Ah, the hype ad execs will create to get your attention. gigantic Giant and Huge, all in one. Travelocity coined a new word just to get your attention. Aren’t they smart? They’re having a gigantic sale.
- You save $100 instantly on your reservations when you book one of their Flight + Hotel TotalTrip packages or one of their last minute deals packages. Reservations must be for two people or more and a stay of three nights or more is required.
- Package must be booked by November 16, 2006 and travel must be completed by January 7, 2007.
- To get the $100 discount, you must enter the promo code GIANTSALE at checkout.
- After you make your reservations for your initial trip, Travelocity will send you another promotional code valid for $200 off your next qualifying TotalTrip Flight+Hotel package for two or more people with a minimum five-night stay.
- To take advantage of the $200 discount offer, you must book by March 31, 2007 and travel must be completed by July 31, 2007.
So it’s time to do a little price comparison. How does your gigantic sale hold up against your competitor’s prices? Since I’m wondering if this is a way to save on vacation travel, I’m going to find the price for a fictional family of four (2 adults and 2 children, ages 5 and 8) to fly from Chicago to Philadelphia for Christmas. .
Travelocity Offer
plane reservations – American Airlines leaving Chicago O’Hare at 10:55 pm on December 23, direct flight to Philadelphia International; American Airlines leaving Philadelphia International at 11 am on December 29, direct flight to Chicago O’Hare
hotel reservations – Best Western in Center City – one bedroom, two double beds
Travelocity’s bottom line after the Giant discount of $1568.01 for flight, hotel, taxes and fees.
Expedia Offer
plane reservations – American Airlines leaving Chicago O’Hare at 12:40 pm on December 23, direct flight to Philadelphia International; American Airlines leaving Philadelphia International at 4:15 pm on December 29, direct flight to Chicago O’Hare.
hotel reservations – Expedia was unable to obtain my reservations at the Best Western hotel of my choice in Center City, so I chose a comparable three-star hotel in Center City – Club Quarters.
Expedia’s bottom line – $1,760.58 per flight, hotel, fees and taxes. Almost a total of $200 more than the Travelocity price.
Hotwire Offer
plane reservations – American Airlines leaving Chicago O’Hare at 2:15 pm on December 23, direct flight to Philadelphia International; American Airlines leaving Philadelphia International at 8 am on December 29, direct flight to Chicago O’Hare.
hotel reservations – Hotwire was unable to get me reservations at my hotel of choice Best Western in Center City – so I chose a comparable three star hotel in Center City – Doubletree Inn
Hotwire’s bottom line – $1864.00 per flight, hotel, taxes and fees. Almost a total of $200 more than the Travelocity price. Almost a total of $300 more than the Travelocity price.
priceline deal
Priceline’s best price with undisclosed flight details (including possible plane transfer) and a comparable three-star hotel in Center City was $1,659 for flight, hotel, taxes and fees.
The winner: Travelocity with huge savings of $200 to $400.
Now the savings are only on the initial trip booked with Travelocity. If you add the additional savings of $200 on a future trip booked with Travelocity, the savings can be even greater. Of course, any wise traveler would compare the store even at the $200 discount.
US Air Deal: Not Quite Huge, But A Save
US Airways is inviting its frequent flyers to escape the cold weather of fall to the warmer climate of the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America. They have special rates to these destinations if you book now and travel before December 15. There is a three-night minimum stay associated with the offer.
Plus, you’ll receive a $25 gift card for each reserved seat that you can use for a later flight with US Airways or one of its affiliates. The email said that this offer is only valid for members of their frequent flyer program.
So it seems this season’s deals come in the form of save a little now, save a little more later. The deals can be really good for those planning to travel sometime this fall and again later this year or early next year.
