The secrets to getting the most bang for your honeymoon buck are to
shop around and plan ahead. Keep in mind that you can avoid paying full
price about 99 percent of the time -- even some early-booking discounts
apply to peak times. Here are 25 money-saving tips to help you plan the
trip of your discount dreams.
1. Set your priorities
First decide what your goals are for the trip and exactly what you can and
can't live without. Let's say you have $1,000 for the honeymoon. If
pampering is first on your list, book a long weekend in the suite of a
nearby spa resort. If getting away from it all is most important, use that
same amount of money to take a week-long camping trip complete with
gourmet eats and treats.
2. Work
with a travel agent For one-stop, stress-free trip planning, a travel agent can't
be beat. They can save you money with air/hotel or fly/drive/hotel
packages (thanks to their high business volume), plus they have the skinny
on last-minute or ongoing sales and loads of travel experience. For
savings at sea, call an agency that specializes in booking cruises. And be
sure to let the travel agent know your priorities so he knows exactly what
he should cut and keep.
3. Consider a honeymoon registry Here's how it works: Some travel agencies and tour operators
offer a registry service by which they collect, track, and apply
contributions from your wedding guests toward your honeymoon expenses.
Some services, such as www.honeyluna.com,
even allow guests to "sponsor" specific activities such as a sunset
cruise, scuba trip, spa treatment, or meal at a romantic restaurant.
4. Choose an off-season locale Assuming your departure date is fixed (i.e., you're taking a
honeymoon immediately after your wedding), choose a destination or cruise
itinerary whose off- or shoulder-season (the period right before and after
high season) coincides with your travel dates for drastic price breaks and
less crowds.
Best of all: off-season is not synonymous with bad weather. For
example, many islands in the Caribbean have ideal temperatures year-round
but rates skyrocket from January to April due to high demand from
winter-weary East Coast travelers. In other locales, off-season means
searing heat or bitter cold. Some hotels and activities shut down
completely until more hospitable weather returns. (Talk to your travel
agent for hotel rate schedules or check a travel guidebook -- or an
article on The Knot! -- for weather information.)
5. Choose cheaper locales
Many variables can make a destination a dynamite deal, including a weak
local currency (Mexico and Canada, for instance) or high tourist traffic
and large airport hubs (Jamaica and Puerto Rico). Other variables such as
weather disasters (hurricane damage in the Caribbean, earthquakes in
Turkey) cannot be planned in advance but have the same cost-cutting
effect.
6. Stay close to home
If you live on the West Coast, head south to Mexico. East Coasters fare
best in the Caribbean. Or, save the airfare and use the extra money to
upgrade to a nicer hotel and room at a resort within driving distance.
7. Book early This guarantees that all the inexpensive rooms won't be sold out.
On cruises, which announce their itineraries 10 to 14 months in advance,
it also means savings of up to 55 percent. On the flip side, if a ship is
underbooked, you may snag a last-minute deal up to eight weeks before
sailing (although you may have a limited choice of cabins).
8. Shop the sales According to Consumer Reports Travel Letter, the best (read:
cheapest) time to buy airline tickets is October through December and
January through March. When booking, think like a vacationer and stay over
at least one Saturday night: Airfares tend to take a dive when business
travel is low, i.e., over the weekend.
9. Read the paper like a hawk Not only should you scan for travel deals for flights originating
in your hometown -- especially popular in a major airline's hub city --
but swoop in on the fine print. Too many disclaimers spell trouble. Look
for ads that deal with major airlines (not charter flights) and familiar
hotel chains. Comparison shop and trust your gut.
10. Consider alternate airports As in, sacrifice convenience for savings: Try flying in to or out
of a smaller or farther airport at one or both ends of your trip to reduce
your airfare. For example, Big Apple honeymooners may save money by flying
into New Jersey's Newark Airport instead of New York's La Guardia. (Call
your hotel to make sure the round-trip cost of a taxi from the farther
airport won't wipe out your savings!)
11. Consider alternate modes of travel Instead of flying a major airline, check out the no-frills,
low-fare carriers or consider the scenic window views of a train, bus, or
car. If driving, break up the longer travel time -- and enhance the
journey -- by planning some sightseeing pitstops along the way.
12. Cash in your frequent flier miles That credit card you've been abusing to pay for your wedding is
now ready to be milked for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and
upgrades. (In fact, seat upgrades have a better "exchange rate" than
ticket purchases and are invaluable splurges on marathon trans-Atlantic
flights.) Ask about partnerships, allow plenty of time for membership
rewards or points to be transferred, and remember that blackout dates may
curtail your plans.
