Are Groupon Travel Deals really a bargain?
Groupon’s travel deals can seem too good to be true. Six nights in Hawaii plus airfare for under $650? Eight days in France (hotels, dinners, and local transport included) for $799?
A few years ago I booked a Groupon tour along the Dalmatian Coast (Croatia)—lodging, some meals, local transportation, and guide—for around $600. The accommodations were fine, as was the food, and the guide was really knowledgeable. Husband and I had a blast renting bicycles and boats and horses.
Plus, it was quite fun to be in Dubrovnik when they were filming the first season of a show called Game of Something.
Groupon Getaways can be worth it; do these two things to make sure a deal is right for you:
1. Price check the Groupon Deal you are considering against the cost of booking it yourself directly.
I compared three current Groupon travel deals against the cost of booking it on my own. (I compared prices based on two people traveling, as Groupon Getaways generally charges a single supplement fee for solo travelers.) Below are the results. Note: While prices were accurate at the time of writing, deal costs and fares can change quickly.
1. 4-Night Hawaii Vacation With Hotel and Air
This trip included round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Honolulu, along with four nights in a City Mountain-View room at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alana–Waikiki.
Groupon price for two people (for the cheapest travel period): $1,462.92 ($731.56 per person)
Cost to book directly for two people during the same period:
-Flights (cheapest round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu): $568 ($284 per person).
=Hotels (same City Mountain View room booked through the DoubleTree website): $1,342.38.
Total: $1,910
Result: Booking through Groupon Getaways would save $448.
2. Cofresi Palm Beach Spa Resort
A Superior Garden-View Room with VIP Amenities at the all-inclusive Cofresi Palm Beach Spa Resort was on sale through Groupon. There was a four-night minimum stay on the Groupon deal; only one voucher was needed for two guests sharing a room.
Groupon price for two people (for the cheapest travel period): $247 for 4 nights
Cost to book directly for two people during the same period: $520.46 for 4 nights
The same hotel room costs more than double to book directly on Cofresi’s website.
Always research the hotel included in the Groupon Getaway. Is it in a good neighborhood? Does it have good reviews? Is it near the things you want to see and do? What bed types are included in the deal? Also see if you can find out what flight options are included before committing. Is the flight nonstop or will there be layovers? Is the flight at a convenient time?
3. 8-Day Tuscany Vacation with Hotels and Air From Gate 1 Travel
As this deal was also available directly from Gate 1 Travel, I compared it against booking through Gate 1 as well as booking it on my own. The cheapest package ($699) option included round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) to Milan, an economy manual rental car, five nights at the Grand Hotel Plaza and Locanda Maggiore, plus one night at the Hotel Novotel Milano Malpensa Airport.
Groupon price: $1,398 ($699 per person)
Cost to book with Gate 1 Travel: $1,398 ($699 per person)
Cost to book directly for two people:
-Flights: $812 total / $406 per person on Tap Air Portugal.
-Hotels: $586 total: $500 Grand Hotel Plaza & Locanda Maggiore + $86 Hotel Novotel Milano Malpensa Airport
-Rental car: $194 total
Total: $1,592
Booking this deal through Groupon or Gate 1 Travel saves you $893 compared to booking directly.
2. Pay attention to the Fine Print
Always read the terms and conditions before booking a Groupon Getaway. Here are a few things to look out for:
-Single supplements: How much extra will you have to pay if you’re traveling alone?
-Expiration date of Groupon voucher
-Age restrictions (many travel deals are for 21 and older)
-Cancellation policies
-Additional hotel fees you’ll have to pay at check-in (taxes, resort fees)
-Flight options (including number of stops and departure times)
-Rental car options (Generally the cheapest car type with a manual transmission is included, so you might want to investigate how much an upgrade will cost you.)
-Additional costs for upgrades or changes. For example, the Tuscany package mentioned above is priced at $699, but increases to $849 if you would rather fly out of Miami and picking a different departure date can bring the cost up to $1,049 per person. Adding the hotel “upgrade” package will also cost extra.
Twist’s Take: Booking a trip through Groupon Getaways can save you money and from having to make trip-planning choices on flights, hotels, and ground transportation.
