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Search vacation packages on KAYAK. Search for the cheapest package for all major destinations around the world . KAYAK is a travel tool that searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find the vacation package that suits you best.

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24 Best Travel Websites and Apps to Find Deals and Save You Money

Use our guide to the best travel websites and find discounts and deals so you can vacation without breaking the bank.

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Whether you’re looking for a cheap last-minute vacation or planning to go home for the holidays, you’ll want to know the best travel websites to use. And if you’re tired of wondering which sites are best for each part of your trip planning, we’ve got you covered. 

Here are some of the best travel sites we’ve found to help you bag bargains on airfares, lodging, car rentals and all your other travel needs. Best of all, almost all of the travel websites are free to use. Bon voyage! 

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Best websites to save on airfare

Keeping up with airfare prices has gotten easier thanks to sites like Google Flights and Kayak . To use them, just type in your home and destination airport, pick the flights that work best for you and then set an alert to track the price. For example, Google Flights will send you an e-mail showing if your tracked flight went up or down in price. Both sites also let you see which days are cheaper to fly in that month. Airfarewatchdog also lets you search flight deals.

If you haven’t decided on where exactly you want to go,  sign up for Going (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights.) Their newsletter comes straight to your inbox with deals on domestic and international locations. Or you can follow Twitter handles such as @TheFlightDeal for flights, too.

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Best websites for flight information

Once your flight is booked, you’ll want to keep tabs on gate changes, layover information and more. FlightStats.com can help you plan a smooth trip by advising you on the best time of day to fly from a specific airport and which terminals to avoid when connecting flights. You can also view live updates of flight delays and sign up for free e-mail and phone alerts. Flightaware.com also tracks and predicts flight delays.

If you’re delayed by weather or some unforeseen event, it pays to act quickly. The TripIt Pro smartphone app ($49/year) will send you alerts about cancellations, delays or gate changes, sometimes even ahead of an airline announcement. Use it to locate alternate flights, find out when better seats are available, get fare refund notifications, track your rewards program points, and more.

Best websites to save on hotels

Hotels.com lets you search just one site for accommodations at hundreds of thousands of properties. Plus, its rewards program is simple: For every ten nights you spend at any combination of the program’s 500,000 member properties, you’ll earn a free night’s stay. As a member, you also unlock an average discount of 15% on select hotels. 

Similarly, HotelTonight is an app that lets users book hotels at low last-minute rates. Priceline Express Deals helps you find the best bargains, but there’s a catch. Priceline doesn’t tell you which hotel you’re booking until after you pay.

And try TripAdvisor.com for a detailed list of rated hotels (and excursions) that are close to your destination. The site links you to partner sites, such as Expedia and Travelocity for fulfillment. Click on the "check rates" button and select the site or sites you’d like to try — a new window with results will open for each partner.

Best websites to save on vacation rentals

Vacation rentals are an especially good value for groups because they generally offer more space and amenities for prices similar to or less than hotel rates, particularly if you look at it on a per-bed basis. Check out VRBO and Airbnb to find the perfect experience. For Marriott loyalists, Marriott Bonvoy lets you browse its 30-brand portfolio — which includes more than 2,000 private homes.

At the other end of the scale, if you don’t mind college-dorm-level amenities, check out Hostelworld.com , as a way to save money on vacation rental properties . The site lists 36,000 properties in 178 countries around the globe and includes reviews.

Best websites for cruises and vacation packages

At CruiseCompete.com , more than 500 travel agencies vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you’re booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. You set up a CruiseCompete account, and they send you their best offers without ever seeing your personal information.

Kayak.com and Tripadvisor.com will also knit together vacation packages for you. Just type in your destination and travel dates to get the best prices.

Best websites to save on rental cars

Hotwire often offers the best-published deals on cars by collecting rates from its eight rental car company partners, including Alamo, Enterprise and Hertz. The site also offers "hot rates" from rental companies that aren't identified until after you’ve paid.

And while Hotwire does offer some good prepaid rental car deals, in certain international cities for the best overseas auto deals you should check out AutoEurope . It offers rentals at more than 20,000 locations worldwide, and customer service is available 24/7.

AutoSlash is also a good site to find rental deals, as it will apply the best coupons and discount codes to your rental and re-book your reservation if the system finds a better deal.

Best websites to save on international train tickets

Trains are often the fastest and cheapest way to travel within and between European countries. Our favorite for checking timetables and booking tickets on European train lines is RailEurope . But you might be able to catch better deals directly from European railways’ sites if you don’t get lost in translation — and make sure you have what you need to travel to Europe as an American!

Best websites for travel insurance

You never know when an emergency situation will spoil your travel plans. That's what travel insurance is for. But don't just go for the default options from agencies and travel providers. At Squaremouth , you can compare plans and prices from multiple insurance providers with just one search and narrow your search results by specifying the kind of coverage you need. Another option is InsureMyTrip.com .

Rivan joined Kiplinger on Leap Day 2016 as a reporter for Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. A Michigan native, she graduated from the University of Michigan in 2014 and from there freelanced as a local copy editor and proofreader, and served as a research assistant to a local Detroit journalist. Her work has been featured in the Ann Arbor Observer and Sage Business Researcher . She is currently assistant editor, personal finance at The Washington Post.

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14 Easy Tips to Always Find Cheap Flights

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

For most trips, airfare is the most expensive part of the trip. While prices for transatlantic flights have gone down in recent years, they can still put a sizeable dent in any travel budget. Whether you’re a budget solo traveler or a family looking to vacation abroad, finding a cheap flight deal can be what makes or breaks your trip.

After all, if your flight is too expensive, you’re likely going to keep putting the trip off. I’ve seen it happen time and time again.

And yet every day, airlines have thousands of amazing deals — from mistakenly published fares to special promotions to slashing prices to compete with another airline. Cheap fares are out there and they can make your dream trip a reality — if you know where to look (I start all my flight searches with Skyscanner ).

Today, I am going to help you master the art of finding a cheap flight. These are the exact steps I’ve been following for a decade to get the cheapest airfare possible every time I fly. If you follow them too, you’ll never be the person on a flight who paid the most for their ticket!

Here’s how to find a cheap flight no matter where you want to go in the world:

Table of Contents

1. Ignore the Myths

2. be flexible with your travel dates and times, 3. be flexible with your destinations, 4. keep an eye for special deals, 5. fly budget carriers, 6. don’t always fly direct, 7. remember not all search engines are equal, 8. take advantage of student discounts, 9. mix and match airlines, 10. use points and miles, 11. search ticket prices for individual travelers, 12. look for tickets in other currencies, 13. book early (but not too early), 14. book hidden city fares, find your cheap flights today.

The first thing to know about finding a cheap flight is that there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick to doing so. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights. In fact, you’ve probably come across a ton of them on your search to find the best flight deal!

They are all lies. They will lead you astray.

Most websites hire terrible reporters who recycle common and outdated myths. Here are the most common that are 100% not true:

• It is NOT cheaper to buy airfare on a Tuesday (or any other specific day for that matter).
• There is NO evidence that searching incognito leads to cheaper deals.
• There is NO exact date or specific time period in which to book your airfare.
• You can’t predict airline prices and websites that do are basically taking an educated (but probably wrong) guess.

Airlines use advanced computer and pricing algorithms to determine prices and run sales based on the time of the year, passenger demand, weather, major events/festivals, time of day, competitor prices, fuel prices, and much more. Those so-called “tricks” don’t work anymore. The system is too smart. Throw them out. Let them die.

Don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Anyone who is telling you doesn’t know what they are talking about.  

Airline ticket prices vary greatly depending on the day of the week, time of year, and upcoming holidays, such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, or the Fourth of July. August is a big month for traveling around Europe , and everyone wants to go somewhere warm in the winter or travel when the kids are out of school.

In a nutshell, if you are going to fly when everyone is flying, then your ticket is going to cost more.

The solution is to fly off-season. Search alternative dates so that you can capitalize on the best day. The more rigid your plans, the less likely it will be that you find a deal.

Try to be flexible with your dates. If you are dead-set on visiting Paris , go in the spring or fall when fewer people visit and airfares are cheaper.

But if you want to go in the middle of August? You’re out of luck. Hawaii over Christmas? Good luck! Prices will be at their highest.

Moreover, it’s almost always cheaper to fly during the middle of the week than on a weekend because most people travel on the weekends and airlines hike their prices then. Prices are cheaper if you fly after or on a major holiday. Early-morning or late-night flights are also cheaper because fewer people want to travel then (who wants to wake up early?!). Fridays and Mondays are expensive because that’s when most business travelers fly.

When searching on Skyscanner , simply click on the date field to expand the calendar view and you’ll immediately see the cheapest months to fly. On this search from NYC to Paris, you can see that traveling during September, November, or December would be half as much as traveling during June or July:

Airlines are not dumb. They know when a festival, holiday, major sports event, or school break is coming up — and they raise prices accordingly.

Be flexible with your dates and times and you’ll save yourself some major money.  

If you can’t be flexible with when you fly, at least be flexible with where you fly. It’s best to be flexible with both, but if you really want to save the most money and get a cheap flight for your trip, you at least need to be flexible with one or the other.

Airline search engines have made it really easy to search the entire world to find the cheapest ticket. You no longer have to search manually, city by city, day by day. Websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights offer explore tools that allow you to put in your home airport and see a map of the world with all the flights on it. This allows you to easily compare multiple destinations without having to brainstorm every possible option. You’ll likely even find some interesting destinations you hadn’t even thought of either!

