Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023
Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023 - Cheap Flights Abound
One of the best parts of Black Friday and Cyber Monday is scoring amazing deals on airfare. This year, cheap flights are in abundance as airlines and online travel agencies compete for your business. According to FareCompare, domestic airfares are down 13% compared to this time last year. International flights are even more discounted, with rates to Europe down a whopping 25%.
So why the fire sale on flights? Experts say it's a combination of factors. Airfare pricing relies heavily on supply and demand. With concerns over inflation and a potential recession, fewer people are booking expensive vacations and leisure travel. Airlines have lots of open seats to fill, so they are slashing fares to attract customers.
In addition, jet fuel prices have fallen recently, allowing airlines to pass some of those savings on to consumers. Many carriers reported strong profits over the summer and are now trying to sustain that momentum with competitive holiday deals.
The bottom line is - it's a great time to buy plane tickets. I always search Google Flights to find the best deals. Last year around this time, I scored round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Hawaii for only $278. That's less than half what I paid on a previous trip.
My friend Amanda capitalized on a Cyber Monday promo and bought two round-trip tickets from Chicago to Paris for $650 each. Pre-pandemic, she was used to paying $1,000 or more per person for this route during peak season.
Even last-minute holiday travel is affordable right now. According to Expedia, Christmas week flights within the U.S are 19% cheaper compared to last year. So if your plans are still up in the air (pun intended), you can likely still score a deal.
Just remember that not all airfare sales are created equal. Carefully read the fine print before booking. Basic economy or "bare bones" fares often lack perks like seat selection or carry-on bags. Make sure to comparison shop across airlines and online travel agencies. Signing up for price alerts and fare sale notifications can help you snag the best rate once it drops.
Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023 - Hotel Chains Offer Deep Discounts
Hotels are slashing room rates this holiday season, making it an ideal time to book a luxurious getaway at an affordable price. Major brands like Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt are offering discounts of up to 60% for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This presents a rare opportunity to experience 5-star amenities and service without the typical high price tag.
Industry experts cite the same oversupply in lodging as in airfare. Lower demand amid economic uncertainty has left hotels desperate to fill rooms. To entice travelers, they're rolling out irresistible bargains on everything from standard rooms to opulent suites.
For example, Amanda was able to take advantage of a Cyber Monday promotion and book a 3-night stay at the new Conrad Los Angeles for just $275 per night. This elegant high-rise in the Jewelry District normally charges over $500 even for its cheapest rooms. With the discounted rate, Amanda was able to indulge in luxuries like the rooftop pool, 24-hour fitness center and craft cocktail bar.
"I felt like a movie star without going over my vacation budget," she said. "The room was gorgeous with floor-to-ceiling windows, the service was impeccable, and I got to experience one of LA's hottest new hotels for less than a Motel 6."
"I found a Black Friday special for 50% off any 4+ night stay at select properties. I was skeptical that such a great deal at a beachfront resort was for real," he admitted. "But when I called to book, there were plenty of rooms open at the sale rate. It was an unbelievable value for a Thanksgiving getaway with my family."
While demand is lower across all hotel segments, luxury brands are particularly eager to fill rooms that would otherwise sit empty. That's why they're offering the steepest discounts. Just be aware that the most affordable rates are usually non-refundable and may carry other restrictions.
As with airfare, it pays to compare prices across multiple sites. I like to check main hotel sites as well as aggregators like Booking.com and Hotels.com. Loyalty program members can stack additional savings by booking direct with their preferred brand. Signing up for hotel newsletters and rewards programs can provide access to special promotional rates.
Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023 - Bundle and Save on Packages
Bundling flights and hotels is one of the smartest ways to maximize savings this Black Friday. Packaged deals let you score discounted rates on multiple travel components like airfare, lodging, rental cars and activities. You avoid paying full price when you book each part separately.
Right now, leading online travel agencies are featuring irresistible Black Friday and Cyber Monday package deals to popular destinations worldwide. For example, Amanda was eyeing a trip to Cancun next spring. She almost booked flights and her all-inclusive resort as separate transactions. But then she discovered a Cyber Monday special on CheapCaribbean.com that included roundtrip airfare from Chicago, 7 nights at the Riu Cancun, airport transfers and a couples' massage – all for just $899 per person. Purchased individually, Amanda would've spent over $1,500 on the same trip!
"Booking the bundle on Expedia saved me at least $300 compared to building the trip myself," he calculated. "The convenience of having everything wrapped up in one transaction was nice too."
Experts say packaged deals make the most financial sense when each component is discounted below retail value. Look for promotions like "Save 15% when you add a rental car" or "Take 10% off select activities with any 3+ night hotel booking."
Stacking coupons on top of already reduced rates creates even more dramatic savings. For instance, Amanda applied a limited-time Cyber Monday code good for an extra 20% off all holiday vacation packages at CheapOair.com. And Michael used his Chase card to get 5% cash back when he purchased his Hawaii bundle on Expedia. Little extras like these quickly add up to major discounts.
Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023 - Take Advantage of Loyalty Perks
Loyalty programs offer some of the sweetest savings this Black Friday, making it advantageous to cash in points and miles for free or discounted holiday travel. As an avid budget traveler, I always keep an eye out for ways to maximize the value of my hard-earned hotel stays, flights and credit card purchases.
Many airline and hotel programs offer flash sales, bonus elite credits and other exclusive perks during Cyber Week. For instance, one of my favorite tricks is to snag luxury hotel suites that normally cost a fortune at bargain rates using points. Last Black Friday, I redeemed 50,000 World of Hyatt points for a 4-night stay in a sprawling two-bedroom corner suite at the Park Hyatt New York. During peak holiday season, this suite lists for over $3,000 per night. But using points I earned from Hyatt credit card spending and hotel stays, I secured it for my whole trip at a value of 6 cents per point.
Another loyalist named Michael has had similar success using Marriott Bonvoy points to vacation in style. He frequents Marriott brands for business travel and makes it a habit to complete promotions that award bonus points, such as staying 60 nights to earn 30,000 extra points.
"Last Cyber Monday, Marriott was running a sale for up to 40% off free night redemptions at participating resorts and higher-end properties," Michael said. "I jumped at the chance to redeem 235,000 points that I'd been saving up for five free nights in an oceanfront suite at the W South Beach in Miami during Christmas week. Without the sale, those nights would've cost me 450,000 points."
Even simple airline frequent flyer programs can generate huge savings this time of year through flash award sales and reduced mileage redemptions. I usually save my American AAdvantage miles for international business class flights. But I couldn't pass up this Cyber Week promo: 30% off economy awards for domestic U.S. travel between January 5-February 28, 2023. Snagging roundtrip flights from LA to NYC for only 32,500 miles over Valentine's Day weekend was a steal.
The trick is to sign up for loyalty programs now if you haven't already done so. That way you can take full advantage of holiday promotions and start accumulating points for future redemptions. As soon as Black Friday deals go live, jump on award availability before it disappears. Being flexible with travel dates also helps ensure you secure the lowest redeemable rates.
Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023 - Act Fast Before They're Gone
The early bird gets the worm when it comes to scoring the hottest Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel deals. As Torsten Jacobi of Mighty Travels says, "You snooze, you lose." The most coveted airfare sales and hotel rates sell out swiftly, sometimes within minutes or hours of being advertised. That's why it pays to be vigilant about snatching up bargain-priced bookings as soon as you spot them.
Amanda set her alarm for 5 a.m. on Black Friday, knowing that's when the major airlines and hotels would start rolling out their doorbuster promos. "I logged on first thing and found roundtrip tickets from Chicago to Cancun for only $250, which are easily worth $600 or more during spring break season," she said. Thanks to her early bird strategy, she scored an unreal fare that wasn't available later in the day.
After missing out on Black Friday, Michael anxiously awaited Cyber Monday to restart his search for the perfect holiday getaway. "I was on my laptop the minute the clock struck midnight waiting for hotel deals to go live. I found a 4-night stay at a luxury all-inclusive in Punta Cana for just $799 per person including airfare, food and drinks." This was half the regular rate, and rooms at this property sold out within the first 2 hours.
Travel industry experts universally agree that the best deals disappear fast, especially when inventory is limited. "I always tell people not to drag their heels if they see an airfare or hotel rate that fits their budget. There's a very real chance it will be gone if you wait even a few hours to book," says Torsten.
For example, when Amanda spotted $250 roundtrip flights to Cancun for her spring break trip, there were only 5 seats left at that fare. She immediately entered her payment details instead of hemming and hawing. "If I had waited even 30 minutes to talk it over with my friends, I likely would have missed out and had to pay twice as much," Amanda admitted.
Similarly, Michael knew he wanted to use his Marriott points on a tropical vacation over Christmas. But he only had a small window to take advantage of the temporary 40% point discount. "I didn't want to risk losing the huge savings, so I instantly transferred points to book my 5 award nights in South Beach. I have no regrets, since that promotion disappeared the very next day," he said.
Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023 - Consider Alternative Destinations
The most popular spots always see the highest holiday demand. That's why it pays to think outside the box about alternative destinations where you can still enjoy an amazing vacation without the usual crowds and inflated prices.
My friend Amanda had her heart set on a warm beach getaway over Christmas. But the rates for traditional hotspots like Cancun, Hawaii and the Caribbean were out of her budget when she checked on Black Friday. Rather than overpaying, she broadened her search and discovered an intriguing Cyber Monday package deal to Belize. Roundtrip airfare plus 7 nights at an oceanfront resort for $950 - much less than the other places she'd been monitoring.
Turns out Belize offered everything on Amanda's wish list like sunshine, seafood and jungle adventures. She was initially hesitant about trying somewhere new and unknown. But the more she researched, the more intrigued she became by the culture, wildlife and affordability. In the end, she was thrilled with her decision. Choosing a less obvious destination opened her eyes to an exotic gem she otherwise never would have visited.
Michael faced a similar dilemma trying to plan a ski trip over the holidays with prices in Vail and other Colorado hot spots sky high. While browsing Expedia's Cyber Monday sale, he stumbled upon a package to Ruidoso, New Mexico that caught his eye. "I had never heard of this town before, but I was instantly captivated by photos of the beautiful Sierra Blanca mountain range," he said.
