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Perfect storm of travel deals
It's the same with my car and hotel, if I need one. When I'm traveling to familiar destinations, I often develop a pattern--using options that have worked in the past. It saves me time and trouble once I arrive. As a rule, then, I discount the push for packages. You see the ads all the time: "combine your air and hotel and save $$$". Lately, though, it's sort of a perfect storm for package deals. The air fares to many popular destinations are in the stratosphere. And hotels are scrambling to get more heads-in-beds. One local outfit, Explore Tours ( www.exploretours.com ) is putting two and two together to get five. Here's how: The airlines often give cruise companies and tour operators lower fares to package up with hotels, rental cars and activities. The lower rates are a big secret. But one thing is for sure: they're cheaper than what you and I can find anywhere else. Right now, there are several opportunities to save a bundle using a package. For example, if you want to fly to Las Vegas on Alaska Airlines, the lowest published fare from Anchorage is $716 per person. I know. Stop gasping--that's the naked truth. Seven hundred and sixteen dollars. Yes--that's the "supersaver" price, with 21 days advance notice. ACK. Here's the trick, though: Combine that God-awful air fare with two nights at Harrah's in Las Vegas. Find someone to fly with you. Then, the total package price drops to $1,234 for two. That's $617 per person--or $100 per person CHEAPER than air-only. Furthermore--there's no advance purchase requirement, so you could buy today, fly tomorrow. How about that? Crazy? Yes. But true. Right now, the snow is casting a beautiful white sheen over what is otherwise a pretty dirty back yard here in Anchorage. That's nothing like Phoenix. Right now, the forecast is for 73 and partly cloudy skies. Golf, anyone? Meet you by the pool! Alaska Air charges $688 per person between Anchorage and Phoenix. But Explore Tours combines this with a two-night stay at the Marriott and brings the price down to $1,270 for two. That's $635 per person, double occupancy. And it's $53 cheaper per person than air fare alone. Again, there's no advance purchase required. That makes this package especially attractive to the traveler who is stuck inside of the 21-day or 14-day advance purchase rule. Headed to Miami? Alaska Airlines is asking $770 per person from Anchorage to Miami. But if you combine the air fare with one of Explore Tours' packages, the price drops to $1,440 for two people (sharing a room). That's $720 per person, or $50 per person less than the air fare. There are all sorts of packaging schemes in travel today, some of which can save you big money. The biggest "package savings" these days is a cruise. Heck--one price includes your food, your accommodations and transportation between ports. Right now, you can get a seven-day cruise between Alaska and Seattle or Vancouver for around $400-$500 per person. That's a great deal. Explore Tours' packages are especially attractive because the published fares are so expensive right now. Ask about deals to Dallas, Chicago and Seattle, too. When fares go down, it may again be more economical to shop for your hotel and air fare separately. But right now, you can save money by purchasing a hotel and air fare together. Online resources Explore Tours: Right now, they've got good "tour-based" air fares that are cheaper than published rates, as long as you get the hotel at the same time. www.exploretours.com
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