If you are flexible with where you want to go (i.e., anywhere but home), all you need to do is type “Everywhere” into the search box on Skyscanner or “Anywhere” if you’re using Google Flights.

The truth about airfare is that there’s always a deal to some destination — it might just not be your first choice. However, if you’re flexible about where you want to go, you’ll always get a deal and save a ton of money in the process.

When you are locked into one place at one time, you are stuck with whatever price shows up. Nothing can change that. But when you become flexible, suddenly the entire world opens up to you and you’ll find amazing cheap airfares!  

Before you start looking for specific lights, make sure you’ve signed up for some newsletters. Joining the mailing list for airlines and last-minute deal websites will give you access to the absolute best deals out there. Sure, 99% of them might not fit your itinerary but keeping your eye on the deals will ensure you don’t miss an amazing opportunity.

More often than not, cheap flights are only available for a limited window (usually 24 hours). If you aren’t always scouring the web for sales, you’ll likely miss out on the best deals.

I would have missed out on a round-trip ticket to Japan for $700 USD (normally $1,500) as well as a $500 flight to South Africa if I wasn’t signed up to flight deal websites.

Additionally, airline newsletters often offer frequent flier bonuses. Those points and miles can add up to free flights and awesome upgrades.

Aside from joining airline newsletters, the best website for finding travel deals is Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) . It’s the BEST for upcoming US flight deals and new users can get 20% off a Premium membership with the code NOMADICMATT20.

Other sites worth checking out are:

• The Flight Deal – Great for global flight deals.
• Holiday Pirates – The best for European flight deals.
• Secret Flying – A great site for flight deals from around the world.

Years ago, if you wanted to fly between continents, you were mostly stuck with traditional expensive airlines. That’s no longer true. These days, you can fly most of the way around the world on a budget airline. Sure, they might not be as comfortable and you may need to pay for premium upgrades like checked bags and meals, but they bring the world to your doorstep without breaking the bank.

Budget airlines mainly service short and medium-haul routes. While many budget carriers (notably Norwegian Air) scrapped their long-haul routes during COVID, new ones (like PLAY, Norse Atlantic Airways, and French Bee) have now arisen to take their place.

For now, budget airlines mainly operate regionally so it’s really easy to find a cheap flight, even during this age of higher prices.

• Flair Airlines
• Air Canada Rouge
• Air Transat

United States

• Allegiant Air
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• Hong Kong Express
• Spring Airlines
• T’Way Airlines
• Cebu Pacific
• VietJet Air
• Norwegian Air

Australia/New Zealand

Middle East

Flying budget airlines is a good alternative to flying “the majors” whenever possible. You get fewer perks, but you can save a bundle in price.

Just be sure to watch out for fees. That’s how they make money! Budget airlines often charge fees for checked bags, carry-ons, printing your boarding pass, using a credit card, and anything else they can get away with. Be sure to add up the cost of the ticket AND the fees to make sure that the price is lower than a larger carrier.

You’ll also want to double-check the location of the budget airline’s airport at your intended destination. These airlines often fly in and out of airports that are quite far from the actual city, with limited and expensive transportation options.

For example, the shuttle to Beauvais, the budget airport for Paris , costs 17 EUR one-way. If you’re flying roundtrip, this means that you should add about 34 EUR to the price of your plane ticket to see if you’re even saving much by flying a budget airline.  

Not only does it help to be flexible with dates and destinations but being flexible with the route you take is another way to get a cheap flight. For example, sometimes it’s cheaper to fly to London and take a budget airline to Amsterdam than to fly direct to Amsterdam from your departure city.

I did precisely this when I was going to Paris. The flight from the US was $900 USD, but I could fly to Dublin for $600 and get a $60 flight to Paris. It meant more flying time, but the $240 USD I saved was worth it to me.

To use this method, find out how much it is to go directly to your destination. Then, open Google Flights and type in that destination’s continent to look at prices to nearby airports. If the difference is more than $150 USD, I look to see how much it is to get from the second airport to my primary destination (either by budget flight or train, if it’s not too far). You can use Rome2Rio to help search for the best ways to get between a nearby airport and your primary destination.

You can also do this for leaving too. It might be cheaper to fly out from a nearby airport. I often search other airports to see if it’s cheaper to fly/drive/train there and then fly to my final destination. For long international flights, it can be worth the added time!

If you do book separate segments, be sure to have at least three hours between connections. This will give you space in case there is a delay as your second flight won’t wait for you (you booked with a separate airline, so they won’t care if you’re late or not).

Leaving a three-hour buffer will also cover you for an insurance claim since most insurance companies require you to have at least a 3-hour delay before you can make a claim.

This method is more work since you have to figure out lots of different routes and check different airlines. But it can lower the price of your flight, which is worth the extra effort if you end up saving a few hundred bucks.

Note : If you ever have a delayed flight to or from Europe, you might be owed additional compensation (upwards of 600 EUR). Here’s how to find out if you’re entitled to compensation!  

In order to find the best deal, you need to search multiple websites. Many major search sites don’t list budget carriers or obscure foreign carriers because those airlines don’t want to pay a booking commission. Others don’t list booking sites that aren’t in English. And others still only display prices retrieved directly from airlines.

In short, not all flight search websites are created equal and all have their pros and cons.

Since there is no perfect airline search engine, you’ll want to search a few to compare. Even the best have their faults. That said, I have a few favorites I always start with as they tend to consistently show the best results. To me, the best websites to find a cheap flight are the following:

• Skyscanner – The best booking site out there. They have a great user interface (and a great app for mobile )
• Google Flights – Great search engine that lets you see prices for multiple destinations.

Typically, I start all my searches with Skyscanner because it searches all major AND budget airlines, non-English websites, English websites, and everything in between. They vet all the sites they link to as they have strict criteria on who they operate with. It’s one of the most comprehensive booking sites out there and they have the lowest price 99% of the time. I’ve been using them since 2008, and it’s the search engine all the other travel experts I know use too.  

If you are a student (or under 26), there are many discounts available to you. You can usually find prices 10-20% off the standard fare. Travel agencies like Flight Centre and Student Universe can help find you a cheap ticket. Don’t overlook them!

Additionally, keep in mind that most student discounts transfer over to airline partners. For example, Lufthansa offers a student discount, which means you can use that discount on partner airlines such as Swiss Airlines and Austrian Airlines. This will allow you to go much further afield while still saving a ton of money.

If you’re not sure which airlines offer discounts (they don’t make this information easy to find), visit their website or call them. Doing a little digging to save 20% (or more) will be worth it!  

When you book directly with an airline, you’ll only be able to fly that airline and any partner airlines it has. That means your options will be limited when it comes to finding the perfect itinerary or saving the most money.

Usually, that will suffice. However, if you’re chasing greater savings, try booking your tickets on separate airlines. For example, if you’re flying from New York to Paris, you might have a stop in London. Booking both legs as one ticket will be simple, but it likely won’t save you money.

Instead, book your New York to London flight as one ticket and then your London to Paris ticket with another airline. That will allow you to shop around for the best bargain. It’s more work, but the savings (and flexibility) can be worth it.

This is what most third-party booking websites like Kiwi.com do. They piece together trips using whatever flights they can find to ensure you get the cheapest price.

If you’re hunting for the lowest possible price and aren’t happy with what you’re finding on the airline’s website, try booking separate segments. You might just stumble onto a great deal!  

As soon as you know you want to travel somewhere you should sign up for a travel credit card. Using points and miles is the #1 way avid travelers like me earn free flights, travel perks, and free hotel stays. Travel credit cards offer huge welcome bonuses, credit toward rideshares like Uber or Lyft, access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and much more.

You don’t need to do any extra spending either. I earn over a million miles a year — without flying or spending extra money. That translates into dozens of free flights (often in business class) for myself and my family.

If you are smart with your money and collect points and miles, you can travel around the world for very little (and often free). Here are some articles that can help you get started:

• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Every Year
• Is Collecting Points and Miles Really a Scam?
• The Ultimate Guide to Points and Miles
• The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Best Travel Credit Card
• The Best Travel Credit Cards for Travelers

If you already have some points and miles collected, consider joining a platform like point.me . It’s a search and booking engine that helps you find the best ways to use your points and miles. It searches 30+ loyalty and 100+ airline programs to find the best value possible so you never waste your miles! Get your first month for just $1 with the code NOMADICMATT .  

If you’re traveling with friends or family, don’t search for or buy multiple tickets in a single purchase. Airlines always show the highest ticket price in a group of tickets which means you’ll end up paying more money.

Airlines have tons of different price points for tickets (these are based on a variety of factors). They want to sell tickets in the highest fare bucket possible and, when they group tickets together, always list prices in the highest fare bucket.

For example, if you are a family of four and you’re searching for four seats, the airline will find four seats together and show your fare based on the highest ticket price. So if seat A is $200, seats B and C are $300, and seat D is $400, it will price those tickets as $400 each instead of adding up the individual ticket prices. If the price difference is large, that translates into a sizeable extra expense.

For that reason, always search for tickets as a single person. Afterward, in the checkout process, you can pick your seats so you and your family are sitting together. And even if you end up not beside one another, that’s a fair trade for saving a few hundred dollars.  

If your country’s currency is currently strong compared to others around the world, search for airfare in a country where the currency is weaker.

