Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific

Sign up for more savings Many travel companies let customers know about new destinations and fire sales on last-minute deals through their e-mail newsletters. Some offer subscriber discounts on all bookings. Check out their websites for more options; and tell them Budget Travel sent you!

How was your trip? Have you taken a 40 Best Deals vacation? E-mail us how it went at Letters@BudgetTravel.com.

It pays to book directly with an airline Shop for airfares on meta-search websites like Farecast, SideStep, and Kayak and then book directly with the airline—you'll have more clout in the event that your flight is canceled.

Beyond hotels Looking for an affordable place to stay during the holidays? Consider renting an apartment or even a house. Check out websites like rentalo.com, interhome.us, villasintl.com, vrbo.com, and craigslist.org.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Got a Week Off, Mate?
In an effort to make a trip to the Land Down Under seem less intimidating, Qantas Vacations joined forces with several other travel companies and created 15 varied itineraries to demonstrate how you can have a satisfying vacation in Australia even if you only have seven nights to spare.
Australia from $3,699 Qantas Airways flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Brisbane, transfers, seven nights' hotel (two each in the rain forest and on Fraser Island, and three in Brisbane), and more. When: Sept. 1–21 ($3,699); Sept. 22–Dec. 8 ($3,899). Other Gateways: None. SS: $1,425. Information: Qantas Vacations, 888/736-2845, aussieweek.com.

Southern Australia Road Trip from $824
A five-day driving itinerary round trip from Melbourne with four nights' lodging, a five-day car rental, and some meals. Airfare isn't covered. When: Until Mar. 31. SS: $554. Information: Goway Travel, 800/387-8850, goway.com.