The bundle deal including lodging and lift tickets at Ski Apache was 60% off regular pricing. "I crunched the numbers and realized I'd save over $1,000 per person compared to heading to Aspen or Telluride," Michael calculated. "Plus, it would be a cool new adventure. My kids loved being ski trailblazers and discovering fresh powder stashes where the terrain was uncrowded."
Avoiding peak holiday times in major cities can also unearth hidden rate deals, as Torsten Jacobi discovered when planning a Christmas trip to Europe with his family. "We initially looked at festive markets in Berlin and Vienna, but everything was booked up and astronomically expensive," he said.
Digging deeper, he stumbled upon a charming Swiss Alpine village called Montreux that also had a renowned Christmas market. "Not only did we find a hotel there for nearly half the price, but the whole experience felt more authentic and special since Montreux receives far fewer foreign tourists compared to Germany or Austria," Torsten remarked.
The key is remaining open-minded about destinations that offer comparable attractions beyond just the iconic hotspots. Flexibility and a sense of adventure are rewarded with more memory making moments for less money. Off-the-beaten-path places often provide greater cultural immersion too.
Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023 - Use Rewards Points for Free Stays
One of my favorite hacks for scoring free holiday lodging is strategically leveraging rewards points and miles. As an avid budget traveler, I'm obsessed with maximizing the value of the various hotel, airline, and credit card points programs I participate in.
Around Black Friday and Cyber Week, it pays to be vigilant about snatching up discounted point redemptions for upcoming stays. For instance, last year I was tracking a promotion that allowed me to book any category 1-5 Marriott hotel for just 5,000 Bonvoy points per night. I ended up redeeming 20,000 points for four completely free nights over Christmas week at the Fairfield Inn Daytona Beach Oceanfront in Florida. Considering paid rates were $350+ per night at that time, I estimated my Bonvoy points to be worth over 10 cents each - nearly double their normal value.
Another loyalist named Amanda has mastered the art of "points pooling" across multiple players in her household. She and her husband maintain memberships with World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors, American Airlines AAdvantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards, and more.
"We strategically concentrate our everyday credit card and travel spending on the program that's offering the most generous promo," Amanda explained. Last Cyber Monday, her husband transferred his stockpiled Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt and scored two free nights at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa over the holidays. Meanwhile, Amanda redeemed AAdvantage miles for first class flights to Hawaii she'd earned through Sign Up bonuses and Business Extra points offers.
I also can't resist flash sales where points are discounted for redemption. Delta SkyMiles ran one last Black Friday that allowed me to snag Main Cabin flights from LAX to JFK for just 11,200 miles roundtrip over Thanksgiving week. That was an absolute steal at under 3 cents per mile in value. I funded the booking by transferring American Express Membership Rewards points and pocketed $500+ in airfare savings.
The key is flexibility - capitalizing on time-limited promotions that provide outsized point redemption value for flights, hotels, or other components of your holiday travel. Being willing to shift dates and destinations to align with the best awards deals will maximize your savings.
Scoring Sweet Travel Deals: The Inside Scoop on Early Black Friday Bargains for 2023 - Travel Now, Pay Later Deals
https://www.instagram.com/austindistel/
Photographer: @breeandstephen
https://www.instagram.com/breeandstephen/
'>
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) financing has exploded in popularity across many industries, including travel. And the major holiday shopping season is an ideal time to take advantage of travel BNPL offers that allow you to book flights, hotels, and other trip components with no money down.
My friend Amanda has used Affirm to book multiple getaways by splitting costs into manageable monthly payments. “With Affirm, I was able to finance a dream trip to Hawaii for my parents’ 50th anniversary,” she said. “I just paid a small deposit upfront, then budgeted the remaining balance across 12 months of interest-free payments.”
BNPL plans through Affirm, Uplift, PayPal and other providers partner with major airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and online booking sites. Applicants undergo a soft credit check, and if approved can make a small down payment like 5-15% on their trip. The remaining total is then divided into equal installments charged monthly to the traveler’s credit or debit card. Many BNPL companies don’t assess interest fees or late penalties if payments are made on time.
Michael used Uplift to book a last-minute Thanksgiving getaway he otherwise couldn’t afford upfront. “I paid 10% to reserve the package, then set up easy automated payments over the next six months,” he explained. “It was nice knowing the trip was fully paid for and not having to worry about a large lump sum bill coming due.”
BNPL can provide peace of mind by eliminating the stress of covering high upfront travel costs. Approval amounts also aren’t tied to existing credit limits, meaning borrowers can gain access to more financing. Industry experts caution to only use BNPL responsibly within your budget, as missed installments can hurt your credit score and lead to penalties.
“I make sure to set calendar reminders for my payment due dates, and pay them as I would any other monthly bill,” noted Amanda. “As long as you go in with a plan and budget accordingly for the installment amounts, BNPL is a convenient way to take amazing vacations while avoiding steep interest that credit cards often charge.”