FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Category: Travel Deals

  • This Week’s Top Travel Deals

    Take a look at what we found as this week’s top travel deals. Perfect for a summer or fall family vacation. Check it out!

    Mexico and the Caribbean
    If you’ve been reading our blog lately then you know about the amazing travel deals you can score in Mexico.


    Cheap flights, cheap hotels and cheap cruises! Mexico is a popular travel destination for North Americans because of its proximity, lovely beaches, gorgeous scenery, variety of cities to visit and exciting outdoor adventures. Don’t miss out on these excellent travel deals this week.

    First, check out the deals Travelocity is offering with a week long Mexican Riviera cruise for only $333 a person. This means you could be cruising off the western coast of Mexico while enjoying Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and even Ixtapa. Don’t hesitate too long, these cruise deals change often.

    Our next deal takes us to AeroMexico, an airline that is offering flights from around the continental United States to Mexico for as low as $158 round trip. This includes destinations like Mexico City, Cancun and many more, so don’t miss out on these discounted flight deals – they only last through July and August and destinations are changing frequently.

    Lastly, ME Cancun is offering a $99 a night for its 4 star suite with ocean views at Diamond Resorts. With so many great hotel deals online, this is just one example of the amazing savings you can enjoy. Last year this same room would have cost you on the upwards of $175 a night.

    If you’re looking for something more tropical then the Mexican beaches, consider a cruise to the Bahamas. Right now Celebration Cruise Line is offering a week long Bahamas cruise for only $158 a person, one of the lowest cruise prices we’ve ever seen for a cruise to the Bahamas. Enjoy great weather and fun activities onboard Celebration Cruise Lines.

    With so many amazing travel deals to Mexico and the Caribbean, it’s almost impossible to not envision yourself surf side with a cocktail in hand, or enjoying the sun with your family at a resort pool. Check back often for more weekly travel deals to Mexico as summer travel deals heat up south of the border.

  • Five Ways to Save on Travel This Summer

    As you well know, FrugalMonkey is keeping a keen eye out for the best summer deals. Recently Nina Wildorf from Budget Travel was on Good Morning America, sharing Budget Travel’s best ways to save this summer. 


    Here’s what she had to say about finding the best summer travel deals and saving money.

    1. Last Minute Deals
    Most people get a little nervous about waiting to book travel until the last minute, but with travel companies throwing out so many last minute deals, some of the best flight prices can be found in the few days before departure. When airlines and travel companies unload inventories, last minute travelers reap the benefits. Check out FrugalMonkey’s links to excellent last minute travel websites. Some of the best online discounts can be found if you’re trying book a flight at the last minute.

    2. Opportunity!
    Unfortunately in this economic climate a lot of people are getting laid off. But turn this time off from work into an opportunity to travel. With such great travel deals to both domestic and international locations you can find amazing deals. Take the time you have off and enjoy a trip, or go see family and friends. With discounted airfares, hotels and car rentals you can enjoy a trip on a very low budget. You just have to look! Also, Intrepid Travel has a ‘Laid Off Promotion’ where if you book with them and enter the code: 2653, you can travel at a discount of as much as 15%.

    3. Negotiations
    It’s no big secret that now is the time to take advantage of travel deals, but what still remains a secret (until now, that is) is your ability to negotiate with airlines and hotels on what you’re getting. Airlines tend to have more strict policies regarding travel packages but when you’re looking for hotels in Oahu for instance, try bargaining. Hotels are especially eager to get rid of rooms and increase lodging rates. This means you can usually bargain the price down, or negotiate more bang for your buck. If you can’t get the price lowered on your stay, try asking for an upgrade. A lot of the bigger and better rooms are vacant and hotels are willing to make negotiations in order to book rooms. Don’t pay the asking price this summer, instead try talking those hotels and airlines down!

    4. Public Transport
    Don’t forget about the amazing travel deals you can find when you utilize public transportation. Especially trains! In the Northeast of the United States you will save big if you book your train trip at least 14 days out. Savings as much as 20% during the summer.


