HOLIDAY TRAVEL BARGAINS

HOLIDAY TRAVEL BARGAINS

We all know the travel industry is really hurting in this economy.

So, does that mean you might be able to get the best possible deals on New Year's escapes, even if you're booking somewhat late in the game?

USA Today travel reporter Ben Mutzabaugh discussed great holiday deals on The Early Show on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.

You can find all sorts of great travel tips on Ben's blog at .

The advice he dispensed on the show:

ASK FOR UPGRADES!

Always ask for discounts/upgrades at hotels ... but not airlines. It never hurts to ask for an upgrade, right? Probably not, but you'll likely get very different results these days between airlines and hotels. Airlines have made it nearly impossible for workers to dole out upgrades, trying to make fliers jump through frequent-flier hoops to "earn" them. Hotels, however, are different. Always call the hotel's local number - not the national 800 number - and ask: "Are you offering any discounts?" AAA members, for example get a discount. Many times, hotels will honor a corporate rate for your employer, even if you're not traveling for work. Another strategy: See what rates are offered at specific hotels online, "then call the hotel directly" and ask if there's a lower rate available. Some experts say that works as much as a third of the time. Of course, be prepared for hotel to turn you down, but -- in this economy -- are odds are better than they've been in a long time of getting a little something extra. In a little bit of good news on the airline side of things, however, U.S. airlines had their best month since 2003 for on-time arrivals in October, the latest month for which data is available from the Department of Transportation. USA TODAY writes "the 19 carriers filing information reported an on-time rate of 86% in October, higher than both October 2007's 78.2% and September 2008's 84.9%, according to the (DOT's) Bureau of Transportation Statistics. A flight is counted as 'on time' if it arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled time." The Dallas Morning News notes the improvement comes as "most airlines have cut back their flight schedules this year, easing the burden on the air traffic control system and on airport facilities." The Associated Press writes Delta regional partner "Atlantic Southeast Airlines had the worst on-time performance (80.4%) in October," while another Delta regional carrier -- Pinnacle Airlines -- had the best (90.7%). USA TODAY adds that "among the major carriers, Continental Airlines reported the lowest on-time rate at 81.4%. Northwest, with 90% of its flights arriving on time, had the highest rate."

HOLIDAY IN YOUR HOTEL Breakfast in bed is one thing, but what about complimentary champagne? There are all sorts of fun holiday perks that some hotels offer if you are staying there over a holiday, like New Years... Almost as if your hotel is giving you its own holiday present. Even if they don't knock the price of your hotel room down, they could include things that you may have been likely to purchase anyway -- such as a nice NYE dinner and/or a bottle of champagne. But, make sure that the NYE specials aren't actually more expensive than other discounted rates -- especially if you don't really want the free champagne! When you book, make sure you're booking the New Year's Eve or Holiday Special. ... or, if you've already booked, make sure to ask if you can still qualify for such a rate. (And, of course, make sure it's the cheapest or at least a good value) . Here are a few examples of what particular hotels are offering:

A) Hershey, Pa:

Packages start at $384 a night (plus taxes), but that includes more than just a place to sleep at the town's signature Hotel Hershey. Also included in the price: A New Year's Eve grand dinner and dessert buffet, Entertainment, dancing and all Hershey's Chocolate World attractions , New Year's day breakfast and Admission to the Hershey Gardens.

B) Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel The hotel has a New Year's Eve package that costs $299. In addition to a room for New Year's Eve, it rate includes an upscale NYE dinner, breakfast at the upscale onsite restaurant, health club access and - of course - a late check out.

C) KID-FRIENDLY Best Western in Sterling, Mich. - suburban Detroit NYE rate of $299 features one-room lodging for a family of four, four admission passes to the nearby indoor water park and continental breakfast on New Year's Day. Adding a night on Jan. 1 is just $69 extra.

D) Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas (adult oriented) NYE package is $349.99 a night for just NYE or $299.99 for two nights. It includes two free airline tickets for a return trip to Las Vegas, though there are some strings - such as the return trip requires a minimum 3-night stay which can only be booked at The Hotel. Still, if you're a Las Vegas regular, it could be an appealing option. Also in the NYE package: 25% off Spa Treatments and two complimentary Bloody Marys for the morning after.

Even hotels in smaller cities are getting involved in the act, such as the Best Western in Davenport, Iowa. It's $209.99 (plus tax) NYE rate includes not only a room for two, but also a dinner buffet, full hot breakfast, admission to two NYE parties on the hotel grounds and a champagne toast.

