Travel prices are on the rise this year, particularly with the cost of fuel on the upswing. Savvy travelers know there are plenty of ways to shave some dollars off the cost of vacations if they plan ahead and keep the basics in mind. The biggest savings can be found in how you book your flights and travel accommodations, although you can also save money on little things that add up, too. For example, shopping for discounted luggage online and comparing prices to get the best deal can mean more money left over to enjoy oneself.

Here are some other money-saving tips:

• Travel Off-Season. There are popular travel windows for most parts of the world, but if you plan to relax in a tropical region or do a lot of indoor antiquing, museum hopping, and the like, you may be able to travel during the off-season and save, not to mention avoid the crowds. The price of everything like food, airfare, and accommodations is lower in most popular tourist destinations during the off-season. If you want to take advantage of good weather but still save money, look for the “shoulder season,” the weeks in between peak season and off-season.

• Compare Airfares. Airline tickets are usually the single biggest expense on a vacation doing some extra research is worth it. Don’t assume the airfares on one website will be the same everywhere else. Many airlines have different deals set up with individual ticket brokerage sites, so visit several. Recommended sites include Travelocity, Kayak, and Priceline.

• Bundle Your Travel. The same websites offering discounts on airfare can book your hotel room and have a rental car waiting for you at your destination. Often times, the more items you bundle into a package, the more you’ll save. In some cases, if you fly a particular airline, you can get a discount of up to 20% on reservations at certain major hotel chains

• Ask About Discounts. Hotels offer discounts for many organizations like AARP, AAA, and Diner’s Club International, but rarely advertise them. If you belong to an organization, always ask for a discount when you check-in. It takes just a moment and may save you a fair amount. In some cases, you’ll also score a free upgrade – AAA members can often upgrade their rental car for the same price, for example.

• Be Flexible. If you want to take a trip to the beach and can be flexible about when you travel, sign-up online with several airline or travel sites to receive email alerts about sales, discounts, and low rates. Often times you can get last minute, unadvertised discounts. You just have to look around.

• Fly Mid-Week. Most people fly on the weekends or on Fridays or Mondays. However, the lowest priced flights tend to fly on Tuesdays and Thursdays when flights are relatively empty. If you can plan around these days, you have a better chance of scoring a lower priced plane ticket.

• Book Early. If you book at least two weeks in advance of your trip, you’ll usually be able to lock in a better price. Booking just a week ahead of time means you’ll be paying full price, which almost no one does anymore. It’s like paying full price for your luggage - you don’t need to do it when discounted luggage is available online.

• Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For A Refund. No airline will tell you they’ll refund the difference if a fare drops in price 24 hours or a week after you purchase your ticket, but some will do it if you inquire, or offer you a discount on a future flight. It never hurts to ask.

If you are conscious of how much you are paying for the basics, you may be able to save enough to extend your vacation for an extra few days, or plan a long-weekend getaway later in the year. Taking the time to get discounts is worth it.