BUT OH MY GOD, LOOK.
See all the destinations you could visit — and how little it costs to reach them.
From the foothills of Mount Everest to the Eiffel Tower, and from the Great Wall of China to Machu Picchu and the Egyptian pyramids — for budget-minded travelers, Groupon Getaways opens up a world of affordable possibilities.
What are Groupon Getaways and How Do They Operate?
Groupon, the well-known deals site famous for discounts on products and services, also sells budget-friendly travel bundles called Groupon Getaways.
The company provides three categories of travel offerings: domestic hotels, international packages that include airfare and cruises, says Nicholas Halliwell, a Groupon representative.
“We generally showcase 3½- to four-star properties in major destinations while also listing local hotels to give members easy access to nearby escapes,” he explained.
Regarding international offers, Halliwell noted that Groupon partners with select tour operators who assemble air-inclusive packages.
“We select tour operator partners based on their capacity to deliver packages that are affordable without compromising the experience,” he added.
At the moment, Groupon features a limited number of cruise deals.
When you’re ready to reserve, Groupon Getawaysfunction similarly to other Groupon purchases.
For domestic hotel bookings, there’s no follow-up needed with the hotel after purchasing. Arrive on your chosen check-in date as you would when booking through sites like Expedia.
For all-inclusive vacations, Groupon acts as an intermediary and transfers arrangements to a travel agent or online tour operator who manages the booking from beginning to end. You simply contact the provider and redeem your voucher within the specified booking window.
What Advantages Do Groupon Getaways Offer?
Price
This is essentially why you’re reading this: Groupon Getaways are extremely affordable.
Within the U.S., thousands of hotel deals exist, with hotels being the most sought-after getaway, Halliwell said. Yet the most striking discounts appear on international packages.
One bundled rate often covers airfare, lodging, transfers, tours and several — sometimes all — meals.
If you tried to assemble a comparable trip piece by piece, you’d likely be back on Groupon’s site within minutes wondering how they managed such pricing.
Robert Todd and his wife, who live in St. Petersburg, Florida, used Groupon Getaways to visit Buenos Aires, Argentina, and central Italy.
Their $799-per-person, seven-day Buenos Aires package departing from Miami International included flights, accommodations and meals.
“The best part is the cost,” he said.
Even accounting for a five-hour drive to Miami and parking fees, Todd felt it was still a bargain.
“Look for flights from Miami to Buenos Aires — those can be about $700 per person — then tack on five days of breakfast and a nice hotel in an upscale neighborhood,” he said.
Todd and his wife have another getaway planned to Scotland in November.
“I wish I could take more of these because they fit my budget perfectly,” he said.
Convenience
All-inclusive packages are essentially a one-stop solution.
After redeeming your voucher and submitting your personal details, the agency arranges your flights, hotels, tours, meals and transfers. All that remains for you is to show up at the appointed time.
“We’ve discovered that customers are far more inclined to travel internationally when the various elements of a trip — plane tickets, hotel bookings, transfers and excursions — are bundled together,” Halliwell said.
That kind of hassle-free planning can be invaluable.
“For a complex itinerary with numerous stops, flights, shuttles and changes, having an agent or online operator manage logistics can reduce many travel stresses, leaving you more time to pack and relax,” Halliwell added.
On one occasion, Todd forgot to contact Gate 1 Travel, a tour operator Groupon works with, to redeem his voucher within the 14-day booking window.
“We missed the fine print, and about 30 days later we called and coordinated with them to set it up. They handled it. It could have been a big problem, but they smoothed it out,” he said.
Variety
There’s a package for nearly every continent except Antarctica.
You can book a two-day Bahamas cruise for around $200 or a 17-day trek to the Everest base camp.
“They offer a wide selection, and you can pretty much go anywhere you’d ever want to go,” Todd said.
Looking for family-friendly options or a romantic escape? Groupon provides numerous travel categories to explore.
“I often browse Groupon Getaways as a mini mental vacation while I’m at work and need a break,” Todd said. “They spark a lot of great ideas.”
Groupon Getaway Drawbacks
Huge savings often come with reduced flexibility and caveats. You’ll need to accept some trade-offs for that low price tag.
Airports
Deals typically restrict departures to specific airports, which can mean additional costs getting yourself to those departure hubs if you don’t live nearby.
Michelle Schenck, who lives in Tampa, Florida, experienced this when she booked a Groupon Getaway to Iceland that departed from New York City. She called Groupon and booked the extra flight through the company.
“It was cheaper to add Tampa to the itinerary than to buy it on my own,” she said. “I paid about $60 round trip to go from Tampa to New York City, so it was a steal overall.”
