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Time is Money

7/1/2009 3:30:15 PM

Want to get the most bang for your travel buck? Go off-peak.

Want to get the most bang for your travel buck? Go off-peak.

There are reasons why no one has written a musical called “January in Paris” or “April in Vermont.” Because below-zero temps don’t inspire much dancing even in the City of Light, and if you felt like playing Fred Astaire in a New England spring, you’d soon lose your tap shoes to the thick, gluey earth of mud season.

But if you were willing to bring your muck boots to the Green Mountain State, for instance, the very Vermont mud that scares other travelers away could be your budget’s best friend. That’s because of the old rule you learned in Economics 101: supply and demand. When the supply of hotel rooms — and plane tickets to them — dwarfs the number of travelers ready to check in, prices drop. Sometimes, and in some places, they drop a lot.

Of course, there are trade-offs, because as we say, there are reasons why other folks stay away. And there are pitfalls. But for savvy, budget-minded travelers, hitting the road in the off-season may be your group’s best imaginable strategy. Worthy, perhaps, of a how-to guide, if not a Broadway musical. So here’s your FAQ to saving money by timing your trips just right.

What’s the definition of off-peak?

Simply put, off-peak means you’re traveling outside of peak season. You’re playing contrarian, visiting a place at a time when most other travelers don’t. “It’s the slow travel season,” says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. “There’s more availability in hotel rooms, the crowds are thinner and it’s cheaper.”

“Shoulder season” is an industry term used to describe the neither/nor times of the year: They’re not peak periods, but they’re not trough periods either. Typically this translates into the month or two before and after the high season.

“Off-season is usually off for a reason,” contends Tim Leffel, the author of "Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune." “Shoulder season is far less risky. Prices are usually better because of lower demand and school vacation schedules, not weather problems.” In some places, it’s plenty warm enough to go sleeveless. In others, you might want to pack a sweater — but you can leave behind your hurricane protection and zero-degree parka.

If everybody else avoids a destination in the fall or spring, why shouldn’t I?

In a word, school. Summer is peak season in much of the U.S. because it’s when families with school-age children take their vacations. It’s when college kids go on road trips because they’re on break.

Maine doesn’t suddenly become uninhabitable after Labor Day; in fact, the weather’s great and the biting flies are gone, so it’s the best time of year to go. And it’s easier and cheaper to rent cabins because Mom, Dad and the kids had to get back to the grind. Ditto Disney World. Cinderella’s coach doesn’t turn into a pumpkin come September, even though many of the mouse-ear-wearing munchkins aren’t around to see it. Same with spring: The kids may still be counting the days till school ends, but you’re free to take advantage.

Is there a handy-dandy rule of thumb for determining when the off-season might be for a particular area?

Figure out when the crowds are there and back off a bit in either direction. One big indicator will be the weather. For high season, think winter in the warm, arid Southwest and sunny Florida, or summer in upper Michigan and upstate New York, and figure that Phoenix and Miami will be less crowded in June, while Traverse City and Saratoga Springs won’t exactly be packing them in during February. Hurricane season on the Gulf Coast and in the Keys isn’t nearly as busy as those beaches get in summer. Ski resorts in the West and Northeast are still beautiful when the snow’s gone, and they often offer deals to attract travelers.

Why would I pay top dollar for a trip to cold Quebec in January or hot, humid Austin in September?

Another one-word answer: Festivals. Quebec City has its winter carnival in late January and early February, so hotel rooms are booked at holiday rates. The Austin City Limits Music Festival attracts bands and music lovers from all over come September. Mardi Gras in New Orleans goes without saying, but there’s also a Mardi Gras in Galveston, Texas. So check the calendars of your preferred destinations, not just the overall seasons. And don’t forget big sporting events, either. A NASCAR race or NFL playoff game can completely negate your off-season savings.

If most tourists left Cape Cod two months ago, why can’t I get a dinner reservation?

Probably because the locals have deserted it, too. During the off-season, many attractions either shut down or curtail their hours, and so do some popular restaurants and shops. “In the true off-season, many businesses will be closed and there will be fewer options for dining and entertainment,” Leffel says.

If you have a must-see or must-eat on your list, check that venue’s dates and hours first. Or go during shoulder season when you might pay a bit more, but you’ll have more options.

When are good times to visit some top U.S. destinations?

Seattle is great in the spring, with temps in the 50s and 60s, fewer crowds and great hotel deals, says SmarterTravel’s Banas. On Cape Cod and the islands nearby, prices drop by up to half right after Labor Day, but the ocean is still warm and all the businesses and attractions are still open. “It’s a sweet spot,” says Banas. Other SmarterTravel off-season picks include San Antonio in the spring and Los Angeles in the fall.

Getting back to nature is cheaper and easier during shoulder season, says Leffel, and national parks often have good facilities for groups. “The parks are less crowded in late spring and fall, but are often more pleasant at those times,” he says. And Florida attracts fewer visitors in May and June, so travelers can find good shoulder-season deals at the beaches and theme parks. The same is true of Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks in September.

How much can I save by traveling when others don’t?

Anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent, depending upon the destination, says Leffel. And that’s during shoulder season. You can save even more during the true off-season. Once you’ve determined when and where you want to go, check with the area’s visitors bureau for the best deals, Banas suggests. “You’ll often see special packages for off-season travelers,” she says.

Tracy Staton

Group Travel Planet

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