For example, when the US dollar was strong and the New Zealand currency weak, I found a one-way flight from Australia to NYC for $1,000 USD. However, when I searched on the New Zealand version of the airline, I found the same ticket for $600 USD.

It was the same airline, same flight, and same booking class — it was just booked in a different currency. This tip does not always work, but it works often enough that it’s something worth trying if your currency is currently doing well.

( Tip : Always use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card to avoid paying a surcharge .)  

Airline fares keep rising the closer you get to departure, but there is a sweet spot when the airlines begin to either lower or increase fares based on demand. Don’t wait until the last second but don’t book far, far in advance either. The best time to book your flight is around 2-3months before your departure, or around five months before if you are going to your destination during their peak season.

This isn’t a hard and fast rule, though, so use it as a guide. I could go on forever about airline pricing models but airlines raise prices closer to departure because the people who book last minute tend to be price insensitive business travelers so they will pay whatever. So don’t book last minute!  

This is a more advanced (and riskier) way of finding cheap flights, but if you’re adamant about spending as little money as possible, it’s worth looking for hidden city fares. This is when you book a flight that has a layover in your desired destination. You then get off the plane and exit the airport at the layover city instead of continuing onto the final destination that you booked the ticket for.

For example, say you want to fly from Austin to Atlanta. A flight from Austin to New Orleans with a stop in Atlanta might be cheaper than booking Austin to Atlanta directly.

As you can imagine, this practice can get complicated and tricky. There are a few crucial elements to keep in mind, namely that once you skip a leg, the airline cancels the rest of your trip. That means that you cannot buy round-trip flights and do this practice on your departure flight, because your return flight will be cancelled. Also, you cannot check bags, as they will end up in the final destination on your ticket, not where you get off.

Additionally, airlines strongly frown upon this practice, so you don’t want to advertise that this is what you’re doing, and you don’t want to do it often, otherwise you might get flagged.

All that being said, you can save hundreds of dollars with hidden city flights, and it’s perfectly legal. It’s easy to search for hidden city flights on the website Skiplagged . Just do so at your own risk!

Finding a cheap flight is all about being flexible and getting creative. It may take some effort, but the deals are out there if you’re willing to look. Follow the tips above to get started, but don’t waste hours and hours hunting for a cheap flight. If you’re spending more than an hour booking a flight, you’re spending too much time.

Once you find a flight deal that you’re happy with, book right away, as airfares change by the minute. Remember that you have a 24-hour window to cancel in case you need to.

Use the tips above on how to get a cheap flight to get the ball rolling. Do that, and you’ll always get a great deal!  

I start all my searches with Skyscanner because they search all major AND budget airlines, non-English websites, English websites, and everything in between. Even if you aren’t sure of your plans, it’s best to start searching for flights today. People who wait to book are people who end up spending the most.

Use this widget to plan your next trip:

READ NEXT —-> How to Put This Into Practice: 5 Step-by-Step Instructions for Booking a Flight

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. If you have any questions about the companies or my status as an affiliate, please don’t hesitate to email me.

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Everything you need to know about Costco Travel — and why I love it for saving money

Costco isn't just the place where you can buy toilet paper in bulk, inexpensive gas, cheap hot dogs and gift cards. You can also book great trips via the company's online travel agency, Costco Travel.

I know, I know: At TPG, we're often staunchly against booking travel through third-party sites , as there can be tradeoffs versus booking directly. But in recent years, I've become a big fan of the travel deals I can find via Costco Travel.

When planning our annual beach trip back in 2022, my best friend found a few options for Mexican all-inclusive resorts on Costco Travel and shared the links with me. I promptly told her we'd probably be better off booking directly and brushed off the idea of booking through Costco — neither of us even had a membership at the time.

However, comparing the prices and benefits at a few of the resorts proved my initial reaction wrong.

I actually got a Costco membership to book the deal since the cost of the membership was less than what we'd save by booking through Costco. We saved around $300 on a three-night stay at TRS Coral near Cancun (one of TPG's best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun ), not including the free hydrotherapy spa circuit and the $241 Digital Costco Shop Card included in the package.

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Our stay was fantastic, and I officially became a Costco Travel convert.

If you're curious about how to use Costco Travel to find deals, here's everything you need to know about Costco Travel — and why I love it for saving money on travel.

What is Costco Travel?

All Costco members have access to the Costco Travel booking platform, where you can find and book a wide range of travel — from vacation packages to hotels, cruises and rental cars. You can even book theme park vacation packages to Disney and Universal or specialty vacations such as an African safari.

Related: Costco cruise deals: How to save money booking travel at a warehouse club

Once you log in to Costco Travel, you can search for specific dates or destinations or browse through available deals and featured destinations. I personally love perusing the limited-time deals when I know I want to plan a getaway but don't have a specific destination in mind.

Trips booked through Costco Travel are often discounted and/or include perks and benefits you may not get by booking directly or through other booking portals. Usually, a trip booked through Costco Travel will also include a Digital Costco Shop Card (essentially a type of Costco gift card) of varying value.

What travel can you book through Costco Travel?

You can book hotels, cruises, rental cars and vacation packages through Costco Travel. Vacation packages range from hotel-only offers to all-encompassing packages that include airfare, hotel stays and rental cars. You can even build your own package.

However, one thing to note is that you can't book stand-alone flights via Costco Travel. There is an option to book flights through some vacation packages, but if you're only looking for airfare, you'll want to head to Google Flights to check out your options and book.

You can book Costco Travel offers both online and by phone.

Do you have to be a Costco member to use Costco Travel?

Yes. Costco Travel is an exclusive service for Costco members.

There are two personal membership levels: Gold Star and Executive. Gold Star costs $60 per year, while an Executive membership costs $120. The basic membership will give you access to all of Costco's services, including Costco Travel, while the Executive membership also comes with a 2% reward on all Costco (and Costco Travel) purchases.

I've found that the Costco Travel deals alone are worth paying the $60 Gold Star annual membership fee, even though I don't regularly use Costco for my grocery store runs.

Check sites like Groupon for discount Costco memberships, as you can sometimes save on that rate — or get an included gift card that helps offset the cost.

Is Costo Travel worth it?

Costco Travel has its pros and cons, but there are definitely times when it's worth it.

For example, let's look at a five-night stay in Maui in early April. At the time of writing, Costco is currently offering a hotel and rental car package for Hotel Wailea, a Relais & Chateaux affiliated property and one of TPG's favorite Maui hotels .

Here's one cost comparison breakdown of Costco Travel's deal versus booking directly:

Even without including the additional benefits, you're already saving more than $400 via the Costco deal. Add in the value you get from the card, daily breakfast and resort credit (which is more than $1,000 in value if you maximize all benefits), and you're looking at $1,442.45 in savings by booking through Costco Travel versus directly.

And since Hotel Wailea isn't a member of any major hotel loyalty program, booking through Costco Travel wouldn't mean missing out on elite night credits or other loyalty program benefits.

Here's another example — this time for a Universal Orlando theme park trip from June 4-6 for one adult and two children from Houston. The total cost when booking each part (hotel, tickets and airfare) individually came to $2,701.35, while booking it as a package via Costco saved just over $300.

That's a fair amount of savings you could use for some frozen butterbeer or even a new wand inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter .

When is Costco Travel not worth it?

Not every offer on Costco is worth booking.

For one, you won't necessarily find the same availability on Costco Travel. For example, flights booked through Costco may have some seats blocked off, and certain dates for hotel stays may be unavailable. Additionally, not all rental car companies are bookable through Costco Travel (such as Hertz*, which is my preferred rental car company due to the perks I get through my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ).

Plus, some hotel stays have a minimum stay requirement. If you're on the hunt for a long weekend getaway, you may not be able to take advantage of some Costco Travel deals.

Even when you do find availability, you should always price-check what you can find by booking directly or through your credit card travel portal and hotel programs.

After booking our fantastic stay at TRS Coral just north of Cancun through Costco, I looked at booking through Costco again in 2023 when planning our annual beach vacation.

While Costco had a deal available for the same resort, we happened to be booking when the resort chain was having a Mother's Day sale for anyone booking directly. We were able to try out a new TRS resort closer to Playa Del Carmen, TRS Yucatan; we saved more than $100 on an even nicer suite than Costco Travel offered by booking directly (even when considering the Digital Shop Card we would have gotten by booking with Costco).

Something else to consider when booking hotels through Costco Travel is loyalty program rewards and elite status. There are a lot of hotels available to book through Costco Travel that are part of major loyalty programs, from Hyatt Honors to Marriott Bonvoy to IHG One Rewards and more. But booking through Costco Travel — just like booking through most other third-party services such as Expedia — means you likely won't earn loyalty rewards, elite night credits or have any elite night benefits honored.

You'll also have to use Costco customer service if you run into any issues rather than going directly to the brand. This is especially important when considering booking a vacation package that includes flights, given the higher potential for delays or cancellations.

Why I love Costco Travel

I am typically a staunch proponent of booking directly, but Costco Travel is an exception. I've found that the benefits I can get by booking some trips via Costco outweigh the cons (some of which include having to go through Costco for any customer service help or occasionally losing out on elite night credits).

Digital Costco Shop Cards

My favorite thing about booking trips through Costco Travel is the Digital Costco Shop Card I get after booking. The card's value varies from trip to trip (generally depending on how expensive the package you book), but you can get hundreds of dollars back to use at Costco.

