as easily grab the last seat on a flight or hotel room that you were hoping for.

Companies that typically offer deals (or have in the past) on Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

www.allegiantair.com
www.expedia.ca
www.expedia.com
www.travelocity.ca
www.fairmont.com
www.marriott.com
www.hyatt.com
www.starwoodhotels.com

Looking for a December or January Bargain?

Keep your eyes as ears wide open this weekend as more and more travel sites join in on the Black Friday shopping frenzy.

Allegiant.com has already sent out sales notices to all their e-mail subscribers.
Expedia.com is promising deals.
Nearly every Vegas hotel has a Black Friday offer already on the table.
Travelocity.ca is another site to try.

This could be an opportunity for you to jump on a deal. Maybe do some travel shopping to complete your Christmas list?

**Remember, it's only a bargain if it's the RIGHT vacation for YOU! Don't try to conform to an action adventure if all you really want is a quiet beach. Vacations are so personal. Don't let price be your only deciding factor!