FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: Travel Deals

  • When to be Wary of Travel Deals

    It pays to be a smart consumer. Or does it? Perhaps we mean you will pay less if you’re a smart consumer.


    At least that’s the case when it comes to travel deals online. Travel sites love to project amazing travel deals that will get you around the world and to incredible locations for just pennies. Like this one deal, advertised by Green Earth Travel that suggested one person could travel to Ireland for only $399. However, when travel experts tried to book that flight the trip rang in at amounts closer to $2,300! The deal presented online was for a flight to Ireland in December or January (keep in mind you’d be enjoying temperatures on an average of 50F as the high and would be traveling during Ireland’s wettest season).  You would also have to travel from Boston and share a hotel room with four other people in order to find trip fares that low! Which brings us to our point: be wary of travel deals. Not every advertised ‘deal’ will get you the trip you’re looking for.

    On FrugalMonkey you will only find airfares and vacations that accurately represent a real trip. It’s our travel guarantee so that you can rest assured that you will never have to be wary when read about travel deals on FrugalMonkey.

  • This Week’s Great One Way

    Looking for killer one-way travel deals? This week we feature an amazing one-way fare that’s so hot it’s impossible to ignore! Continental Airlines is bringing you the best in travel to the Big Apple with one-way fares as low as $109 each way. The Statue of Liberty is a world-famous tourist attraction as are the 39 Broadway theaters. There is plenty to see in New York City, especially when you factor in a visit to Times Square or shopping and eating in literally hundreds of shops and restaurants.

    What we think is so great about this vacation is that there is no need to purchase a round-trip ticket, so you can enjoy one-way fares at very low prices!

    If you’re looking for other great travel locations, take a look through our free online travel guides. It’s the perfect vacation resource.


  • Beware of the Fine Print

    Online travel shoppers are getting pretty spoiled. With so many deals available due to the lull in the economy, it seems like all the chips are with the consumer. Beware! This isn’t always the case.


    Many online travel sites like Expedia and even airlines like American Airlines have travel policies like awarding travelers free flights if they can find a cheaper deal. Others include refunds on trips if a traveler wants to book that same vacation at a cheaper price with another carrier. Although this seems very customer friendly, the truth is that within the fine print there are some serious regulations. Expedia for instance requires that you make your claim within 24 hours of booking if you find a better flight and American Airlines’ cut off is midnight that same day. While there are some sites that offer more time, like Orbitz, Kayak, and Hotwire, keep in mind that your free for all purchasing might not equal the savings you have in mind.

    Keep an eye out for regulations that might back you into a corner. You don’t want to get stuck with a more expensive flight then you’re willing to pay. As a general rule, we recommend booking only when you’re sure you want to travel, especially when it comes to luxury or family vacations. Remember, offers might not include cancellation refunds and have other strict regulations, so be a wise shopper.

    For a full list of cheap travel sites, like Kayak and Orbitz, see the FrugalMonkey Travel Deals page.

    We’re here to help!

  • Can’t Decide Where to Go

    Don’t worry. A lot of travelers are looking for vacations, but can’t decide on a location. In fact, a recent survey claimed that a growing number of consumers were looking for flight deals online without having any idea where they wanted to go! If this sounds familiar, take a look at one of our favorite cheap flight sites. On FareCompare.com, under their Cheap Flights category, they feature a Cheap Flight of the Day.

    Each day, a new feature flight is listed with travel deals that will blow your mind. Some include flights to Europe, Hawaii, Cancun, and New York. No flight is too big time or small time to make the list and these excellent prices might be just what you need to help make up your mind. Perhaps you’ll run into the perfect flight and boutique hotel in Cancun combo. With such low prices, you can’t say no. Check it out and save!


  • A Rather Unlikely Spot To Find Travel Deals

    Or, maybe not. Twitter is the new popular social media application of the year and everyone from Ashton Kutcher to CNN anchors, are taking part in the social media frenzy. Twitter accounts are free to anyone, so joining is as easy as 1,2,3. With so many people onboard you can find airlines and travel agents, twittering about the latest travel deals. Finding travel deals through Twitter is becoming a very reliable and easy way to get updates from airlines regarding promotions or one time offers. So far a number of airlines have Twitter accounts. You can follow airfare giants like Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Delta among others.

