1.  Most budget airlines like JetBlue, SouthWest, etc. don’t publish flights or fares; you won’t see their fares listed by 3rd parties like HotWire, Expedia, etc.  Check these airlines direct first.

2.  When looking for a hotel, TripAdvisor is a good resource for reviews. What sets it apart from other sites is that reviewers can submit their own photos so you don’t have to rely on often out-dated promotional photos.

3.  Expedia offers a price guarantee (http://www.expedia.com/p/info-other/guarantees.htm) — if you find the price lower (by even a penny) on ANY other (legit) website, Expedia will not only lower the price for you but will issue you a $50 coupon on your account to use with a future booking.

4.  Hotwire’s flexible date search is good for flights. Pick a range of nights you’ll be staying and a 30-day window for your trip. After finding the cheapest flight/date combo, visit Kayak or Expedia, Orbitz, or Travelocity to book a package deal with a promo code you find online.  A decent place for promo codes is retailmenot.com.

5.  You can often find a 7-8 night package deal where you depart on a Tuesday that’s cheaper than a 5 night trip that departs on a Friday or Saturday. Not only is the flight cheaper, but there are almost always promo codes out there that offer bigger discounts if you stay 7 nights or more.