Thanks to the Web, there are plentiful bargains online. You just have to know where to find them. The following sites comprise my shortlist of ones that combine good prices and good service from a reliable company.
#1 - Learn from the Pro: ARTHUR FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL
World-traveler and journalist Arthur Frommer has made finding affordable trips his life's work. Across his Web site you'll find discounted airfares, reduced-price cruises, bargain overseas car rentals, and hotel rooms at half off. The new "Blockbuster Bargains" section seeks out the best off-season deals.
I was especially impressed to find a low-cost cruise out of Miami, which had been promoted on other "bargain" sites, for $100 less on Frommer's site.
Add to that a daily newsletter that delivers breaking news of opportunities for travelers, and you can't help but save if you spend time with Frommer.
#2 - Bargain Bot: TRAVEL ZOO
Sure, you could spend your life surfing hundreds of sites for bargains. But why, when Travel Zoo pulls thousands of current ones together for you? Categories include domestic and international airfare sales; vacation specials at popular destinations such as Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Europe, and the Caribbean; lodging and car-rental deals; and cruise sales.
Of special interest to couples are the "romance" trips; recent offerings included vacations to both Paris and Tahiti.
Don't feel like clicking through page after page? Choose "Top 20" to find the hottest deals of the week. You can also choose to have the Top 20 emailed to you every week.
#3 - Auction Leader: BID4VACATIONS
The Web's largest vacation auction site, Bid4Vacations allows visitors to post bids in 10 vacation categories: adventure, beach, cruises, family fun (an oxymoron if I ever heard one), gaming, golf, international, mountain & ski, spa, and weekends & getaways. Many of them start at unbelievably low prices...and some escalate quickly.
If you're flexible about your plans, and understand that most auctions are only about 20% off the regular price, this might be for you.
But if you need to plan well in advance and don't want to deal with the anxiety of not knowing if your bid will be tops, then skip it. A piece of advice: Always find out the regular cost of a trip before bidding on one so you don't pay more than it's worth.
#4 - Flying Smart: SMARTER LIVING
If you're the kind of traveler who likes to put together the components of a trip -- airfare, lodging, tours, car rentals -- yourself, Smarter Living ought to be the first place you look. There's nothing like getting customized information to make you look longingly at those suitcases in your closet.
Its incomparable email newsletter arrives once a week, alerting you to airfare specials from your local airports.
Some deals are just good for the next few days; others allow a longer lead time. On the site, articles by travel experts will help you to become a smarter and more comfortable traveler.
#5 - The Guide Next Door: ABOUT BUDGET TRAVEL
My colleague Mark Kahler devotes his site to proving that no matter what your budget, you can afford to travel somewhere. I don't recommend things like flying as an air courier (you can't bring much luggage), hitchhiking (dangerous), or staying in a hostel (not conducive to romance!). But this site is right on the money.
You'll find countless money-saving ideas on this site, along with updated deals.
If you've settled on your destination, Kahler's "Planning Your Trip to Popular Spots" (look under "Essentials") is enormously helpful in locating low-cost rooms, food, transportation, and entertainment.
#6 - Online Travel Agents: ORBITZ & TRAVELOCITY & EXPEDIA
Don't overlook the Web's biggest and best travel agents when you search for bargains, either. These giants both dedicate areas of their sites to travel specials from their partners. Many of the deals are exclusives. And even if you find a great deal elsewhere, it's a smart idea to price it on Expedia or Travelocity as well. You never know until you check which site will save you the most on a particular trip.
