Cutting Costs on Special Prices , But Not the Fun

Taking advantage of discounts and group rates can cut your costs substantially.

• Always ask for discount rates. Membership in AAA, frequentflier plans, trade unions, AARP, or other groups may qualify you for savings on car rentals, plane tickets, hotel rooms, and even meals. Students, teachers, youths, and seniors are also often entitled to discounts. Ask about discounts; you may be pleasantly surprised.
• Take advantage of group and family prices. For travel packages and admission to individual attractions, group rates are a fantastic way to save money, and you don’t necessarily have to travel with a busload of other people to get them. Sometimes, a group is as few as three people, so always ask. You and the folks behind you may even be able to form a makeshift group to get the discounted price. Most attractions in Ireland offer significantly reduced family rate. These memberships usually entitle you to discounts ranging from 5 percent to 30 percent.
• Check your frequent-flier accounts. Not only are your favorite (or at least most-used) airlines likely to have sent you discount coupons, but most car rentals add at least 500 miles to your account.
• As with other aspects of planning your trip, using the Internet can make comparison shopping for a car rental much easier. You can check rates at most of the major agencies’ Web sites.