Today most of us will plan their holiday – or at least part of it – online. So I am sure some online shopping tips for travel deals will come in handy for all of you. That way you can either get the best deal online or you have the best research before you go to see the travel agent to book your trip.
What Do You Expect From Online Shopping
There is a big hype in the media these days about online shopping as you can purchase goods and services from another continent out of the convenience of your home. There is debate about what tax you should pay if you order something online and from which amount onwards import duties should apply.
A lot of this debate is fuelled by the thought that you will safe heaps of money by taking the online shopping way and that this is your main expectation.
I would like to differ. Yes, making sure I get the best deal is one thought. But more often it is the greater choice I have online compared to the local offers. And the possibility to get the information I need at the time that suits me. If I am able to find what I am looking for that is.
Pros and Cons of Online Shopping For Travel Deals
I am the first to admit that I like to organise my trips online myself, to make sure I get the best deal available. But I am also happy to admit that booking your trip online is not that clear cut a money saver as we often think.
Just the other day I was organizing a few days away for myself and some friends. I spend hours in front of the computer just to find the information I was after. And then it took me another couple of hours to get all the bookings in and paid. That included flights, hotel and rental car. Sometimes I wonder if that is time well spent or if it would be better (and cheaper) to let the travel agent do all the nitty gritty bits of work that are involved in online shopping for travel deals.
So please keep the following pros and cons in mind when starting your online quest for travel deals:
PRO
- You have all the information unfiltered
- You can compare prices of a gazillion places from home
- You have access to feedback from other travelers
CONs
- If you have never been to a place you might not even know what to look for (eg which area is the best to stay at in a certain city?)
- You have to find your way through all the booking pages, read the small print and make sure you haven’t mixed up any dates as it is all your fault if it is wrong
- As you most likely don’t do online booking for travel deals every day you might not be aware of some special hard to find offers and miss out on the really good deal
I am sure I have missed a few points, but you get my drift.
My Top 5 Online Shopping Tips For Travel Deals
So to make your (online) life a bit easer here are my top 5 when it comes to online shopping. There is as always more to it, but if you follow these tips it surely will get you of on a good start.
- Dare to compare. Don’t believe the first great offer you see is the one and only, get at least 3 quotes so you know you are on the right track
- Beware of scams. If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. Otherwise make sure you get everything in writing, just to be on the safe side.
- Check the currency. Online you can end up booking anywhere – so make sure you translate the price quoted into your local currency to be sure you compare apples with apples. And don’t forget any booking fees, credit card surcharges or other add-ons.
- Go for quality. This means buy from a reputable source rather than a total unknown. A good business will have cancellation fees and refund rules clearly outlined and you will find contact details easily, like a toll free number to call.
- Pay protected. Only pay online via secure systems. A good travel agent, hotel or tour operator will also offer you to pay over the phone. Or they really trust you and don’t need your credit card details at all (like some car rental companies do)
I guess you all have played around with online shopping already. Why not share your experience and your best Online Shopping Tips For Travel Deals in the Comment section below? Thanks in advance from all fellow travelers, it is always great to learn from the good (and bad) experiences of others.
Todays Post was inspired by a group writing project around the keyword “shopping”. Go and check out these other great insights on this great topic:
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Great advice on online shopping tips for travel deals.
I do tend to do most of my travel bookings myself online these days. You do need to be prepared to put a little time and effort into it – there’s no use saving money, if it’s not really what you want!
Hello Hilary,
you are absolutely right – booking something just because it’s cheap is saving money at the wrong end. And you can get heaps of information and reviews online these days, so you are much better prepared to make a good choice.
Twitter: newlifeonroad
We buy a lot of things online, but I am not sure about a travel deal? I would want to compare my prices, and ask around before I chose something/anything that would be a bargain.
As long as I was going to where I wanted, and I saved money, then I would be happy to be online shopping for travel deals
Cheers
Lisa
Hello Lisa,
you definitely are on the right track when you want to compare prices before you book anything online. But there are some really good deals out there, so it’s worth to have a look around. And there is heaps of great information available on most travel destinations as well, so you can plan your trip much better
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Hi Renee
Thanks for the information, I know when my husband books flights and hotels online it does take quite a bit of time. I think one of the problems is he checks out all the hotels. I know one hotel we booked it had beautiful pictures but when we got there it was not what we expected.
Hello Kerry,
I am very sorry to hear that you had a not so good experience. And I agree, pictures can be very deceiving. This is where the travel review sites come in handy. And word of mouth like recommendations of friends are probably still the best way to go if you visit a destination first time as they know what you might expect and can give you some first hand information.
Still I think online shopping for travel deals is time well spend, as you get a good idea about what is out there and how much you should be paying.
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Twitter: Ambersky3
Hi Renee,
I like your Online Shopping Tips For Travel Deals. it makes sense to get the best possible deal for you holiday travel.
Twitter: Ambersky3
Hi Renee,
Next time I am to travel I will look for Online Shopping Tips For Travel Deals, making sure I get the best deals
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I find shopping online for travel the only way to find the best deals. You can quite often find the same package online with different websites, at a better price. You are also able to research much more while at home and online. Its a great way to shop for the travel deals that safe money.
Dave
Hello David,
I agree that shopping online for travel deals is a great thing. You have direct access to heaps of information 24hrs a day. This way you can do your research at a time that is convenient to you and you can directly compare a number of offers.
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Twitter: jackiestenhouse
I have booked quite a few travel deals online. You really need to compare them with different sites as its amazing the difference in prices. I love booking holidays and doing it online gives you the freedom to really look around at whats out there.
Hello Jackie,
you are absolutely right, there is a lot of freedom in online shopping for travel deals, as you can see all the information right in front of you. And surfing the net can give you a lot of great ideas on what to do and where to go as well.
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Very good tips! This will really help to relax about the things before traveling…