'Save thousands': Expert spills on savvy ways to nab five-star holidays for less

Dreaming of a lavish holiday away only to have a very rude awakening when you clock the current state of your bank balance?Never fear - you don't need to shelve plans for that relaxing five-star vacation just yet.According to Lorraine Willis, a travel agent with API WA, there are a few easy holiday hacks that can help you lock in that much-needed getaway without splashing endless amounts of cash.Here she shares her top ways to get that luxury holidays for less.READ MORE: These airlines have the most generous luggage allowancesPay in advanceIf you've been diligently saving your pennies for that extra special trip, Lorraine explains that shopping around and paying for everything upfront can actually save you a huge amount of money.This is especially the case for popular holidays like five-star river cruising."If you are prepared to pay in full well in advance (usually a minimum of 10 months), you can save thousands of dollars, and in certain cases even get free flights incorporated in your deal," she tells 9Travel.Travel during the off-seasonAre you lucky enough to have some flexibility in your holiday schedule?Well, this can translate to big savings - and a generally more relaxed holiday minus the hordes of tourists - when it comes to locking in your plans.Do some research into your chosen location and see what time of year isn't as popular, but will still give you good weather conditions."Not only do you avoid the crowds in peak times, but you can get the best value for money at luxury properties, resorts, on tours and cruises," says Lorraine."[This is] particularly great for people not committed to school holidays."Be open to package dealsIf you're the type who likes to do it all yourself when organising a trip, you might be pleasantly surprised when looking into package deals.With travel companies doing their best to lure holidaymakers into parting with their hard-earned cash, there's some great offers to be had."If you like the "extra fine touches" to your holiday, there are always great package deals which have inclusions over and above just your accommodation," says Lorraine."You can get drinks and spa packages, or free airport transfers."READ MORE: The five least-visited areas in Japan - and why they should be your next holiday destinationSightsee by railIf you've ticked cruising and jet setting around the world off the travel bucket list, it might be time to slow things down with a different way of seeing the Aussie outback.With fine dining and stylish interiors onboard, luxury rail trips such as the famous Ghan or Indian Pacific are growing in popularity."If you are prepared to book early and pay in full in advance, you will save thousands of dollars off the trip of a lifetime," says Lorraine.Look for extra discountsWhether it's waiting until airlines have flash sales on airfares or booking last-minute accommodation for a discounted rate, it pays to stay on top of whatever travel deals might be taking place throughout the year.If you prefer to have all your discounts in one place, it could be worthwhile joining a member group which offers a range of savings - think travel, tours and accommodation - to those who pay a yearly membership fee."Join a member group like My Reward Club to access significant savings," advises Lorraine.