The Digital Costco Shop Cards can be used for Costco warehouse purchases (a game changer with grocery prices so high due to inflation), but you can also use them toward future Costco Travel bookings. And remember — Costco doesn't just carry bulk grocery items. You could use a Digital Costco Shop Card to buy a new flat-screen TV for movie nights and game days, a new outdoor patio setup ahead of summer or even Costco Pharmacy prescriptions.

I admittedly don't use Costco for groceries often (buying in bulk doesn't make a lot of sense for someone who lives alone), but I have used shop cards to help pay for Christmas presents and future Costco Travel trips. I've actually been looking into using my most recent Digital Costco Shop Card on a new pair of AirPods and a new TV mount for my living room.

Deals on non-points hotel stays and all-inclusive resorts

When I'm looking at booking a hotel stay at a brand like Hyatt or Marriott, I generally choose to book directly in order to earn elite night credits and points. However, when looking at properties not part of a major loyalty program, Costco Travel is often a go-to anytime I can find a deal.

Costco Travel has a nice deals section, and I usually look there first if I'm not sold on a specific destination for a getaway. While deals found on Costco generally have a narrow booking window, I've found that many offer a lot of flexibility for the actual trip dates.

A few examples of limited-time deals for January include Hotel Wailea from the example earlier in this guide, all-inclusive resorts in Mexico's Riviera Maya, and Disney and Universal theme park packages.

Simplifying group vacations

I'm often the travel planner in my friend group (which makes sense, considering what I do for a living), but not everyone is an avid points and miles user like myself. For group trips where we're splitting the cost of hotel rooms among multiple people, it often doesn't make sense to use points and miles to book.

Costco Travel vacation packages offer a way for all of us to save money, and it makes narrowing down potential destinations and hotels easier. Rather than everyone having to spend hours researching ideas and prices from across the internet — which might be my idea of a fun Wednesday night but isn't for some of my friends — I typically just send them to Costco Travel to see if any of the featured deals catch their eye.

Having reservation information for multiple aspects of a trip, such as a hotel and rental car package, makes sharing and saving the itineraries a breeze.

Bottom line

Whether or not you currently have a Costco membership, you shouldn't dismiss Costco Travel as just another online travel agency.

If you know where to look and are willing to price-check the deals you find, you can save a lot of money with Costco Travel deals. I've personally had a lot of success booking friends getaways to popular destinations like Mexico through Costco. Using the service has helped me save on other expenses with the Digital Costco Shop Card I've gotten with my bookings.

For me, the $60 annual membership fee to Costco has been more than worth it to utilize Costco Travel.

*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

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• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
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ULTIMATE Costco Travel Review [2024]: Who It Is & Isn’t For

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

TL:DR: After testing Costco Travel, we recommend it if you don’t like planning all of the details of your trip—Costco Travel makes it super simple to purchase a planned vacation package, even though it might not be the cheapest option. Here are the key takeaways from our Costco Travel review:

• Costco Travel offers vacation packages to destinations worldwide, including resorts, cruises, theme parks, and guided tours.
• Pricing can be 20-30% lower compared to other agencies (but you might be able to find cheaper bookings if you enjoy researching travel deals). Executive members get added value like credits and upgrades.
• We had a positive experience booking a Costa Rica package but found extra fees, so make sure that you fully understand what’s included in your package—for example, are meals included in your resort stay?
• You can purchase flights as part of a package, but not on their own. If problems arise with the flight, Costco directs you to the airlines (even if you have trip insurance).
• Cancellations and refunds are available under specific circumstances. Travel insurance provides some protection.

I fell in love with Costco because of their famous $1.50 hotdog and soda combo. But these aren’t the only deals that they have.

When it comes to selling package deals, Costco knows how it’s done. You can’t find better deals than their Kirkland brand products, gas fill-ups, and travel packages!

That’s right; I said travel packages. Costco Travel is a leader in selling vacation packages available only to members.

Costco is different from your ordinary travel search engine. They offer bundles for your favorite theme parks and cruise lines. But is it worth the membership?

Keep reading to determine if the membership is worth springing for.

Table of Contents

What is Costco Travel? 

Costco is a members-only wholesale company that opened its first warehouse in 1983. Their popularity snowballed from there. 

Costco was the first company to reach $3 billion in sales in its first six years. In 2000, they branched out and created Costco Travel . 

The funny thing is that to this day, many people still don’t know Costco also sells travel packages! These packages can include flights, hotels, cruises, cars, and more. 

They work with an individual tour company to sell you the same travel packages as the tour companies but with added benefits.

How Does Costco Travel Work?

You’ll have to become a member to get a Costco Travel package. There are two levels of membership that both allow you to take advantage of these Costco Travel deals. 

The basic “Gold Star” annual membership costs $60. With this level, you’ll be able to receive the unique Costco offers at their warehouses and online. 

The “Executive” membership costs $120. As an executive member, you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of the Gold Star membership and extra perks such as:

• Exclusive deals and benefits on Costco services
• 2% cash back on Costco and Costco Travel purchases

Both membership levels are great deals and help you save money. 

Search for a Travel Package

Start by clicking the travel service you’re looking for on the Costco Travel website. To find a vacation package from there, enter your destination, region, and dates. 

You can adjust the dates in each city for your Costco Travel vacation packages. It’s possible to add flights, but many Costco members book flights separately. 

There’s also no separate search engine for booking flights. You can get a better price and have more control over which flight you take by doing it yourself. 

I suggest creating a Costco Travel account to manage your vacation packages, rental cars, and hotel rooms.

Costco Travel Review: My Experience With Using Costco Travel

Costco Travel Vacation Packages

One of the biggest perks of these travel packages is the convenience of booking your vacation through Costco. I used Costco Travel on one of my recent trips to Costa Rica.

The package I purchased was around $6,000 for two weeks at a resort, which is a reasonable price. 

While searching, you’ll notice that each of the vacation packages provides a list of benefits. 

Some resorts give you breakfast for free and food credits per day. Others won’t include any food at all. Pay close attention–it’s frustrating when you expect everything to be paid, but it’s not.

Costco Travel doesn’t automatically include airport transportation either. When clicking through, you have to choose from multiple transportation options.

Executive members can use their 2% cashback reward on any vacation package. 

Costco Flights

I like to book directly when purchasing a flight. However, Costco Travel airline tickets don’t exist for purchase separately. These flights always come as part of a package.

You can choose from a few options under the packages section that come with a flight: flight + hotel,  flight + hotel + car, and the total vacation package. 

Even if you have trip insurance, that won’t help with flight issues. If a problem arises, they’ll send you to the airline instead. 

Costco Hotels

When booking a hotel room through Costco Travel, you should know a few things.

If you’re looking for a hotel in certain cities, you’ll need a Costco membership to see the total price. 

Some popular cities worldwide aren’t available on Costco Travel, so you’ll only see travel packages without hotels for those cities. 

To book a hotel for New York City, for instance, you’ll have to book the hotel directly. 

Costco Rental Cars

Costco Travel has an easy interface for booking a rental car. However, they show only a select few car rental companies.

When I was looking for car rentals in Italy, I got only four different car rental companies to choose from. Those were Alamo, AVIS, Budget, and Enterprise. 

Car rentals can be expensive, so I suggest comparing prices with other companies before purchasing from Costco Travel. 

Costco Travel Cruises

Costco Travel offers its Costco members the ability to purchase a cruise through their easy-to-use search engine. Most other travel booking sites don’t provide this feature. 

You can choose the destination you want and even a specific cruise line. There are also options to look specifically for Alaskan cruises only.

Depending on how many days you choose for your cruise, several different options will appear. You’ll get the same Costco value when you’ve booked through Costco. 

There will be many reviews for each route, and select cruises are up to 30% off. Below are the different cruise lines you can choose from (not including Alaska cruises):

• Carnival 
• Celebrity Cruises
• Disney Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Even with Costco Travel’s alleged 30% savings, the price still seems the same as booking directly. 

Others are getting certain benefits like a Costco gift card and onboard credit. It’s worth booking through Costo Travel if you get these perks.

Other Deals Through Costco Travel

Theme parks & speciality vacations.

If you look further into the Costco site, you’ll find that they offer even more vacation packages. 

These range from Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood resort packages to an African safari. Costco Travel has it all!

These packages aren’t cheap but are some of the most sought-after bucket list trips. You can choose from many adventures if you want a family-friendly experience.

Going on an African safari has been on my list for many years. Costco Travel has full trips planned for you already. It’s absolutely amazing–like having your own travel agent.

These guided vacations might not have lower prices, but having your trip booked through Costco Travel is more straightforward than other travel sites.

Unique Deals

Costco Travel works with other travel agencies to get travel deals for its members. Executive members enjoy extra perks like free upgrades, food/spa credits, and more.

Costco Travel also offers upgraded Kirkland Signature vacations. It’s the same brand you know and love but with travel. Costco Travel offers deals on these trips for up to 20% off. 

Kirkland Signature has featured deals that last only a short time. You can scroll through pre-built vacation packages with set dates.

These deals often offer other perks and services, making Kirkland Signature deals impressive ways to kick back and relax. 

Cash Back on Purchases

As an executive member, you can enjoy up to 2% cash back on purchases through Costco and Costco Travel. 

There’s also a credit card called “Costco Anywhere Visa,” which gives you 3% cash back. Having their credit card is helpful if you know you’ll purchase from Costco Travel often.

