He has some money-saving tips and suggestions on budget friendly destinations:
Thanksgiving:
- Cheapest dates to fly: Nov. 17, 18, 21, 25, 26
- Most expensive dates to fly: Nov. 23, 24, 27, 28
Christmas/New Year:
- Cheapest dates to fly: Dec. 14, 25, 28, Jan. 4, 5
- Most expensive dates to fly: Dec. 23, 24, 26, 27, 31, Jan. 1, 2, 3
Save money by signing up for email alerts:
- Signing up through airlines' own sites
- OTAs (online travel agencies, like Orbitz, Travelocity, etc.)
- Social media
Check for Alternate Airports
Don't want to go home for the holiday?
Consider these bargain vacation destinations during Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year
- Big cities
- Resort towns
- Tropics
- Over the (Northern) Border
The Deals
1) BIG CITIES
Non-existent business travel over Thanksgiving means major savings from upscale hotels in big U.S. cities
- Families should look for savings at high-end hotels and upgrade options that can land oversize rooms and suites at major discounts. Look for the best savings in cities that fared well in summer but have seen a tourism drop since, including Seattle, San Francisco and Portland.
Hudson Hotel
New York City (W 58th Street)
Chic 4-Star Philippe Starck-designed hotel (at Columbus Circle, on 58th Street near Central Park)
Hotel is famous for its indoor/outdoor private park that leads into a garden of ivy, the swanky Hudson Bar and a cozy library with an antique billiards table
- $159/nt. (Reg. $309)
Deal includes FREE room upgrade and breakfast for 2 daily
Travel Dec. 12-Feb. 28, including Christmas
Book by Dec. 1
Have family visiting over the holidays? Why not set them up in a fancy hotel?
Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel
Chicago
Popular luxury AAA 4-Diamond hotel directly on the Magnificent Mile Hotel is located close to Millennium Park, Shedd Aquarium and the Theater District Rooms features marble bathrooms and brand's signature Heavenly Beds
- $99/nt. (Reg. $300)
- New Year's Eve weekend also discounted to $189
Travel over Thanksgiving and Christmas
Book by Nov. 28
2) RESORT DESTINATIONS
We travel home for the holidays, so hotels in resort destinations -- from beach towns to golf resorts to spa retreats -- see occupancy rates fall, resulting in big price incentives. During the holidays, consumer tend to cut back on "splurge" getaways to these types of destinations
The Osthoff Resort
Elkhart Lake, WI
Luxurious AAA 4-Diamond resort featuring an upscale spa, indoor and outdoor pools, private lakefront, mountain bike and water sports rentals and 2 restaurants. Resort is also home to L'ecole de la Maison, a cooking school specializing in French cuisine
Holiday and seasonal activities at the resort include a Thanksgiving Day buffet, an Old World Christmas Market, holiday hayrides and more
- $205/nt. (Reg. $340+)
- Features accommodations in a One Bedroom Suite (675 sq.feet) w/fireplace, balcony & kitchen) and FREE spa treatment
Travel through January, including Thanksgiving
Book by Nov. 12
3) THE TROPICS
The Caribbean and Mexico are still trying to make up for a slow summer and active hurricane season, meaning extra attractive savings over the Thanksgiving holiday.
- Best deals are being found on resort rates and vacation packages in hot spots like Puerto Rico and Cancun
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
Cancun, Mexico
Uber-luxurious AAA 5-Diamond resort
Property features a beachfront infinity pool, a 20-fot. Dive pool w/artificial reef and 35,000-sq.ft. luxury spa
All rooms features marble bathrooms, private balconies and twice-daily maid service
- $149/nt. (50% off)
Travel over Thanksgiving and through Dec. 25
Book by Nov. 30
Tropical Getaway
Puerto Rico
Roundtrip airfare from O'Hare to San Juan, Puerto Rico
5 days, 4 nights at the Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa
- Popular 4-Star oceanfront resort known for quality snorkeling, sailing and SCUBA diving
- Property has 3 oceanfront pools, 11 eateries, 2 championship golf courses and 7000-sq.ft casino VIP Card included (gets you 25% off all golf/tennis, spa treatments and beachside cabana rentals)
- Bonus: No passport required for travel to Puerto Rico
- $639/pp
Travel through Dec. 4, inc. Thanksgiving weekend
Book by Nov. 24
4) OVER THE (NORTHERN) BORDER
Thanksgiving is not a holiday in Canada, which makes hotels across the border anxious to lure American tourists with vacation on the mind and holiday time on their hands
Le Meridien King Edward
Toronto
Famous 4-Star downtown hotel whose part guests have included Ernest Hemingway, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Britney Spears and Liz Taylor
Known by many as the "King Eddy," this historic hotel features a gallery of fine sculptures and paintings surrounded by elegant 19th-century décor and architecture
- $116/nt. (50% off)
- Features accommodations in a One Bedroom Suite (675 sq.feet). w/fireplace, balcony and kitchen) and one FREE spa treatment
Travel Thanksgiving, Christmas and select dates through February
Book by Nov. 27
For more information, visit: www.travelzoo.com/tv/Chicago.
