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17 Essential Apps & Websites for Discount Travel Deals

October 14, 2024 · 19 minute read

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or convenience. With the right discount travel apps, you can find incredible deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals while staying organized and stress-free. These apps offer potent features like price predictions, last-minute discounts, and curated travel deals, helping maximize your savings on every trip. Whether planning a spontaneous getaway or a well-organized vacation, these tools make finding the best discount travel deals more effortless and accessible.

In this post, you’ll learn:

1. Hopper: Predict Flight Prices Like a Pro

Website: Hopper

Hopper is perfect for travelers who want to time their bookings just right. The app uses historical data and real-time analytics to predict when flight prices will drop or rise, saving you money by helping you book at the optimal time. It also allows you to freeze prices for a limited period, giving you extra flexibility without the risk of missing a deal. Hopper helps you stay ahead of price changes whether you're booking flights or hotels.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Hopper's "Watch a Trip" feature lets you monitor airfare and hotel price changes in real-time. You'll receive alerts when prices drop to their lowest, helping you book at the best possible rate for maximum savings.

2. Skyscanner: Your One-Stop Shop for Travel Deals

Website: Skyscanner

Skyscanner offers a comprehensive platform that compares prices across various airlines, hotel booking sites, and car rental services. Its easy-to-use interface and extensive range of filters make finding the best travel deals simple. Skyscanner’s flexibility allows you to search by date, location, or even destination, helping you explore affordable options you might not have considered otherwise.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: The "Best Time to Book" feature analyzes historical pricing trends to reveal when airfares are at their lowest. This tool lets you strategically plan your booking and snag flights at the most budget-friendly rates.

3. HotelTonight: Last-Minute Hotel Deals

Website: HotelTonight

If you need a hotel room at the last minute, HotelTonight is your go-to app. It specializes in offering heavily discounted hotel rooms that would otherwise go unsold. You can book same-day accommodations at steep discounts, perfect for spontaneous trips or overnight stays. The app’s simple interface ensures you can find and book a room in just a few taps.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: To snag the best last-minute hotel deals, check the app early in the morning when availability is highest. As the day progresses, rooms get booked quickly, reducing your chances of finding a great deal.

4. Google Flights: Your Go-To for Flexibility

Website: Google Flights

Google Flights is a powerful search engine for finding flights and excels in providing flexibility. Whether you're flexible with your dates or looking for nearby airports, Google Flights offers a visual map and price chart to help you see where and when you can fly at the lowest cost. It also lets you track prices and receive email alerts when changes occur, ensuring you don’t miss out on a great deal.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: The "Track Prices" feature allows you to monitor flight fares by setting alerts for specific routes or dates. You'll receive notifications when prices drop to your preferred range, helping you secure the best deals without constant manual checking.

5. Kayak: Find Everything in One Place

Website: Kayak

Kayak is the ultimate comparison tool for travelers. It searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. Kayak also offers price alerts and fare predictions, allowing you to explore destinations based on your budget. Kayak has you covered whether you’re planning a complete vacation or just need a flight.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Kayak's "Hacker Fares" help you save by combining separate one-way tickets from different airlines for the best price. This flexible option allows you to find cheaper flight combinations than traditional round-trip bookings.

Tip: Check out our Kayak US coupons & special offers

6. Airfarewatchdog: Never Miss a Fare Drop

Website: Airfarewatchdog

Airfarewatchdog is a must-have for budget-conscious travelers who want to stay on top of fare drops. This app notifies you when prices drop for your selected routes so you can grab the best deals before they disappear. It’s beneficial for people who are flexible with their travel dates and can take advantage of flash sales or limited-time offers.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Setting up fare alerts for your departure and return dates allows you to track price fluctuations and receive notifications when prices drop. This proactive approach helps you secure the best round-trip deals, effortlessly maximizing your savings.

7. TripIt: Simplify Your Travel Plans and Save

Website: TripIt

TripIt isn’t just a deal-finding app but a powerful tool for organizing your entire trip. It automatically creates a master itinerary from your confirmation emails, so you’ll have all your flight, hotel, and car rental details in one place. While it doesn’t directly find travel deals, it helps you avoid the last-minute stress that often leads to costly bookings.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: With TripIt Pro’s Price Drop feature, you can get automatic alerts when your flight fares drop after booking. This means you could secure a refund or credit, saving money effortlessly while TripIt handles the tracking for you.

