CheapTickets.com and LowestFare.com can find you dirt-cheap airfares, but beware of restrictive conditions and limited availability. Always read the fine print before you buy and check with mainstream agencies Travelocity or Expedia for comparison prices before you commit to any deal!

SkyAuction.com offers coach and premium air tickets, as well as some vacation packages. Bidding gets heated, so comparison-shop before you dive in and read the details as taxes and fees can be steep.

More vacation packages can be found at Bid4Vacations.com, including exotic deals like trekking in Nepal or white water rafting in remote locations.

We don't use Priceline for air travel (lousy routes and no FF mile benefits) but we like it for hotel savings! You pick the neighborhood (midtown, downtown etc.) and the preferred quality (1-4 stars) the hotel must have -- then place your bid. If it's accepted, you're locked in, so do due diligence before bidding.

Las Vegas-based Travelscape.com gets discount rates at hotels in many major cities. Vegas packages and other vacation packages can also be good wagers.

For discount hotel rates in the United States, try 1800usahotels.com Quick online referrals to mainstream Travelocity, Expedia or Preview Travel or the hotel chain's own website will give you a good idea of the price to beat. It still takes research to get the best deal here.

For a discount rate on a European hotel, Petrabax offers the Bancotel European voucher program. You can make advance reservations at 2-5 star hotels throughout Europe at great prices!