How to get the best deal on travel from Ontario

Winter travel is one way to escape Ontario’s cold weather and there are a few ways to find the best deals.

With rising costs for housing and food, people may want to skip a winter vacation this year.

A recent survey from YouGov commissioned by Flight Centre shows how challenging it can be to find good prices.

The majority (52 per cent) of Canadians choose their destinations based on sales or travel deals, the survey found. And 64 per cent of Canadians surveyed said they prioritize the cost of travel when choosing where to go. Many travellers, (38 per cent) say their biggest challenge when booking vacations is comparing prices and shopping around for the best deals.

“We’re noticing that affordability, not only is it a key driver, but a lot of Canadians are finding it challenging how to best navigate and find that affordable offer,” Amra Durakovic, head of communications for Flight Centre Travel Group told INsauga.com.

While many people believe a last-minute booking might get them the best deal, Durakovic said that is a myth.

Looking at Flight Centre booking stats, they found the most ideal booking window for the best rates would be anywhere between two-and-a-half months to three months before departure, she said.

Their data finds that if you are travelling to Europe, you should, on average, book 93 days in advance.

If you’re looking to book anywhere in Canada or the U.S., about 76 days in advance is best. For sun destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean, people should book roughly 79 days in advance, said Durakovic.

The reasons why prices are best in these time periods is due to dynamic pricing, Durakovic said.

“So in other words, as seating availability decreases on airlines, your flight price increases, so the sooner you book, the better,” she said.

There are, however, promotional sales such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday, when travellers can get a good deal, she added.

Another strategy to save money is to have flexible dates. Travellers with fixed travel dates may be stuck paying higher fares because there are more options on other days.

Also, try to avoid popular travel weeks such as March Break and Reading Week, she suggested.

“March Break is rather pricier than other times because everyone seems to be booking,” she said.

For those heading south, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Cuba and Jamaica have affordable prices.

Many Canadians are travelling to Mexico, the U.S., Thailand, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Italy, France, England and Australia in 2025, she said. Cruises are also very popular recently.

The bottom line to finding a good deal is planning ahead.

“So ultimately, the best strategy for locking in those best deals isn’t waiting for a specific day, rather it’s staying vigilant, being flexible and buying a minimum of two-and-a-half to three months in advance,” said Durakovic.

“Otherwise, you’re going to wait for that last-minute deal that just never arrives.”

For more information on deals, see the Flight Centre website here.

Lead photo: Pixabay