Get Great Travel Discounts On Members-Only Websites
CHICAGO (CBS) - The winter weather is making some of us yearn for the sun, and maybe a beach. Now you can find discounts on travel and hotels on members-only websites. CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports on how to make them work for you.
Erin Pajac loves to travel at this time of year, but she says it's not as easy as it used to be.
"Having kids makes it a lot harder. We do try to create family vacations, but it's definitely slowed down," said Pajac.
But when she received an invitation to join one of the discount "members only" travel websites, Pajac was immediately interested.
The sites include Jetsetter, Rue La La, Snique Away, Voyage Prive and Vacationist. Their travel packages are offered at steep discounts.
Members get an e-mail announcing a sale. Deals are posted for up to a week or until they're sold out. Savings can be 30 to 70 percent off.
Travel expert Johnny Jet says you can really luck out with some great accommodations.
"Most of these are hotels, or villas, or even luxury yachts," said Jet. "Some are cruises, and it's all four or five stars."
Domestic, international and even island getaways are available.
On sites like Snique Away, you can also pick the type of room you want.
"From a garden view, to a double, to a king, suites. Each hotel has a great variety that they provide to our members," said David Krauter of Snique Away.
Pajac recently used Snique Away to book a weekend trip with her husband and says it was really worth it.
"We saved probably about $400 on the two-night stay, and it also included the valet parking and they discounted the resort fee," she said.
The key to getting deals like Pajac's is that you have to click fast. The travel windows available are limited and there may be blackout dates.
Johnny Jet says paying attention to the dates is essential.
"Because there's no cancellations, no refunds, you can rarely change the date," he said.
Erin Pajac says the discount really paid off for her because she and her husband were able to splurge on other things, like a nice dinner.
There's no fee to join these sites, but you must be invited or sponsored by another member. You can also log on and place your name on a waiting list.
For more information, click the links below.