    Train fares are a great way to enjoy cheap travel. You save on gas money and get to enjoy a good book or the scenery as you make your way. Don’t forget about amazing train vacations like those available on the Alaskan Railroad. It is a great way to save money on a stunning summer vacation.

    5. Girlfriend Vacations
    It may sound silly, but hotels, resorts and airlines are doing anything they can to lure travelers into a summer vacation. This includes girlfriend vacations where promotions and discounts are offered to girls traveling together. Wine tours, spa vacation packages and shopping deals are all included. Take a look at Spafinder.com and Napa Valley travel packages with discounts for women.

  • FrugalMonkey’s European Vacations

    Although we talk a lot about domestic travel, don’t forget that FrugalMonkey has amazing travel information on international locations as well. That includes, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and Greece! Each of these profiles includes some special information about the area, hotels, sites and exciting adventures.

    If you’ve always wanted to take a Mediterranean vacation while the rest of us battle through a cold winter, then take a look at our section on travel to Greece. Start looking for travel deals now and exploring resorts in Crete for the island vacation of a lifetime! With FrugalMonkey vacation planners, there is no detail left to the wayside. Be sure to check back with our blog for amazing domestic and international travel deals!


  • Travel to Sydney!

    Australia has been a favorite travel destination among travelers and one of FrugalMonkey’s favorite places to talk about! 


    What more do you need besides incredible architecture, cosmopolitan culture, gorgeous beaches, amazing weather, wildlife and adventure?  You probably answered “Not much,” which is why we’re bringing Sydney, Australia to the forefront of this week’s travel deals.

    Check out some of these amazing travel deals to Sydney and take advantage of low travel prices this season.

    Australia’s major airline carrier is Quantas, which flies from most of Australia and New Zealand’s major cities to locations all over the world.  Frequent flights to and from the United States, means that most travelers can find a connecting flight to Australia on Qantas, with ease.  The following flight specials and vacation packages end on June 16, but are a great example of what you’re likely to find this summer while traveling to Australia. Right now you can enjoy round trip airfare from JFK airport in New York and 7 nights stay in a deluxe Sydney Hotel including tickets to the Sydney Wildlife Park for just $999.  When you break it down, that’s no more than $150 per night, per person – an incredible savings on travel to Australia!

    One-way tickets from New York to Sydney are going for as low as $289 with amazing partner deals for people connecting from other cities like Seattle, Chicago and Los Angeles.  When you’re searching for hotels in Sydney look no further than our FrugalMonkey page featuring a number of wonderful places to stay.  But also be sure to check out Qantas Vacation Specials.  Right now travel discounts like $50 a night for 7 nights at the Grace Hotel and more are just a click away!

    When you planning your vacation take the time to do your research.  Deals offered by Qantas and other airline carriers are the lowest they’ve been in years.  Right now, in the travel industry don’t book a vacation unless you can find an incredible deal.  There are so many out there, don’t even think about paying full price!  And when it comes to travel in Australia, be sure to check out FrugalMonkey’s country profile.  We have information on Perth, Brisbane and the Great Barrier Reef – all the information you’re likely to need when traveling to Australia!

  • Destination: Hawaii

    We pride ourselves on offering the best destination profiles along with travel deals that will take you there.


    This week, we’re featuring Hawaii and bringing you all the best discounts and promotions to get you and your family on an amazing summer vacation, while doing so on a manageable budget.

    Hawaii has been on our travel radar for a while and if you’ve been reading our blog, I’m sure you’ve noticed. Travel to Hawaii is in a lull mainly due to problems with the economy. People who used to travel regularly are putting luxuries such as Hawaiian travel on hold in order to save money. The result however, means that the Hawaiian travel industry is in a major slump and the state’s economy as a whole is suffering. In order to entice travelers to the region hotels, cruise liners, flights and vacation packages are slashing prices – making Hawaii not only an amazing destination for luxury travel but now, an affordable one.

    Vacationers can find flights to Hawaii for prices lower than they have been in years. Prices from the west coast were coming in around $600 just last year. This year however, you can find flight discounts from the west coast to Hawaii for as little as $299, with some specials offering deals as low as $150 for one-way flights. This makes the Hawaiian Islands more accessible then they have been in years and travelers are taking advantage. Don’t take our word for it, take a look at some of these amazing vacation deals to Hawaii!

