The 6 Best Vacation Deal Websites

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Planning a vacation can be exciting and exhilarating, but it can also be stressful and time-consuming if you don't know where to look. That's why we've covered some of the best places to find vacation deals online.

1. AAA Travel Services

If you are an AAA member, you know that great deals and rewards come along with your membership. However, you may not know just how great their travel deals are. Their travel services can help save you money on your next vacation, cruise, or business trip, and help save you time planning it as well.

That's because you will have your own local AAA travel agent to help streamline the process. They can help you find the perfect services to fit your schedule and budget, without spending much time comparing prices. They even offer last-minute travel deals for any impromptu vacations or business trips. Finally, you can find freebies on the site, like a free car rental for a day, to complete your trip.

2. Costco Travel

You also probably didn't know that Costco offers some of the best vacation deals online, all with the great customer service they're known for. You may be eligible for special member perks, like room upgrades, spa credits, and more. Costco Travel also has a Low Price Finder, where it will compare all online coupons and deals to find you the lowest prices possible.

3. Booking Sites

Discount booking sites can help you find the best deals on airfare, lodging, car rentals, food, and entertainment. They can even help you find all-inclusive travel packages that have everything you need, which will save you the stress of searching through various discounts. Some of the most common booking sites include Travelocity, Expedia, Hotwire, Kayak, Cheapflights.com, Priceline, VacationRentals.com, and Hotels.com. (See also: 40 Most Useful Travel Websites That Can Save You a Fortune)

While all booking sites work similarly, many people prefer Kayak. Forbes also recommends Kayak because it searches a large database of fares to find you the absolute cheapest option. It can even compare months of fares to help you find the cheapest day to travel. Travelers find the interface very easy to use and navigate, taking the stress and guesswork out of planning your trip, all while saving you money. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Online Booking Sites)

If you don't feel comfortable reserving your flight, hotel, or rental car through a booking site, simply go directly to the service provider and ask if they can price match the estimate you found on a booking site. Most hotels and airlines also place deals directly on their sites, which may be the same deals you would find on a booking site.

4. Other Discount Sites

Groupon, LivingSocial, Amazon Local, and Yelp can help save you money when you are booking your trip, as well as after you have arrived. They offer deals on hotels, travel packages, and even rental cars. Once you arrive at your destination, use these discount sites or apps for local deals on food, entertainment, excursions, shopping, and more, so that you can get the most out of the area without breaking the bank.

5. Lodging Alternatives

Airbnb will allow you to rent an apartment or home for the exact amount of time of your trip. They also offer shared rooms and even couches, depending on your budget and sleeping preferences. Booking through Airbnb can save you a lot of money and allow you to feel like you're staying in a home, rather than a hotel. You can also visit BedandBreakfast.com for a directory of the best bed and breakfasts, in all price ranges.

6. Last Minute Booking Sites

If possible, try to book your trip last minute. There are substantially more deals and savings available when you are able to book shortly before your trip. At Last Minute Travel, the process is streamlined so that you can easily book and customize your travel itinerary at the last minute. You can also visit AirfareWatchdog, which will allow you to monitor airfare and hotel prices so that you can take advantage of sales immediately.

Be sure to check Wise Bread's Travel Resources to find other ways to save big money on your vacation. Do you have any other suggestions on finding the best vacation deals online? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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