Winter travel tips: Expedia spills on where to spend, how to save on flexible holidays

Elisabetta Bianchini
·3 min read
An aerial view of Puerto Vallarta bay from a parachute ride.
An aerial view of Puerto Vallarta bay from a parachute ride.

While many people equate the holidays with vacation time, in this post-pandemic world there are certainly a few things to keep in mind in order to the get best deal on the most flexible travel experiences.

"Research shows that investing in experiences makes us happier than amassing things, and making memories after so many missed moments matters now more than ever before," a statement from Melanie Fish, travel expert and head of PR for Expedia Brands reads.

Where to spend, how to save on travel

According to Expedia Brands, which includes Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, "flexibility is key for holiday and winter travel."

When searching for hotel stay, make sure to look for a "free cancellation" option to make sure you're covered, should you need to cancel a trip.

Expedia Brands also recommends that travellers avoid non-refundable airfare for travel, it's worth the extra money up front.

"Paying a bit more for flexibility can bring peace of mind, which is especially valuable during the holidays," the company advises.

If you're less of a hotel accommodation person and would prefer a vacation rental, look for flexible reservations. On Vrbo specifically, look for bookings that allow you to cancel your reservation, with a full refund, up to 14 days before check-in.

Vrbo also has a "Book with Confidence Guarantee," which includes screening for fraud (background checks and fraud checks) and protected payment through the platform, so if your payment is compromised, Vrbo will pay your back.

For aggregate sites, like Expedia, booking multiple items at the same time can help you save, so consider booking a car rental, flight, hotel and even an activity all at the same time.

For all travellers, one thing to make sure you're doing is to keep an eye on COVID-19 restrictions and rules in the destination you are travelling to, including requirements to enter the country and local rules once you arrive.

If you're booking travel on Expedia and Hotels.com, they usually have some exclusive deals on their respective mobile apps.

Tourists Swimming, Sunbathing on Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.
Tourists Swimming, Sunbathing on Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.

Don't forget about your points

Don't leave any money on the table because you forgot to sign up for a rewards program to help you save on travel.

Beginning on Nov. 16, rewards members can receive 4X the rewards points on the Expedia mobile app and Double Rewards Stamps on Hotels.com beginning Nov. 23. Both sites are also offering 30 percent off select hotels, in addition special discounts on cruises, for Black Friday from Nov. 16 to Nov. 29, for rewards members.

These are some of the best upcoming deals for rewards members on Expedia Brand sites, beginning Nov. 16:

Two-night stays for less than CA$400 (CAD)

Two-night stays for less than CA$650 (CAD)

Two-night stays for less than $1,300 (CAD)

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