REAL DEALS
Bermuda, Air/3 Nights, From $365
For Bermuda's 400th birthday, JetBlue offers a discounted weekend getaway to the island chain of pink-sand beaches.
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.
UNITED STATES
Bring on the Luggage Credits
Kimpton Hotels and the Snake River Lodge & Spa, A RockResort, are trying to make air travel more appealing by knocking up to $100 off your bill when you show your checked-luggage receipt (details and dates of validity vary by company).
Honolulu from $651
Northwest Airlines flights from San Francisco; transfers; seven nights at the Castle Maile Sky Court, a five-minute walk from Waikiki Beach; a lei greeting; and one breakfast. Add $97 for a seven-day car rental. The price includes fuel surcharges. When: Oct. 1-Dec. 11. Other Gateways: Seattle ($690), Minneapolis ($1,006),Detroit ($1,009). SS: From $343. Information: NWA WorldVacations, 800/800-1504, nwaworldvacations.com.
Miami Beach from $449
Air from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale or Miami and three nights in a one-bedroom suite at the oceanfront Mimosa Hotel in Miami Beach (between South Beach and Bal Harbour). Transfers are an extra $22. Add from $69 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Oct. 1-Dec. 2; Dec. 8-15. Other Gateways: Chicago, D.C., Detroit, New York ($489); L.A. ($649). SS: $149. Information: Travel Themes and Dreams, 877/870-7447, travelthemesanddreams.com.
Orlando from $318
Three nights in a two-bedroom suite at the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, one mile from Disney World. The hotel has two water parks and free shuttle service to Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Disney World theme parks. Add $20 for adults and $11 for kids for a breakfast with SpongeBob SquarePants and other Nickelodeon characters. The price is per room, up to six people, and includes the third night for free. Airfare isn't included. When: Until Dec. 24. Information: Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, 877/829-6425, nickhotel.com.
Scottsdale from $769
Air from Denver, L.A., Las Vegas, or San Diego to Phoenix; a four-day car rental; and four nights at the Fairmont Scottsdale hotel, which is a 30-minute drive from the airport. Fuel surcharges are an extra $39. When: Until Dec. 23. Other Gateways: Dallas (add $129); Chicago (add $159); Atlanta, Philadelphia (add $169); Fort Lauderdale (add $199). SS: $625. Information: Online Vacation Center, 800/780-9002, onlinevacationcenter.com.
Stowe from $569
Two nights at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, kids' activity packs, and breakfasts. The price is per room for two adults and two kids; airfare isn't included. Stowe Mountain ski passes are $59 for adults and $48 for kids. When: Oct. 19–Dec. 11. SS: Not available. Information: Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, 800/253-2232, stoweflake.com.
CANADA
Montreal & Mont-Tremblant from $1,431
Air from Atlanta to Montreal, a five-day car rental, three nights in Montreal at Delta Centre-Ville hotel, and two nights at Mont Tremblant Resort. Add from $147 for fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 20. Other Gateways: New York ($1,461), Miami ($1,471), L.A. ($1,579). SS: $765. Information: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.