Summer is coming to a close but that doesn’t mean your travel plans have to be put on hold until the holidays.
Labor Day weekend signals the arrival of shoulder season, a fantastic time for travelers with some flexibility to save big on a spectacular getaway while avoiding the large crowds at the same time.
Make this the year that you capitalize on this golden opportunity.
Friday, August 23, is National Cheap Flight Day, meaning the coming days and weeks will see airfares drop and become more affordable before beginning to climb again and eventually peaking around the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Summer is winding down and consumer focus is on returning to normal work and school schedules. Our data shows that airfares are trending downward, and we expect that to continue for the immediate future,” says Glenn Cusano, President of Fareportal, the corporation behind OTA brands CheapOair and OneTravel.
There are plenty of great deals out there right now as several airlines are launching sales with one-way fares under $40 and even offering discounted all-you-can-fly passes as demand dips.
Plus, travelers should be able to find plenty of favorable hotel rates, especially if they’re able to put those unused vacation days to work and stay mid-week.
Shoulder season globetrotters could potentially save even more on a more comfortable stay by booking a vacation rental. Vrbo experts point out that travelers can save hundreds per night on beach houses in popular coastal destinations such as North Carolina’s Outer Banks; Gulf Shores, Alabama; Charleston, South Carolina; and Pensacola, Florida.
Guests can even save up to $900 a night on an eight-bedroom beachfront property in Miramar, Florida, by booking during the shoulder season compared to peak summertime.
In addition to lower rates and smaller crowds, travelers can still take advantage of awesome weather, especially in southern locales that remain warm well into October.
Nonetheless, the potential for destructive and disruptive tropical storm systems and hurricanes remains through November. So those heading to the most at-risk destinations should strongly consider protecting their investment with travel insurance.
If the idea of planning a shoulder season trip is daunting, working with a trusted travel adviser can help as these helpful experts can not only point you toward the best savings based on your own unique interests and help protect your trip but also land you special perks through their connections with various suppliers.
However you decide to make plans, don’t let another golden shoulder season go by the wayside.
