If you’re looking for a travel deal to beat the winter blues, mark November 28 on your calendar and get your computers or phones ready.
According to Hopper.com, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving will be the biggest day for travel savings in the post-holiday shopping season.
After a comprehensive price analysis, the travel booking site found that there are more than 50 percent more deals on hotels and flights on this day than on Black Friday and 30 percent more deals than on Cyber Monday.
To make the most of these travel deals, Lindsay Schwimer, consumer travel expert at Hopper, gave DailyMail.com some of her top bargain hunting tips.
Follow the deal, NOT the goal
According to Hopper.com, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving will be the biggest day for travel savings in the post-holiday shopping season (stock photo)
Want to book a trip for 2024?
Follow the offer, not the destination, says Lindsay on what Hopper.com has dubbed “Travel Deal Tuesday.”
She advises, “Flexibility in destination is the best way to save on future trips.”
“When searching for flights, also consider nearby airports to get the best deals.”
Be flexible when you travel
“If you can be flexible with your travel dates, you’ll get the best value for your money,” says Lindsay.
As for flights, she recommends flying during the week so you can get $100 more on flights compared to traveling on the weekend.
As for the hotel, she recommends checking in Sunday through Tuesday to save up to 25 percent or more per night.
For those who don’t have the flexibility to travel during the week, Lindsay recommends moving weekend stays from Saturday to Monday, as this can save up to 10 percent.
For certain destinations, Lyndsay says travelers can pay a hefty surcharge for weekend check-ins, rising to 120 percent in Las Vegas and up to 80 percent in Miami.
Select the first flight of the day
When it comes to booking flights, Lyndsay recommends choosing flights early in the day, as there is less chance of a delay or cancellation, which can lead to unforeseen costs.
She added: “In fact, flights departing after 9am were on average up to twice as likely to be delayed as flights departing between 5am and 8am.”
“Cancellations are also usually highest at the end of the day: last year, on average, more than 3 percent of flights were canceled between 5pm and 10pm.
“Flying early can help you save money, as delays or cancellations often result in you having to look for airport meals, hotels or even new flights.”
Book rental cars that day
Lyndsay emphasizes that car rental companies will also be reducing prices on Travel Deal Tuesday.
She points out that a number of providers, including “NOW, Economy, Fox, Easirent, are all offering special rates if you book a rental car on November 28.”
Download the Hopper app
The Hopper app allows travelers to track down “all the specials” for more than 60 popular domestic and international destinations.
To prepare for travel sales, Lyndsay recommends downloading special apps like Hopper as soon as possible.
She says the Hopper app allows travelers to track down “all the special offers” for more than 60 popular domestic and international destinations.
There will also be a “dedicated in-app sales page where Hopper will highlight the best airfare and exclusive hotel deals available tomorrow.”
Find participating airlines, hotels and travel agencies
According to Lydsay, more than 500 travel suppliers will be taking part in the sale and it’s worth investigating which ones are on board.
As for airlines, Lyndsay reveals that some of the airlines participating in Hopper will be Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, China Airlines, Fiji Airways, French Bee, Icelandair, ITA Airways, PLAY Airlines, Porter Airlines and SATA Azores . Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
Participating hotel partners include Caesars Entertainment, Encore Boston Harbor Resort & Casino, Fontainebleau Hotel Vegas, MGM Resorts, Nemacolin Woodland Resort, The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Vermont and Wyndham Destinations.
Tourism associations have also seized the opportunity to attract travelers, with some destinations offering up to 50 percent off hotel packages.
Tourism authorities participating this year include Puerto Rico, San Diego and Los Cabos.
Set up price alerts for the destinations or hotels you’re looking for
Setting up price alerts can help you get a bargain
If you have specific hotel destinations in mind, Lyndsay recommends setting up price alerts to help you get the best deal.
The Hopper app has a “Watch” feature that allows travelers to set up alerts for specific destinations or hotels in which they are interested.
She explains: “Hopper will let you know as soon as a good deal is found so you don’t miss out on the big sale tomorrow!”
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.