Issue Date: August 23, 2009
5 surefire ways to get the most value from your travel
The Travel Channel's Samantha Brown shares her best vacation ideas.
by T.J. Walter
Find all-in-one pricing
All-inclusive resorts -- those offering all food, drinks, accommodations and activities for one flat price -- sometimes are lampooned by travelers who imagine long buffet lines and watered-down drinks. But now they are considered hip, and more high-end four- and five-star resorts are offering the same kind of budget-friendly pricing plans.
All-inclusives are great economizers because "you know all of your costs upfront," Brown says. "There is no need to spend time stressing about your bill at the end of the trip."
When shopping for all-inclusives, don't forget to check out a la carte resorts, which may offer special packages that include all meals and drinks, a "meal plan," or unlimited golf or spa treatments. For example, the Boca Raton Resort in Florida offers a Best of Boca package; rates start at $199 per night, which includes accommodations, unlimited tennis and golf, 50% off all spa services and much more.
The Caribbean and Mexico are chock full of all-inclusives. "It looks as though many of these low rates will hold through the end of the year," Brown says. As with any type of travel, clarify everything that's included before booking.
Samantha Brown, who lives in Brooklyn, shows off New York City from the banks of East River State Park. Samantha Brown's "Great Weekends" airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. E/P on the Travel Channel.
Some a la carte resorts, like Florida's Boca Raton Resort, offer all-inclusive packages.
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Look for city steals
As the host of the Travel Channel's Samantha Brown's Great Weekends, Brown is a big proponent of city travel. "There are so many great things about city travel that people miss, especially those who are on a budget," Brown says. "Cities, both big and small, offer a ton of free events that are open both to visitors and locals -- everything from concerts and festivals to fairs and sports."
Cities like Philadelphia offer deals that include free parking and other incentives.
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Public transportation adds to the allure. "It's almost always cheaper than driving your car and much easier than finding a place to park," she says.
Some might argue that hotel prices in the city are high, but even if they are, Brown says, cities tend to offer more options when it comes to the type of hotels, dining and activities.
Start your research by checking out state and local tourism board websites. Many list special vacation packages, such as Denver's $52.80 deal, where your second night (Saturday or Sunday only) at many city hotels is just $52.80, or Philly's With Love, Philadelphia XOXO package, which includes free parking with two nights' accommodations. The sites also have helpful travel tools, including pre-made itineraries geared toward specific types of travelers.
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Seize the off-season
Almost every destination has a high season and a low season. Going to a destination during its low season is a golden ticket to great vacation deals. "Places like Whistler, British Columbia, and Stowe and Killington in Vermont, along with hot spots such as Aspen and Telluride in Colorado, are amazing places to see without snow," Brown says. "Add hotel rooms for as much as 50% off, and this is why so many people take advantage of off-season specials."
Brown also suggests hitting East Coast beaches in September and October and touring Europe in fall and winter (many airlines, hotels and travel sites roll out special deals to lure vacationers across the pond then).
Off-season travel also features smaller crowds and the chance to mingle with locals who often get out of town during the peak season. Some areas also have a "shoulder season," which falls between the low and high seasons, although discounts then may not be as deep as 40% to 50%, like they are in the off-season. Regardless of when you travel, research your destination, because some attractions may have limited hours or be closed.
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Cruise for deals
New ships mean bigger deals for cruise lovers.
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For the most part, travel pricing is ruled by supply and demand. With that in mind, the cruise industry has debuted 15 new ships since 2008; five more are set to hit the open seas this year. This additional supply means one thing: deals galore. "With all these new ships, cruise companies need to attract more customers," Brown says. "One way is with lower prices, but the other is by bringing the ships closer to the customers." Cruise ports now dot both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico, which means a large number of people are just a few hours' drive from these ports.
Like all-inclusive resorts, cruising is a way to control expenses because, aside from drinks and add-ons such as spa treatments or casino spending, everything is included in one flat rate.
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Stay flexible
Brown knew for nearly six months that she would have several weeks off in August, but she and her husband waited until late July to decide where to go. "Everyone, including me, is a little weary of booking too far in advance, and because of that, the deals are best two weeks before you leave," Brown says. The travel industry has embraced this new booking habit and started using the Web and social media to distribute last-minute bargains.
There's no shortage of booking engines online, so find a travel website that fits your interests or an airline that you frequently fly and sign up for its travel alerts. Many deals are delivered daily or weekly via e-mail and are targeted at last-minute travelers. Some airlines, like United and JetBlue, now use Twitter to attract fliers. For example, at press time, followers of JetBlue Cheeps could pick up $9 one-way tickets from New York City to Washington, D.C., or $49 one-way tickets from Boston to Aruba, both good for travel only on the upcoming weekend.
Cover story photographs of Samantha Brown by David Yellen for USA WEEKEND
Cover clothing: sweater by MAI. Inside clothing: dress by Lisa Perry, earrings by Janna Conner.
Grooming: Bryan Lynde; styling: Lisa Bradkin
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