Different Payment Options

When using Costco booking, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a flexible payment option. You’ll only have to pay a small percentage (in comparison) upfront. 

If you’re using Costco Travel booking services, you can also choose a payment plan to spread it out. Who doesn’t love a good payment plan?

Membership is Necessary 

To get Costco Travel exclusive deals, you must be a member. 

This downside might not be a big deal to Costco members who pay the membership solely for Costco Wholesale. And, considering what you get from it, the membership cost isn’t that steep. 

The extra price you’ll pay for a travel agent will cost you more. Plus, you don’t get the other services that Costco offers.

Hidden Extra Expenses

When I chose my vacation package to Costa Rica, I noticed that these resorts didn’t always offer free food and beverages. Instead, some gave you “credits.” 

If you don’t read closely, you might think the food and drinks are free (especially given the prices). 

I saw this less often when purchasing my Costco Hawaii package, but you should still keep an eye out.  

Costco Travel Cancellation & Exchange Policy 

Canceling your vacation package is easy. You can get a refund if you cancel within 48 hours of departure. Each scenario is different, though.

Log into your Costco Travel account. Click ‘bookings,’ then ‘upcoming,’ and ‘cancel.’ There, you’ll see your upcoming trip and how much you’re eligible for in return.

Costco Travel insurance can help if any unforeseen circumstances arise. 

FAQs About Costco Travel

Is Costco Travel the same as Costco?

Costco owns Costco Travel, but they are different business sectors. Costco Wholesale is what most people know Costco for, and Costco Travel is strictly for travel. 

Can Costco save you money on flights?

Costco won’t save you money on flights, but you can get many of the same flights as you usually can find on other websites.

Looking for cheap flights? Read our detailed reviews of Hopper , Skiplagged , Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going) , SnapTravel , Dollar Flight Club , and Momondo .

How far in advance should I book Costco Travel?

When booking a travel package through Costco Travel, purchasing it between three and six months in advance is best. 

Do you get two percent back on Costco Travel?

Purchases through Costco Travel are eligible for 2% cashback. This is a massive perk of an executive membership . Members receive up to $1,000 cashback. 

Do you have to be a Costco member to use Costco Travel?

You must be a Costco member to purchase vacation packages through Costco Travel. One of the downsides to Costco Travel is the entry barrier, but it’s worth the cost. 

Conclusion: So, is Costco Travel worth it?

Using Costco Travel discounts is a no-brainer if you’re already a Costco member. At the very least, it’s worth a search to see if they have any deals that you fancy. 

Costco Travel is a good deal for those who love having someone plan everything for them and do it often. 

Spending $6,000 a year on travel pays for the executive membership solely from the cash back. 

Costco Travel isn’t great for budget travelers. It’s also not the best option for you if you don’t like a strict plan when traveling. 

But, even so, there’s still some value in having Costco Travel car rentals. 

A Costco membership alone is so valuable for most people that it’s worth factoring the travel perks into the equation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.

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Costco Travel Vacation Packages Offer Luxury and Value

Claire Tsosie is an assigning editor for the team responsible for expanding NerdWallet content to additional topics within personal finance. She has edited articles on a variety of topics, including home improvement, Social Security, estate planning, Medicare, crypto and business software. Previously, she was a credit cards writer at NerdWallet. Her work was featured by Forbes, USA Today and The Associated Press.

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Table of Contents

How does Costco Travel work?

Can you use costco travel without a membership, is costco travel worth it, the downsides of costco travel, does costco travel offer travel insurance, the verdict: is costco travel a good deal.

The vacation packages featured by Costco Travel make a familiar, super-sized promise to Costco shoppers: You can save by prioritizing quality and buying in bulk. And for value-seeking travelers looking for a little bit of luxury, the wholesale giant delivers.

These vacation packages, which generally include posh accommodations, select meals and ground transportation, aren't available at bargain-barrel rates. But they're quick to book and competitively priced. For some, they might be the most cost-efficient ticket to a lavish getaway. Here’s everything you need to know about Costco Travel.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Costco Travel is a website that allows Costco members to purchase vacation packages, hotels, cruises and rental cars. These vacation packages, which can include posh accommodations, select meals and ground transportation, aren't available at bargain-barrel rates. But they're easy to book and competitively priced. For some, they might be the most cost-efficient ticket to a lavish getaway.

To book one of these vacation packages, you need to provide a Costco membership number at checkout. Memberships start at $60 a year, plus tax. With the Gold Star Executive membership, which costs $120 a year, you'll get additional Costco Travel benefits and 2% back (up to $1,000 in annual rewards) on qualifying Costco, Costco.com and Costco Travel purchases.

With a vacation package booked through Costco Travel — which also offers a la carte booking services for hotels, theme parks, car rentals and cruises — you can visit destinations like Rome, Paris, Cancun and many others.

Ginka Poole visits St. Lucia during a trip booked through Costco. (Photo courtesy of Ginka Poole)

Book all the reservations at once

On the Costco Travel website, it's possible to book a full itinerary — even including the car ride from the airport to your hotel — in just a few minutes. For Ginka Poole of Nashville, Tennessee, this was a big draw.

“For a vacation, it’s good to kind of turn your brain off for a while and not have to worry,” says Poole, a travel blogger and photographer. “You pick your destination, and there aren’t too many other choices you need to make.”

She used the service to purchase a trip to St. Lucia , a Caribbean island, with her husband. The package she bought, which cost about $6,000 for a weeklong stay, included ground transportation, the resort stay, breakfast every day, first-class flights and a credit for a tour.

The benefits and accommodations are top-notch

Say you booked a seven-day vacation package from San Francisco to London and Paris for two. For $4,900, you'd get these goodies:

Nonstop economy flights

Transportation to and from the airport

A superior queen room in a London hotel with a daily English breakfast, three-course dinner for two, champagne afternoon tea service and an appointment with the hotel concierge

A $400 tour credit in London

Standard premier railway tickets from London to Paris

A premium room in a Paris hotel with a daily breakfast buffet

To be sure, you could easily book a similar trip for less than $4,900 if you nixed some of those extras. But you'd be hard-pressed to find the same level of amenities and benefits at a lower price on other travel aggregators.

When booking through Costco Travel, you can get 3% cash back on your purchase when you pay with your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi . If you don’t have that card, try using one that offers extra rewards for travel or flat-rate rewards.

Parita Kuttappan and her husband, Vishnu Kuttappan, visit the Haleakala Crater in Maui on a trip booked through Costco Travel. (Photo courtesy of Parita Kuttappan)

For Parita Kuttappan of Chicago — who booked a trip to Maui and Kauai for herself, her husband and her mother-in-law and father-in-law through Costco Travel — those fancy stays were worth the cost.

“Our accommodations were amazing — exactly what we thought we were going to be getting,” says Kuttappan, who founded the lifestyle blog My Inner Shakti. The resorts they stayed at were beautifully decorated, spacious and comfortable, she notes.

Itineraries are somewhat customizable

Vacation packages on Costco Travel come with a basic itinerary, but you generally handle the details yourself. After selecting your dates and destination, you can add flights, upgrade your room or make other tweaks. Then, it's up to you to plan daily activities.

In Kauai, “We took a helicopter tour of the island, and that was something I will never forget,” Kuttappan says, noting that she booked the tour separately from her package. “It was absolutely breathtaking. We got to see the canyon there, and the different waterfalls and an aerial view of the entire island, which was absolutely amazing.”

Here's why you might not want to book a vacation package through Costco Travel.

Costco Travel is not cheap

Vacation packages can offer a great value, but don't expect clearance prices. While the website features select packages for less than $499 per person, multiday trips with airfare generally run well over $1,000 per person.

"I would say [it’s] a great deal if you’re looking for convenience and willing to spend a little bit extra,” Kuttappan says, who also used the service to book a trip to Italy with her husband.

If trimming costs is your priority, you might be better off booking cheaper accommodations and flights elsewhere.

Not all expenses are included

Vacation packages often include some meals and benefits, but they don’t cover everything.

Poole and her husband were surprised to find they spent an average of about $400 a day purchasing alcohol, lunch and dinner at the resort in St. Lucia, she says. (Breakfast came included in their package.) While online reviewers noted that the food at the resort was expensive, Poole says she didn’t realize how costly it was until she got the final bill for their stay.

» MORE: Travelers, save on meals with these tidbits

“I do wish there would have been a little more information either from reviewers or from Costco themselves saying, 'This is what you’re going to spend,'” she says. To avoid surprises like these, ask the property you’re staying at about food costs beforehand and track expenses during your stay.

You’ll generally go to major hotels and resorts

Most of the hotels and resorts listed on Costco Travel are relatively large, often boasting hundreds of rooms. These properties can get you easy access to coffee, food and a gym — but they might not take you very far off the beaten path.

“You’re going to get a big resort. You’re not going to get a nice boutique hotel,” Poole says.

You cannot purchase a travel insurance policy through Costco Travel. However, you can purchase a trip insurance policy through Costco’s partner Zurich Travel Insurance. There are many plans to choose from, including those that offer trip cancellation , trip interruption , emergency medical coverage , travel delay , lost luggage coverage and more. 