    For as little as $529 you can enjoy four nights in Honolulu at a Maile Sky Court or similar hotel, including airfare from Los Angeles or Seattle. Other prices from west coast cities include flights from San Francisco or Portland for $579 and $779 from Denver. These prices are valid through mid-July when they change, but only slightly.

    Keep an eye out for amazing travel deals to Hawaii. Additionally, keep an eye peeled for deals listed on our blog – we’re on the hunt to bring you only the best!

  • Don’t Miss Out on Mexico

    Last month the Center for Disease Control removed travel restrictions from Mexico, giving travelers the green light for sunny skies, beaches and margaritas.


    However, the recent swine flu scare is keeping travelers at an unhealthy distance, causing the tourism industry in Mexico to falter. The result? Cheap prices on travel to Mexico.

    Although travel to the region is perfectly safe, people have canceled vacations and re-booked elsewhere, causing some hotels to be as much as 70% below capacity. The swine flu scare, in addition to the economic slump has put travel on the back burner for a lot of families. This combination has been disastrous for the economy and tourism industry in Mexico and as a result, prices are very low.

    Priceline spokesmen Brian Ek states that packages available on travel auction sites like Priceline are as much as 30%-50% off, providing incredible savings to people interested in travel to Mexico. The country is so desperate to attract travelers back to their resorts, beaches and cities, that hotels, flights and vacation packages are lower than they’ve ever been. By pricing vacations so low, the Tourism Board hopes to attract summer travelers and inspire more people to visit to the area.

    Even cruises to Mexico are behind in numbers. Carnival and other cruise lines that recently cancelled trips into the area due to swine flue and are just now starting to rebook lost customers. While this is bad for the Mexican cruising industry, the result is cheap vacation deals for travelers. Cruises into Mexico are priced lower than they’ve ever been, providing an appealing package for summer travel at an amazing price.

    People interested in a fun and cheap summer vacation should certainly consider Mexico. On travel auction sites like applevacations.com, packages are 70% off. Other sites have deals like half off flights to Mexico and resort hotels for less than $100 a night. These deals include vacation packages to some of Mexico’s most famous resort towns where travelers will enjoy discounts on travel to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cancun and Acapulco.

    Check out some of these currently available deals on travel to Mexico and book your summer vacation now!

    You can enjoy three nights hotel stay in Cozumel including airfare from Houston for only $349 in July. That means amazing Fourth of July travel dates and discounts. For this vacation package search Cozumel travel deals on GoFox.com

    Other vacation packages include three nights in Cancun with airfare from San Antonio for $299.


    Or maybe you’re looking for a longer vacation. In this case take a look at the seven night Regency Cancun deal, which includes airfare from Houston through July and August for only $592 on Priceline. At Palaceresorts.com enjoy airfare discounts from $100-$400 in Cancun, Cuzmel and Nayarit. These deals will be valid from June 30 – September 30, 2009.

    We mentioned the cheap cruise deals available and we weren’t kidding. Carnival has five night cruises available from Galveston through Progreso and Cozumel for as low as $380 and seven night cruise deals in August for only $550 a person.

    Get on these incredible travel discounts now, they won’t last!

  • Package Deals for Alaskan Travel

    This week, it’s all about travel packages so check out this great deal that will land you smack dab in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness.

    Mt.McKinley is the tallest peak in Northern America and it resides in Denali National Park, a tourist favorite for summer travel. These two attractions are combined in this great deal provided by Rail Tours. This summer get a 2 for 1 deal on the Princess Rail Tour and lodging at either Denali Princess Lodge or Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge for as little as $99 a night. Both options take you from Anchorage and Fairbanks, into the Alaskan wild by railroad to experience luxury and the outdoors like you have never seen. The railroad is special because it offers you a chance to see Alaska in a way that is impossible by car and difficult to access by hiking. Take advantage of this great package deal by Rail Tours and Princess Lodges.


