The Gen XY Lifestyle
Seven Tips For Booking Your Next Holiday
Planning for this year’s summer vacation, taking advantage of public holidays (especially if you are based in Singapore), or just looking for a short weekend break can be time-consuming.
Here are seven tips to help you navigate choices online, shop carefully and prepare for that wonderful escape!
1. Book as early as possible
The sweet spot when booking your holiday is 44 days before your departure, in order to get the best rates and hotel room choices. Interestingly, roughly 50% of people make their long weekend bookings four weeks prior to the date. However one week before a long weekend, 10% of Singapore-based travellers make last minute bookings.
To get the best selection and often the best prices, plan your holiday within these time brackets to do a research on your holiday destination and the best deals that suit your holiday needs.
Don’t forget to look out for public holidays on your calendar which can help stretch your vacation. With ten long weekends in Singapore this year there are plenty of holiday options. Stuck on where to start? Check out interesting content sites like ZUJI Passport for inspiration.
2. Shop everywhere
Comparison shopping has become so much easier these days. Whether you are using booking sites (like ZUJI), bid or auction sites (such as Expedia) or even direct bookings, always keep your options open. Also remember, the cost of the same trip can vary over the week on the same website. Keeping an eye out for the many deals available can help you net the best combination for your holiday!
For some travellers, price is just one of the many factors and so being flexible with timing (especially around holidays) will be helpful. When visiting countries with multiple entry points, work through the different prices and travel times to maximise your enjoyment! For example, consider flying into smaller airports, as fares might be lower and they will be less crowded.
3. Plan ahead, especially when travelling with family
Have a rough idea about what you want to do when you reach your destination. Are you planning on lazing in the sun, visiting that temple for a sunset shoot or an enriching visit to the museum with the family? Will you require transportation getting from point to point or can you rely on public transport wherever you are? Knowing what you might do on holiday will help you save time when looking for deals or reading magazines.
4. Make informed decisions
Basing your travel destination on fabulous looking photos or hotel descriptions is a trap that many typically fall into. So, how can you tell how recent those pictures are and how exaggerated a description is? Before making a hotel booking, always do a bit of research to get the most honest opinion and evaluation of the place. Sites such as TripAdvisor and travel blogs are a great place to start, and they provide dated content so you can ensure you’re reading current material. By reviewing these traveller reports and checking out photos from other holiday-makers, you’re guaranteed to make a more informed decision and have a better stay at your chosen hotel.
5. Patience is a virtue when it comes to the actual travel
For short trips, pack light to avoid overweight baggage fees and other charges. Limit yourself to a carry-on bag and you might skip any trouble with delayed or lost luggage.
When visiting a new country or an unfamiliar city, try to stay the first and last nights in a hotel with a concierge to help handle any unexpected situations. Consider using miles, credit card points or hotel loyalty programmes to help with securing accommodation. There is the upside of saving some dollars and with loyalty programmes, enjoying some of the privileges that come with membership.
6. Never forget travel insurance
Most people take travel insurance lightly or even skip it, but getting travel insurance can often cover most mishaps when travelling. Make travel insurance an essential item and get yourself covered for your flight, accommodation, possessions, luggage and even health. Another thing to take note of is the extent of your insurance coverage, so take time to read the details to ensure you’re fully covered.
If you’re planning on going away multiple times in a year, look at getting an annual travel insurance policy. This will not only save you the hassle of multiple travel applications, but some extra cash as well.
7. Sign up for newsletters
It may seem like spam in your inbox, but newsletters are a fantastic source for the latest travel deals. From seasonal promotions to flash sales, there’s no telling when you can snag a great deal. Newsletters also come along with great travel tips, ideas and inspirations. You can consider signing up with ZUJI to start!
(Tips #1, #4, #6, #7 and images were provided by Zuji)