8. Rome2Rio: Explore Cheap Ways to Get Around

Website: Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio is a fantastic app for travelers who want to explore all transport options. Whether you’re looking for buses, trains, ferries, or flights, Rome2Rio compares them all, helping you find the cheapest and most convenient way to get from point A to point B. It’s beneficial for backpackers or budget travelers who like to combine different modes of transportation.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Rome2Rio’s multi-modal trip planner combines transport options like flights, trains, and buses to create the most budget-friendly route. It offers the best travel combinations, helping you save time and money.

9. Priceline: Bid Your Way to Discounts

Website: Priceline

Priceline is known for its “Name Your Price” feature, which allows you to bid on hotels and rental cars. It’s a great way to get last-minute discounts, but the savings come from being flexible. Priceline also offers regular flight, hotel, and car rental deals that are perfect for budget travelers.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Being flexible with travel dates and hotel ratings helps you score the best deals on Priceline’s bidding feature. You'll increase your chances of finding great accommodations at lower prices.

Tip: Check out our Priceline coupons & special offers

10. Secret Flying: Snag Insane Error Fares

Website: Secret Flying

Secret Flying is a dream for travelers looking to score unbeatable flight deals. The app focuses on finding error fares, flash sales, and unadvertised discounts that airlines accidentally release. These mistakes can result in meager prices, often hundreds of dollars cheaper than usual. But you must act fast, as these deals don’t last long.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: When an error fare appears, it's crucial to act fast and book immediately since airlines often correct these pricing mistakes within a few hours. Hesitation can mean missing out on incredible deals, so have your payment details ready for quick booking.

11. Momondo: The Ultimate Price Comparison Tool

Website: Momondo

Momondo is a powerful price comparison app that helps you find the cheapest flights, hotels, and car rentals by searching hundreds of travel sites simultaneously. What sets Momondo apart is its ability to track price trends and suggest when to book for the best savings. With a user-friendly interface, Momondo easily compares deals and finds hidden savings.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Momondo's "Price Calendar" feature lets you easily compare airfare prices across multiple dates, helping you find the most affordable travel options. By adjusting your travel dates based on the calendar, you can save significantly on flights, ensuring you get the best deal possible.

Tip: Check out our Momondo US coupons & special offers

12. CheapOair: Deals on Flights and Vacation Packages

Website: CheapOair

CheapOair is an excellent resource for travelers who want to book affordable flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. The app frequently offers promo codes and discounts that help you save even more. With their “Deal of the Day” and “CheapOair Rewards” programs, travelers can rack up points and use them for future savings.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Subscribing to CheapOair's email list gives you exclusive promo codes and time-sensitive deals, ensuring you never miss out on the best travel discounts. Stay ahead of the curve with insider offers sent straight to your inbox!

Tip: Check out our CheapOair promo codes & coupons

13. Booking.com: Find Affordable Stays with Ease

Website: Booking.com

Booking.com is a go-to app for travelers seeking affordable accommodations, from budget hotels to luxurious resorts. With millions of properties listed, it’s one of the largest platforms for finding discounted stays. The app also offers free cancellations on most bookings, giving flexibility if your plans change.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Look for properties that offer “Last-Minute Deals” to snag significant discounts on unsold rooms. Alternatively, “Early Booking Discounts” reward planners with lower rates when reserving far in advance, ensuring you save either way.

Tip: Check out our Booking.com coupons & special offers

14. Travelzoo: Exclusive Deals and Discounts

Website: Travelzoo

Travelzoo curates exclusive travel deals on hotels, vacations, cruises, and more. The app partners with travel companies to offer deep discounts on travel packages, but what makes Travelzoo stand out is its quality control; only the best deals that meet its strict criteria make it into the app. It’s perfect for travelers who are open to destination suggestions and want great value.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Travelzoo’s “Top 20 Deals” offers a weekly selection of deeply discounted global travel bargains across flights, hotels, and vacation packages. Sign up for alerts to never miss out on these limited-time offers.

15. Expedia: Comprehensive Travel Planning

Website: Expedia

Expedia is a comprehensive platform that helps you find deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. It’s known for offering bundled deals combining flights and hotels to help travelers save even more. With its “Expedia Rewards” program, frequent travelers can rack up points and redeem them for future discounts.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Expedia’s "Package Deals" offer significant discounts when you bundle flights and hotels, making it an excellent option for longer trips. This strategy saves money and simplifies your travel planning with one seamless booking.

Tip: Check out our Expedia coupons & special offers

16. Trivago: Find the Best Hotel Deals

Website: Trivago

Trivago specializes in comparing hotel prices from different booking platforms, helping you find the best rate for your stay. With an easy-to-use interface, Trivago shows you where to book the cheapest rooms across various websites. It’s ideal for travelers who want to get the lowest price on their accommodation.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Sorting your results by "Value for Money" highlights hotels that provide the best affordable rates and quality amenities. This ensures you get the most benefits for your budget without compromising comfort or convenience.

