CheapTickets shares money saving tips on when to book, where to go and what to do this spring break
With cold temperatures and record-setting snow plaguing much of the country this month, spring break is on just about everyone’s minds right now. But while it’s tempting to book a warm weather getaway ASAP, budget travel site CheapTickets reports that this year it pays to procrastinate.
When to Book
The travel site compared seven different booking windows for spring break (March 1 – March 31, 2019) and found that travelers who wait and book just one week out could save 16 percent on hotels and 20 percent or more on packages, compared with the average price for the month.
“A lot of travelers have been trained to book trips within that 21- to 30-day timeframe for the biggest savings,” said Justine McDonald, travel expert at CheapTickets. “But this is the first spring break season where the data is proving it pays to wait and book last minute.”
Where to Break
CheapTickets also examined the best budget friendly destinations for spring break, sharing some of the cheapest places to travel throughout the month of March. Travelers who take advantage of the site’s advice to book spring break a little later this year can find hotels for $125 or less in hot spots like Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Austin and Jacksonville. Vacation packages to San Francisco, Charleston and Kyoto, Japan also topped the list at $1500 or less.
“From bucket list destinations like Peru, Japan and Spain to great vacations closer to home in ski country or California – there’s something for every traveler at a price they can afford this year,” said McDonald.
How to Save
Travelers who take advantage of CheapTickets’ advice to book spring break hotels and packages a little later this year can save even more with a few last-minute promo codes. Save an extra 16 percent on select hotels booked March 4 – March 31 with the code SPRINGBREAK, or take $75 off vacation packages (flight and hotel) with the code VACAY75. The package promo code is good for any destination excluding Las Vegas.
The promo codes above can also be used on trips booked through the site’s new budget friendly search tool, Vacation Value Finder. Vacation goers start by entering their budget and the type of trip they want – hot or cold, romantic or family friendly, beach or city center, relaxing or active. The search tool then populates trip itineraries at that price point or less based on their location and preferences.
“The tool is designed to help users find new destinations and trip ideas based on what they can actually afford – not just what they think they can afford,” said McDonald. “That benefits not just travelers, but smaller and mid-size cities, too, which offer great deals but may not be top of mind for people.”