Just because it’s a "deal" doesn’t mean it’s a great deal. Each year we ditch the riffraff to cull the best list evar.
For the most part, all the great travel deals happen on Monday but if you can't wait until then, some retailers are joining in on Black Friday. Same deal goes as last year. We'll be updating this list as deals go live so check back again on Sunday and Monday for Cyber Monday because that's when the majority of the good stuff seems to happen.
Like we pointed out last year, if you’re doing any other online shopping, it’s worth it to check out if your frequent flyer program gives you miles back for anything you purchase online through the airline's shopping portal.
Black Friday
Backcountry: Save up to 50% off the Backcountry website. The deal seems to include lots of clothes if you're short on that end but there's a nice Gregory Jade 50 pack that's heavily discounted during this sale. To qualify for free shipping, you must spend over $50. Deal ends Nov. 28.
Expedia: SOLD OUT I don't generally like to include property sales but Expedia has 90% off (you read that right) some very nice properties in San Francisco, Vegas, New York, Cancun and Honolulu on extremely specific dates. It might just be worth checking out for an unplanned getaway!
Hotel Tonight: Download the Hotel Tonight mobile booking app for $7 hotel stays beginning at 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. The deal extends throughout the weekend, though prices will go up to $70 after the Friday sale. Use code EHO24 for an additional $25 off if you’re a first-time user.
Hotwire: $10 off is not much but I guess you can make space for an extra meal when planning your next hotel stay. Use code THANKS10 by 11/30 to shave some money off.
Lo & Sons: This company has one of the best travel carry-on bags for women that I have ever seen. They're slashing 30% off everything on the site, dropping the price for the O.M.G and the O.G. bag down to $192.50 to $206.40 respectively. A bargain for the quality. (The bags normally retail close to $300.)
LOT Polish Airlines: Get 15% off all PLL LOT operated flights from Poland with promotion code BLACKFRIDAY. The code is redeemable from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, and is valid for flights from Jan. 15 to March 31, 2015.
MSC Cruises: Caribbean getaway anyone? MSC is offering from $349 per person trips to the Caribbean and $499 to the Mediterranean. As a part of the deal, kids travel free, and if you book a balcony or suite, you’ll receive up to $200 in shipboard credit. I could totally be tempted.
REI: The Disneyland of outdoor gear retailers is offering up to 50% off select merchandise with free shipping this Thanksgiving. The deals aren't particularly great but the best deal is happening at REI Outlet where you get an extra 30% off *any* item you choose. Sale ends Dec. 1.
STA Travel: Get a free ISIC card (usually $25) when you book any international flight over $200 and enter the promo code STUDENT at checkout. They also have other deals to other places: Get $10 off domestic flights with code DOM10. Take $30 off Europe, Africa and Asia travel with codes EURO30, AFRICA30 and ASIA30 respectively. Take $50 off Australia, Central American and South America with codes AU50 and LATIN50. Those heading to New Zealand get the most off with $200 being shaved off with code 200OFFNZ. Redeem by Dec. 1.
South African Airways: Not really a Black Friday deal per se but SAA is offering fares (taxes not included) to South Africa from Washington Dulles or New York's JFK airport for $709 for specific dates. This is the best deal to Africa I've seen in a while! The route typically runs about $1000-1500. Ridiculously cheap.
Travelocity: Travelocity seems to run promos all the freaking time but this one might be worth it. Use the promotional code TURKEYFUN for an extra 16% off a $300 or more hotel booking, which translates to a minimum $48 in savings. Must be booked by Dec. 1.
Cyber Monday
Air New Zealand: I keep saying I'm gonna go to New Zealand and then I never do. Get up to $400 with flights as cheap as $798 to New Zealand, $711 and even $598 to Rarotonga from Los Angeles for next summer. Exooootic. Deal ends Dec. 1.
Etihad Airways: Take 30% off economy, business or first class flights from New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco or Dallas/Fort Worth when you enter the promotional code CYBERMONDAY. Offer is valid through Dec. 2, 2014 and applies to select destinations. Restrictions apply so read the full T & C.
Friendly Planet: Take $100-$500 off every travel package booked online. Sale lasts only 24 hours and begins Monday midnight. Packages include trips to Cuba, Peru, Italy and Thailand. Great for taking a tour...
Frontier Airlines: Frontier has 20% off with code CYBERSAVINGS. Book Dec. 2, fly Dec. 6 -Feb. 12, 2015.
Icebreakers: This New Zealand-based clothing retailer has free shipping and is willing to throw in a free water bottle if you spend over $100. Okay, so not the greatest deal. But's like The North Face but for Kiwis. (Plus all of their stuff is made out of merino wool, which is supposedly really great for cold climates...) Deal ends Dec. 1.
JETSETTER: Four nights in New York City for only $100? Unheard of. Believe it or not though, this deal can be yours if you book soon enough. Plus, you’ll receive an additional $50 credit towards your next JETSETTER hotel stay with any purchase you make online on Dec. 1.
LAN Airlines: Flights to South America start from $198 from Miami. There are some really good deals here like New York to Santiago from $899. There's also 20% off all flights within South America. Must be purchased Dec. 2. Viva Sudamerica!
Marriott Rewards: Marriott has 30% off a bunch of hotels for weekend stays throughout the U.S. Offer valid Jan. 1 – Feb. 28 on Thursday – Sunday stays. Two-night minimum stay required. The promotional code is 16C for those who call in to book their rate. (People still do that?) Deals expire Dec. 1.
Samsonite: In the market for some new luggage? Take 30% off your entire order with no minimum purchase AND free shipping. Use promotional code MONDAY30. Offer is valid on Dec. 1 only.
Starwood: If your destination is anywhere in the America’s, you can get up to 30% off at participating hotel and resort locations. Must book by Dec. 7.
The North Face: This favorite is offering plenty of items under $100. Items include jackets, gloves, backpacks and boots. No promotional code required.
TripIt: If you're anything like me and need to organize, well, everything, TripIt Pro is the way to go. Take 20% off the TripIt Pro travel app to get alerts, organization tools and VIP benefits for only $39 a year. Not a bad price considering the amount of stress it could save. Use promotion code PROMONDAY.
Virgin America: Use promotional code FOMO20 to save 20% on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights, or 10% off on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday flights. Travel period is from Dec. 12- March 6. The offer applies to main cabin fares only and expires on Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m.