Package deals are the parallel universe of the fare world. They don’t appear on airline websites or booking engines like Expedia, Travelocity, or Orbitz, which claim to offer the lowest prices.Yet package fares, which you book through an airline’s “vacation” division, can save you up to 37%. The only catch is that they require booking a hotel and sometimes a car rental, but even so, the total can end up much less than the best published airfare alone.
If you’re bound for Hawaii and want to fly First Class, you’d be remiss not to investigate package fares. Call Northwest Airlines for a quote on First Class from Boston to Honolulu and it’s $2,802 round-trip. Contact NWA WorldVacations (800-800- 1504) and you’ll be quoted $1,763 round-trip (37% less).
Book First Class on American Airlines from Chicago to Honolulu and you’ll pay $3,080 round-trip, but if you book the trip with AAVacations (800-321-2121), the tab is $2,080 roundtrip, a savings of $1,000. (Admirals Club members receive an additional 10% off.)
Fares to the Big Island, Kauai, or Maui offer similar savings, with add-ons starting at about $150+.
Every carrier has a vacation division. Depending on the airline, destination, and departure city, vacation packages require a two-night minimum hotel stay, (which could cost as little as $100 extra per person) or a two-day car rental (about $60 for a subcompact).
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