2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST VACATION PACKAGES
2017 Ranking: Travel the World on Budget with the Cheapest Vacation Packages
Almost everyone enjoys taking vacations. Whether you explore far off lands in Europe or take in the sunny Caribbean with a drink in your hand, the allure of travel is immense. However, the price tag that comes with traveling can also be immense.
You may be desperate to get away, to take a vacation and escape from reality for a little, but a quick glance at your bank account tells you otherwise.
Over $947.1 billion is spent directly on travel annually, which equates to an average of about $1,145 per person per trip. You might automatically assume that you can’t afford a nice, relaxing vacation, but you might be wrong!
With many travel sites offering cheap vacation packages, you might be able to find some affordable vacations in your price range. That means that a Spring Break trip to sunny Cancun or a family exploratory vacation throughout Europe might be entirely possible for you.
Award Emblem: Top 7 Best Vacation Deals
However, with so many sites offering package vacations and claiming that they can find you the cheapest vacation, how can you choose the right one? There are countless sites on the internet that have vacation deals, and to find the best prices, you want to pick the right one.
When you are looking for the best vacation package deals, you can quickly become overwhelmed with the various options you are afforded. You likely have questions about package vacations, including:
- Where can you find affordable vacation packages?
- Can you get cheap vacation deals to most locations across the globe?
- Do cheap vacation packages sites have different terms and conditions?
- Are vacation package deals scams?
Throughout our 2017 guide, we will take the time to answer the questions you have about vacation deals and the major sites that offer them. We will provide a breakdown of what to look for in cheap vacation deals.
Finally, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the top eight affordable vacations sites.
By the end of this article, you should have a much better idea of what vacation package deals are a good fit for you.
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AdvisoryHQ’s List of Top 7 Best Vacation Deals
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the vacation package deals sites below to go directly to the detailed review section for that best vacation package deals site):
Top 7 Best Vacation Packages Sites | Brief Comparison
Best Vacation Packages | Main Website | Best Feature |
| CheapCaribbean.com | Often offers $100-$150 discount coupons via e-mail | |
| Expedia | No cancellation fees | |
| Groupon | Great deals for booking last minute | |
| Kayak | Can search vacations by your budget | |
| Orbitz | Offers a price match guarantee | |
| Travelocity | They offer extra 10% discounts for members | |
| Travelzoo | Offers a “Top 20” of best and cheapest deals |
Detailed Overview: How to Book Cheap Vacation Packages
When you are looking to go on vacation on a budget, it is important to weigh your options carefully in order to score the most affordable vacation packages. You might think there is little you can do to affect the cost of vacation deals, but there is!
Image source: Pixabay
The travel industry seems random to outsiders, but there are some fairly specific rules that you can adhere to in order to snag cheap vacation deals.
When you are looking for the cheapest vacation, it is important to consider the following:
Be Flexible with Location
If you don’t have a specific location in mind, you can look around for the cheapest deals. If you are set on going to Mexico, try looking at the country as a whole, and not just Cancun or wherever your number one destination is.
Be Flexible with Dates
There are peak times to visit certain locations, which will cost you more. Want to visit Mexico in the winter or early spring? It will cost you more than if you go during off-peak months like the summer. A quick internet search will give you a breakdown of peak and off-peak times for your desired destinations.
Bring a Friend or Two
The more the merrier, and the cheaper! If you split taxis, shuttles, and even rooms, you can decrease your overall costs. Though it won’t affect your airfare, sharing a room at a hotel or resort can definitely help decrease the costs and net you the cheapest vacation.
Travel to Major Airport Hubs
If you travel to major airport hubs instead of smaller ones that might be a bit closer to your final destination, chances are that your flight costs will be decreased. That’s one way to decrease the total cost of package vacations.
Book in Advance or Last Minute
Booking far in advance seems like common sense, but you might not know that by booking last minute you can sometimes find the cheapest vacation packages.
That’s because airlines, hotels, and resorts don’t want to have vacancies, so they’re more willing to drop prices to generate some revenue. Although you have to be flexible and able to take off work last minute, this is one option to lower your cost.
When you are trying to find the cheapest and best vacation packages, the tips above can help. By having some flexibility in dates and locations, you can score cheaper vacation deals.
However, if you have a specific date and destination in mind, try booking far in advance, traveling to major airport hubs, and even brining a friend or date.
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Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Vacation Deals
Below, please find the detailed review of each affordable vacation packages site on our list of best vacation package deals sites. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these affordable vacations sites to score so highly in our selection ranking.
CheapCaribbean.com Review
CheapCaribbean.com offers some of the best and cheapest vacation packages. This site is newer to the vacation deal scene, but it is definitely one to consider when searching for the best vacation packages.
They offer packages, cruises, and all-inclusive deals, which will be some of the cheapest vacation packages that you will find. They guarantee the best rates with no hidden fees and even offer a split deposit payment program to defer some upfront costs.
The best part of these best vacation deals is that there is a “Budget Beach Finder” that allows you to enter your total budget and number of travelers – up to 7. From there, CheapCaribbean.com will offer a list of the best vacation packages for your budget.