    If you have a Twitter account and like to travel, consider following suit and find this summer’s best travel deals online through Twitter, now.


  • Summer Travel Advice

    This summer, travel deals are heating up all over the globe – so don’t miss out! It can be easy to forget that right now is one of the best times in years to purchase vacation packages. The economy lull has the travel industry in a tizzy, which translates into huge vacation deals for travelers.

    For example this week on Southwest Airlines they advertised a two-day sale offering domestic flights in the US for only $30-90 round trip. Also on Southwest airlines, you can book two adult round trip tickets from the west coast in addition to four-nights stay for an August vacation in Las Vegas for under $700. Vacation packages like this won’t last forever, so go ahead – book that summer vacation now! You won’t be disappointed.

    We suggest keeping an eye out on our blog for regular updates on the week’s best travel deals in addition utilizing one of our favorite tools: travel deal websites.

  • Three Great Places to Travel and Save

    Summer travelers, consider setting your vacation sites on the southern hemisphere where residents are bundling up for winter, instead of applying sunscreen and heading for the beach.


    One great way to save money while traveling is by flying to countries and locations that are currently in their “low” or “off” seasons for travel. This generally means hotels, car rentals, excursions and even flight prices are lower than normal. We found three great vacation destinations that you can enjoy, both for their low prices during the off-season and for their excellent activities for travelers.

    Australia
    Australia has experienced a lull in tourism due to the slowing economy in addition to the weakening Australian dollar. Right now, flights to Australian cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth are at an all time low, making it the perfect chance to experience an Australian vacation. Because of Australia’s location in the southern hemisphere it is currently winter, the slowest season for tourism in Australia. This combination means that hotels and vacation packages are even lower than traditional industry prices making it a great international vacation destination for families, couples or individuals on a budget. Take tour of the Australian outback for hundreds cheaper than you would during a December vacation and enjoy cultural highlights in Sydney and Brisbane that aren’t weather dependent. Australia’s climate is so temperate in fact, that on any given day you might catch enough good weather for a dip in the ocean. Scuba diving and snorkeling is year round – especially with the help of wet suits.

    Argentina
    Our next great southern hemisphere cheap vacation is in Argentina, where winter prices make traveling extra affordable. Traveling within Argentina is already affordable due to favorable exchange rates and with such a large geography travelers can enjoy wine tasting in Mendoza, skiing in Bariloche or Las Lenas and shopping in Buenos Aires all in one great vacation. Argentina is also very close to Uruguay, Brazil and Chile three other excellent (and affordable) South American vacations to take this winter. Look for cheap flights and hotel deals online as well as in our section on Argentine travel.

    South Africa
    Last but certainly not least comes South Africa, where travel prices are dropping to the lowest figures in years. While South Africa is a popular beach destination is also has a number of fun activities that are not only enjoyable during all sorts of weather but are also considerably cheaper this time of year. We’ve recently had our eye on some amazing South African safari deals, which take you in the rugged wilderness surrounding South Africa’s metropolitan cities. Weather stays fairly temperate all year round and animals are more active on cooler days than very hot ones. You can also enjoy wine tasting in South Africa and a number of cultural events in Cape Town or Johannesburg. With cheap hotels in South Africa, along with outings like safaris – take a budget vacation to an incredible and exotic place.

  • Great Travel Deals

    We wanted to bring you this week’s best travel deals in a nutshell so here it goes:

    Travel to Las Vegas for a 4th of July weekend or trip with your girlfriends and get VIP night passes for only $69. Drink and activity discounts. Stay at one of Denver’s best hotels for only $89 a night. You can find that deal available on Travelzoo. Puerto Vallarta vacations are cheaper than ever! Find $99 a night hotel rates on travel auction sites like Travelzoo.com. First class airfares are being discounted around the United States. Enjoy a nice business class flight for only $199. Utilize travel auction sites for this one and you’re likely to reap the benefits!

