It goes without saying that the first step to booking a great value holiday is picking a great value destination. A fortnight in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam or even Japan will cost Australian travellers a fraction of a trip to say, Paris or New York. But getting choosy with your destination isn’t the only way to get a great deal on your next trip.
There’s a whole raft of ways you can value-pack your next getaway – and still do that Euro trip of your dreams. Here’s a few to get you started. Travel smarter, not harder.
Credit: Accor Go low It’s an inconvenient but unavoidable truth – if you’re travelling in high season, you’ll pay high season prices. So, if you’re looking to save a buck, time your travel to avoid the crowds. Accommodation prices can more than halve in the low season, and you’ll have the bonus of rubbing shoulders with actual locals more than fellow tourists.
Of course, there are some destinations that don’t suit this approach – the Greek islands, for instance, more-or-less close up shop after summer’s done; flooding risk means India is best avoided once the monsoon rolls in. But spots like Bali and Mexico are great pretty much year-round, while destinations including North America have their own special charm over winter (hello, White Christmas!). In fact, many destinations are actually better explored off-peak – Italy is swarmed with tourists in the Euro summer, but crowds thin and temperatures remain lovely in the shoulder months.
Book smart Accommodation is one of the biggest travel expenses, so it pays to get it right. By booking your stays through a platform like ALL.com , you’ll snag the guaranteed best rate – in fact, if you see a cheaper price on your hotel within 24 hours of booking, they’ll beat it.
ALL.com’s range of over 40 different hotel brands run the gauntlet from the big international luxury brands – like Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel – through to dependable family stays such as Novotel and Matra, plus budget-friendly brands, like ibis, with over 5,500 hotels available across 110 countries. And, for those trips where you need a bit more space to spread out, they even offer homes, apartments, and villas.
Plus, by joining ALL Accor’s lifestyle loyalty programme, you’ll earn points every time you book – which can be cashed in on future stays or be used to purchase unique experiences like sport and music events, special shows or tours. And there’s even an ALL.com app, so you’ll be able to access all your bookings from the palm of your hand.
Get your flight right Yes, flight prices are kind of crazy right now. But by keeping your ear to the ground, it’s still possible to get a good deal. Apps like I Know The Pilot will alert you to airline fare sales.
Even premium airlines slash their fares closer to departure date (think: just under the three-months-to-go mark). But the best value right now can be found on budget carriers like China Eastern and Scoot, or even a mid-tier name like Vietnam Airlines – this author recently nabbed a $1400 return flight from Sydney to Europe in June care of the latter. Those sale fares can be limited, so keep your notifications on and be ready to pounce when a good one comes up.
Being flexible with dates helps, too – mid-week flights are often cheaper than those departing on the weekend. Sort your wallet out To avoid paying those pesky international transaction fees every time you tap, make sure you’re heading abroad with a credit card (or travel card) that doesn’t charge you to spend abroad. In fact, having a good credit card on your side can help in other ways, too – many offer their cardholders free travel insurance, which takes a not-insignificant expense off your plate.
Use your feet One fast way to rack up a credit card bill on the road? Four wheels. Car hire and capricious Uber use can make a big dent in your budget, fast. To save money, look for accommodation that’s centrally located so you can walk or catch public transport most of the time, reserving the taxi trips for late night rides home.
All.com lets you search for your accommodation using filters like distance from landmarks, so you can be sure you’re nabbing a place in a great neighbourhood. Staying on foot is healthier, better for the environment – and it shows you a whole lot more of a city.
It’s a win-win. Nature lovers, adventure seekers, food fanatics and culture enthusiasts, we can’t wait to welcome ALL the travellers in you. Find your perfect stay on ALL.
com.
