How To Spot a Good Deal on a Vacation Package
According to a Summer 2024 survey conducted by GOBankingRates, almost 30% of respondents with vacation plans stated that they would spend anywhere from $1,000 to almost $2,000 this summer on travel. One of the more common ways to save money on travel is to find a vacation package that covers everything under one expense. However, it’s worth pointing out that finding the perfect vacation package will require some investigation and research on your end.
How can you spot a good deal on a vacation package? Here are seven things to look out for.
Check Out: 3 Places To Travel That Are Like Hawaii but Way Cheaper
Trending Now: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy
Crunch the Numbers
You want to start by pricing every item individually to find comparable costs for a similar vacation and ensure you get a good deal. The main benefit of a vacation package is that you typically only have to pay one to cover every aspect of your trip.
How can you start looking into the numbers?
“Look into individual flights (considering various airlines and classes), hotel booking sites and activities you want to do,” said Hollie McKay, VP of communications for HotelPlanner. “After establishing these baseline costs, compare them to the total cost of the package.”
Here are your best options for researching and comparing prices:
Test out multiple sources. You want to go through different travel websites and apps (like Google Flights, Expedia and so on).
Speak with a travel agent. You can sometimes find exclusive deals by speaking with a travel agent.
Check the prices of everything. Look into everything covered by the package, from airport transportation to what a typical meal would cost.
You want to ensure that your vacation package is worth the upfront cost compared to what you would likely spend on a similar trip. For example, if a vacation package costs $2,000 per person for a week at a resort, you can calculate every individual expense to see what it would roughly cost. If you find that flights and hotel are close to $2,000 alone, then you’ll likely be better off choosing the package.
Try This: Dave Ramsey: 7 Vacation Splurges That are a Waste of Money
Consider Hidden Fees
You want to be aware of what’s included with your package to confirm that there aren’t any hidden fees that could bring the price up of your vacation.
“Don’t forget to account for potential hidden fees like baggage charges, resort fees, and meals not included in the package,” McKay said.
For example, your vacation package could be a bad deal if you find out that you have to pay hefty resort fees or that certain meals aren’t included in the price.
Review the Package’s Flexibility
While you may be able to save money with a vacation package, you have to remember that you could lose out on flexibility.
There are a few key questions to consider with your vacation package:
Does it include everything you need or are there necessary add-ons?
Can you choose your flights and hotel or are your options limited?
What’s the cancellation policy?
Is there a payment plan?
You’ll want to review how flexible the package is in case you need to modify a flight time or change the trip date based on your schedule. You don’t want to lock yourself into a trip until you’ve confirmed the details.
“By comparing prices, inclusions, flexibility and travel preferences, you can decide whether a vacation package is a good deal or if it’s better to assemble your trip independently,” McKay said.
The Vacation Package Handles Everything For You
If you want to enjoy your trip without worrying about anything and have the room in your budget, then you’ll benefit from purchasing a vacation package. Some packages handle all of the details and logistics of your trip so that you don’t have to worry once you leave home.
You Get Exclusive Access
Some vacation packages will have exclusive access to certain resorts or perks you couldn’t purchase alone. If there’s a destination you want to visit or an activity you want to do that’s only available through a package, it makes sense to go with this option.
The Amenities Are Worth It
You’ll want to review the amenities the package offers to see if they’re worth it and what you’re looking for on this getaway. For example, if the vacation package comes with exclusive spa access or your own private pool, you may feel that this is worth the cost.
Promotional Offers
Suppose you’re flexible with dates and open to a new destination. In that case, you can find promotional offers with a vacation package that you wouldn’t typically land if trying to purchase everything separately on your own.
If you’re looking for a promotional offer, you can also look at last-minute deals or book something far out in advance.
“In this way, you would be able to find better deals or prices so that you can find the perfect vacation package without hurting your wallet too much,” said Giacomo Piva, travel industry analyst and co-founder of Radical Storage. “When you’re looking for these packages, also consider traveling during the off-season or during the days of the week because on these occasions, you can find many different opportunities.”
If you can travel off-season and land a promotional offer, you can save a decent amount of money with a vacation package.
Key Takeaway
“Packages offer convenience, but booking separately provides more control,” McKay said. “You might be better off without a package if you prefer a specific room type or a unique activity.”
That’s how you can spot a good deal on a vacation package, but it’s important to remember that we all have different expectations when we travel, so you may want to consult with your family and check out reviews before making a final decision.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Spot a Good Deal on a Vacation Package