Travelers are getting very adept at online comparison-shopping for travel deals. However, it is best to get the best deals without paying too much. For example, two different browsers, Safari and Firefox, showed that the rates on one of them are as much as $700 lower.

Some sites, such as Expedia, insist that pricing is not affected by previous searches. Still, it is best to take precautions and remove any possibilities that can create a problem. However, the best advice is that when a great rate is found, book it. That is the best way to avoid price hikes when a deal is great.

Another travel-site pitfall is that a car rental or hotel room offered in a package deal may end up costing you more than if you simply book with a hotel or car-rental site directly. It certainly makes sense, in most cases, to make comparisons before booking.