Finding the best way to book a vacation package can be overwhelming; there are just so many options available. From earning rewards on flights and hotels to accessing exclusive vacation package deals, choosing the right travel rewards program can help you save money and get the most out of your trip. Whether you prefer booking through a full-service travel agency or a price comparison tool, understanding the benefits of each platform will ensure you get the best value when you book your vacation.
How Can I Book a Vacation Package With the Best Rewards Program?
Booking a vacation with rewards can save you money and unlock exclusive perks, but knowing how to maximize your benefits is key. Whether you’re looking for free flights, hotel upgrades or discounts on vacation bundles, using the right travel rewards program can make all the difference. Here’s how to book a vacation and get the most out of your rewards.
1. Pick the Right Rewards Program
Different travel rewards programs offer different perks. Some focus on flights, others on hotels and some cover full vacation packages. Before you commit, consider:
- How often you travel and where you go.
- Whether you prefer flexibility or sticking to a specific brand.
- If you want perks like lounge access, priority boarding or inclusive breakfast.
Take a minute to ponder your personal travel habits and what works best for your routines. You will also want to consider how you want to spend the points you rack up as you go.
2. Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card
When booking a vacation package deal, a good travel rewards credit card can help you earn points or miles faster, especially if it offers extra rewards on travel purchases. Some cards also provide travel insurance, statement credits for trip expenses and no foreign transaction fees. For instance, cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards allow you to earn points quickly and redeem them for your travels.
3. Book Through Your Rewards Program’s Portal
Rewards programs often offer their own travel booking platforms with opportunities to redeem points on anything from flights to full vacation packages. Check out the series of deals and discounted rates that are exclusive to this platform and your booking habits. Any traveller wants the best value out of their trip, so make sure to compare prices across the web.
4. Transfer Your Points for Boosted Value
This is not available for every program, but many rewards programs allow you to transfer points to a partnering hotel or airline. This might give you better redemption rates than a direct booking process. You’ll want to be sure that you know the conversion rates and any more ongoing promotions that can boost your value even further.
5. Track Down Bonus Offers and Promotions
Many rewards programs offer limited-time promotions that can help you earn extra points or get better redemption rates. Keep an eye out for:
- Bonus points for booking within a certain time frame.
- Discounts on specific destinations or travel packages,
- Free room upgrades or resort credits.
Best Travel Rewards Programs and Vacation Package Deals
Choosing the right travel rewards program can make a huge difference when booking a vacation. The best programs help you earn points faster, redeem them for valuable perks and unlock exclusive vacation package deals. Here are some of the top options.
- AAA
AAA Central Penn offers an abundance of exclusive deals and member-only benefits, making it one of the best rewards programs out there. Whether you’re planning a domestic trip or travelling internationally, its vacation packages provide discounted rates, travel planning tools like the TripTik Travel Planner and detailed itineraries to simplify the process.
AAA Central Penn is notable for the wide variety of unique packages it offers compared to competitors. AAA Discoveries offers curated cruises exclusively for members, while a membership also provides access to Disney vacation packages, motorcoach tours and Amtrak trips. The AAA Discovery Group Travel Program additionally allows members to relax and enjoy their vacation with peace of mind while AAA handles the details.
For road trip travellers, AAA provides BASIC Emergency Roadside Assistance for up to 90 days, covering the member rather than the vehicle. International travellers can enjoy added benefits through AAA’s Global Discounts Program, which offers savings with international travel partners. Members can also use a temporary AAA International Member Discount Card to unlock exclusive deals worldwide.
- Expedia
Expedia is one of the largest online travel agencies in the world, offering a convenient way to book your vacation by comparing hotels, flights, car rentals and vacation package deals from multiple providers in one place. Instead of visiting individual company websites, travellers can quickly find and book accommodations from major hotel brands and boutique stays, making Expedia one of the best ways to book a vacation package efficiently.
Its travel rewards program One Key allows members to earn 2% OneKeyCash on every dollar they spend on travel, which they can redeem across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. Membership is free, and Blue members automatically unlock at least 10% savings on thousands of hotels worldwide. As travellers move up the status tiers, they gain access to even greater discounts and exclusive perks.
Are you looking for a vacation package to seal the deal? Expedia’s bundled savings on hotels and flights promise you get more bang for your buck. They also can advance options for all-inclusive resorts and excursions through local areas. Thankfully, with a simple and easy website and customization tool, this rewards program is a strong choice for any traveller who wants to maximize their dollar and time.
- Kayak
At the click of a button, Kayak helps you compare prices across hundreds of different sites. Kayak’s model is a little off the beaten path, as they are an aggregator of various deals from traditional zones like hotels, airlines and transport rental companies. You can keep your taps focused down to one to two options instead of frantically scribbling down prices in your notebook with Kayak.
While Kayak doesn’t have its own rewards program, it does offer personalized price alerts and a “Hacker Fare” feature, which finds cheaper flights by combining one-way tickets from different airlines. Travellers can also use Kayak’s flexible search tools to filter results based on budget, amenities and cancellation policies, ensuring they get the best deal possible when they book their vacation.
- Orbitz
Orbitz is another trending option to explore in your booking process. They are an online travel agency that streamlines all the tricky bits of planning: flight plans, hotels, rental cars and vacation packages. You can also keep a close eye on what works best for your wallet because Orbitz’s functions allow clear price comparison.
One of Orbitz’s standout features is its travel rewards program Orbitz Rewards, which lets members earn Orbucks on bookings. Every time you reserve a hotel stay, you can earn up to 4% back in Orbucks. This currency is then in your digital account until you redeem it on your next hotel booking. If travellers become “elite” members, they can also tap into the special level of perks like larger discounts and priority customer service. If you are a frequent globe-trotter, this may be an enticing option.
The site often runs special promotions on vacation package deals, offering bundled savings when booking flights and hotels together. With its easy-to-use platform and rewarding loyalty program, Orbitz is a solid choice.
“Reward” Yourself With Your Dream Vacation
When your plane touches down or your car rolls into the parking spot of a new hotel, you want to know that your trip is not going to break the bank. The right travel rewards programs can slash prices, offer new experiences and give you a worry-free vacation. Compare tools and take advantage of promotions that come your way. There are so many options out there that everyone can find the right fit for their travel style.
