How to Find Holiday Travel Deals

Updated Tue. Nov. 11 2008 12:13 PM ET

Carla Lucchetta, Special to CTV.ca

Christmas is one of the highest travel periods of the year, and many people have booked and paid for their vacations well in advance of the latest worrying economic news. However, if you're still thinking of getting away, but not sure if your credit card can take the work out, never fear. It's still possible to find some great deals without breaking the bank.

Whether you're planning a holiday vacation or giving someone on your list the gift of one, you can expect to pay at least 20 per cent less if you look for last minute deals. Since most of them are available online -- with little or no customer service support -- the key is to do your research, read the fine print, be open to destinations and flexible about your travel dates.

Allison Eaton, Communications Manager for the Flight Centre, says that the slowing economy hasn't yet hit travel sales, but may do so into the new year, as winter and spring break vacations sales launch. That's the time to be on the lookout for flight and hotel deals from a tourism industry that may be trying to boost sales.

Visiting a travel agent is still your best bet for personalized service with a representative who can explain the various features of a vacation package. It really is the best way to ensure the most successful, stress-free trip.

However, online services do offer help lines to take you through the process and answer your questions. As for storefront travel agencies, the difference between your local neighbourhood mom-and-pop travel agent and a chain is that the chain will likely offer a better variety of packages and more competitive prices. That's because they generally have the global connections that ensure reasonable costs and decent accommodation.

Yet online and storefront travel operations have access to the same products. The better their relationships are with airlines, properties and hotels, the better the choices and deals are for you. Online venues may make simple mistakes like scheduling you for Sydney, Nova Scotia instead of Sydney, Australia.

1. Before booking your ticket, keep in mind these savvy traveller tips from Allison Eaton:
2. Book as early as possible; waiting could mean lack of capacity, therefore higher prices.
3. Unless you pay in full, you may be subject to price changes due to fuel charges and other variables. A reservation does not exempt you from that.
4. Buy travel insurance - winter storms could make it harder to get to the airport, resulting in missed flights.
5. Always arrive a minimum of 2 hours before a flight or connection. Christmas is one of the busiest times at airports and the lines will be longer.
6. Research your destination so you know how close a city or hotel is from the beach and other points of interest. All inclusive on a cruise does not include alcohol. All inclusive at a resort does.
7. Know the difference between the three, four and five star quality hotel and resort ratings, especially in Mexico and the Caribbean.
8. You get what you pay for - don't expect more for less.
9. Make sure you have current visa, passport or other travel documents

Discount vacations

If you're looking for last minute vacations for less, there are many online outlets that can accommodate you. Be aware of extra costs, hotel and resort ratings and if possible, choose one that provides toll-free support and advice.

SellOffVacations.com - Like many similar sites, this online travel service offers discounted flights and vacation packages that have not yet sold out. Since prices cannot be guaranteed to decrease the closer you get to your travel date, they advise that you book your vacation when the price and timing is right for you. In fact, in some cases prices may increase. Be aware that while prices may seem low, they do not include taxes and surcharges (the full cost will be revealed well into the online booking stage). Once paid, the package is 100 per cent non-refundable and cannot be changed. As well, be very careful to check out the calibre of hotel on offer with each package. The site offers clickable hotel information including what each package includes, but it does not explain the difference between the star ratings for hotels. There are no service fees for this site, and unlike other online travel services, you can visit a SellOffVacation.com branches available in most provinces. This comes in handy should you want to pay by cash or cheque.

redtag.ca- This is an online venue for booking RIU hotels and resorts, a chain specific to the Caribbean, Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and other Spanish-speaking destinations. RIU hotels and resorts are four and five star rated; therefore redtag.ca markets their wares as "luxury for less." Suggested packages include last minute deals, honeymoon vacations and ocean cruises. This is solely an online venture, though there is a toll-free call centre with reps available daily until 10 p.m. ET and on weekends until 6 p.m. ET.

For other online travel sites offering vacation deals type "last minute travel" into your search engine. Or try:

www.travellastminute.ca

www.lastminuteclub.ca

www.traveldiscounters.ca

Discount cruises

Repositioning cruise vacations are becoming more popular every year. This is when ships that have been cruising all summer in one part of the world, for instance Alaska, must "reposition" to another part to begin the winter cruise season. Instead of stopping for sight-seeing, they sail pretty well straight to the required destination therefore passengers are free to simply enjoy the food, entertainment, activities and amenities without having to disembark. One downside is that the cruise may begin in one relatively close place, and end in another much more remote, making flight travel to one destination and from another the variable expense. However, these off-season cruises can be up to 40 per cent less expensive than full cruises.

Travel agents can help you information about which cruise lines are offering repositioning opportunities at this time of year.

Websites to try:

www.tripharbour.ca

www.metrotown.cruiseshipcenters.ca

www.cruisecanadatravels.com

Adventure Travels

If you're looking for a vacation that is more about adventure and exercise and less about tanning and relaxation try www.intrepidtravel.com. Based in Australia, this site offers off-the-beaten-track, eco-friendly vacations. You can travel individually, as a family, join a group or volunteer in some of the most exotic locales on the planet. Some on offer are: African safaris, a cruise along the Nile, or a trek along the Inca Trail in the Galapagos.

Intrepid has a goal to be carbon neutral by 2010, offering carbon offsets so adventurers can feel good about exploring the world without leaving too much of a human mark.

Booking outside of Toronto, where Intrepid has its only Canadian location, is exclusively online, with support offered by phone or email. This website is rich with information and cautions regarding what to consider before embarking on adventure travel, one of which is that you should not expect five star accommodations.

Other adventure travel sites to visit:

www.gapadventures.com with stores and advisors in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary

www.atcadventure.com with stores and advisors across Canada