Total Vacation Packages---Are They Worth The Money?

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

30 Jan 2007 10:19 PM

Websites are plastered with travel deals beckoning visitors to exotic locations. Most of them are package deals, which include airfare and hotel accommodations. Some even include rental cars and tickets to specific events (e.g. whale watching or ski lift tickets). The prices always catch my eye, but I never stop to examine the offer's fine print. I normally assume there's a reason (not a good one) for the prices being so (seemingly) affordable.

So if you are traveling to popular destinations are these package deals the best way to go? I posed the question to my high school classmate, Ryan at a reunion I attended a few weeks ago. (He works for a Honolulu travel agency). His answer surprised me. According to Ryan, travel agencies are able to offer exceptional pricing on items made available to them through key tour operators that have an aggregated product that they only offer to specific travel agencies.

The key to getting the best deal is to research the package offer. As I mentioned earlier, some travel and tour operators provide total vacation packages -- including airfare, ground transportation, hotel, attractions and some meals -- that are offered directly to consumers. Other tour operators sell similar packages through travel agencies, which often buy rooms and tickets in bulk at lower rates then pass the savings on to customers.

I typically work under the assumption that I can piece together a travel package myself and save money by picking and choosing individual travel products that I know I will use. Ryan pointed out that travel agents have much more leverage to negotiate lower prices than the individual consumer so you can count on saving at least a few hundred dollars going with a package deal versus piecing together your own.

Nothing against Ryan (or other travel agents out there), but I still think the best way to ensure you are getting the best travel deal is to use the Internet to monitor fares and hotel deals. BUT, prior to booking I would suggest calling a few travel agents and tour operators to see what deals they are offering on the same products.

Have you had success with total vacation packages?

Related Articles:

Finding a Good Deal on a Hotel Room

Flying Between the Hawaiian Islands Just Got Cheaper

Airline Secrets Revealed: Affordable First-Class Fares

What To Know Before You Vacation At An All-Inclusive Resort

Visiting Hawaii on a Budget

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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