If you have a travel credit card that offers complimentary trip insurance , use that card to buy a Costco Travel vacation package so that you receive coverage for your trip.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

If you'd happily stay at a low-cost motel while traveling abroad if it meant saving money, booking a vacation package through Costco Travel just doesn't make sense. But for those who want to land a swanky hotel and ready-made itinerary for a reasonable price, it might be the fastest and most cost-effective option.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Search Deals on Moscow Vacation Packages

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Cheap Moscow Vacation Packages

You’re on the hunt for a steal of a deal on your Moscow vacation package. You’ve got your list of things you want, and you’re checking it twice: a ballin’ (on a budget) Moscow hotel, a champagne poppin’ flight (for a knock-off beer price), and maybe even a super-nice car rental (for a borrowed bike fee).

Think it’s all just a dream? Not when you book your Moscow vacation deal with Hotwire.

Are you for real with these vacation package deals

Daydreaming is even better when wildly good deals become your reality. Scoring hotel and flight deals to Moscow for a price that works with your budget is realer than real when you book your package with Hotwire. Ready to get all of your wildest dreams fulfilled (for way less than you expected)? Don’t sleep on these Hotwire deals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vacation Packages

How much is a vacation to moscow.

When you want to book the very best Moscow getaway, but you aren’t looking to empty your bank account on planning your trip, cheap vacation packages are the way to go. You can jump into an incredible vacay to Moscow for as low as  and keep your cash for the necessities—like the dreamiest fun times in town.

When is the best time to book a vacation package to Moscow?

Looking to save some extra cash on your Moscow vacation? Try going on your getaway in , which is the off-season, and avoid the most popular time to vacation in the month of . Want to get away now-ish and still save? Book a last-minute vacation package with a Hot Rate hotel deal. You could save up to 60% off on your hotel versus booking a listed rate two weeks earlier.

How to get the best vacation package deals to Moscow?

If scoring the very best deal on your Moscow vacation is at the top of your to-do list, book your package with Hotwire and prepare to get way more bang for your buck.

What is the cheapest day to book a vacation package?

Reserving a Moscow vacation package on a Tuesday is the cheapest day to book, or you can save more any day on Hotwire, with packages as low as .

Can I vacation in Moscow right now?

With recent COVID-19 closures and reopenings, many people are wondering, “Is it safe to travel to Moscow right now?” When it’s time to book your vacation package, be sure to check out the most up-to-date information on all safety measures, any restrictions, and  guidance on traveling during the coronavirus  pandemic.

What does Hotwire Moscow travel package include?

When you book a package deal on Hotwire, you can expect a Moscow vacation package with airfare and hotel. Want a rental car too? No biggie‚ you can add it to your package. Everything you need for an amazing trip? Check.

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That Tempting Travel Deal Could Be a Rip-Off. Tips for Spotting a Real Bargain

Promoted travel deals are often just marketing—and sometimes scams. Here's how to find the actual values.

By Pauline Frommer

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens," according to the Book of Ecclesiastes. But is there really a good discount shopping season? Especially when it comes to finding travel bargains?

Sure, you'll see a lot of deals promoted around Black Friday and the week after Christmas and during the quiet periods of January, February, and early March.

But how often is a supposed deal an actual deal worth spending your hard-earned money on? And do these "doorbusters" sometimes constitute out-and-out fraud?

Here's a bargain-hunting field guide of what to watch out for to determine whether you've spotted a genuine discount or a cleverly camouflaged imposter. 

Pointless Percentages 

First and foremost, beware of discounts based on percentages. And that's not just my lifelong math phobia speaking.

Too often, travel deals promise a certain percentage off for products that don't have a set price, rendering the discount all but meaningless.

Take hotel rooms. The rates for those shift by the season—and sometimes by the day and even by the hour. Consequently, "published rates" often have nothing to do with what guests actually pay.

So when you see a deal trumpeting 30% off hotel rooms , you're looking at a pointless claim because there's no helpful way to assess if you're getting any savings with the alleged discount.

The same applies to sales promoting a percentage off other ever-changing rates for cruises, rental cars, and airline tickets. 

Instead of falling for the percentage, look for deals that list actual prices and then do your homework to compare usual prices for hotels, air travel, cruises, and rental cars on the dates you'll be traveling. 

Some helpful websites for your comparison shopping are listed below.

For airfare: 

• Airfarewatchdog •  Kayak •  Google Flights • Skyscanner

For hotels: 

• Trivago • Booking.com • Hotels.com

For cruises :

• Cruise Critic • CruisesOnly

The compare-and-contrast method requires a little more work, but at least you'll know whether you're actually saving any money.  

Packages with Pitiful Perks

Romance packages are almost always a turnoff. They're beloved by hotels because they can charge lovebirds extra simply for a bottle of cheap sparkling wine in the room and some rose petals scattered on the bedspread.

The cost to the hotel? Maybe $20. The amount paid by the romance-seeking couple for this ostensbile mood setter? Upwards of $50 to $100 on top of the room rate—definitely not worth the price. You might as well bring your own champagne. 

Other types of hotel packages also disappoint, whether they're family-friendly packages including snacks and dime-store beach toys or "wellness" packages that dump a yoga mat in your room. Always check what comes with the add-on to make sure it merits an additional charge. 

And it's not just hotels that try to lure buyers with these gimmicks.

Cruise deals can also fall into this category, offering onboard amenities that don't justify an increase in price.

Sometimes the packages can be just bizarre. I recently got a press release from a major cruise line touting a Black Friday deal for a "$100 Bar Tab Bonus (when purchasing a $300 Bar Tab)." Don't tell my college roommate that she's been one-upped in the peer-pressure-to-binge-drink category.

Of course, some travel packages are real values—specifically, those that bundle together airfares and hotel rooms. This is especially true for customers traveling with one or more person. 

Which brings us to another important consideration. 

Excluded Solo Travelers 

Usually when tour companies, cruise lines, and travel packagers announce special discounts, they are for duos, not solo travelers. So if you're planning to vacation on your own, read the fine print before biting: Paying the single supplement charged to solo travelers will almost always wipe out any savings.

Short Windows, Blackout Dates, and Other Tricks to Limit Availability

Another common come-on: promotions that have eye-opening prices and very little availability.

I'm talking about the sorts of deals for, say, spring airfares that will fly you halfway across the country for about the price of a night on the town for two—but then you discover that the ultra-low rate is only available twice during the three-month travel period.

And the two dates are inconvenient for most travelers because you have to fly in the middle of the week or between two holiday periods or on the first odd-numbered day after a full moon as long as Mercury isn't in retrograde and you're not right-handed. 

If you have to bend over backwards to meet the deal's availability requirements, it's not a good deal.

Flat-Out Scams

Sometimes the dispensers of so-called deals are straight-up fraudsters.

Global cybersecurity firm Trend Micro has helpful advice for spotting fraudulent offers and suspicious shopping websites on Black Friday and beyond.

Among the stuff you should watch out for on the internet, according to Trend Micro: 

• sites with strange web addresses or a lack of real-world contact addresses • glaring typos and super-awkward langauge on web pages and in emails (legit businesses are usually careful about creating clear ad copy) • unreasonable requests for detailed personal information (anything beyond your name, mailing address, phone number, email, and credit card number is probably too much) • unusual methods of payment such as wire transfers or payment apps

Bottom line: If it seems too good to be true . . . well, you know the rest.

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What travelers should know about booking a trip with Costco Travel

When Cathi White books a trip, she always checks Costco Travel first. For over a decade, she has booked a range of vacations with the wholesale retailer, from theme parks to island getaways with her family.

"Places like Disneyland are very, very expensive, but they've always got some kind of deal going," said White, 50, who lives in Indianapolis.

On a trip she booked through Costco to Grand Cayman in 2019, she estimated she saved $2,000 by using the service.

Much like packs of paper towels or jumbo jars of mayonnaise, Costco Travel can offer shoppers deals on everything from cruises to rental cars. But travelers and travel experts say the service has some limitations as well.

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How does Costco Travel work?

Costco Travel offers a range of options for travelers looking to book a trip. "We use our buying authority to negotiate the best value in the marketplace, and then pass on the savings to Costco members ," the service said on its website .

Those include curated vacation packages to select destinations around the world, which may include combinations of flights, hotel stays, car rentals and more, according to Assistant Vice President and General Merchandise Manager Chris Hendrix.

"In these bundled packages, our buyers vet and hand pick each resort and component. … We limit our selection to ensure the best quality and value," he said in an email.

Sign up for a Costco membership

What can you book through Costco Travel?

Travelers can also book cruises, rental cars and build their own trips to various U.S. cities, booking hotel stays or bundling them with flights and car rentals, according to Hendrix. Those making bookings can do so online or by phone, and the service has reservation agents that can assist travelers before, during and after their trip, he said.

Can Costco Travel replace a travel agent?

Brian Ayers and his wife booked a Costco Travel package for their honeymoon in Greece in part because of the convenience. The 2019 trip, which took them to Athens, Santorini and Mykonos marked his first time out of the country, and he said it "was going to be much too complex for us to measure it out, just because booking ferry times and hotels, there were just so many choices."

Even when their plans hit a snag after a ferry was canceled, leaving them "hanging out at the ferry station for a couple of hours," the 29-year-old said, Costco Travel was a helpful intermediary. Ayers, who lives in Lewisville, Texas, and works for a semiconductor chip   manufacturer, called the service, which confirmed with the ferry provider that their tickets would be valid on the next one available.

However, Kerry Mooneyham, owner of Midwest Travel Solutions said booking through Costco Travel is not the same as working with a travel agent that can offer more personalized guidance.

