Summer travel deals are still super hot

Almost everyone is tightening their belts these days as family budgets for just about everything seem to be smaller. However, luckily you aren’t the only one who has felt the effects of the shaky economy. The travel industry has also been hard hit, making for some great deals that allow you to still take that vacation this year without having to worry about busting your budget. In fact, there are lots of offers for free nights and rewards when you book travel, including a July sale at Expedia that gives you $50 back when you book your vacation. Expedia July Sale: Book a qualified 3+ night hotel stay & get a $50 Prepaid MasterCard® card for gas!

While travel deals are aplenty these days, there are a few other great tips for getting to travel more for less. Another great way to cut down on travel costs is to subscribe to a airline mileage card that allows to accrue and earn miles with your everyday spending. Just think, after a few months of grocery shopping, you could have very well earned a free domestic air ticket for your next trip. Check out the latest scoops on cheap travel deals with the Washington Post’s Travel Talk each week as well.

Just last year, summer travel was way more expensive than it was at other times of the year. However, this year in a burst of post-Fourth of July sales, prices have been falling on all aspects of travel due to the bad economy. This is making for cheap coast-to-coast flights, hotel rate wars and cheap, cheap cruises and vacation packages. The LA Times has a great run down on where you’ll see some of the very best travel deals around for the rest of the summer.

Other Summer Travel Deals/News:

Cheap Thrills: Budget-priced adventure travel close to NYC

Rick Steves: Cheap Tricks in Norway

A Recession Summer Theme: Come On In, the Travel’s cheap (from NYT)