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Unpredictable airfare may make booking travel tricky, but you don’t have to resign yourself to playing a guessing game about how much you’ll eventually pay for that ticket.
CNBC Select spoke with Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight expert at flight deal subscription service Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to learn how he avoids canceled trips and finds the best travel deals.
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An essential rule for finding a low airfare price is knowing when to look for it.
Keyes uses what he calls “the Goldilocks window” — a period of time when cheap fares are most likely to pop up for domestic and international flights.
“For domestic flights, if you’re talking peak season, it’s about three to seven months in advance,” he says. “For international flights — [it’s] four to 10 months.”
If you’re traveling during an off-peak season, you’re going to want to look at airfares one to three months in advance for domestic flights, and two to eight months ahead of the flight for international trips.
How this works in the real world
Keyes shares a personal example of how timing when you book saves money. His friend is getting married in Las Vegas at the end of March. For months, Keyes was watching a particular fare from Portland that consistently stayed at $407. Then, at the end of December last year, he began seeing the price quickly decrease. Finally, in mid-January, about two months before the trip, the fare dropped to $79. At this point, he booked the ticket, saving a whopping $328 — or almost 81{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} of the price he’d originally seen.
Information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
0{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} at the regular transfer APR
As a corollary to the above rule on timing, make sure you don’t wait too long before booking that flight you’ve been eying.
According to Keyes, airfares contain an advance purchase requirement in the fine print. It states that you must purchase the ticket 21 days prior to departure to get the best fare.
“On day 20, that previously cheapest flight is no longer available and the new cheapest fare is now $100 or $200 more expensive,” Keyes says. To avoid losing out on the best price, you should set a reminder 21 days in advance before your planned flight as your absolute deadline for buying a ticket.
Keyes also recommends checking one-way flights with different airlines before booking roundtrip tickets with the same one.
“There are times where one airline might have the cheapest outbound flight and a different airline might have the cheapest return flight,” he explains. “So you can just book a one-way outbound and a one-way return and not be paying an inflated price.”
Note that this tactic typically only works for domestic flights.
Canceled or delayed flights can wreak havoc on your plans — and your wallet. You might have to pay for meals you didn’t budget for or even get an extra night at a hotel.
What’s worse, it’s hard to predict when such a situation will happen. In 2022, delays and cancellations became all too commonplace, suppressing pre-pandemic levels. There’s no saying whether 2023 will be any better.
While a canceled or delayed flight might not be something you can easily plan for, you can take steps to minimize the risk of it happening to you — or the consequences if it still does.
Here’s what Keyes suggests:
If the worst-case scenario happens and you end up stuck because of a delayed or canceled flight, you can still get your money back for the possible meals or lodging you have to pay for. First, try to get in touch with the airline — depending on their policies, they might reimburse you. If that fails, check if your credit card offers trip delay or trip interruption insurance and get reimbursed through your issuer. For example, some of the cards that offer these perks include the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Information about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
10X miles on hotels and rental cars, 5X miles on flights when booked via Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
21.24{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} – 28.24{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} variable APR
0{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} at the regular transfer APR
On the American Express secure site
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Keyes identifies as a savvy user of travel credit cards, and says he enjoys being able to score free travel and lodging through his card’s rewards. At the same time, he doesn’t think a travel card is right for everyone.
“You need to have decent credit,” he says. “You need to be able to handle credit responsibly, treating a credit card like a debit card, not spending money you don’t have and paying off your balance every month. [Otherwise] interest is going to far outweigh any benefits you’ll get from points or miles.”
If you haven’t gotten into tracking points and miles yet, Keyes suggests getting one card, earning the welcome bonus and then spending it on free travel. After that, you can decide for yourself if you’ve enjoyed it and if that’s something you want to continue to do.
“If you do one card, open it up, put most of your spending on it, that’s going to get you one free flight every year,” he says. “And for a lot of people, that’s plenty.”
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a solid travel credit card for anyone looking for a generous sign-up bonus, handing out 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases during the first 3 months after opening your account.
The card also earns bonus points on spending categories like travel and dining. On top of that, you can boost your rewards’ value by redeeming for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal where your points are worth 25{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} more, or transferring them to one of Chase’s airline and hotel partners. Finally, you can take advantage of powerful travel and purchase protections, a $50 annual hotel credit when booking through Chase, and an anniversary bonus equal to 10{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} of your total purchases made the previous year.
Note, however, that the card charges a $95 annual fee, so you’ll have to make sure you’re using the card enough to justify its cost. And while the Sapphire Preferred is a good travel card, it might not be the best first credit card since it requires good to excellent credit — think scores of 700 and above.
$50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases
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 Ultimate Rewards®.