17. Hotwire: Last-Minute Hotel and Flight Deals

Website: Hotwire

Hotwire is a fantastic app for travelers who need to book last-minute hotels and flights at steep discounts. Hotwire offers up to 60% off regular rates by booking unsold inventory from hotels and airlines. While you won’t always know the exact hotel name until after booking, the savings are well worth the gamble for budget-conscious travelers.

How It Helps You Save:

Additional Perks:

Pro Tip: Take advantage of the "Tonight Only Deals" feature to find last-minute hotel rooms at unbeatable prices. These deals are often deeply discounted, helping you secure premium stays at a fraction of the cost, perfect for spontaneous trips or unexpected travel needs.

Tip: Check out our Hotwire coupons & special offers

Comparison of Top Travel Apps for Saving on Flights, Hotels, and More

AppHow It Helps You SaveAdditional Perks
HopperPredicts flight/hotel price drops and freezes prices.Flexible booking, personalized notifications.
SkyscannerCompares prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals.Best month search everywhere features.
HotelTonightOffers last-minute hotel deals at up to 70% off.Daily Drop, loyalty program.
Google FlightsTracks prices and shows flexible dates/nearby airports.Price tracking, explore map feature.
KayakCompares prices for flights, hotels, and cars with fare predictions.Explore tool, trip management.
AirfarewatchdogSends fare alerts and tracks flash sales.Expert curated deals and flexible search options.
TripItOrganizes travel itineraries, syncing confirmation emails.TripIt Pro easy sharing.
Rome2RioCompares various transportation options.Multi-modal transport options, instant bookings.
PricelineAllows you to bid on hotel/car rentals and offers express deals.VIP program, opaque pricing.
Secret FlyingFinds error fares and flash sales for unbeatable flight deals.Global coverage, real-time alerts.
MomondoCompares prices across hundreds of travel sites and tracks price trends.Explore features and fare insights.
CheapOairOffers promo codes and discounts for flights, hotels, and vacation packages.Deal of the Day, price match guarantee.
Booking.comProvides affordable accommodations and free cancellations.Genius loyalty program verified reviews.
TravelzooCurates exclusive deals on hotels, vacations, and cruises.Top 20 Deals, flexible destinations.
ExpediaOffers bundled deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals.Expedia Rewards, VIP Access hotels.
TrivagoAggregates hotel prices from different platforms to find the lowest rate.Hotel reviews, price alerts.
HotwireOffers last-minute deals on hotels and flights, including opaque bookings.Hot Rates, price guarantee.

Conclusion

These travel apps offer various ways to save on flights, hotels, and vacation packages, ensuring you find the best discount travel deals. Whether looking for last-minute deals, price comparisons, or curated offers, each app provides unique features to help you secure the best travel bargains. From Hopper’s price predictions to Airbnb’s affordable stays, these tools make planning budget-friendly trips more manageable and efficient, ensuring you get the most value while traveling.

For expert tips and exclusive deals, follow us at Dealhack – your go-to source for smart shopping and savings!

FAQ

What is the best app for finding cheap flights?

Hopper and Skyscanner are popular apps for finding cheap flights and offering price predictions and alerts.

How do price prediction apps work?

Price prediction apps use historical data and real-time analytics to forecast when flight or hotel prices will rise or drop.

Can I set alerts for flight price drops?

Yes, most travel apps, such as Kayak, Google Flights, and Airfarewatchdog, allow you to set up price alerts

What are last-minute hotel booking apps?

Apps like HotelTonight and Hotwire specialize in offering discounted rates for last-minute hotel bookings.

Do any travel apps offer price matching?

Yes, apps like Booking.com and CheapOair offer price match guarantees to ensure you get the lowest rate.

How can I find error fare flights?

Scott’s Cheap Flights and Secret Flying specialize in finding error fares, which can offer significant discounts

What is the benefit of loyalty programs in travel apps?

Loyalty programs, like Booking.com’s Genius or Expedia Rewards, offer exclusive discounts and perks for frequent users.

Can travel apps help with multi-leg journeys?

Yes, apps like Rome2Rio and Skyscanner allow you to plan complex itineraries involving multiple modes of transport.

Is it possible to freeze prices on flights?

Yes, apps like Hopper offer a price freeze feature, allowing you to lock in rates while finalizing your plans.

Which apps provide bundled travel deals?

Expedia and Priceline offer bundled deals that combine flights, hotels, and car rentals for additional savings.

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