13. Purchase an air pass
Many foreign airlines (including those that service Europe, Southeast
Asia, South America, Australia, and the South Pacific) sell tickets that
allow you to city- or country-hop within a specific region within a
limited time frame for far less than had you arranged each leg of the trip
separately.
14. Book online
Some hotels and airlines offer Internet-booking discounts or bonuses such
as frequent flier miles. For a roundup of deals, visit
www.webflyer.com.
Not picky about where you stay? Go to
www.priceline.com
and name your price. Each bid is free but remember these two caveats: You
can specify the city, area of the city, dates, and level of quality (one
to four stars) you desire, but you cannot request a specific hotel. Also,
if Priceline finds accommodations, you must accept the offer. (As in, your
credit card will be charged the full amount for your stay.)
15. Consider an all-inclusive hotel, cruise, or tour The best part? There are no surprises and no limits: You can live
like a king and queen for one flat fee. You can even get married at no
cost with a minimum-night stay at Sandals, SuperClubs, Swept Away, and
Couples resorts. (Sandals-owned Beaches is perfect for honeymooners with
kids). Most all-inclusive rates include room, all meals, drinks,
activities, entertainment, tips, taxes, and airport transfers (adventure
tours also include guides and equipment). Note: Packages vary. Club Med,
for example, doesn't include alcoholic drinks. Ask lots of questions and
make sure what's included appeals to you (otherwise, why spend
the money?).
16. Consider a bed-and-breakfast
True, some lack privacy, but not all. Most are packed with romantic
ambiance and luxe amenities. Prices are usually favorable -- especially
during the week -- and breakfast is obviously included. Note: Kids and
pets are allowed -- even encouraged! -- at some.
17. Do your own cooking
Book a condo or villa with cooking facilities, where you can whip up your
own meals for two whenever you get the munchies. Be sure to pack candles
for romantic ambience.
18. Call a hotel broker These companies sell rooms that hotels need to fill or they buy
blocks of rooms and pass the savings on to you (and may have rooms at
hotels claiming to be sold out). Two good ones to try are
www.quikbook.com
and
www.1800usahotels.com.
19. Call a hotel directly Reservationists at a hotel's 800 number, especially at large
chains, are not always familiar with the latest promotions and packages
offered at a specific location. Call the front desk of the hotel you're
interested in to find out which rooms are best and to get an accurate idea
of how much it will cost to get to the hotel from the airport.
20. Ask about packages Not only do you get lots of extra perks when you sign up for a
package (with a romance, honeymoon, spa, or sport theme), but package
rates often include tax, tips, and airport transfers, which can save you
money over the regular per-night rates -- even with all the
perks! Check honeymoon destination articles on The Knot for hotel romance
package details.
21. Sleep cheap, live large Book the cheapest room you can in the swankiest hotel you can
afford. Choosing a room that faces a garden or the pool instead of the
ocean is no big deal if you plan to be on the beach or out of your room
enjoying posh amenities most of the time anyway. Light sleepers should
choose a garden view -- late-night pool parties or dance bands may keep
you up. Save even more if you're willing to stay a block or two from the
beach.
22. Read the fine print
Compare rates based on what's included. For example, tax alone can add up
to 21 percent! Optional inclusions are tax, tips, airport transfers,
breakfast, and afternoon tea or evening wine and cheese.
23. Don't be shy Don't accept the first room rate quoted (especially
during low season). Inquire about weekend rates (common at city hotels),
extended stay discounts, and seasonal promotions. Ask: Is this absolutely
the lowest rate you can offer me? What would I need to do to get a better
rate?
24. Pull your resources Get intimate with the benefits of all your credit cards, dining
cards, and club memberships. For example, your auto insurance or credit
card may already cover Collision Damage and Liability on auto rentals. You
may also be covered for other travel snafus -- or discover coverage
options you'll want to sign up for before you leave, such as travel
insurance. Being proactive instead of reactive will protect your
deposits, save you money (or reimburse you) if something goes awry and,
perhaps most importantly, give you peace of mind.
25. Brag!
When you're inquiring about a rate or making a reservation over the phone,
make sure the person knows it's for your honeymoon. At the very least, you
may get a better table or free flutes of champagne. At best -- especially
during the off-season -- you may get a room upgrade!
Is your budget still coming up short? Don't sweat -- book a nice hotel
room for your wedding night and start saving for a belated honeymoon
blowout on your first anniversary. Bon voyage!