20.24{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} – 27.24{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} variable on purchases and balance transfers
Either $5 or 5{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Booking travel can be an expensive and frustrating experience. But if you stay proactive, time the booking right and pick the most reliable flights, you can avoid overpaying for airfare and minimize the chance of disruptions. Additionally, if you’re a responsible cardholder who enjoys strategizing to get the most out of your rewards, you can even score free travel every once in a while.
Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
For rates and fees of The Platinum® Card from American Express, click here.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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When a warm-weather getaway is calling, set your sights on the best tropical vacation spots around the world, and aim close to the equator to maximize visions of palm trees, balmy waters, and cute cocktails. From French Polynesia to the Caribbean and beyond, read on …
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Singer Bob Marley perhaps summed up Jamaica’s laid-back vibes best when he crooned, “Don’t worry about a thing.” With sugary beaches lapped by clear waters and verdant mountains, Jamaica promises the quintessential Caribbean vacation. There are delicious seafood and jerk dishes to sample and vivid sunsets that should be taken in at a beachfront bar to the sound of mellow reggae beats.
The third largest island in the Caribbean, Jamaica has diverse landscapes and intriguing culture and history. Your vacation can be intrepid and adventurous or all-out luxurious. The best hotels and resorts in Jamaica offer friendly service, beautiful beaches, world class spas and wellness programs as well as activities for kids, golfers and more. Here are our picks for the 10 best Jamaican Resorts.
Round Hill Hotel’s candlelit reception area sets the tone for a magical stay.
COURTESY
Who Will Love It: Detail oriented couples and families
All-Star Amenities: Spa with Elemis aromatherapy products; pickleball and tennis courts; fitness center; childcare
What Not To Miss: Monday night’s candlelit beach barbecue by the sea
Location: Hopewell
On Jamaica’s North Coast just west of Montego Bay lies one of Jamaica’s original luxury resorts. Round Hill Hotel and Villas, which cascades down a hillside to a secluded beach, opened in 1953. The property known for refined tropical elegance has 27 privately owned villas and 36 oceanfront rooms and suites designed by Ralph Lauren. The concierge team can arrange dinners in private villas and organize outings like a swim in a bioluminescent lagoon or a bespoke coffee tour in the Blue Mountains.
The Round Hill Spa, inside an 18th-century home with a private beach, is a property highlight. Dining options include complimentary afternoon tea service and Caribbean seafood grilled over indigenous logwood. While luxurious in every way, Round Hill Hotel is also family-friendly. Active families can play pickleball and tennis, and go waterskiing, tubing and kneeboarding in the bay.
Half Moon is located on one of Jamaica’s most beautiful beaches.
Jamaica Tourist Board and Half Moon
Who Will Love It: Families and couples looking for fun and refinement
All-Star Amenities: Overwater bungalow treatment rooms in the spa; wakeboarding; scuba diving; equestrian center
What Not To Miss: Seeing baby sea turtles hatch with the resort’s conservation program
Location: North Coast
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, JFK and Jacqueline are among the esteemed guests who have checked in to storied Half Moon. Today’s guests are a mix of active families and couples looking for a Caribbean vacation with no shortage of entertainment on and off the soft sand. Families can spend their vacation lounging or staying active on the two-mile-long beach. Kayaks, pedal boats, standup paddleboards and snorkeling gear are all free for guests to enjoy. Guests can also visit the resort’s equestrian center and take a lesson in go for a beach ride that might include splashing in the surf.
Guest rooms in the Great House mix contemporary and classic touches, with four poster beds and private balconies with plush lounge chairs overlooking the sea. The resort’s extravagant Rose Hall Villas with five to seven bedrooms offer space and seclusion. Dining options range from a casual barbecue spot to the romantic Sugar Mill restaurant. Some you time in Fern Tree Spa’s tropical gardens after a treatment in an overwater bungalow is worth arranging childcare for.
Goldeneye accommodations, which include lagoon-and beachfront bungalows and villas, have outdoor tubs and netted canopy beds.
Brie Williams
Who Will Love It: Vacationers who are all about barefoot elegance, salty hair and beach time
All-Star Amenities: Spa with healing elixirs made from herbs and roots grown at the resort’s farm; kayaking; paddleboarding; clifftop views; lagoon
What Not To Miss: Swimming in the resort’s Lagoon, fed by fresh spring water and the sea; the sunset at Firefly a 15-minute drive from Goldeneye
Location: Oracabessa Bay
Some of Jamaica’s most stunning beaches await just east of Ocho Rios along the quieter sands of Oracabessa. It’s fitting that one of Jamaica’s most legendary hotels sits here too. Goldeneye, British author Ian Fleming’s original estate—where he reportedly created James Bond—is now a luxurious hotel with lagoon cottages, beach villas and beach huts. Goldeneye’s casually luxurious accommodations have outdoor tubs and netted canopy beds.
