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June 5, 2017

How to Save Money on Your Next Cruise Booking

Cruises are a one-stop shop for all your vacation needs: Your food and beverage is provided, entertainment is on board and your travel itinerary is all mapped out. All that’s required from you: Have a great time. The best part is that many cruise lines feature deals and specials on everything from beverages to group packages. Below, five tips for saving money on your next cruise.

1. Sail During Slow Seasons

You may be able to snag an amazing price on your trip if you wait until the last minute. Although this may mean settling for a smaller cabin, the savings will be well worth it. Experts also advise looking for cruises during the slow season (i.e. not holiday vacation or summer). Another ideal time to book is during the Caribbean’s hurricane season. Wave season (January through March) tends to see sales from agencies and cruise lines alike. If you’re curious about which specific line to look for, experts say because of the size of the ships, both Caribbean and Med offer great last-minute deals.

2. Use Agents and Apps Wisely

A great idea: Sign up for cruise lines’ email newsletters and text alerts. The great deals and packages will arrive right to your inbox. Several lines, such as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, feature one-day discounts. If your main goal is to score the lowest price, experts advise working with a travel agency. Because agencies block space on ships, they’re able to provide their clients with cheaper rates. They’re watching all the deals, and will be aware of great new sales, add-on perks or other discounts. If you prefer to use technology, there are also plenty of apps available (TripIt, Cruise Critic forums) that offer advice, show prices and help you find the best fit and fare.

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3. Check Out Hot Spots and Leave From Local Ports

Booking early for in-demand spots (experts say the Caribbean and Alaska continue to be super hot destinations this year) will help consumers get the best rates. Because these cruises are in such high demand, rates continue to increase. Talk with your travel agent or do a little research into your destination of choice. Experts also advise sailing away from your hometown. If you live in a big city (Seattle, New Orleans, Los Angeles or San Francisco, for example), you can easily drive to the port, eliminating the need to book a pricey flight.

4. Go in a Group

Take advantage of group rates (applied to parties of 16 or more) and you could even score yourself a free trip. Experts say the most affordable months to book a group cruise are May, June, September, October and early November.

5. DIY Your Fun

Unless you’re going to be drinking heavily (five or so drinks per day), the beverage packages aren’t always the best bet. Take advantage of happy hours — on and off the ship. You can also seek out spa deals and adventures on your own. Although the cruise may offer off-board activities, experts suggest relying on online travel blogs and guidebooks to plan experiences on your own. You can also investigate spas off-board instead of splurging for pricier services offered on the ship.

October 25, 2016

Everything You Need to Know for Last Minute Travel Planning

Sometimes you just have to scratch when you have the itch. So if the travel bug has been biting lately, allow us to offer some tips. If your opportunity to get away from it all is quickly approaching, you don’t have to spend a small fortune to enjoy yourself. Last minute travel doesn’t mean spending all of your savings for a family outing. With savings from top notch stores and Cash Back on your purchases at Ebates, you’ll find great deals to get out the door and on the road! Here are our top tips on how to make the most of last minute travel plans.

Turn to Social Media

It turns out your bad habit might do you some good. Use your social media savvy to your benefit and find great deals on Twitter. Follow travel blogs and travel-related companies to get the latest deals delivered right to your feed. But these deals are often limited so don’t delay or you might miss out.

Escape Dry Land With Last Minute Cruises

Your off-the-cuff adventure doesn’t mean you have to be landlocked. Fulfill your love of the open sea with a simple and luxurious last minute cruise getaway. CruiseDirect has plenty of last minute offers from ports all over that will allow you to visit several destinations in one trip. Enjoy your time on the boat or escape to a new place when the boat docks for a unique experience.

Get First Dibs

Companies often spill the beans to newsletter subscribers first. Sign up for emails from your favorite travel sites to get the details on last minute vacation deals before they’re released to the general public. Travelocity and similar sites will alert you to money-saving promo codes and special offers so your morning email ritual could get you some early bird savings.

Off Season Means Big Savings

It’s no surprise that peak vacation times are going to cost more. If your last minute travel goes against the grain, you’re going to lock in some solid savings. That means an escape to Aspen is ideal in spring when the slopes aren’t exactly a hot spot. Your favorite destination may have plenty to offer when peak tourism traffic is down.

Look For Package Deals

Bundling your travel and accommodations not only make life easier, it can also spell out some decent savings. Hotels and airlines often partner and feature package deals designed to make your adventure stress free.

