How to save time and money when you book your next holiday

How many hours of your life have you spent looking for a hotel when you travel? We’ve all been there, At the point of tearing out our hair with the overwhelm of options. Wouldn’t you prefer to be kicking back with a cocktail and enjoying your life?

Clients always ask me what accommodation I recommend and before I guide them I like to ask them a few questions to determine what is going to suit them best. There are so many styles of accommodation to choose from and getting clear on what you are after at the start is going to save you a lot of time when you research. Here are some questions I ask my clients before I start working on their trip;

• What type of experience are you after?
• What is your budget?
• What type of accommodation do you prefer?
• Which area would you like to be in?
• What is important to you in a property?
• Which meals would you like included?
• What are you planning to do while you are there?

Once you know what you have to work with you can narrow your search criteria to return what fits your brief. Have you ever taken notice of the options on the side of an online booking engine? These choices can literally save you hours by cutting out what you don’t want.

• Property class – 5 Star to 1 Star
• Property type – Hostel, Hotel, Villa?
• Price per night – Choose the bracket that fits your budget
• Area – You can choose the locations within a city
• Popular locations – If you’re unsure of the area you can filter by what is popular with other travellers
• Amenities – Do you need wifi? a gym? kids club? room service?
• Meal plans – Do you need any meals included?

Now you have an idea of what you would like, the million dollar question is… How do you get it for less?

Ask an expert – Now being a travel agent myself you could call me biased but if you have seen a quarter of the experiences that I have, You will know why it is gold to have an agent on your side. Not only do they have access to multiple wholesalers to book through that can save you money they also have your back and are filled with incredible recommendations from years of experience. When things go wrong, which they sometimes do, you will want this person to go in to bat for you and find a solution (Saving you time and stress again). I also want to add that not all agents are amazing so make sure you ask for recommendations from friends before you start working with someone.

Still want to DIY the trip yourself? My advice is to compare a few sites before you book, I can guarantee you the price is different on every site you look at. Make sure you look at a few reviews of the company you are choosing to book through before you input your card details, There are a few sneaky ones out there and I want you to have a seamless experience so you can enjoy your holiday and feel confident that your money is protected – Even if that means paying a little more for peace of mind. One rule of thumb is if a website is coming in cheaper than the airline direct, Question why.

Have any tips to add that will save you time or money? I would love to hear in the comments below.

Love, Dana x