A trip to an exotic destination or weekend getaway can be the perfect way to recharge and enjoy some well-deserved time off. But planning for it can be stressful and time-consuming. 

You have to research the best flights and hotels, consider your budget, and take care of all the details that make your trip enjoyable and successful. One way to make travel planning easier is to use an online travel agent. 

Online travel agents can help you save time and money by finding the best deals, organizing your itinerary, and providing advice and assistance throughout the process. Below is a detailed guide about online travel agents, the best options to consider, and how Accrue Savings can help you save for a vacation.

An OTA is a business that sells travel-related products and services, such as flights, hotels, cruises, car rentals, vacation packages, and more, over the internet. 

OTAs are not the same as traditional travel agents; they act more like brokers, aggregating inventory from multiple suppliers to offer the best deals and other perks.

Typically, when planning a trip without an OTA, you must search multiple websites for flight and hotel availability, compare prices, and book directly with each provider. It’s a lengthy, time-consuming process that can quickly deplete your vacation fund.

OTAs make the booking process easier by providing a single point of contact that allows you to search multiple sources and book your entire excursion in one place. 

Why do people use online travel agents?

Common reasons people use online travel agents include:

• Convenience: Online travel agencies are a one-stop shop for all your travel needs. You can easily compare prices, deals, and amenities at a glance without visiting multiple websites at once. And if anything goes wrong, you have only one contact for assistance instead of playing phone tag with multiple suppliers.
• Security: When you book through an OTA, your data is typically encrypted and stored securely, reducing the risk of identity theft or fraud. Your credit card information is safe, and you have the peace of mind that you are dealing with a reputable business.
• Expert advice: 43% of Americans hate booking travel because “it’s too complicated.” OTAs offer personalized recommendations, destination advice, and helpful tips to ensure you have the best experience possible.
• Social proof: User ratings and reviews give you an honest inside look at the experiences other travelers have had with specific amenities. 

How do online travel agencies make money?

It’s a valid question to ask: How do OTAs make money when they often offer such discounts on travel bookings?

Sure, not all OTAs offer the same prices due to various factors like partnerships with other companies, advertising costs, and additional service fees.

Still, OTAs make money in two main ways: commission fees and advertising.

• Commission fees: OTAs earn from commissions paid by hotels, airlines, and other travel providers for bookings made through their platforms. The amount of the commission is negotiated between the two parties and varies depending on the type of service, but typically ranges from 5%-25% or more of the total cost.
• Advertising: OTAs supplement their income from commission fees with advertising revenues. They often partner with service providers to promote them through banner ads, sponsored content, and pay-per-click campaigns. 

Booking sites come in all shapes and sizes, with varying features, services, and prices. The best online travel agency for you will depend on your individual needs and budget, but here are the most popular online booking platforms to consider for your next trip:

1. CheapOair

CheapOair is an OTA specializing in discounted flights and hotel bookings. Since its establishment in 2005, CheapOair has helped millions of budget-savvy travelers find great deals on airfare, car rentals, hotel stays, vacation packages, and last-minute flights.

You can book online, on their app, by phone, or by live chat. Their services include:

• Flights: Compare and book flights from 500+ airlines to find the best deals.
• Hotels: Find exclusive deals and discounts on all hotel types, from luxury and mid-range to budget-friendly accommodations.
• Bundles: Combine your flight and hotel for even bigger discounts.
• Car rentals: Search and compare cars from top providers like National, Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and Hertz.

CheapOair offers several booking options, including pay now, pay later, and rewards programs, so you can find the best deals that fit your budget and lifestyle.

Their Price Drop Protection program lets you lock in your lowest fares within 24 hours of booking and get a refund if the price drops.

Accrue Savings has partnered with CheapOair to help you save for your travel plans by making affordable weekly, biweekly, or monthly deposits into your Accrue account.

Create an account, set a savings goal, and fund your wallet with as much or as little money as you want. Along the way, CheapOair will contribute money to your account and provide you with a virtual debit card you will use to purchase once you hit your savings goal.

Top features

• Price match guarantee
• Robust filtering technology
• 24/7 customer support
• Expert guidance
• Free cancellations

2. Expedia

Expedia is one of the world’s leading online booking websites. It’s owned by Expedia Group, Inc., who owns other popular travel metasearch engines such as Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Trivago.