    Don’t forget just because you’re flying last minute doesn’t mean you have to pay for it. Lots of travel deals are being offered for last minute flyers!


  • Destinations Are Easy With FrugalMonkey

    According to Forrester Research, 20% of travelers search the web looking for a vacation without a destination in mind!


    A little tid bit we picked up while looking for travel deals for you, loyal blog fans. With that in mind we thought we’d feature some of our favorite travel destinations and a travel deal that will get you there cheaply. Check it out:

    Hawaii
    It’s not surprise that we would pick Hawaii as an amazing summer vacation. Hawaii is the perfect mix between local vacation and international destinations since it feels like a different world but is only a few short hours from the west coast. You can enjoy a lot of things to do on your Hawaii vacation, like horseback riding on the beach, swimming with dolphins, lounging poolside, hiking, camping, surfing, swimming and snorkeling.  It’s all there! Also, Hawaii is a hub for incredible travel deals this summer with cheap flights and great hotels running the gambit on the web. Like Maui hotels offering 50% off and incredibly cheap flights from the west coast. It’s our number one pick for summer vacations.

    Alaska
    If you’re looking for a vacation, then look no further. Alaska is undoubtedly one of the smartest summer vacations for individuals, families and couples. Even though it might take you a while to arrive, Alaska has fun cruises, camping trips, gorgeous scenery and even amazing luxury options for travelers. Don’t miss out on this one incredible vacation destination.  Right now you can ride the Alaskan Railroad and find cheap hotels, even in Denali National Park for discounts as high as 50%.

    Don’t forget about FrugalMonkey’s vacation guides as you’re looking for a vacation this summer. You could be on your way to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Greece and even South Africa. We have great vacation ideas, all you have to do is take a look!

  • Summer Travel Jobs

    What better way to kick off summer then by working an amazing summer job. If you want to earn money during the summer, but still enjoy the experiences and excitement of travel then check out FrugalMonkey’s resources on summer travel jobs.

    Working Abroad
    Working abroad for the summer, is taking seasonal jobs to the extreme.


    No one dictates how long your working abroad experience should last except you. That means you can enjoy a summer working abroad or work abroad for the better part of a year. It is a great way to make money and enjoy travel while earning valuable job experience. But where do you start? A lot of college students work abroad during a semester off, or right after graduation. One of the most popular jobs while traveling is teaching English. A lot of teachers find themselves teaching English in South America and Asia, two of the most popular locations for the job. These two places represent the best outlook for teaching English while working abroad. Learn more about working abroad with our entire section on finding work overseas. It’s the perfect summer job!

    Volunteer Abroad
    Volunteering is another popular choice for summer. It allows you to fit in a lot of volunteer hours when you otherwise would be working or in school. There are a wealth of volunteer opportunities abroad, representing an excellent way to boost your resume and enjoy travel. While most volunteer opportunities aren’t paid, it is still a great way to enhance your travel experience with a fulfilling project. Check out FrugalMonkey’s section on volunteering abroad and fill your summer with fun and travel.

    Work at a Resort
    Have you ever been on vacation with your family and thought, “I’d love to work here”? Well, join the club. Working a resort job is a popular summer choice for students because of the seasonal association with resorts and good weather. Although most of the resort jobs for summer are already underway it gets the mind thinking about other resort jobs that need coaches for summer camps and special occasions. Or, the many winter resort jobs that need staffing during the snowy months. Think ski and snowboarding coaches or bartenders at world class ski resorts! Start thinking about applying now and learn more about winter resort jobs through JobMonkey.

    Cruise Jobs
    Working on a cruise ship is another popular way to take advantage of cool seasonal jobs. This one doesn’t just last the summer, but instead goes year round. Find out more about working for a cruise ship and make great money while you travel. You could find work with the kitchen staff, or work as a bartender. Maybe you want to lead land excursions on Alaskan cruises. The cruising industry operates all year and represents a great way to travel and earn money in a short time. Find out more with FrugalMonkey and CruiseShipJobFinder.