low season in sunny destinations

Loving Low Season Price Battles

low season travel deals[trip style = sun + beach]

Occasionally companies fight for your business.  In the travel industry, April is one of those times.  For the past two weeks twitter and traditional media outlets have been buzzing with airlines and travel co's going to head-to-head on flight deals and vacation packages that could even make a homebody drool!

Low Season Last time I wrote about low season it was early December before rates went sky-high for the holiday season's winter escape artists. Now it's April, the sun's shining longer and people are venturing outside more. Airlines and resorts know that people are more interested in spring cleaning than sitting on white-sand beaches sipping mojitos with crushed mint and a hint of simple sugar...not sure why.  So, flights and hotels are being discounted--in some cases up to 60% off high season rates--in order to entice vacationers to travel south.

Competing with Price Because people travel less in shoulder season, travel companies aren't competing with give-aways or extras. April is when they simply offer really low prices, typically for travel in April, May and June (depending on the destination). WHY? Airlines and resorts need travelers to protect their passenger loads and occupancy rates and would rather discount a little than operate a ghost town. Because airlines don't stop flying and resorts don't close, they still need people to book travel during the spring time.

A Sample of April 2010's Travel Deals [I've opted to post a sampling of spring travel deals vs 'how to find spring travel deals' because everywhere you look, travel to europe and sunny destinations is currently discounted. If you want to travel in the next 2 months, check your favourite travel website; chances are, you'll find a great trip for an excellent price.]

Packages Expedia.ca - Caribbean Sale. Save up to 50%; travel now through September 30, 2010. Book by April 27. Travelocity.ca - Hawaii Sale.  Save up to 60%; travel now through June 6, 2010.  Book by April 30.

Cruises Vacationstogo.com - save up to 75% on Caribbean and early-season Alaskan cruises. [sign up for a free account to see "90-day ticker" rates]

Flights WestJet.com - From $29 one-way. WestJet's Spring Fever sale is here: cheap flights to all destinations. Book by midnight (MT) April 14, 2010. VirginAmerica.com - From $49 one-way.  Book by April 19, 2010.  Fly with 14-day advanced purchase April 26 through June 20th.