"You're going to have the same cruise whether you book it directly with Carnival, you book it with Costco, or you book it with me," she said. "The cruise is exactly the same. ... It's behind the scenes that we do things to make it better."

She said booking with Costco Travel may make more sense for some trips than others.

"I think maybe when you're not exactly sure what is the best option for you is really a time when you should be reaching out to an expert that understands the differences between cruise A and cruise B," Mooneyham said. "But if you know exactly what you want, that's a time where you might only be looking at, you know, 'What's the best value for me?'"

However, Hendrix said the company has more than 1,000 Costco Travel employees with experts in various focus areas, including cruises, Hawaii and Europe.

But travelers may not always find what they are looking for. Hendrix said Costco only offers car rentals with Avis, Alamo, Budget and Enterprise, for example, and it has a limited selection of hotels and hotel brands. Certain destinations may also not be available for their vacation package and build-your-own-trip options.

Can you book flights with Costco Travel? 

"Flights are available as part of our vacation packages or our build-your-own options," Hendrix said. However, travelers cannot currently purchase flights alone through Costco Travel.

Do you have to be a Costco member to use Costco Travel?

Yes. Travelers must be active Costco members to use the service. Depending on the tier, Costco memberships cost between $60 and $120 per year – before any applicable sales tax – according to its website .

"Many of our programs offer Costco Travel members an exclusive Costco Shop Card for their travel purchase, which they receive once their travel is completed, and can be used in the warehouse or online at Costco.com," Hendrix added.

Costco Executive members also get an annual 2% reward – up to $1,000 – on qualifying purchases made through Costco Travel.

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Is Costco Travel a good deal?

Some travelers have found significant savings using the service. Ayers booked a 2022 trip to Spain with Costco Travel after pricing the trip out themselves. 

"The cost for just the airline tickets would have been the cost for the entire Costco package," he said, which included flights, hotels and more.

White also noted that resort fees  have always been included when she has booked through the service. When possible, Hendrix said Costco Travel's buyers work to include those fees "or negotiate the waiving of those fees."

And despite its budget-friendly reputation, White has booked luxury hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton through the service.

When she doesn't book with Costco, she said it's usually just because they don't have what she's looking for. "But they do have an amazing selection," White said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Best Time to Book a Cruise for a Good Deal

Posted: January 13, 2024 | Last updated: January 13, 2024

You can save up to $3,000 when you book cruise and airfare together on select 2024 Uniworld itineraries, like this Ganges River cruise through India.

Courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

You’ve finally landed on the cruise you want to take—maybe it’s a winter expedition to Norway to see the northern lights or perhaps you’re keen on sailing around the Galápagos to see the islands’ impossibly curious animals—but now the question is, when should you book? Is it better to secure reservations far in advance or do you stand a better chance of snagging a deal if you wait?

We polled travel advisors who specialize in cruises to better understand when the best time to book a cruise is. Here’s what they had to say.

When is the best time to book a cruise?

While there’s not necessarily a wrong time to book a cruise, there are time frames where travelers can benefit from discounts and promotions.

Beyond holiday periods such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday , and Labor Day when there may be some flash sales, January and February are particularly good times to book a cruise , as the first two months of the year are considered “wave season” in the cruising industry. It’s when companies are looking to base load their ships for the year.

“Wave season is when cruise lines announce incredible promotions in an effort to sell as much unsold space for the year as possible,” explains Jeremy Hall, a travel advisor at Cruise Vacations International.

Those promotions could include free stateroom upgrades, highly reduced cruise fares, discounts on deposits, free sailings for children, complimentary airfare, and discounted beverage packages, among other offers.

The best wave season cruise deals for 2024

AmaWaterways : River cruisers can save up to $2,000 per stateroom and earn $50 in onboard credit per stateroom on select 7- to 11-night European river sailings in July and August 2024 (including a 7-night Colors of Provence cruise, a wine-themed Burgundy sailing, and a Rhine castles and Swiss Alps cruise). For 14-night European river cruises (such as the Grand Danuba sailing) during the same period, travelers can save $4,000 per stateroom and receive $100 in onboard credit.

Aurora Expeditions : Environmentally friendly expedition operator Aurora Expeditions is offering a slew of savings on sailings to the Arctic and Antarctic in 2024 and 2025, including up to 25 percent off some itineraries and air credit on others. The savings are available on bookings made before March 31, 2024. Here’s our recent review of sailing with Aurora in the Arctic.

Azamara : Travelers can save up to $2,000 per stateroom on select 2024 sailings when booked before March 21.

Celebrity Cruises : Until February 1, cruisers can save 75 percent on their second guest’s cruise fare (specifically for nonrefundable cruises; otherwise it’s 50 percent off) for sailings from now until April 30, 2026.

Cruise Croatia: Passengers can enjoy up to 30 percent off on more than 25 departures along the Dalmatian Coast between May and October for bookings made through January 31.

Crystal Cruises : The newly relaunched luxury line Crystal is offering complimentary suite upgrades on select 2024 sailings booked before the end of January.

Emerald Cruises : Savings on this accessible luxury river cruise line include two-for-one fares and up to $3,750 off per suite on select Europe and Southeast Asia river cruise sailings. Bookings must be made by March 31.

Explora Journeys : On the recently launched cruise line Explora Journeys, passengers can save up to 40 percent on their trip when they book either an Ocean Terrace Suite or Ocean Grand Terrace Suite for sailings on Explora I (we were among the first onboard this brand-new vessel, which aims to court noncruisers ) and Explora II by January 31. The deal is applicable for sailings through April 2026. Some available trips include the 44-night A Grand Journey Connecting Continents and the 10-night A Celestial Caribbean and Creole Soul .

Holland America Line : Cruisers can save up to 40 percent on bookings made by February 29. Bonus deals include up to $500 per stateroom for onboard spending (depending on cruise length), free fares for kids, and stateroom upgrades.

Hurtigruten : From now until the end of March, cruisers can get up to $4,000 off select voyages within Norway.

HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) : For select bookings made by March 31, 2024, for departures between March 29, 2024, and March 29, 2025, HX is offering flight credits of up to $2,000.

Lindblad Expeditions : Until March 31, guests can save up to $2,000 on cabin fare and up to 40 percent on solo cabins. Here’s what recently sailing around Svalbard with Lindblad entailed.

MSC Cruises : One of the largest cruise lines in the world is offering a sale to kick off the new year. Guests who book during wave season also receive Wi-Fi for up to two devices per stateroom and up to $400 in onboard credit. Kids sail free. The deal applies to sailings in the Caribbean and North America, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Southern Caribbean through winter 2025.

How far in advance should you book a cruise? Is it better to book early?

Travelers who are less concerned about deals and more focused on a specific destination or making sure they get choice accommodations may want to take a different approach to booking a cruise. Cruise companies open up bookings for sailings as early as two years in advance. While that might sound like plenty of time to mull over sailings, William Kiburz, a travel advisor at Coronet Travel , says the earlier you book, the better, especially when it comes to expedition-style or specialized cruises, as well as sailings to Alaska , as those are itineraries that often sell out more than a year in advance.

Samantha Robichaud, a travel advisor and owner of Fabulous Adventures Travel Company , says that booking early also means travelers have more choices when it comes to travel dates, staterooms, specialty dining reservations at preferred times, and shore excursions.

Todd Smith, owner of AdventureSmith Explorations , says that if you want to go on an expedition cruise, which typically involves a smaller ship, it’s imperative to book early.

“ Booking last minute also means you get what remains available instead of the best trip, ship, cabin, and program for you,” Smith says.

Another reason to try to book early: The cabin price is usually lower. “Cruise fares tend to rise as the time before departure draws closer,” Hall says. “Even though you may see a new promotion announced for the cruise you booked six months ago, chances are you got a better deal because the cruise fare more than likely went up before that new promotion was announced.”

There are often perks for guests who book early. For example, Holland America Line offers an early booking bonus that allows guests to enjoy all the benefits of the standard “Have It All” package, including shore excursion and specialty dining credit, plus included gratuity, a low-price guarantee, and upgrades to premium Wi-Fi and an “elite” beverage package, which covers all premium spirits, beers, and wines.

Is it possible to score last-minute cruise deals?

If pricing is more important than preferred accommodations, travelers can opt to wait until closer to the departure date to see if they can take advantage of any last-minute offers . It’s a bit of a gamble—you risk the ship selling out. And, in the 11th hour, flights to the port might be more expensive.

To find deals, travelers can sign up for email newsletters from various cruise lines, as the companies often send out updates on flash sales. You can also search the cruise line websites—some, like Holland America , have pages on their website dedicated to last-minute deals.

Hall says that his company typically sees more last-minute deals with river cruises than ocean cruises. He also notes that last-minute deals usually involve added amenities or a waived single supplement.

Will working with a travel advisor get me a better deal?

“There are so many ways to get a good deal on a cruise, and nobody knows better than an experienced travel advisor ,” Hall says. “There are so many promotions, amenities, loyalty programs, and pricing structures these days—it makes finding the best deal a daunting task. Your travel advisor will know precisely how to narrow down the search field to find the right cruise and deal for you.”

Robichaud echoes that sentiment, saying that travel advisors can leverage relationships with cruise companies to get discounted rates or free add-ons. And Smith notes that agencies that book a lot of cruises often receive free upgrades for their clients as an incentive from cruise lines aiming to build up a loyal network of travel advisors who sell and book their cruises.

Are there better times for families or groups to book a cruise?