Flight and Travel Timings
Travelers usually can’t pick airlines or flight schedules. You should be prepared for early-morning departures, red-eyes and long layovers.
Todd said his upcoming Scotland trip requires a 7 a.m. departure with an eight-hour layover in Madrid on the return leg.
“They sometimes arrange odd connecting flights,” he said. “It’s almost expected given the price.”
Remember that an advertised eight-day vacation might effectively be a seven- or six-day experience once travel times are considered. Check how many hotel nights are included to know how much time you’ll actually spend at your destination.
Dates
Most packages have fixed departure dates with limited flexibility.
Although the schedule is restrictive, you pick the available dates before checkout, so there are no unpleasant surprises.
You can book last-minute options or reserve months ahead.
Other dates might be available but not listed; contact the partner tour operator to explore your choices.
Non-Refundable or Cancellation Fees
This is the risky element.
After booking, many components are nonrefundable — particularly the flights.
Terms and conditions vary by getaway, so read the fine print to understand your rights before purchasing and scheduling.
Some providers levy a $250 cancellation fee, while others may charge a percentage of the voucher if you cancel.
Halliwell recommends travelers review the cancellation policies of hotels, cruises and tour operators before booking; Groupon follows the policies of its partners.
“Our policy aligns with the hotel, cruise or tour operator’s cancellation policy, which is common among online travel agencies, such as Expedia and Priceline,” he said.
There are occasional exceptions for events like natural disasters, but outside of those, if you encounter problems, Halliwell suggests contacting both the property and Groupon to seek a satisfactory resolution.
Rental Cars
Multi-city itineraries often require rental cars, and the rental is typically included in the getaway package.
The downside, as Todd discovered, is you may receive low-end models with manual transmissions.
If you don’t drive a stick shift, you’ll likely have to pay to upgrade.
He said that was his least favorite part of the car rental experience.
“They hand you a clunker — the cheapest model they can find — so you often end up paying extra to upgrade,” he said.
Location
For single-city trips, you’ll usually be lodged near the main attractions.
On multi-city tours with a rental car, your hotel often functions as a central base for daily excursions.
Todd found the back-and-forth drives challenging on his Italy trip. He said a 30- to 40-minute drive was a light day, while others required five-hour round trips.
To avoid long drives, he and his wife paid an extra $69 for a hotel in Florence rather than driving back to their base the same evening. That allowed them to enjoy Florence at night and return the next day.
He recommends budgeting a little extra for a cheap overnight stop along the way, or risk spending most of your trip in the car.
Double Occupancy
All international inclusive package prices are based on double occupancy, clearly stated in the deal headline.
This means you’re expected to share a room with your travel companion.
Traveling alone? Expect extra charges. Single-traveler supplements vary from $100 to $700, which can sometimes make solo travel cost nearly as much as two people.
If you’re traveling solo, it may be cheaper to look elsewhere.
Advice Before Buying a Groupon Getaway
To make a great deal even better, both Schenck and Todd said they applied a Groupon Getaway promo code to shave an extra 10% off the price, up to $50 per person.
“It made the already low price even lower,” Schenck said.
Todd suggests waiting until the getaway voucher is close to expiring; prices often drop another $50 to $100.
Using both strategies together, he said, can save up to $100 per person off the listed price.
But before you jump in and reserve your next dream trip, read the fine print.
“I read it ahead of time, so I knew exactly what to expect,” Schenck said.
In short, if you read the fine print, there should be no surprises.
Taxes and fees are summarized in the “Know Before You Go” section on the main getaway page. Check the “Fine Print & Details” tab for specifics about the tour operator’s terms.
Don’t hesitate to contact the travel or tour company with questions before booking.
Contact numbers for sponsoring agencies are listed on the getaway page. They can clarify uncertainties and quote you for trip extensions or additional flight costs.
Don’t be afraid to compare prices.
“As with any purchase, it’s important to research,” Halliwell said.
“Travel pricing can vary significantly, so it’s wise to check other sites and make apples-to-apples comparisons.”
Another important tip is to read reviews and check customer ratings for any hotels, cruises or tours you’re considering.
Caribbean excursions tend to score lower, while getaways to Morocco, Paris and Rome receive five-star ratings.
Ultimately, don’t let the limitations deter you.
Pay the price and let the tour operator handle hotels, flights and cars. You enjoy the experience.
Yes, you relinquish some control to the agency, but chances are you’ll see more of the world for less.
Both Todd and Schenck understood the terms upfront and haven’t run into major issues yet.
“I think the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks,” Todd said.
Olivia Hart is a staff writer at Savinly. She aims to step foot on every continent and might use Groupon Getaways to make it happen.
