Your dream ticket
Swap travel hankering for early-bird planning and save
Daydreaming of sipping cocktails by the pool? Planning a holiday in the age of Covid is no longer straightforward, thanks to continued lockdowns and border closures. But research shows planning a trip is more enjoyable than actually taking it. So keep the travel dream alive and reap the savings that come with careful planning.
Savvy tip 1
Apps like Hopper and Skyscanner alert you to the cheapest dates to travel to destinations and can save you up to 40 per cent on flights, hotels and car hire. These apps will also notify you when an airfare hits its lowest price point.
Savvy tip 2
Lay-by options are available for travel. Play Travel by AfterPay, for example, allows you to book a Gold Coast holiday for $656 and make four fortnightly payments of $164 or 32 weekly payments of $20.50. Companies like Flight Centre, Contiki, Luxury Escapes and TripADeal also offer payment plans.
Savvy tip 3
Early-bird deals allow travel providers to lock in capacity early and they reward this forward planning with good savings. The cruise industry, for instance, has already released discounts for voyages in 2022-23 with deals like Royal Caribbean’s 30 per cent off that summer’s sailings. A nine-night South Pacific cruise departing March 2022, for example, is priced from $1714 a person.
Savvy tip 4
In an era when travel plans can change by the hour, it pays to book through an agent, especially when booking early. “With airfares, we have access to private fares or wholesale fares, which can offer a considerable saving, and with hotels, some may offer early-bird or discounted rates for booking in advance,” says Luvena Lee of Flight Centre Zetland.
Savvy tip 5
Booking travel that’s flexible is all-important. “Many (providers) now offer affordable flexible options, allowing travellers to lock in trips and prices early, with the assurance they can change their plans if needed,” Expedia’s Justine Yusi says.