Decide on your dates. Keep in mind that airlines and hotels generally offer lower rates during the week than on the weekends. If you want to get the best rates, give yourself anywhere from 21 days up to three months in advance to book your tickets and hotel rooms. If you are traveling to a popular destination during the prime season, booking in advance can save you a significant amount of money.
Use travel search engines to search for package deals. Travel search engines and websites allow you to search multiple companies for the best deals and offer comparisons for rental cars on top of hotels and airfare. Airlines and hotels frequently offer discounted rooms and fares with packaged deals. Be sure to compare the length of the flight and if there are any layovers as well as the type of room and the amenities of the hotel with each package deal. You can also check directly with airline websites to see if they offer better package deals.
Make sure your passport or identification is up to date. You will need a valid ID to travel within the United States and a valid passport to leave the country. If you are reserving a flight and hotel for a foreign country, you may be required to enter your passport number to validate your reservation.
Keep your credit card on hand. While hotels won't debit your card until you actually check out, you are required to provide a credit card to reserve the room. Airlines also require you provide a credit card to make a reservation or book a flight both online and on the phone.
