I use Kayak.com as my go-to-airline search engine.  They have a great website with many great features, including cross-checking almost all airlines and will even combine two or more different airlines for you.  They have the option of flexing the days, so if you are flexible on days and times, you can choose the best flights at the best rates.  The option gives you the ability to flex; Day before, day after, + 1, 2 or 3 days in each direction.  Another great feature they have is a price tracker and new smart AI filter and list the Best, Cheapest, and quickest flights at the top. I do always check the direct airline website as well, so if I have points, I can use them.  It’s a great website and I use it almost daily (since I always have a trip or two in the works).

I typically check a bunch of different websites for my hotels.  I am a solid Booking.com fan as they give mw points toward future stays.  I always cross-check it with Hotels.com as well. Every now and again they do have better rates than Booking.com.  I very rarely use the hotel websites because they don’t offer much in points or specials, plus I don’t usually stay at a particular brand. If you do like one brand and stick with them you will get points and that could help with pricing.  I like to stay at mid to higher end hotels and find secondary websites have lots of options and pricing specials. They also have an App that can house all my reservations in one place (road trips = multiple reservations). 

If you do not have one Rental agency you prefer, this is my recommendation and why.

I love Dollar.com, they are always reasonable and friendly and have never given me a hard time with anything (unlike other rental agencies).  I do often book on Priceline.com for cars.  They always have competitive rates that you can’t always get on the individual car rental agency websites.  I do check the car rental sites (example Dollar and Budget) to see if the rates are the same because I like the perks of being a member if they offer the skip the counter option (at select airports). 

My recommendation on where and how to book activities while planning your next vacation.

Depending on your travel area there are things that need to be planned a head of time. Here is a list of some that require a little more future planning.

Here are a list of places that are better in some seasons that others. This helps you plan what time of the year is best for you and your travel plans.