When it comes to finding inexpensive resort options, my mantra is “there is such thing as too good of a deal.” I know because I learned the hard way.

One would think that with all the hotels and resorts in Orlando, it’d be possible to find some decent lodging at a pretty good price. At least that’s what I thought after I booked a few nights at, what appeared to be, a nice, inexpensive resort. My friends and I were pretty excited by the deal we got and couldn’t wait to get down there and commence with the fun. So you could imagine our surprise when we saw what our “deal” got us.

Inexpensive and nice don’t have to be mutually exclusive. It is possible to not only stay at a nice resort, but also not pay an arm and leg to do so. You just need to know where to look.

 Membership has its privileges

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to get a good deal is to take advantage of the special deals your credit card company may offer. With the advent of “Rewards” cards, it’s possible to turn your everyday spending into deep discounts at many popular resorts. American Express, for example, allows card members to earn point on nearly every dollar they spend. When you accumulate enough points, you can go to their travel web site and pay for your trip with the points you’ve accumulated. If you’ve got the financial discipline to pay off your credit card every month, it could be a pretty attractive option.

For those of you who don’t want to go the credit card route, another way to find inexpensive deals at some of your favorite resorts is to take advantage of being a member of AAA (the American Automobile Association). Beyond roadside assistance, many hotels and resorts offer special pricing exclusively for AAA members. Membership costs vary, but the savings you could potentially enjoy will quickly pay off.

Harness the Power of the Internet

Google™ “resort deals” and you’ll come up with nearly three-quarters of a million results. Inexpensive resort deals, it turns out, is a pretty popular search term! But who wants to sift through that many results? Check out your favorite travel site, and you’ll probably find some inexpensive deals.

If you have the time, check out www.tripadvisor.com to research the resorts you’re interested in. You might be surprised by what you find. You may even come across an “off-the-beaten-path” resort you never would have found online. Smaller resorts and Bed and Breakfasts often will offer some great deals to fill their rooms. And because they’re smaller, they usually have something to prove. As a result, you could get more bang for your buck.

Last but not least, go to the resort’s web site and deal with them directly. You might be surprised with the results you can get when dealing with a live human being! Either way, with a little time and the right research you’ll be able to relax with the confidence that you got a great deal!

- Patrick C.