Your honeymoon is perhaps the most romantic trip you'll ever take. But that's no reason to throw all your careful budget-conscious ways out the window! In fact, travel savings are remarkably easy to come by; there's no reason you should ever need to pay full price for an airline ticket, hotel room or restaurant bill. Of course, finding the best value for your honeymoon dollar will take a little time and effort, but brides-to-be get used to that pretty quick.
Some general guidelines
1. Be flexible. If you're open to changes or unusual schedules, you can save money. Ask if a price would be cheaper another day or time, or if other options are available.
2. Stay local. As unfair as it may be, some places are more expensive to visit than others. If you know what sort of honeymoon you want, you can usually find a cheaper alternative closer to home. For example, you have your heart set on a beach front cottage surrounded by palm trees. Instead of Hawaii, why not Florida?
3. Compare, compare, compare! Don't settle on the first airline, hotel or car rental company you see. Contact at least 3 or 4 different companies in each category, get prices and ask about discounts. Keep a list of what each company offers. If you come across different prices for a similar product, ask about it. Many times the higher-priced company will drop its rates to keep you from going to a competitor.
4. Travel off-season. This can save you unbelievable amounts of money. If your dream honeymoon location is in peak season during your wedding, consider postponing the honeymoon by a few months. This way, you'll also have more time to save up!
5. ASK! There are many sales and promotions that aren't advertised. You never know when you'll get a discounted rate or a free upgrade, but only if you ask.
Airfare
1. Plan ahead. Nearly every airline offers cheaper fares if you buy your tickets early. Once you know where and when you're going, start looking for good deals on airfares.
2. Travel on a weekday. Friday through Monday air travel is generally much more expensive than Tuesday through Thursday. If you don't mind shifting your schedule by a day or two, you can save hundreds of dollars.
3. Don't rely strictly on non-stop flights. Flights with one or two stops can ease your budget. However, be sure to factor any lay-overs into your schedule.
4. Ask for upgrades. When you check in at the airport, mention that you're on your honeymoon and ask if any upgrades are available. It won't always work, but you never know!
Hotels
1. Ask for special rates or promotions. Again, these aren't always advertised. Plus, if the hotel is not fully booked, or if there is a lot of competitors in the area, you may be offered a lower-price incentive to reserve a room.
2. Mention your honeymoon. Many, but not all, hotels give perks to honeymooners. You may get a free room upgrade, a bottle of champagne, a keepsake bathrobe or other freebies. Some places also offer special honeymoon packages. Again, it never hurts to ask.
3. Consider location vs. cost. Sometimes it's cheaper to stay near, but not right next to, the local attractions. For example, Orlando has dozens of very nice hotels that are less expensive than the Disney properties.
Food
1. Breakfast in the hotel. If continental breakfast is not included with your room, keep a supply of bagels, orange juice, granola bars and fresh fruit in the room's mini-fridge or in a cooler.
2. Splurge on one or two meals. That way, you can eat cheaply the rest of the time and not feel like you're depriving yourself.
3. Share appetizers & desserts. These items add a lot to a restaurant bill, and are usually way too much for one person anyway.
4. Bring snacks from home. Instead of running to the vending machines or spending a fortune at the resort snack bar, munch on cookies you bought at the grocery store, on sale with a coupon.
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