Get your passport and spending plan set because the nonstop flow of bargains won’t wait.
The yearly online shopping occasion that lands the Monday after Thanksgiving brings fleeting markdowns on everything from airfare, cruises and rental cars to hotels and vacation bundles.
Those can’t-miss savings mean you might be able to book the getaway you’ve dreamed of, secure an inexpensive rental car or fly to a new spot without breaking the bank.
No matter the locale, Cyber Monday is packed with offers that travelers watching their budgets will want to take advantage of.
How to Get Ready for Cyber Monday Travel Savings
No need to max out your cards for Cyber Monday and do the Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I want to — empty-my-wallet routine.
Follow these strategies to stretch your travel dollars when deals appear.
Step 1: Get a Plan
“If you want to snag a travel bargain on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, begin planning now,” said Alexis Tiacoh, a spokesperson for Expedia.
It might sound obvious, but planning now will pay off if you want to make the most of online travel discounts.
As with Black Friday, some Cyber Monday offers are limited in quantity, so advance preparation is key. Complete Steps 2 through 6 before the holiday shopping rush.
Step 2: Set a Budget
How much joy will that trip actually bring if it leaves you in debt? Keep it enjoyable by choosing an amount you can comfortably afford.
“Set your budget and stick to it,” Tiacoh advised.
Let your budget direct your purchases. Pass on deals that push you past that limit, or you’ll regret it come Tuesday.
Consider adding the Honey extension to your browser. It’s free and can help cut costs at checkout.
It automatically searches for online coupons, promo codes and discounts so you’re more likely to get the lowest price available.
Step 3: Pick a Destination (or a Few)
Choose a few places from your wish list or look for deals near friends and family — or plan to go home for the holidays.
Save time by knowing where you want to go instead of aimlessly browsing travel sites, unless you enjoy wandering through offers.
“Narrow down your destination and determine what you’ll need to book,” Tiacoh said.
For example, if New York City is on your list, research possible flights, airlines, hotels, rental cars and any shows, tours or activities you might want to reserve.
Sites like Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity allow you to save trip itineraries ahead of time and access them later, which is handy when checkout time arrives.
If you don’t save an itinerary, at least you’ll know where and what to search for — and how much you can spend.
Flight bargains disappear fast, so homework pays off when a deal drops.
Step 4: Create Accounts and Follow Ahead of Time
Identify the websites, hotels, airlines, cruise lines or aggregators you’re likely to shop and start preparing now.
Install apps, create accounts and newsletter subscriptions, enroll in loyalty programs, follow your favorites on social media and bookmark key pages.Signing up early often yields added perks. You can always unsubscribe or unfollow later.
This saves you from fumbling through registration during the heat of the sale — and gives you first access to exclusives.
Skyscanner spokeswoman Dana Cohen noted airlines often announce flash sales through email.
Apps like Expedia may offer app-only coupons, specials and bonus reward points for bookings.
Step 5: Activate Price Alerts
Many services like Skyscanner, Hopper, Momondo and Hipmunk let you sign up for price-drop alerts on flights you’re monitoring. You’ll receive notifications on your phone or by email if you use tools like Google Flights to watch fares.
Track routes across multiple services so you’re more likely to catch the best price for a flight or service you want.
Step 6: Review Last Year’s Offers
If you’re already planning your Cyber Monday travel strategy, you’ve probably noticed that many airlines, hotels and cruise lines haven’t yet posted their deals.
Sadly, many don’t publish specifics until Thanksgiving week.
A workaround is to check what they offered last year. Search the company name and “Cyber Monday 2017” for a quick preview.
This gives you a rough expectation of what might surface this year.
On the Day: Shop Around — But Don’t Overdo It
Offers are everywhere, making it hard to separate genuine bargains from marketing tricks.
Not every offer is equally valuable. Compare prices across providers and resellers to find the best option.
But don’t hesitate too long.
“Don’t overthink it because flight deals can vanish quickly. Book the ticket; handle the details afterward,” Cohen said.
Skyscanner aggregates Cyber Monday flight deals and hotel deals in one spot, updating in real time — useful when you need to make a quick decision. They’ve even analyzed the best times of day to book flights.
Offers may appear and disappear by the hour or day. Keep refreshing and revisiting your searches.
On the Day: Be Willing to Be Flexible
Getting from Point A to Point B isn’t always straightforward or cheap. Be open to indirect options.
“Think about flying out of airports farther away; they can have deeper discounts on certain routes,” Cohen said.
If a great price pops up for a destination you don’t love, consider nearby alternatives,” she added.
For example, a cheap flight to New York City could let you hop a train to Philadelphia, Boston or Washington, D.C.
On the Day: Check the Fine Print
That bargain might exclude carry-on baggage, or require travel outside peak summer dates.
Many promotions include blackout periods, exclusions, and extra fees like resort or city taxes.
Don’t let the thrill of a deal keep you from reading the terms and conditions.
On the Day: Use a Credit Card for Coverage and Perks
Some credit cards provide price protection in case you later find a lower fare, allow you to request adjustments or file claims.
Pay with a credit card that offers rewards, miles, points or cash-back on travel purchases.
Apply those benefits to a future trip or toward another large expense. Extract as much value as you can from each purchase.
Consider Vacation Bundles
Expand your search to include bundled vacation packages. These combine airfare, lodging and car rental into one booking.
You can find these offers through booking sites, travel agents or discount platforms like Groupon Getaways.
This method can potentially shave hundreds off the total cost of a trip.
Good luck hunting down Cyber Monday travel bargains.
Jamie Reynolds is a staff writer at Savinly. Witnessing the aurora borealis tops her travel bucket list.
