Get in early for unbeatable holiday deals in 2010

Leaving your holiday planning until the last minute can sometimes mean some serious savings, but in the long run your final moment arrangements will end up costing you and your family more than expected. The best discounts on plane, train, and bus tickets are to be found by booking in advance, and hotels are following suit as business has become scarcer in light of the tougher financial times. The headlines of the newspapers around the world are proclaiming rock-bottom prices on five-star accommodation throughout Europe and the United States, but what does that really mean? Visiting a Paris hotel or a London hotel might not be so feasible, however a New York hotel or San Francisco hotel just might be, depending on your schedule.

Here are some handy hints on how to get the best travel deals in 2010.

• Become more internet savvy and prepare to reap the rewards. A lot of smart travelers are looking online for the lowest prices before they commit to a certain company or destination. If you have the chance to shop around online, why not have a look and see if you can benefit from the savings?

• Book in advance and find out exactly what you can organize before you travel. Sometimes airport transfers are cheaper if booked in advance, saving you the time, hassle, and money of fussing around to find a rental car. If you're staying in a city centre or prime tourist attraction, your own transport might not even be necessary as tours to all the areas of interest can be easily arranged. Once again, think ahead and see if you can save some more of your hard earned!

• Stay mid-week if you have the opportunity. Many Chicago and New York hotels offer mid-week deals, and sometimes if you stay for two nights, the third night is free. Even if there doesn't seem to be an obvious promotion, just ask at your Las Vegas or San Francisco Hotels the staff is always available at the reception, and often they're happy to make a deal if you approach with the topic).

• Pick the right time of year and watch your travel savings go further. When it's winter in North America, the rates for destinations throughout the Caribbean are higher than in the fall. Get in early, otherwise you might find yourself having to wait until summer.

• Enroll in a points program with an airline or ask about hotel loyalty cards. Even though your purchases will only give a few points here and there, it can all add up over the years, and could even mean a pleasant surprise. With hotel loyalty cards, the small savings can really count (such as a 5% discount at New York hotels) once again, is available from the hotels either by directly speaking to the reception staff or checking out the hotel website.