Do Your Own Sleuthing

Getting the best deals means cutting out the middleman. Nix the travel agent and go straight to the source for all-inclusive package savings. Empty rooms make all inclusive resorts exactly no money so many places will offer a steep discount for last minute vacation deals. Research the resorts in the area and give them a call to find out what deals they have available for your quick getaway.

Have Fun Wherever You Go

You don’t have to plan ahead to have fun at your destination. Groupon offers a great selection of activities for families and adults alike in cities all over the world. Catch a local sports event or take that whale watching trip you’ve been dreaming of all year. Whether you would like to try a new place to eat or you’re looking for a great spot for couples massages, you’ll find plenty to do in any city you’re visiting.

Scope Out Holiday Offers

You’re not the only one that wants to get out of dodge for the upcoming holiday weekend so look out for Memorial Day deals. Plenty of hotels are hoping you’ll pick them for your big escape so they’re likely offering something a bit extra. Whether they’re offering tickets to a local event, discounts at local restaurants or even multi-night stay savings, be on the lookout to make sure you’re saving on your last minute travel at Hotels.com. Business-friendly hotels are often harder to fill when corporations go on break, so you may find better hotel deals where there are empty meeting rooms.

Pack Accordingly

Last minute travel usually calls for a quick getaway. Grab a versatile weekender bag from Nordstrom and bring the essentials. Include pieces that can be dressed down or played up for a night out. Wear bulkier items on the plane and don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat for all of your outdoor excursions.

Keep it Local

If you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to escape far. Last minute travel could mean a quick flight to a nearby city. Don’t overlook the idea of a simple jaunt to a neighboring city with your friends or family. You can even use a promo code for a hotel in your own city and hit up all of the tourist spots you’ve been meaning to visit. The proximity will keep travel expenses down while allowing you to still escape the routine and have a wonderful adventure.

May 12, 2016

Where to Find the Best Summer Travel Deals

Thanks to the internet, the search for airline tickets, vacation packages, cruise deals and hotel rooms has never been easier. There is no shortage of websites out there to help you find and book the summer travel experience of your dreams. But there are also hundreds of sites out there that only look like a bargain hunter’s dream but could attach added fees, service charges or other strings to your ticket price. In this handy guide, we will introduce you to some of the top names in online budget travel booking and give you tips on how to use their sites to save the most when you book your summer holidays vacation.

Hotels.com

Hotels.com offers travel deals for more than 240,000 quality hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments around the world. Hotels.com is committed to full price transparency so the price you see at the start of the booking will always be the same price you pay at the end. They will even show you comprehensive fee information that gives details of which hotels might have extra charges for things like breakfast, parking or internet access.

Savings Tips:
• Book one of their Deals of the Day to save up to 50% on your summer vacation, all while earning Cash Back at Ebates.
• Ready for some Memorial Day travel fun? Get up to 40% off your summer holidays booking and vacation in places like California, Hawaii or Washington for less during their Memorial Day Sale.
• Become a Welcome Rewards member and earn points for your stay which can be redeemed for a free night!

Orbitz

With Orbitz, you can book your summer vacation flight, car rental or cruise with the utmost confidence thanks to their Best Price Guarantee. If you find the same booking at a cheaper rate within 24 hours, Orbitz will refund you the difference. When you book your travel with a vacation promo code at Orbitz, you’ll get extra savings and earn Cash Back at Ebates.

Savings Tips:
• Save an extra 10% when you sign up for Insider Prices. You’ll gain access to exclusive discounts available to members only so you can travel this summer with more money in your pocket.
• Join Orbitz Rewards to earn rewards for your summer vacation travels and redeem your Orbucks on select hotels worldwide. Earn even more with the Orbitz Rewards credit card and Orbitz Rewards Dining program.

Priceline

Priceline gives you access to over 70,000 hotels in more than 71,000 destinations worldwide and connectivity with all major airlines and car rental brands. With over 38 million verified guest reviews and the highest volume of hotel room nights booked per day, Priceline is a customer-approved site you can trust.

Savings Tips:
• Search through the Express Deals for savings of up to 60% on select hotels and accommodations this summer.
• When you use Priceline to bid your own price for vacation deals, the number one strategy to know is the “free rebid”. To get around the Priceline policy of not allowing you to raise your bid within 24 hours, use their map to find a nearby zone that doesn’t have any hotels at the same star level as the one you bid on. Add that zone to your bid and you can rebid without the waiting period and without any added risk.