Expedia has a market cap of $17.60 billion, is available in over 70 countries, and offers services such as:

• Hotels and homes: Search, compare prices, and book hotels, homes, and vacation rentals at 1 million+ properties worldwide.
• Flights: Find deals on flights to anywhere in the world and select from economy, business, and first class tickets.
• Cars: Compare prices, read reviews, and book cars from major rental companies in one place.
• Packages: Save money on airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals by bundling them together for a seamless travel experience.
• Cruises: Get expert advice and book cruises to popular destinations, including the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean, and Hawaii.
• Things to do: Learn about activities, tours, attractions, and other experiences to make your trip more memorable. Select from several categories like adventure, food & drink, and shopping.

Expedia also offers two payment plans. You can either pay now and get a discounted price, or pay later with no additional fees through their Book Now, Pay Later option. Plus, you can earn points with their Expedia rewards program (One Key) that you can use toward future bookings.

Top features

• Flight recommendations
• Itinerary sharing
• Best Price Guarantee
• 24/7 customer service
• Bundling options
• Travel insurance

3. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a globally trusted travel website founded in 2003. It’s owned by Trip.com Group (formerly Ctrip) and operates several travel fare aggregators and metasearch engines, including Trip.com, Skyscanner, and MakeMyTrip. 

Skyscanner’s services include:

• Flights: Search and compare flights on top airlines, including British Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Emirates, in one simple search.
• Hotels: Find deals on hotels, apartments, villas, and homestays from over 1 million+ properties worldwide.
• Car rentals: Compare rates from major brands, like Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Thrifty.

They have flexible payment options, so you can choose the one that best fits your budget and lifestyle. Pay upfront with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal, or book now and pay later with Skyscanner’s Flexible Payment Plan. Skysacnner’s Price Alert feature notifies you when flight prices drop so you can book the best deal.

Top features

• Price alert notifications
• Flexible payments
• Savings generator
• 24/7 customer service
• In-app booking 

4. Booking.com

Booking.com is a global leader in online travel booking, offering over 28 million accommodations in more than 228 countries worldwide. Founded in 1996, it’s owned by Booking Holdings Inc., an American company that also claims other popular travel sites such as Agoda, OpenTable, Priceline.com, and Kayak. It’s popular for business travel, luxury travel, and last-minute weekend getaways.

They offer several services, including:

• Stays: Browse through hotels, vacation homes, resorts, and Airbnbs.
• Flights: Score the best deals on all major airlines and budget carriers.
• Car rentals: Streamline your destination travel needs with a rental car from major providers like Avis, Hertz, and Europcar.
• Attractions: Explore the top activities at your destination, including tours, nightlife, sightseeing, and cultural experiences. Save money with their Getaway Deal.

Booking.com offers several payment options, including online (through debit or credit cards), global payments (with Apple Pay, PayPal, or Google Pay), and book now, pay later. Plus, you can sign up for their Genius loyalty program and get rewards points whenever you make a reservation.

Top features

• Multilingual and global currency
• Best price guarantee
• Improved filters and sorting
• 24/7 customer service
• Mobile app for on-the-go booking

Traveling is a costly endeavor. The smartest way to finance it is to create a budget, save up in advance, and take advantage of rewards programs, discounts, and deals. Accrue Savings is a solution that helps you do just that — save money for travel and other big purchases.

You only need to create a goal-specific fund, like “Trip to Thailand” or “Family Reunion in Rio,” deposit as much or as little money as you’d like, and watch your savings grow. You can even set Autopay, which automatically transfers money from your checking account to your Accrue Savings fund for hassle-free saving. 

Accrue Savings’ partnership with CheapOair helps you earn 6% toward your travel purchases when you book through CheapOair. You will pay for your dream vacation upfront with cash, without resorting to credit. 

Maximize your vacation budget with Accrue Savings

Accrue Savings is the perfect solution for budget-conscious travelers who want to save money and make their dreams a reality. You can save up for the ultimate vacation, honeymoon, or family reunion and pay for it all upfront without going into debt. 

With Accrue Savings, you can maximize your vacation budget and get great deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities. Earn money when you shop with our partners to help cut down on your trip costs. 

Get started with Accrue Savings today and save big on your next trip!