Low Cay Beach at Bizot Bar serves ackee and saltfish for breakfast, and the Bamboo Bar has rum drinks, Red Stripe beers and Jamaican jerk. Field Spa is situated in a cottage at the edge of the resort’s lagoon and offers wraps, facials and massages using herbs and roots grown in the property’s gardens. Staff can arrange a visit to Firefly, the modern home that was once owned by writer Noël Coward, which has one of the best sunset views in Jamaica. From the James Bond connection to the private lagoon accommodations, it’s hard to imagine a more seductive stay than Goldeneye.
Geejam Hotel’s private villas have housekeeping staff and a private chef.
COURTESY
Who Will Love It: Free spirts and creative couples looking to escape the masses
All-Star Amenities: Recording studio; gym; private beach; over-sized showers; cryptocurrency accepted
What Not To Miss: Sipping a negroni surrounded by rainforest and sea views at the Bushbar
Location: Port Antonio
Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Mountains outside of Port Antonio—Jamaica’s mellow and scenic Northeast Coast—Geejam pairs rockstar vibes with cozy accommodations for stylish couples. Rihanna and Drake are among the major names who have recorded in the hotel’s onsite music studio—music industry vets Jon Baker and Steve Beaver developed the property—and rustic cabins that feel like fantastical tree houses have names like Ska, Rocksteady and Drum and Bass. High rollers can book a private villa with housekeeping staff and a private chef.
While far-flung, couples that venture to Geejam Hotel will enjoy peace and solitude while taking a dip in the infinity edge swimming pool with sea and rainforest views or venturing down to Geejam’s Bay, the natural cove a short walk from the hotel. Geejam Hotel provides the antitheses of the cookie cutter honeymoon experience and a vacation that is delightfully unscripted.
With two, three, four and six bedroom villa accommodations, Bluefield’s Bay is ideal for large families and multigenerational groups.
COURTESY
Who Will Love It: Families looking for the ultimate multigenerational luxury escape
All-Star Amenities: Villa accommodations with swimming pools; dedicated butlers; private beach
What Not To Miss: A sunset cruise on the resort’s private boat
Location: Jamaica’s South Coast
A stay at Bluefields Bay on Jamaica’s South Coast near Savanna La Mar is relaxing and indulgent. Guests settle into one of six secluded villas overlooking the sea. The Jamaican estate has flower-lined pathways, and staff anticipate guests’ every need. The luxurious villas have two, three, four and six bedroom layouts; it is ideal for multigenerational gatherings when groups want some privacy but to come together throughout the day for activities and Caribbean influenced meals prepared by private chefs.
Staff can arrange professional nannies to watch children so adults can enjoy some grown-up relaxation time at the pool or private beach. The resort even caters to seniors with elder care services.
From the littlest guests to grandparents, every guest can enjoy their vacation at Bluefield’s Bay and choose from a wide variety of activities like snorkeling in the Caribbean’s warm waters, floating above coral reefs in a glass bottom boat, playing tennis or hiking in the surrounding hills.
The Tryall Club has luxurious villa accommodations.
COURTESY
Who Will Love It: The family golfer who aims to please everyone and play as much as possible
All-Star Amenities: Audubon-certified golf course; pickleball concierge; villa accomodation
What Not To Miss: Improving your game with a small-group lesson from the Golf Academy
Location: Sandy Bay
The Tryall Club just west of Montego Bay is known for timeless Jamaican glamour. The hotel has 92 luxurious and privately owned villas spread throughout its beachfront grounds. Each comes with a butler, chef, housekeeper, laundress and gardener.
The resort spans 2,200 tropical acres overlooking the Caribbean Sea and feels more like a neighborhood than a hotel. Golfers can spend the bulk of their days playing the Montego Bay Golf Course. The Ralph Plummer-designed course winds its way through the grounds of the 17th-century sugar plantation. The Golf Academy has expert instruction for all handicaps and skill levels.
The Tryall Club’s other amenities include a Beach Club with an infinity edge pool overlooking the beach and a water sports facility with kayaks, Hobie Cats and paddleboards. There’s even a pickleball concierge. The informal beachfront restaurant serves Jamaican dishes, burgers and pizzas, while at the more formal Great House, a bar and restaurant in a hilltop mansion built in 1834, serves complimentary afternoon tea service on the veranda at 4 p.m.
Rockhouse Hotel’s dramatic location and clean-lined design make it a special stay.
Design Hotels
Who Will Love It: Escapists
All-Star Amenities: Private villa-style accommodations with thatched roofs; sea views
What Not To Miss: Getting a Blue Mountain coffee scrub spa treatment in the garden spa
Location: Negril’s West End
With a cliff top location overlooking a quiet cove and stone and thatched roof villas built atop the volcanic rocks, Rockhouse is one of Jamaica’s most seductive stays. A Negril mainstay for couples in search of escapism, the property has a gorgeous infinity edge swimming pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea. To access the turquoise waters below to swim, guests can walk down sheer steps cut into the cliff face.