Expedia

When it comes to making online booking easy, Expedia.com takes the cake. A flight recommendation tool, search saver and itinerary sharing options are just a few of the unique features of their website, which is built specifically to help Expedia customers make smart, informed travel decisions.

Savings Tips:
• Gain exclusive access to summer travel savings with your mobile device. You’ll see travel deals for up to 40% off, but only with the Expedia App.
• Get an extra 10% off at select hotels when you unlock Member Pricing. It’s free to sign up, all you have to do is sign in for amazing summer savings!

July 16, 2015

Top 20 Travel Apps for Your 2015 Trips

Got a mean case of the wanderlust? There’s no better time to indulge in adventure than Getaway Week at Ebates with Extra Cash Back on flights, hotels, even luggage!

But we know there’s more to planning your trip than saving money. It’s also important to find ways to make your getaways as convenient as they are memorable with some of the best travel apps at your fingertips. Whether you are a master planner or live to wing it, these top 20 travel apps will get you started on your journey, your way. From booking a last-minute room to finding the best dog parks around your destination, you can do it all with these top trip-planning travel guide apps.

1. TripIt – Forward all your confirmation emails for your flight, hotel, rental car and more to TripIt and it will create one seemless itinerary, which you can access from anywhere.

2. Postagram – Take a picture on your phone and Postagram will print it into a personalized postcard and even send it for you! No more tracking down stamps or mailboxes in unfamiliar places.

3. Wi-Fi Finder – Easily find free Wi-Fi where ever the road takes you so you can plug in your laptop and take care of a little business or check your email without going over your data limit.

4. Google Translate – Language will no longer be a barrier as you trot the globe with an expert translator in your pocket. Use your voice, camera, keyboard or handwriting to translate between 90 languages.

5. Gas Buddy – Never run out of gas and interrupt your epic road adventure. Gas Buddy finds nearest and cheapest gas stations so you can fill up and rev up in a flash.

6. OANDA Currency Converter – Save yourself the headache of looking up currency rates and converting in your head or with a calculator and use this handy app.

7. Hotel Tonight – Get the best last-minute hotel deals in major metropolitan areas with Hotel Tonight. You can book a room any time between right this minute to seven days ahead.

8. Gate Guru – Take over your terminal with Gate Guru. Frequent travelers love this app which gives them airport security wait times and airport amenities like food, shops and services.

9. Hipmunk – Browse flights, hotels, even Amtrak and Airbnb options and compare prices easily! You can also use “heatmaps” to find lodgings close to attractions like shopping, nightlife and more.

10. Seat Guru – Picky flyers, rejoice. Seat Guru offers seat-choosing advice and seat maps for your flight so you can get the best seat and the biggest bang for your buck.

11. PackPoint – Tell the app where you’re going, when, for how long and a little about yourself. You’ll get a detailed list of what to pack including types and quantities of clothing, gadgets and anything else you’ll possibly need.

12. OpenTable – A big part of travel is sampling local cuisine and OpenTable is perhaps the easiest way to do it. Search by location, see reviews and make reservations in a snap.

13. TripAdvisor – Find your dream destination based on trusted reviews and user pictures all while finding great airfares and hotel deals with comparison shopping. Helpful user forums will also answer your burning questions.

14. AroundMe – A simple, streamlined alternative to Yelp, AroundMe lets you find everything from banks to bars within walking or driving distance on an easy-to-use GPS map.

15. iExit – Another one for the road warriors out there, iExit tells you what’s ahead on the interstate including gas stations, restaurants and rest stops. It will also find you hotel deals if you need an extended rest.

16. BringFido – For those who take their furry best friends along for the trip, this app finds pooch-friendly hotels, the best dogs parks around your lodgings, even restaurants that will welcome four-legged patrons.

17. Cruise Finder – Easily compare cruises and explore ship maps to find the perfect stateroom for your needs. Cruise Finder gives you access to 12,000+ itineraries to over 25 destinations.

18. Green Globe – Travel consciously with peace of mind that you are doing your best to reduce your carbon footprint. Search a wide selection of sustainable resorts, hotels, conference centers, attractions and tour experiences.

19. Localeur – This super hip app is completely community fueled with local insiders weighing in on their favorite restaurants, bars, stores and more. Take tips from city experts, not just tourists passing through.

20. YPlan – Why plan when you have a personal event planner in your pocket? YPlan helps you discover the best events daily in San Francisco, New York and London with plans to expand.

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.