At least 5 times a year, I get requests from people who want to know how I can afford to travel so much, and where I get my deals. So here's a blog post that can be referenced at any time, by anyone with questions. :-)
First of all, what kind of a vacation are you interested in? An all-inclusive (where everything--flight, hotel, meals, drinks, activities, etc. is included in the price)? A cruise? Just a week in a hotel? A family vacation? Adults only?
Hotels
Hotels are hit-or-miss sometimes if you're only booking a hotel. Rarely can booking directly through the hotel get you the best price. I love Hotels.com because of their rewards system. 10 nights = 1 free night. It's easy and straightforward, and they usually have the best prices. Using travel apps can sometimes get better pricing than using a desktop or mobile site. Always double check for coupons that can be applied to your booking! Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia regularly offer coupons that can save you up to $200 per booking, but make sure you read the fine print!
Priceline
Hotwire
Orbitz
Kayak
If you are unfamiliar with the "name your own" price or "blind bidding" options that Priceline and Hotwire offer, BetterBidding.com is a very useful resource. One big thing to keep in mind-- unless otherwise specified, most of these types of hotel bookings are only for two people, and some hotels will not allow you to have extra people in the room, especially if you booked through Priceline or Hotwire.
All Inclusives
The best places I've found to get the best deals for all-inclusive packages are the following:
Orbitz
Apple Vacations
Cheap Caribbean
BookIt
Occasionally, you can find better deals through the traditional online travel agencies:
Travelocity
Expedia
FunJet
There's always Kayak, which compares a bunch of different travel sites at once, although it does not include every site nor every airline.
When you find a hotel you're interested in, be sure to check pictures and reviews on Trip Advisor so you know exactly what you're getting into before you book, so there's no disappointment or surprises once you check in.
Cruises
The best basic resource for those new to cruising--or addicts--is
Cruise Critic. Their forums are invaluable and they have tons of reviews and tips.
My favorite cruise lines:
Carnival
Royal Caribbean
Princess
The best places I've found to purchase cruises:
Cruise Quick
iCruise
Cruise Compete
Sometimes you can get the best deals from the cruise lines themselves, although there are some online travel agencies that offer "extras" like onboard credit or other extras like shore excursions or spa treatments.
Family Vacations
The best way I've found to travel as a family is to purchase week long vacation certificates. Occasionally, Sky Auction will offer them for around $270. That's for the entire week! We've used them multiple times and have never had a bad experience! You can get up to a 3-bedroom condo* for a whole week, with a kitchen, free laundry facilities and ensuite bathrooms. This has been the #1 most affordable way we've found to travel as a family--and the separate bedrooms give mom and dad privacy.
*Note: this is still a great way to travel as a family, but you almost always have to pay an "upgrade" fee of anywhere from $100-$500 now for 3+ bedrooms. I won't elaborate on my level of irritation about paying more for something that used to be included, but then again, I'm a budget traveler.
Trip Advisor
My absolute favorite travel site to visit is Trip Advisor. The site is a wealth of knowledge. There are forums, hotel reviews, and guest-taken photos, not resort-enhanced photos. I always double and triple check hotels before I book with Trip Advisor, so I know if the food is good, if the amenities are what I need, and if the beach is a pretty blue instead of a yucky green or brown.
Hope this helps! If you need more info, don't hesitate to ask!