  • Destination: Acapulco

    You’re probably pretty up to speed with our FrugalMonkey Destination Profiles. We show you where to go, why to go and point out great travel deals to get there.


    This week we’re showing you how to enjoy the perfect summer vacation with a trip to Acapulco, Mexico!

    Mexico is not only the perfect romantic getaway, but it also is a great vacation for families as well. Great restaurants, fun outdoors adventures, activities, golf, beautiful resorts and amazing beaches make this a favorite among visitors. What makes Acapulco so special is its origins from a small village into one of the most beautiful Mexican vacation destinations in the country. Acapulco’s proximity to the Sierra Madre Mountains makes it an excellent place to enjoy an adventuresome afternoon with your family or a gorgeous cliff side sunset for couples. The Pacific Ocean waters stay cool throughout the year but visitors are almost guaranteed to get nothing but sun. The size of this Mexican city is big enough to ensure that you won’t get bored and its night life is legendary, but isn’t difficult to manage. For more information on different things to do in Acapulco, check out FrugalMonkey’s entire profile on Acapulco travel.

    So how should you get there? Acapulco is located on the southernmost Pacific side of Mexico, so most vacationers fly. Right now you can fly from Los Angeles to Acapulco for as little as $254 when you fly with Continental Airlines. From Houston flight prices plummet to only $174 for the nonstop round trip flight, when you fly with Aero Mexico.

    If you need a place to stay while you’re there, check out three-star hotel rates as low as $48 a night when you book through Orbitz at Golden Zone Hotel or Acapulco Diamonte. Naturally, there are a million ways to throw your money around, so if luxury is on your agenda – never fear. Check out FrugalMonkey’s list of hotels and attractions to help you further plan your trip.

  • Cheap airfare strategies

    Some of these simple airfare strategies will help you save money while you travel.

    Even though finding good airfare deals has become easier, there are some ways to narrow your search and find those even better deals.


    Check out FrugalMonkey’s summer strategy for cheap flights and air travel.

    Right now you can find incredible international and domestic flight deals. But consider the simple equation that the further you fly, the more expensive the flight will be. That’s why if you live on the East Coast, you can fly to Greece for less and if you live on the West Coast, you can travel to Anchorage, Alaska and Hawaii on extremely low airfares. It’s because proximity to your location will inevitably affect your travel costs. Consider this when planning your next vacation and you will find the really cheap flights. Proximity plays a big part! Flights such as $300 round trip to Hawaii from the West Coast, or mind blowing European rates from New York and Florida are just a few clicks away.

    Another thing to do is to hunt for online promotions. Signing up for newsletters, looking for online coupons and simply things like setting an email alert for certain airlines, are excellent ways to find those really good travel deals and cut down on costs.

    You should also consider the time of year when you travel. Flying during high season will cost you potentially hundreds of more dollars than if you fly during the low season. One great trick is to plan vacations on the cusp of high and low seasons. That way, you can enjoy the low season rates but high season weather and activities will still be accessible. Not only will your airfare be cheaper but, so will hotels, restaurants and local activities.

    Lastly, the tried and true way to find the best airfare deals is through travel auction sites. A lot of the sites like Travelocity, Hotwire, Orbitz and Kayak will not only offer airfare discounts, but vacation packages as well. Doing your research through these sites will certainly pay off when your family vacation is hundreds of dollars cheaper at the start!

  • JetAmerica Introduces Flights as Cheap as $9 a Seat

    Just when you thought travel couldn’t get any cheaper. It does. JetAmerica just released a statement saying that it will begin focusing on flights that some of the bigger carriers have left behind, or no longer provide. Starting July 13, a number of nonstop passenger flights will be offered (as many as 34!) to places such Toledo, Ohio; South Bend, Indiana; Melbourne, Florida and a number of others. Midsize cities such as Lansing have seen a decrease in flights offered from major carriers, so as a result, JetAmerica plans to fill that void. While the move will cost the airline millions, cheap flights will be provided to passengers in the form of $9 seats! Other seats will be as much as $199, but all things considered – that is still one heck of a deal.

    Check back to FrugalMonkey for more information on cheap flights and great domestic and international travel deals.