True to its name, CheapCaribbean.com only offers the cheapest vacation packages for destinations in the Caribbean. If you are looking to venture to Europe or anywhere else, this isn’t the best vacation packages site.
Expedia Review
Expedia has some of the best vacation deals on the internet. This household name is a great place to get the cheapest vacation packages.
The great thing about Expedia is that you can break down your search by multiple package options. You can choose from Flight + Hotel, Flight + Hotel + Car, Flight + Car, and Hotel + Car. This great feature can help you find some of the cheapest vacation packages since you can piecemeal your vacation together.
Another benefit of Expedia is that they offer destinations throughout the world, not just the Caribbean. If you want to go to Heathrow, Alberta, or even South Africa, Expedia can find you the best vacation packages.
There are also no change or cancellation fees, so you can book the cheapest vacation packages with no reservations.
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Groupon Review
Though Groupon is more limited than some of the other sites solely dedicated to offering the best vacation packages, you can still find some great deals.
The site is especially good for finding the cheapest vacation packages last minute. With their “Flash Deals” you can score seriously discounted vacation packages.
If you’re searching with a destination in mind, Groupon can also accommodate you. You can search within the USA & Canada, in Mexico, the Caribbean & Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. This allows you to narrow down an area – or continent – while still getting the best deals.
In addition, Groupon often offers deals on your first purchase on their site. That means if you’ve never used Groupon before, you can get anywhere between 5 and 25% off your first purchase.
Kayak Review
Kayak offers many affordable vacation packages through their website. By offering price alerts, the ability to search for the best vacation packages based on your budget, and a portal to manage your trip after booking, Kayak is an asset.
Another benefit of Kayak is the ability to search for airports near your destination. Remember the tip we gave earlier about flying into major airport hubs? With Kayak, you can find the cheapest vacation packages when it comes to cheaper flights.
This is also true for flexible dates. You can look three days before and three days after your selected dates to find the best vacation deals when it comes to your budget. Travel is more expensive on certain days, and Kayak will take that into account.
Plus, if you sign up for their site, you can get up to 35% off on Private Deals. That’s one way to nab the cheapest vacation packages from a reputable travel deal site.
Orbitz Review
Orbitz offers some of the best vacation packages and has a strong brand reputation to back it up. Some sites you visit might leave you questioning their legitimacy, but that will not be the case with Orbitz. It is a name that you know and can trust to find the best vacation deals.
If you have flexibility, Orbitz is also a great site. They offer “Today’s Top Deals” that provide you the best discounts and cheapest vacation packages.
In an effort to drive traffic to their new app, Orbitz is also offering 25% off your first hotel booking through their app. You simply enter your phone number and receive a free promo code. When you are looking for the cheapest vacation packages, every discount you can get counts.
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Travelocity Review
Travelocity is a site to consider for cheap vacation deals. You can search by a variety of options, including Flight + Hotel, Flight + Hotel + Car, Flight + Car, and Hotel + Car. Travelocity will then scour the web to search over 400 airlines and 321,000 hotels across the globe to find you the cheapest vacation packages.
Another benefit of Travelocity is that they offer an extra 10% or more off select hotels if you sign up for an account with them, which is free.
You can search for package vacations anywhere in the world by city or airport, with dates you specify and the number of travelers. From there, you can sort the results by a variety of variables, like budget and the quality of hotels.
Travelzoo Review
Travelzoo is a site that you might not have heard about, but it is an asset when searching for the best vacation deals.
When you search Travelzoo, you can look by destination, but there are also other helpful search features. You can search by nearby, full vacations, short trips and the latest deals. This variety of options can help you find vacation deals that fit in your budget.
The best thing about Travelzoo is the “Top 20” section that lists the best deals currently on the site. If you don’t have a specific destination or dates in mind, the Top 20 section can give you ideas while simultaneously helping you find the best vacation deals.
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Conclusion – Top 7 Best Vacation Packages
If you love traveling, you are not alone. Jetting out of the country or across the globe is a great feeling, especially when you’re able to leave the stress of the real world behind you.
Millions of Americans travel throughout the world every year, and whether you have a loaded bank account or not, you can be one of them!
The great thing about cheap vacation packages is that you can venture out from the comfort of your home without completely breaking the budget. If your bank account is lower than you’d like, you can get away with the cheapest vacation packages.
Image Source: Pixabay
In order to find the best vacation deals, you will need to do a little research. The best vacation packages will be offered by major travel websites that specialize in finding you the perfect, cheapest vacations that meet your budget and preferences.
When you are looking for the best vacation deals, it is important to ask yourself the following questions:
- Can you be flexible with your travel dates?
- Do you have a specific location in mind?
- Can you bring a friend or date to lower the cost?
These are all important questions to ask when you are looking for the best and cheapest vacation packages. Before making any decisions, be sure to check several affordable vacations sites to find the best deals.
When you find the best vacation deals and finally choose the right one for you, happy travels!
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