Travel deals abound this year

While gas prices may be better this July 4th, the economy is still in the tank.  You may think taking a vacation is out of reach, but plenty of deals are out there.
There are creative ways to make the most of your vacation dollar this year.  We all hear about the great travel deals, no matter how large or small an amount you want to spend.  If you want to spend a little money this year, you’ll get a great return on your dollar.
    You can grab deals on U.S. destinations, whether it’s on hotels or airfare. If you’re looking to head to Europe, excursions there are also lower than this time last year.
  The hospitality industry is working overtime to attract summer vacationers. Deals are everywhere from 50 and 60 percent off hotels and cruises. People are trying to take advantage of the deep discounts.
Sandra Horton of AAA in Myrtle Beach said “We’re seeing huge numbers of folks really coming out to take advantage of those discounts.“
The dollar is weak in Europe. Airfare there will cost you about the same as last year, but you can find big deals on hotels there.
“It certainly is the best way to do a package because you don’t have to have your pocketbook, no tipping, pretty much one-price includes everything, so, that makes it really attractive,” said Horton.
The Sauers of Murrells Inlet moved to the beach last year from Maryland.  They normally take a vacation once a year, fitting in a cruise every other year.
    They’re concerned with spending, but still decided to choose the cruise they wanted.  “I would say this year, it’s where we’re going more so than where we’ve been and the price,” said Bob Sauer. “This cruise is a little more expensive than past cruises that we have taken.“
The Sauers said they plan to save by cutting back on the extras such as entertainment.
Driving destinations are a cost-effective way to get out of town for a few days or longer.
    Route your trip to maximize possible sights along the way.  You can cut the cost of your overnight stays by signing-up for incentives from large hotel chains. Many offer free nights with purchase and points to redeem later.
  If you’re ready to try cruising, this is the time. Prices are more than half off.  You can get an upgraded room and major incentive packages for on-board credits and transportation packages, far less than the last few years.
    You just look for ways to combine incentives to get the best deal.  You’ll need to decide whether you’ll use a travel agent or plan the trip yourself online.
    What’s the best way to get the best deals??
-Travel in the off season to save big.
-Call a hotel directly and ask for their very best deal. This can sometimes work out better than even the low-cost travel sites.
-The same goes for the airlines, ask for a better rate.
-If your schedule is flexible, you can find great flight deals on low-cost airlines.
The key is to negotiate.  Ask for a better deal such as upgrades on your room, your flight and your cruise cabin.
Do your research and compare deals. It’s a win-win for you and the travel industry.

Some helpful links: 

http://www.gasbuddy.com
http://www.mobgas.com
http://www.aaa.com
http://www.fhwa.com
http://www.gasprices.mapquest.com