Although it may seem like our tight economy has spawned this topic, it’s actually something I’ve been planning to write about for quite some time. There are and always will be discounts, coupons and freebies out there. Sometimes they are offered up front by eager merchants. Sometimes you have to ask for them. Two-for-one offers and cents-off (dollars-off on big ticket items) are a time-honored way merchants and retailers use to convince us to try a new product, sample a line extension, spend a night, try a meal, pay a visit—or engage in any number of other commercial interactions.
For the consumer, the benefits are obvious. On the other side of the counter, the retailer is betting that an economic incentive will boost volume, increase sales and more than make up for the slight loss in profit it took to coax people in the door. In any venture, repeat business is the name of the game. So building a loyal following whose members will pass along recommendations by word of mouth is an ever-present goal. Free or discounted products or services are one of the best ways to do that.
Let’s start with travel discounts. There are entire Web sites devoted to getting you breaks on hotels, airline tickets and other travel services. Among the best known are Expedia, Hotwire, Travelzoo and Travel Discounts. I have mentioned previously the wonderful travel resources that AAA offers its members. The AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) is another big one. Almost every hotel I can think of offers discounts to members of these widely known associations. In addition, many states have automobile associations.
There also travel clubs catering to the special needs of niche markets within the vast travel audience. For example, there are scores of RV clubs, vacation clubs, travel clubs for singles, clubs for seniors, women and on and on. Search for these online. When people of common interests bond together, they create clout in marketplace, and that’s why groups of respectable size can command discounted products and services for their members. One to start with is World Travelers.
As far as freebies are concerned, you would be hard pressed to find an industry that gives away more free material than the travel industry. Granted, most of what they give away is information because lavish four-color brochures, maps and booklets are how they inform and educate you about their area or attraction. Even more important, though, these expensive-to-produce materials are how they go about persuading you to visit . . . and spend money. Want proof? Go to any travel-related website and you’ll likely find an option to receive a free “travel kit” or “vacation planning guide.” The names vary, but the purpose never does. Most sites let you download these so you can start using them immediately. You can also usually opt to have the material mailed to your home.
Visit any of Michigan’s 14 Welcome Centers, and you can pick up armloads of printed information. Most other states do the same. And every state has a tourism office with the job of dispensing tons of free information to those who ask for it. For other travel freebies, you may want to check these sites: Free Stuff Channel, Mom’s Minivan and The Free Guide—to name only a few.
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