| When traveling, most people want to get the most | | | | it'. This works well for the wealthy and those to whom |
| possible 'bang for their buck' by looking for the best | | | | money is not a concern; we are assuming for the |
| possible rates on everything they need, from flights to | | | | sake of this article that you are looking to save money |
| a discount hotel deal. Getting a discount or finding a | | | | and get the best value. |
| deal is easier than you might think, and there are many | | | | þ USE THE INTERNET: There are online search |
| ways to do it. Consider the following points to start | | | | engines that will look all over the internet for the best |
| with: | | | | deal possible. They take the complex web of the |
| þ ASK: Your travel agent, the booking agents at | | | | internet and make it simple by allowing you to just type |
| the hotels you are considering, your friends or family | | | | in your destination of choice, your dates and |
| who have been to the city or country you are going to | | | | preferences, and finding you what you are looking for. |
| visit; ask everyone for discounts or ideas on how to | | | | Check out sites like Expedia and Orbitz. |
| get them. It's amazing what you can get when you | | | | þ CONSOLIDATORS: Many airlines and hotel |
| simply ask, and it's amazing how many people don't | | | | chains will keep blocks of tickets aside in case they |
| bother. | | | | are needed, and will release them to be sold by |
| þ DO YOUR HOMEWORK: By investing the | | | | companies called consolidators. This is a tip you will get |
| time and effort to look around and learn what your | | | | from travel agents, but the connections are hard to |
| options are, you are ten steps ahead of someone | | | | come by unless you know someone. |
| who just calls their travel agent and says 'take care of | | | | |