The secret to getting the most out of your honeymoon budget is simply to shop around, and to plan ahead. We have a few tips for you to use to ensure that you get the best value for money, and still enjoy the perfect honeymoon.
1. Set Your Priorities
Before you start looking at honeymoon destinations, you will need to decide just what you want from your honeymoon. If you are looking for pampering and luxury, then you should be looking at booking yourself in at a spa resort. However, if you are looking to get away from it all, then you should use the same amount of money you had budgeted to take a week long camping trip, with gourmet meals and lots of treats.
2. Win With A Travel Agent
If you are looking for one-stop, stress-free trip planning, then quote simply, a travel agent is exactly what you should be looking for. Travel agents can be the greatest little helpers out. They have all the contacts, and they know exactly how to save a few $$ here and there. They know what are good sales, and what are bad resorts. So what's the down side to travel agents then? Well they usually charge a small fee, but in most cases it is definitely well worth it.
3. Honeymoon Registry
Did you know that there are some travel agencies and tour operators who offer a registry service by which they collect, track, and apply contributions from your wedding guests toward your honeymoon expenses?
4. Choose An Off-Season Locale
Assuming your departure date is fixed, then you will want to consider a destination or cruise itinerary which is in the off season. This usually results in a drastic drop in prices, and far smaller crowds. There are some exotic destinations which have great all year round weather as well. Click here for Honeymoon Weather Reports.
5. Cheaper Locales
There are often many variables which can make a particular destination a real deal. Some of these may include a weak local currency or heavy tourist traffic. I know that this may sound bad as well, but other reasons include disasters, such as weather disasters, like tsunamis, hurricane damage or earthquakes.
6. Staying Closer To Home
As we all know with travel, the shorter your flight, the cheaper it is going to be. So, having established this, look for honeymoon destinations which are closer to home. This will either save you money, or free up some money for a better hotel room or other extras!
7. Book Early
Many hotels, cruises and destinations have an added discount for early bookings.
8. Shop For Sales
According to Consumer Reports Travel Letter, the best (or cheapest) times to buy airline tickets are October through December and January through March.
9. Read The Paper Like A Hawk
Not only should you scan for travel deals for flights originating in your hometown, but be sure that you read the fine print as well. Too many disclaimers spell trouble. It is sometimes better simply to deal with major airlines, and not charter flights, and familiar hotel chains.
10. Consider Alternative Airports
Sometimes you may want to, or have to, sacrifice your convenience for savings. So you may want to choose a flight which lands at a smaller airport, instead of the main city airport. If you do do this, then you will also just want to call your hotel to make sure that the cab fare isn't going to negate the savings you just cleverly made.
11. Consider Alternate Modes of Travel
Remember that flying with a major airline is not the be all and end all of air travel. Although you may want to avoid dodgy airlines, sometimes no-frills, low-fare carriers are also an option.
You may also want to consider something which is different and make it part of your honeymoon, such as train ride. Even a car trip can be fun and exciting, leaving plenty of time for sight seeing stops along the way!
12. Don't Forget Frequent Flier Miles
Simple. Don't forget about all those little bonuses you are making with every swipe of your credit card.
13. Book Online
Some hotels and airlines offer Internet-booking discounts or bonuses such as frequent flyer miles. So don't forget to shop around and see what's available on the web.
14. An All-Inclusive Hotel, Cruise, or Tour
One of the best parts about these kinds of packages is the fact that there are no surprises. Most all-inclusive rates include room, all meals, drinks, activities, entertainment, tips, taxes, and airport transfers.
15. Consider A Bed-And-Breakfast
If you are really looking to save as much as possible, or just something a little different, then why not look at the bed and breakfast option. They may lack privacy, but many make it all up with romance and luxury amenities.
16. Self Catering
You may want to consider that you can book a condo or villa with it's own cooking facilities, where you will be able to prepare your own meals whenever the need takes you.
17. Sleep Cheap, Live Large
Why not book the cheapest room in the most expensive hotel you can find? At least by doing this you will be able to enjoy the benefits of the hotel, and free up additional money to shop or explore the town or country side you are staying in.
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