Hotel and flight packages are often a great opportunity to significantly cut down on your travel costs. When combined with specific hotel and/or flight deals, they can save you even more if you book at the right time.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the tools, tricks, and strategies you need to maximize your savings when booking a travel package in Mexico—especially if you’re new to planning trips.
Packages vs. Booking Hotel and Flight Separately: When Each Option Makes Sense
In Mexico, package travel bookings started to gain popularity back when Mexicana de Aviación operated and introduced the VTP (Viaje Todo Pagado – “All Paid Trip”). This was a term created by Mexicana that many people still associate with package travel sales. Although it’s not an official industry term and isn’t as common nowadays, it remains recognized within the travel sector.
One of the most common questions people ask is whether it’s better to book a complete package that includes hotel and flight (sometimes even airport transfers and activities), or whether it’s smarter to book each service separately.
The truth is there’s no single answer—it depends on many factors, such as the chosen hotel, travel season, available flight seats, hotel occupancy, supplier agreements, and more.
How Do Cheap Travel Packages Work?
You might wonder if it’s really possible for a hotel + flight package to be cheaper than booking separately. The answer is yes—though it’s not always the case.
This is mainly possible thanks to two factors: hotel pricing strategies and commercial agreements between suppliers and operators. That’s why it doesn’t apply universally; it varies by hotel and airline.
- Some hotels have a special “package rate” strategy, usually for a limited number of rooms, to increase occupancy and attract travelers looking for bundled deals.
- Airlines often partner with certain hotel chains, lowering prices together during specific seasons.
- Tour operators or travel agencies may pre-purchase hotel rooms and flight seats in bulk. As the travel date approaches, if they still have availability, they bundle them at discounted rates to make the most of their inventory.
Advantages of Booking a Package
Financial Savings
- Exclusive discounts from agencies or operators
- Lower combined rates due to special agreements
- Last-minute deals with additional discounts
Convenience
- Simplified management in a single transaction
- Coordinated scheduling between flights and accommodation
- Customer service through a single point of contact
When Is It NOT Worth Booking a Package?
Sometimes, waiting and booking separately is the smarter choice:
- Airline flash sales or special hotel deals may beat package rates.
- You might find a great hotel promotion while flights are overpriced—or vice versa.
- Package deals may force you into inconvenient flight times (very late arrivals or early returns that waste a day of your trip).
If you book with a travel agency, ask if there are perks for booking a specific package, or if they can create a custom bundle. Sometimes agencies will adjust commissions to win your loyalty, offering you a special rate even if they build the package service by service.
Recommended Cases for Separate Bookings:
- Trips with fixed dates
- Preferences for specific airlines or hotel chains
- Destinations where packages don’t offer real savings
Best Times to Book Packages for the Lowest Prices
Book Flights in Advance
According to Google Flights:
- Domestic flights (Mexico): Book 38 days in advance
- International flights: Best prices appear 101 days in advance, but deals can show up 50 days prior
- Flights to Europe: Book 94 days in advance
- Mexico & Caribbean: Lowest fares are usually found 44 days in advance
Best Days to Book
Studies from Expedia & Airlines Reporting Corporation show:
- Flights: Sundays offer the lowest fares
- Hotels: Best rates are found on Friday nights
- Flights on Thursdays: Up to 18% cheaper in premium cabins and 10% cheaper in economy
Best Seasons to Travel Cheap
- May is the cheapest month to travel, followed by September, October, and late January
- Prices for both flights and hotels drop significantly during these months
Date Flexibility
- Midweek travel (Tuesday, Wednesday) is up to 20% cheaper
- Red-eye flights (10 PM–midnight) and early morning flights (4–6 AM) are cheaper
- Avoid Sundays and Mondays—higher demand from business travelers raises prices
Alternative Destinations
- Check nearby airports to your main destination
- Explore off-season destinations
Tips for Beginners
- Start simple: For your first trip, use well-known agencies that simplify logistics.
- Research: Spend at least a week comparing options before booking.
- Stay flexible: The best deals often require adaptable dates and destinations. If you can’t be flexible and must travel in high season, expect fewer bargain opportunities.
Final Thoughts
In summary, travel savings don’t depend on complicated tricks, but rather on smart planning and the strategic use of available tools. With these techniques, you can significantly reduce your travel costs while still maintaining the quality of your experience.
Packages are a great option to consider when looking for competitive rates. However, as you’ve seen, finding the best deals requires some dedication, patience, and time. If you don’t want to—or can’t—spend that much time, working with a travel agency or agent can be an excellent alternative.
For your peace of mind, did you know that at México Destinos we offer a Price Guarantee? This means you can let a travel agent help you get a quote via WhatsApp, and if you happen to find a better rate elsewhere, we’ll match or even improve it. That way, you can count on our full support while we monitor prices and apply the strategies mentioned above to secure the best offers for you.