New research reveals that despite the cost-of-living crisis, people are so eager to take a holiday this year that they cut back on junk food, meals and new clothes in order to afford a little sun. So vacation expert Chelsea Dickinson is here with her tried-and-tested hacks for getting the best vacation deal.
Tips before booking:
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Find your accommodation first – don’t let cheap flights distract you, the extra £40 on board will be worth it if your accommodation is £300 cheaper for that period.
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Be flexible about dates and destination
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The cheapest flights are mid-week and early morning or late night
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Use data to see if you’re getting a good price Kayak, Google Flights, and apps like Hopper will all collect data to tell you if you’re getting a good price for the trip you’re looking for. Kayak and Hopper will advise you whether you should book now, or wait longer!
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Don’t worry too much about incognito mode – there’s very little evidence to prove that browsing in Private mode will get you a cheaper fare.
Hotel reservations only:
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Stay Saturday to Monday – make the most of our cheap Sunday hotel rates.
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Find the Cheapest Night at a List of Things You Want Hotel – Google Hotels will show you the nightly cost of most hotels in its calendar view.
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Use Pruvo to book your hotel reservation – If you’ve booked a room with free cancellation, Pruvo will track your reservation and email you if the price drops. This way you can rebook at a cheaper rate!
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Ask for an upgrade – email in advance and be nice and polite and tell them exactly what you want. If it’s a special occasion, mention it.
long trips
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Check flights with layovers
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Sign up for our free cheap flights newsletters – Jack’s Flight Club and Secret Flying alert you when there’s an unreal deal to be had. Recently, there were business class flights to North America for £500!
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Check to see if you have any airline miles – there are supermarkets that allow you to convert your reward points into airline miles. With Tesco you can convert every Clubcard point into 2.5 Virgin Points, so £1.50 worth of Clubcard vouchers will net you 375 Virgin Points. With Nectars (Sainsburys), every 400 Nectar Points converted is 250 Avios, and every 300 Avios is 400 Nectar Points.
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Earn miles on credit card spends
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Try and get a free upgrade! I asked my followers what worked for them, and the list included: If you know anyone who works for the airline, tell them you fly; If it’s a special occasion like a birthday or wedding, let the airline know; be the first or last to check-in; traveling solo; bringing candy to the crew; be kind!
short trips
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Know your baggage policies – some airlines allow you to bring a small carry-on and small personal items, some only allow a small bag, and some only allow a small personal item.
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Need a little extra luggage? Try the viral packing hack! Whether it’s stuffing your pants into your neck pillow, using a duty-free bag or packing extra clothes into an extra-large bra, there are plenty of hidden tricks to increase your carry-on baggage. My first tip is to wear nothing extra on your body – that means it won’t affect your weight restrictions!
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Airline package deals aren’t always a good value.
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Check Business Class – Once I was flying in from Rome half term and economy fares were £185 each. I checked the business class for a laugh and they were…£150! Business class often includes two checked bags, so if you’re checking in a lot of baggage, it can sometimes be cost-effective that way, too.
UK breaks
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Leave the destination search empty – try typing “England” or “United Kingdom” and use the filters instead to find one that fits your budget. My favorite is finding cheap places with a sea view and a hot tub – it can be done!
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Get your bargain! – Did you know you can bargain on Airbnb? I’ve done this many times and it’s a great way to keep the cost down. Works better if you are staying for more than 5 days or if you are booking really last minute.
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Use deal sites – Travelzoo and Secret Escapes negotiate cheaper rates, so there’s some amazing value staying there. “I found a two night stay at this great hotel on Travelzoo got a room upgrade and breakfast and it was £209 instead of £458”.
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Don’t say no to hostels – hostels have seen a real revamp in recent years – with plenty of boutique options to choose from! These are great for families as you can book private rooms for cheaper than a hotel room for two.