Best Travel Deals by Best Time to Book

Spring

Best Time to Book Ski Getaways

We have a great opporunity to book late season ski trips this year because Easter comes so early. This will make April and May are the prime months to find late-season ski trip deals, but make sure you check snow conditions before you book. Many resorts out West, stay open until July 4th weekend and hotel prices can decrease 50 percent after June 15. Some resort operators will even set up discount clubs online to attract skiers that normally are unwilling to commit in advance to spring conditions. You can find great deals using booking agents such as Expedia (expedia/ski), which has a last-minute ski-package page.

This is also a great time to Book travel for Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, and European Cities

It’s shoulder season in Mexico and the Caribbean, so prices may not be as low as late summer, but then again, you won’t have to deal with hurricane season either. Fares to Central and South America often drop now as well—just be careful to avoid holidays such as Carnival. Airfares to Europe will still be on the low side until the weather warms up. And city hotels are more affordable now than in the summer months. Some hotels will discount more than $100 per night if you travel before April 30.

Summer

Best Time to Book the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Bahamas

Now you always need to keep in mind that this is also hurricane season and take that risk into account. If you are willing to do this, you can get nearly half off Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico vacations during the summer. Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the top months to go to resorts that might be prohibitively expensive in the winter. At some resorts, summer rates can be nearly 50 percent lower than in peak season.

Also Book Now for Alaska Cruises

The most popular staterooms on most Alaska cruises sell out early, but you can find them now at the last minute. The theory: there are eight new ships sailing in North America this year, and while Alaska continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for cruisers, many are choosing to explore newer, undiscovered routes. Look for August and September sailings now.

Best Time to Book Hawaii Trips

Hotels in Hawaii take up to 20 percent off room rates from mid-September to mid-December. The ideal time to find the lowest airfares, is between Labor Day and December 15. Hawaiian carriers slash fares at this time too. Aloha Airlines has been know to discount their airfares down as low as $99 one-way from the West Coast to Hawaii. You can sign up for e-mail alerts from Web sites such as AlohaAirlines.com and AirfareWatchdog.com.

Also Book Now for Hotels and European flights

To find the top European hotel and airfare bargains, avoid the end of May through mid-October. In southern France, you’ll find great rates off-season. Some rates can drop almost $100 a night if you go in mid-November.

Winter

Best Time to Book U.S. and European City Breaks

Consider city escapes during the colder months. Charleston SC and Savannah GA, may be cold in the winter, but they are still warmer than up north, and some hotels will discount rooms by nearly 50 percent.

For Europe, try London in February, when it’s not quite so rainy, but make sure to look for hotels offering fixed dollar exchange rates.

Also Book Now for U.S. National Park Trips and Skiing

Winter is the most spectacular time in some of the Western national parks—as long as you don’t mind the cold. You will find that it’s significantly easier to find deals in winter than in summer, even for the best rooms a the best hotels. Also, if you plan right, you can still get last-minute ski trip deals. If you look at Breckenridge, for instance; packages can be booked within seven days of arrival at GoBreckNow.com.