BARGAIN HUNT YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY

June 2009

Times are tough and you've got less to spend, yet you feel like you need a break more than ever? According to an article in the June edition of Reader's Digest SA, holidays and world travel are still possible in these tough financial times – if you know where to look for wallet-friendly travel bargains.

Here are a few travel bargain tips to help you plan your next cost-effective holiday:

Airlines
South Africans planning overseas trips are enjoying some of the lowest airfares in decades due to competition and discounting. Make the most of these price wars by signing up for special alerts on low-cost airliners' websites. And be flexible on dates and times and be open to a range of alternatives. The season, direction, number of flights, flight times and day of travel can often make a big difference to an airfare.

Hotels
Great bargains can be found in international up market hotels and luxury resorts at the moment. In the US, despite the economic downturn, developers are forging ahead with hotel developments in major cities like Las Vegas leading to an over- supply of rooms.
And in London, first class hotels are reportedly discounting rooms to three and four- star prices.

Falling occupancy levels have seen Bali's budget and mid- range hotels discounting their rooms by as much as half, while the up market properties are offering bonus nights and meals.

And if planning a trip in South Africa:

• Avoid pricier weekend rates and stay mid-week. The best game viewing in southern Africa is during winter – the dry season.
• The caravan park has come of age. Today's more aptly named tourist parks cater for everyone with resort- style facilities, villa- style cabins and million- rand views. See www.holidayresorts.co.za for choices across SA.
• Consider house- sitting or swap your home for someone else's. For more information visit www.homelinksouthafrica.com or www.housecarers.com

www.ubid4rooms.com offers the option to bid for rooms in hotels often below the already reduced prices promoted by their websites.

Work overseas
See the world and get paid. Visit www.awesometravel.co.za or www.sasts.org.za

Holidays for life
Time- share holidays, one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry, have become more flexible and are now are available on a global basis. It can be the most economical way of earning a second home.

Packages
The smartest way to travel is to buy your airfares and accommodation in a package. Tour operators and airlines will offer discount packages rather than stand-alone price offers simply because they don't want to expose their best rates to the public.

Car hire
If you are traveling for a few months it may be more economical to buy a cheap car. In New Zealand a company in Christchurch offers a guaranteed buy- back scheme at the end of your trip. See www.newzealandrentalcar.co.nz

Flying solo
Avoid paying single supplements by hooking up with a like- minded travel buddy. Online community bulletin boards such as www.insightvacations.com/za/ helps single travelers find someone to share costs with. Or go to www.intrepidtravel.com for help with finding same-sex travel companions.

Sightseeing
Local passes help reduce the cost of sightseeing considerably. For example, Visit Britain's London Sightseeing Pass allows entry to over 55 attractions such as Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, London Zoo, St Paul's Cathedral and Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. Other money- saving cards include London's travel smartcard the Oyster Card and the Britrail England Consecutive Pass offers unlimited travel on any scheduled train over the whole of England. Visit www.visitbritain.co.za for more details.

A US CityPass offers admission to the top attractions in your chosen city for one reduced price. See www.citypass.com

For more information on other bargain travel tips buy the June edition of Reader's Digest SA in store now or go to www.readersdigest.co.za.

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