Travel
This is how to book a summer holiday for much less
Planning your escape this summer doesn’t have to cost the earth. With a few clever Expedia hacks, you can book your holiday for much less and enjoy more.
By Bron Maxabella
Booking a summer holiday is meant to be exciting, not stressful. But between juggling flight prices, hotel deals and endless comparison websites, it can often feel like you need a second holiday just to recover from the planning. That’s why we’re keen to introduce you to Citro’s partner Expedia.
Expedia isn’t just a booking site. Using a few clever tricks you can use it to unlock a holiday that feels indulgent but doesn’t drain your savings. The first time I used Expedia I was nervous about booking without a travel agent, but the experience couldn’t have been more seamless. Expedia’s customer service was excellent – when we had an issue with our flight booking they did so much to help us rectify it (far more than Qantas did, that’s for sure…). Plus, for that trip, we reduced our overall transport and accommodation costs by over 25% compared to booking with each vendor directly!
So consider booking your next holiday through Expedia. Here are some of the tricks I know that will help you get more for less. Plus, if you book through Citro Rewards, you can also get cashback on top!
Start with One Key
First things first: sign up for Expedia’s travel rewards program One Key. It’s free, quick and every booking you make earns points that can be cashed in on hotels, flights, car hire or experiences. Members also unlock “Member Prices” to save up to 10% on thousands of hotels straight away. You might not think much of a $20 saving here and there, but it adds up quickly, especially if you’re booking many trips or for a large group.
Bundle your bookings
One of Expedia’s best-kept secrets is its “bundle and save” function. If you book your flights and accommodation together, you can shave hundreds off the overall price. Add in extras like car hire, experiences and activities, and the savings can get even better. I think of it as Expedia’s way of rewarding us for being organised. 😊
Even if you only need flights and a hotel, always check the bundle price before locking anything in.
Be flexible with dates
The difference between flying out on a Friday versus a Tuesday can be loads of dollars. Use Expedia’s flexible date tool to compare a few days either side of your planned travel. You’ll often find mid-week flights are cheaper and, bonus, airports are usually less crowded. If you can also be flexible with your return date, you’re giving yourself the best shot at a serious saving.
Play around with destinations
If you’re not locked into a particular spot, Expedia can be a treasure trove of inspiration. Head to ‘travel deals’ or set filters for price ranges and interests (beach, city, family-friendly, etc). You might find that a nearby island or smaller city offers the same sunshine and cocktails as your first choice, but at a fraction of the price.
Compare and filter like a pro
The search filters are your friend. Do a basic search on the home page, then narrow down by things like price, star rating, guest reviews, hotel brands and more to find genuine bargains. Don’t skip the map view either; it can show you if a “beachfront” hotel is actually 2 kilometres away up a hill. Just click on ‘View Map’ at the top of the left hand search column.
Don’t forget: always read plenty of the more recent reviews before you book!
Snap up package-only hotel deals
Some hotels listed on Expedia will only show up when you book them as part of a flight + hotel package. These package-only deals can be significantly cheaper than booking the hotel separately. You’ll often find 4- or 5-star hotels hiding in these bundles at 3-star prices. It’s like a secret VIP menu for holiday bookers in the know.
Use the app for extra perks
Expedia’s mobile app gives you extra discounts and exclusive app-only deals. Notifications can alert you to sudden price drops or flash sales, giving you first dibs on savings. Having all your bookings in one place on your phone is also handy when you’re travelling (no more panicked email searching at the airport).
Just remember that if you want to earn Citro Rewards cashback, you’ll need to make your final booking via the Citro app, not the Expedia app.
Watch out for last-minute steals
If you’re the spontaneous type, Expedia’s last-minute holiday and package deals can be amazing. Hotels want to fill empty rooms and airlines their empty seats, so they’ll often slash prices the closer you get to check-in.
Some of the last-minute deals that were on offer when I was writing this included less than half-price on a 4-night stay in Melbourne flying from Sydney; save $1,000 off 5 nights accommodation in a top London hotel; a 7-night Koh Samui holiday for less than half the usual price. Get on it!
Price tracking and alerts
If you have the Expedia app, one of the smartest ways to book is to set up price alerts. Search your destination and dates, switch on the ‘Watch prices’ toggle, then let Expedia do the monitoring for you. You’ll get a nudge when prices drop, so you can pounce at the right time.
For more tips, download our travel bargains mini-guide:
Don’t forget experiences
Expedia isn’t just flights and hotels, it also offers tours, activities and experiences. Bundle a couple of these in with your booking and you might unlock additional discounts. More importantly, pre-booking things like museum passes, snorkelling trips or food tours means you guarantee your spot. It helps keep your holiday stress-free and organised – just the way we like it.
Check the cancellation terms
Don’t forget that saving money isn’t just about the upfront cost. Paying a little extra for a flexible booking might save you a fortune later if your plans change. Expedia often lets you filter for free cancellation or “reserve now, pay later” deals, which can protect you from losing your money if life sends you elsewhere. A little extra attention here can make all the difference.
Feature image: iStock/AleksandarNakic
Tell us in the comments below: If you could travel anywhere this summer, where would you go?
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