Is Coupon Travel Deals Really Cheap?

Hi Friends,

Have you ever been really attracted by the low prices advertised by coupon companies, such as Groupon, Big Deals etc? But really it such coupon travel deals really cheap? Or the low prices are merely gimmick?

Coupon Travel Deals

Look at the above coupon travel deal.
What is your first impression?
Let me guess? ” Oh, my god! Only SGD459/pax for a 4 days 3 nights at Taipei! And flying on Singapore Airlines! Wow, it is really cheap. Very worth, must grab!”

Highlights of the tour

Ha ha, don’t be shy because sometimes I behave in this way too. It is so easy to get excited over cheap travel deals. But after moments of excitement, I cooled down and start to see if there is any fine print written:-

The fine prints of Coupon travel deals

After reading the above, I concluded that the coupon travel tour was

1) min 2 person

2) For limited travel period in February 2012.

3) Total cost should be SGD 459 + Airport taxes SGD350 = SGD809

4) Most uneasy clause is the last one on hotel blackout/surcharges will only be advised by local operators when booking.

So now we knew that actual cost of this 4 days 3 nights Taipei trip was SGD809
Let us search on Zuji and find out how much does the traveling package of 4 days 3 nights cost:-

Zuji 4 days 3 nights Taipei Packages

Are you surprised? A 4 days 3 nights taipei tour, on Singapore Airlines, staying at a four star hotel actually cost SGD762.50/pax. The only difference is this hotel has got free internet access whilst the boutique hotel provides free breakfast.

Whether free internet or free breakfast, what we realized is both prices offered are very close. In fact, coupon travel deal is more expensive.

Now that we know…. maybe we may start thinking that coupon travel deal is really not cheaper every time, right?

Food for thought…

Cheers,
Karen