Only certain ships and expeditions offer accommodations large enough to fit three or four people, so groups and families looking to stay in the same cabin should book as soon as possible because options may be limited.

As Robichaud notes, rooms that can accommodate more people tend to fill up fast during holidays and school breaks; if travelers have a specific sailing in mind, it’s essential to book early.

Judy Perl, president of Judy Perl Travel, adds that for parents looking to travel around school schedules, it’s worth noting that spring break is often the cheapest for cruising, and summer break offers more destination options. The winter holiday season is always significantly more expensive, she says.

How to bid on a cabin upgrade

Just as some airlines offer the opportunity to bid for a business- or first-class seat upgrade , many cruise companies offer travelers the opportunity to bid on stateroom upgrades.

• Some cruise lines will email confirmed customers before their voyage, offering them the chance to bid on a higher class of cabin at a steeply discounted price.
• Travelers suggest a price they’re comfortable with spending.
• If the cruise company accepts the offer, guests will be charged the amount of their bid and receive an updated booking with their new room details.

Robichaud says she just got back from a Virgin Voyages sailing where she was supposed to have a Sea Terrace stateroom but won her bid for a Mega RockStar suite (complete with daily spa access, a bottomless in-room bar, a personal butler, and access to a members-only sundeck). Similarly, some companies have dedicated landing pages on their websites where guests can bid.When bidding for an upgrade online, be aware that you can’t cancel your bid once accepted (but you can cancel or change the offer before acceptance).

Upgrades are also available after you’ve boarded the ship. Perl recommends that people keen on a larger room go to the purser’s office and inquire if there have been any cancellations or no-shows. “Once the ship leaves the dock, typically, it is no longer under revenue management control back at headquarters,” Perl explains. “The ship can make their own pricing decisions about what to charge to maximize the yield on their available inventory.”

What’s worth it and what isn’t in terms of cruise add-ons?

Amenity add-ons, like beverage packages, onboard credit, Wi-Fi, laundry service, and included gratuities, only have a value if you are going to use them. A person who drinks only one glass of wine each day or someone who likes to disconnect from tech on vacation may find little worth in an unlimited drinks package or premium Wi-Fi, respectively. It’s important to know the value of these items for you and purchase accordingly.

This story was originally published in March 2023, and was updated on January 12, 2024, to include current information.

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A Few Good Deals From Wayfair’s Anniversary Sale

The furniture retailer Wayfair is having its anniversary sale, which runs through Monday, June 17 at midnight. I’ve combed through pages and pages of deals on the Wayfair site and cross-referenced against about 500 products we’ve written about before to surface things that are actually worth buying. A caveat for shopping this sale: Wayfair can be a little squirrelly about its prices, usually by inflating them to show an artificially large discount (for example, a NutriBullet costs the same for  36 percent off at Wayfair  as it does  on the brand’s website with no markdowns) . But there are still some deals to be had, mostly in the kitchen and dining section, from crystal wine glasses from a sommelier-favorite brand to our food writer’s favorite kitchen scissors .

This set of ceramic bakeware by Staub, the maker of our favorite Dutch oven (sorry, Le Creuset!), is 63 percent off today.

And speaking of Dutch ovens, here’s one from Lodge for 51 percent off.

This set of crystal wineglasses are a great deal at about $12 per glass — that’s about half what they normally cost.

A pair of chef-favorite scissors for 27 percent off when you buy a two-pack.

KitchenAid’s solid food processor is 20 percent off.

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Today’s Top Clicked

Ukraine war latest: Huge explosion reported in Russian city - as Putin 'sacks four defence ministers'

A total of 78 nations call for the "territorial integrity" of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia's two-year war. Meanwhile, there's been a big escalation in fighting in the Kharkiv region. Listen to our Daily podcast on the situation in Ukraine as you scroll.

Monday 17 June 2024 22:08, UK

• Big picture: Everything you need to know about the war right now
• Escalation in fighting in Kharkiv over weekend
• Huge explosion reported in Russian city
• Putin 'sacks defence ministers'
• US condemns Vietnam for hosting Putin in Hanoi
• Dominic Waghorn analysis: It's a bad week for Putin - but Kyiv's allies face an uncertain future
• Your questions answered: Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts

That's all of our live coverage on the conflict for now. 

We'll bring you any major developments overnight, and we'll be back with our regular updates in the morning. 

Earlier today we told you about a Russian missile attack on Ukraine's east central Poltava region. 

Initially, reports had suggested nine people were injured in the strike, but the regional governor has now confirmed 22 people suffered injuries. 

Three children were among the wounded, Filip Pronin said. 

Houses and power lines were also damaged, causing electricity to be knocked out for more than 55,000 customers. 

Ukraine's prosecutor general's office said the attack was carried out with an X-59 cruise missile.

The US has expressed concern over the "deepening relationship" between Russia and North Korea, the White House has said. 

Spokesman John Kirby said the US was "troubled" by the ties between the two countries. 

It comes after both nations confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea for the first time in 24 years tomorrow. 

Mr Kirby said the visit appeared to be part of a post-election "charm offensive" by Mr Putin. 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended an invitation to Mr Putin during a visit to Russia's Far East last September.

Russia's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the two leaders may sign a partnership agreement during the visit that would include security issues. 

Canada has decided to hold off on sending military trainers to Ukraine, its defence minister has said. 

Speaking to reporters after a NATO summit, Bill Blair said the circumstances for such a move were "not right" at the moment. 

"There was discussion of a NATO mission to enhance the training.  At the present time, the circumstances are not right to deploy - in my view - the Canadian trainers in Ukraine," he said.

"There is, I think, quite an understandable concern about expanding a training mission into Ukraine at the current time."

Canada has helped prepare more than 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers since 2015, but decided to pull its training contingent out of western Ukraine just before the war started. 

The White House has also said it was not planning to send US military trainers to Ukraine. 

Ukrainian police officers, from a unit known as "white angels", have rescued six people from two villages today.

The country's national police force said four civilians were evacuated from Vozdvizhenka, near Bakhmut, and two were rescued from Vovche, in Lviv. 

"The front approached these villages almost at close range. The enemy is shooting at the houses," it said in a statement. 

"While the evacuation continued, the Russians covered the surroundings with fire, so the crew overcame especially dangerous sections of the road at maximum speed." 

It said the people evacuated from Vozdvizhenka were a family who had found "three shells were fired at their garden" overnight. 

"The policemen helped the man and three women to leave, the oldest of whom is 75 years old and has limited mobility," it added. 

"There was also room in the armoured car for all domestic animals - chickens, ducks and rabbits."

In Vovche, it said a man and a woman called for help after a Russian bomb hit their house.

It said some residents remain in both villages, and urged them to evacuate.

A record number of NATO countries are expected to hit the military alliance's defence spending target this year, its secretary general has said. 

In total, more than 20 NATO allies will spend at least 2% of their GDP on defence, Jens Stoltenberg said. 

The estimated figure marks a near-fourfold increase from 2021 among the 32 members. 

Only six nations were meeting the goal that year, before the war in Ukraine started.

The surge in spending reflects the worries of Western allies about the conflict. 

Mr Stoltenberg made the comment during a visit to Washington, where he is laying the groundwork for what is expected to be a pivotal summit of NATO next month.

The mutual defence alliance has grown in strength and size since Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago, with both Sweden and Finland joining.

It comes after US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement, seen as "supporting a bridge to Ukraine's eventual membership in the NATO alliance" last week.

Away from the fighting, Ukraine has played Romania today in their first game of the Euros 2024. 

Fans packed out the stadium in Munich, Germany, to watch the match and soldiers managed to tune in as well - although they were likely disappointed by the 3-0 loss. 

Reuters captured these photos of Ukrainian servicemen watching the game near the frontline in the eastern Donetsk region. 

A Ukrainian military unit has released a video claiming to show its men using a "vile weapon" - the SPG -9. 

The clip, which has not been verified by Sky News, purports to show the soldiers from the Azov Regiment firing the recoilless gun in the Serebryansky forest in Luhansk. 

The regiment described the weapon as a "silent tool for eliminating occupiers". 

"Their effectiveness infuriates the enemy. Bombs explode around them and the forest burns. The Russians try to destroy them at any cost. But SPG operators continue to eliminate occupiers every day and night," the caption of the video reads. 

The Azov Regiment, which has far-right and ultra-nationalist roots, is part of Ukraine's National Guard and evolved out of a battalion that was formed in 2014. 

It fought against Russian-backed separatists who carved out breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

Last week, the US cleared the way for the unit to use American weapons. 

US law bars foreign security forces from US military assistance if they have committed gross violations of human rights, but a review cleared the unit for US funds, the State Department said.

The unit said Western weapons would improve the combat  capabilities of their fighters and save lives. 

Russian navy vessels have left Cuba's capital today, the state run news agency RIA has reported. 

A warship and a nuclear-powered submarine arrived in Havana last week and were expected to depart today. 

While their arrival wasn't seen as a threat by the West, the move was considered a Russian show of force amid heightened tensions due to the Ukraine war. 

Four Ukrainian drones were allegedly downed during an attack on Russia's Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant today.

Igor Artamonov, the governor of Lipetsk Oblast, claimed one drone had been "suppressed" while another had been shot down "over the industrial territory of Lipetsk".

The factory, which produces civilian products, has continued to operate as normal, according to owners Novolipetsk Steel.

Lipetsk sits around 250 miles into Russia's mainland.

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