The boutique hotel’s 40 guest rooms and villas are furnished with custom-made furniture made of local wood. The architects and designers were inspired by simple lines, nautical forms and nature. Guests can lounge on private terraces and balconies overlooking the calm waters of Pristine Cove, where snorkeling among tropical fish is a favorite pastime. Paddleboards—complimentary for guests to use—are another fun way to get out on the water.
Experience true vacation relaxation while sipping a tropical daiquiri in a lounge chair by the pool or book a massage or scrub using locally grown coffee at the resort’s serene spa. Every guest should carve out time to spend on the golden sands of nearby Seven Mile Beach before returning to their villa to soak in the sunset and warm sea breezes.
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall has Zen spa treatment rooms with views of the sea.
C2A STUDIO LLC
Who Will Love It: Couples looking for an adults-only vacation with great group amenities
All-Star Amenities: Nightly performances like live theater and Jamaican street music; spa with 11 treatment rooms; beach and pool cabanas
What Not To Miss: Sipping a cocktail by a fire pit overlooking the soft sand beach
Location: Montego Bay
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, an all-inclusive and adults-only property in Montego Bay, is popular for weddings and conferences for a reason. The resort has tons of appealing amenities for big groups from nightly entertainment to a spa with treatment rooms overlooking the water. The property’s 344 rooms and suites have private balconies with ocean or garden views. Swim-up suites are a worthy splurge with private pools and butler service.
Restaurants are better than typical all-inclusive options and include the fine French restaurant Petit Pariz, an open-air Jamaican restaurant overlooking the beach and DiRosa Italian, which serves wood-fired pizzas and grilled seafood. Bars scattered throughout, including two swim-up pool bars, English sports pub and a piano bar make it easy to party from day into night. Live music and performances are offered each evening too.
All S Hotel Jamaica’s guest rooms have big windows and dedicated workspaces.
COURTESY
Who Will Love It: Travelers looking to mix business with pleasure in a beachfront setting
All-Star Amenities: Spa; dedicated workspaces; yoga mats; airport transfers can be arranged
What Not To Miss: A sunrise swim in the sea at Doctor’s Cave Beach; the subterranean bathing circuit and saunas at Irie Baths and Spa
What Not To Miss: Montego Bay
S Hotel Jamaica is a central and urban beachfront base along Montego Bay’s famous Doctor’s Cave Beach. All 120 rooms and suites are bright with crisp white linens and big windows that let in lots of natural light and views of the Caribbean Sea and the city. All accommodations include complimentary WiFi, multi-plug USB connection device, dedicated workspaces and air conditioning so worker bees can stay comfortable. Business travelers can spend their downtime exploring the surrounding entertainment zone, the Hip Strip or by sipping a cocktail at the poolside bar overlooking the beach or de-stressing in the saunas. The hotel’s gorgeous underground wellness area Irie Baths and Spa is designed to look like a natural cave.
Many restaurants are a short walk away on the Hip Strip, but the hotel’s lobby bar and Rocksteady restaurant serve regional and international dishes with a focus on seafood.
Tensing Pen epitomizes rustic-chic.
COURTESY
Who Will Love It: Bohemian beach travelers
All-Star Amenities: Massage hut; yoga; spa; sea views
What Not To Miss: Complimentary daily yoga sessions in an open-air hut
Location: Negril’s West End
Cottages hand-built from stone, bamboo and thatch dot the cliff top at Tensing Pen, a rustic-chic resort with a wellness focus on Negril’s West End. Travelers looking for a reset can enjoy quiet sunrise swims in the sea, yoga sessions with salty breezes and a healing massage in an oceanfront treatment hut.
And while it is a wellness resort, Tensing Pen isn’t too strict or stringent. Refreshing dark and stormies are the open-air bar’s specialty, and the Lodge restaurant serves decadent dishes like grilled Caribbean lobster. The concierge can help you book off-property activities too like organic farm tours, horseback riding on the beach and waterfall treks.
I’ve dedicated my career to covering travel as a freelance writer since 2000 when I quit my first (and only) desk job to travel the world. I visited Indonesia, Fiji and Australia as a budget backpacker, and I have lived in Sydney, Southern France, coastal New Zealand and my current home, Florida. I have explored all corners of the U.S. and the Caribbean including the island of Jamaica, which is one of my favorite destinations. You’ll find me reporting on such diverse travel topics as scuba diving, educational vacations and cultural trends in publications like CNN, National Geographic, The Washington Post, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, AARP and many others.