Fall is a favorite time to get away. For many of us, the cooler weather is welcome and the summer crowds at many destinations are out of the way. Here are some tips about getting the most value from your autumn vacation. If plans are taking you far away, plan ahead, but staying home and treating your time like a vacation is another perfect option.
Book airfares early. I know everyone is crying about the increase in airfares, but for those who plan ahead, there are still great deals out there. Don’t wait until the last minute to make your plans for a vacation. If you find yourself booking only two weeks before you plan to travel, get ready for sticker shock. But for travelers booking today for October and November vacations, there are plenty of bargains out there. Watch out for hidden fees. Remember a great deal can be wiped out when you factor in baggage fees that can add $120 to a round trip ticket.
Bargain hotel prices abound. Hotel prices are still a bargain compared to two and three years ago. The hotel industry has not recovered. Savvy travelers can find great bargains and go cheaply or spend a bit more and get luxury that they might never have expected they could afford.
Look for air/hotel deals. Most travel agents can put together a great deal that bundles airfare and a hotel room. Online travel agents like Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz and others all offer great deals. Mid-October long-weekend deals from Washington, DC, to the Gulf Coast with a room right on the beach in St. Petersburg can still be found for around $350 a person when sharing a room. Similar deals are available for vacations from Chicago to the Rocky Mountains or to Reno and Lake Tahoe. On the west coast a long-weekend vacation to from L.A. to Seattle or Alberqueque can be found for about the same $350 per person.
Your local travel agent with its personal deals with various hotels and cozy bed and breakfasts will be able to arrange similar deals that are more personalized and unique.
Watch out for rental car costs. Costs are creeping up. Maybe I should say shooting up. That’s at the big rental car companies like Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Dollar and Budget. Low-cost car rental companies like Fox, EZ Rent a car, Ace, Payless and Advantage can reduce the costs more than 50 percent. I’ve been using these companies for years with no problems and great cars. Orbitz has the best rental car matrix. I use it all the time. Some of these upstart companies now have rental counters right in the airports. They are worth checking out. If you are determined to rent from one of the main companies, go to Priceline and bid for your car. The Priceline bid price is normally the same as the low-cost company’s normal price.
Stay home and discover the world nearby. Here’s an alternative to dealing with hidden airline fees and rude TSA inspectors — stay home or take short road trips. Instead of forking over loads of cash to go someplace “special” and far away, head to somewhere nearby that you haven’t visited before for an overnight. From Washington, DC, head to Charlotteville. From LA drive to Mammoth Lakes. From Chicago go to the Dells. From Boston map out a trip to Vermont or the Berkshires. From Denver head to Aspen or another ski resort before the snow gets there. With the money you save on airfare and hotels, plan to go out to dinner every night during your “vacation.” I’ll bet the break will be special, you’ll learn something about your neighborhood, discover some pretty good restaurants and save a bundle as well.
While we’re at it, what are some of your favorite fall travel destinations? What are some great undiscovered “nearby” places to where you live? I’d love to hear.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