LOOK FOR CITIES THAT WANT YOU!

Packages can be a great way to cut costs. With so many hotel rooms going unsold in the current economy, many places in the country are offering package deals that allow travelers to get their last night free if they book a specified minimum stay. Others offer a big discount if travelers book a minimum stay, say 3 or 4 nights. The hotels get something out of it by getting longer stays in rooms that may have otherwise gone unsold. You? Well, you get a nice price break.

In Washington D.C, for example, many hotels are participating in a variety of packages put together by the city's tourism board. One great find: Four nights at the city's posh J.W. Marriott hotel for nightly right of just $125. All that for a hotel less than 2 blocks from the White House and just a few minutes' walk from the Smithsonian Buildings and the Capitol. The rate is courtesy of the city's "Staying Power Package," where customers get 30% off at select hotels when they book a 3-night stay. Visit to find hotels offering the package deal. Check in Wednesday, leave Saturday.

Another website offering discounts is the San Francisco visitors' website -. It also lists special lodging deals on its website, though they're not quite as broad as the offers found on the D.C. website. A search this week at found three hotels with discounts offered through the tourism site, including a discount of more than 50% at the downtown Hotel Whitcomb. ($265 for 2 nights vs. $520, before taxes, for Dec. 31 through Jan. 2)

Another city offering attractive packages that cover holiday travel: Portland, Ore. That city's Travel Portland tourism arm is offering "The Big Deal" packages on its website (). The organization says its Big Deal rates gives customers free continental breakfast and free parking at participating downtown hotels. The packages also entitle visitors to discounts at certain downtown retail and shopping outlets.

CONSIDER A CRUISE

One travel agent I talked to called this the real bright spot for this New Year's. There's a Royal Caribbean 7-night cruise departing from Florida starting $1,382, all fees included. Another on Holland America is $1,288 per person. Theses prices are down roughly $300 since last year. Another real bargain: 4-day cruises in the Caribbean. Currently, the start at $596. Usually, they're very difficult to find for New Year's, but - this year - their availability is pretty broad, according to UNIGLOBE Accent Travel of Georgia. -- And, if you're willing to accept interior rooms, you could save even more. A search of Royal Caribbean's website Thursday showed a rate of just $799 (plus about $250 in fees) if you are willing to accept any interior cabin. That's good on a 7-day cruise of the Western Caribbean that sails over New Years. -- What are the advantages? Remember, most cruises are all-inclusive - except for what you spend at ports of call - so this is also a good way to hold costs in line. -- Where are the deals? Many of the cheapest deals that cover New Year's sail from East Coast Florida in particular. So, many folks might have to get to Florida, but fortunately, Florida airfares remain relative bargains from most cites.

"DEAD WEEK" DEALS

The week after -- and especially the day after -- New Year's eve is often a great time to snag a deal. Why? There's a big rush on rooms leading up to NYE, then the rush dies out ... leaving lots of rooms post-NYE. If you're just jonesing for a stay at a nice hotel, the night of Jan. 1 is a GREAT time to snag a great room at a luxury hotel. If you're really adventureous, try Priceline or Hotwire ... and you might be able to get a steal. I think here, if we still have time to fill, we can best wrap this one up with more info on how to find the deals. For example, go to a particular website of a hotel if there's someplace in particular you want to stay. Otherwise, check out a site like Orbitz or and survey the deals in the city you're looking for. The hottest deals will come to those using a Priceline or Hotwire. ... I could give a quick explainer on that process if we get that far.

New York (Midtown West/Times Square - 4 star hotels) On New Year's Eve: $459 New Year's Night: $208

Note: A five-star hotel was available for just $269 on New Year's Night. That's the rate for The Benjamin, or it's just $10 more for a night at the Waldorf Astoria on New Year's Day.

And, if you're just jones-ing for a night a nice hotel, lists 4-star hotels in the Empire Sate Building area and Soho for just $169 on New Year's day. The same search the day before $389 and up.

San Francisco (Nob Hill) - 5 star hotels On New Year's Eve: $299 New Year's Night: $119 (Le Meridien)

Hotwire: A 4.5-star hotel is available for $119 in Union Square on New Year's Day. The same search for New Year's eve: $239 for a 4.5-star hotel.

Chicago (Magnificent Mile) 4-stars On New Year's Eve: $168 New Year's Night: $88

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