Consumers should do their research before giving in to Travel Tuesday temptation

Chain stores have Black Friday. Online marketplaces have Cyber Monday. For local businesses, it's Small Business Saturday. In the last 20 years, more segments of the retail industry have vied for their own piece of the holiday shopping season. The travel trade firmly joined the trend with another post-Thanksgiving sales push: Travel Tuesday. On the same day as the nonprofit world's Giving Tuesday, December 2, airlines, hotels, cruise ship companies, travel booking platforms, and tour operators got in on the annual spirit to spend by promoting one-day deals. Consumer advocates say there are legitimate savings to be had, but also chances to be misled by marketing that conveys a false sense of urgency. “People see ‘40 percent off’ and assume it’s a once-in-a-lifetime steal, without recognizing that the underlying price may have been inflated or that the same itinerary was cheaper last month (October),” Sally French, a travel expert at personal finance site NerdWallet, said. She and other seasoned travelers advised consumers who wanted to see if they could save money by booking trips on Travel Tuesday to do research in advance and to pay especially close attention to the fine print attached to offers. People who were hoping to score last-minute deals for Christmas or New Year's needed to double-check for blackout dates or other restrictions, recommended Lindsay Schwimer, a consumer expert for the online travel site Hopper. It’s also wise to keep an eye out for nonrefundable fares, resort fees, double occupancy requirements, or upgrade conditions that may be hidden within advertised discounts, according to French. Shoppers should be wary of travel packages with extra transportation options or add-on offers, French said. Instead of lowering fares or room rates, some companies use statement credits, extra points, included amenities, and bundled extras as a way to tempt potential customers, she said. “Many travel brands want to keep sticker prices high to maintain an aura of luxury, but they still need to fill planes, ships, and hotel rooms,” French said. “Add-on perks are their workaround.” This article was provided by The Associated Press.