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Saving money on travel sometimes seems all but impossible, but it can be done with a little planning a few insider tips. To make your travel dollar go the farthest:

Plan Early; plan late.

Contrary to popular belief, the best prices and the best seats, room, and cabins generally go to those who plan well in advance. Most travel vendors sell an allotment of units at the lowest price and those spaces are filled, the price increases. Many desirable plans, generally the least expensive and the most expensive, are simply not available to those who book at the last minute.

Having said that, steep discounts can sometimes be found at the very last minute, generally within two weeks of departure. One example of this is the discount airfares offered by major airlines via the Internet. Usually, these airfares are listed on Tuesday for travel that same weekend. Of course, only a few destinations are offered each week.

Another example is cruise rates offered to Florida residents within a week of departure. Again, not all cabins types are available and some popular weeks there are none offered.

Consult a travel agent.

A good travel agent can be an invaluable resource when planning your vacation. Because she works with travel on a daily basis, she’s in an ideal position to learn about all of the special rates as soon as they are offered. Most travel agents do not charge for their services as long as you make arrangements for more than just airfare. (Travel agents are paid by the travel suppliers for selling their services.)

Package it.

Travel packages don’t have to be bus tours filled with senior citizens. Some travel packages are simply airfare, hotel accommodations, and transportation to and from the airport. Because tour operators sell often hundreds of rooms at a single hotel, they can generally get a much better rate than you can get on your own. This is especially true in Las Vegas and in Western Europe.

Be a “joiner.”
Many hotels, airlines, and attractions offer discounts to members of different travel organizations. The most common of these are AAA and AARP. Don’t be afraid to ask whether a discount exists; they aren’t always advertised.

Airline, hotel, and cruise line frequent traveler programs are another way to save money. Don’t think that you have to be a constant traveler. Many cruise programs offer significant discounts to their past customers, and the discount is the same whether you’ve taken one or ten cruises with the line.