Black Friday Travel Deals 2019

As we approach another silly season of deals and specials  – Black Friday being the silliest of them all – it’s a good opportunity to plan a vacation. Yes, travel is part of the crazy mix of discounted offers available to you. So we’ve decided to offer some tips on the best sites to focus on for Black Friday travel deals as they happen.

Black Friday Specials

Most Black Friday specials tend to be played close to the retailer’s proverbial chest. The specifics of the offers tend to be announced last minute, but there are some tricks to make sure you’re in line and benefit when they are.

For starters, travel deals aren’t just about flights and destinations. This is also a great time to pick up on some other travel essentials like luggage and travel accessories. Think laterally.

Throughout November, many teaser offers will ask you to sign up for a newsletter in order to be informed about the real offer first – nothing wrong with that. You can always unsubscribe if you find the deals aren’t up to your expectations. But where do you look to begin with?

Black Friday Travel Deals 2019

Some of the best deals can be found through package creators and tour companies.

Expat Explore on Black Friday

When it comes to the most flexible travel deals Black Friday has on offer, it’s hard to beat the simplicity that Expat Explore has come up with. Basically, you can pre-download a discount voucher that can be used with any eligible Black Friday tour deal that the site offers. For a site that already offers amazing deals and discounts, it’s a tasty cherry on the top.

Computravel.co.za on Black Friday

The current Black Friday promotion is focused on Mauritius and India, with a couple of packages on offer. More deals are expected to be announced as the big day draws near.

Other Online Retail Shops

Research reveals that online shopping is the biggest growth area for Black Friday shopping. Keep in mind that travel isn’t only about flights. You will need luggage, clothing and travel gadgets too.

Online retailers like Takealot, Loot, and even Makro can offer amazing deals on travel-related goods. It would be well worth your while to keep an eye on their respective departments around November 27.

Black Friday flight specials

Flight specials are the main thing we look for when we hunt for travel specials. Both airlines themselves and third party ticket retailers can offer big benefits. Here are some of the best Black Friday flight deals South Africa might be offering.

Domesticflights-southafrica.co.za

If Black Friday flight deals in 2018 were anything to go by, you’ll be able to score a good deal on both domestic and international flights on Black Friday 2019. Domestic flights went for as little as R370 in 2018, for example.

Travelstart on Black Friday

Another third-party provider, a Travelstart Black Friday offers an incredibly broad list of specials. This is a great one-stop-shop for any international trips you are looking to save on. Aside from international flights with a number of carriers, the Travelstart Black Friday 2018 deals included accommodation and hotel deals in South Africa. Expect more of the same in 2019.

Emirates on Black Friday

Emirates keeps it simple with discount vouchers, being offered “while you wait” for the official Black Friday specials. As a global promotion, it works. The downside is that many of the additional benefits of globally discounted fares can only be booked on the day. Best to keep your mouse finger in shape on the day. It will also benefit you to be subscribed to the Emirates newsletter.

Kulula on Black Friday

Kulula can always be counted on to offer good deals on local Black Friday flights. But with the added appeal of sub-Saharan Africa destinations, Kulula is worth checking out for a path to an African adventure. Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, and Mauritius might well benefit from a Black Friday Special in 2019.

Flight Centre on Black Friday

Flight Centre packages are always worth a look as they cover flights, cruises, accommodation, tours and much more. For the most part, they tend to drive them through a promotional newsletter, so best to subscribe for the best chance of scoring a great deal.

Some additional Black Friday Travel Shopping Tips

Planning is everything. If you plan to take advantage of the madness that is Black Friday, there are a few ways you can better your chances of winning, and perhaps save yourself some stress.

As mentioned, target the outlets you are planning to check out first, and sign up to their newsletters and notifications. At the very least, you’ll be among the first to know when they do announce their offers.

If you’re looking for a specific type of deal, it’s also best to have two or three options as a backup. You may not be fast enough to grab your first choice, but plan for consolation and it won’t sting as much.

If you’re online shopping, some travel retailers might make the special available at midnight. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in.

Lastly, have a budget in mind and try to stick to it. It can be tempting to succumb to the upsell, but it’s no good going for the discount, only to overspend.

Conclusion

It can get crazy. South Africa has shown incredible growth in the Black Friday craze over several years. For some of us, it may relate to lots of stress. Which is probably why we need this vacation. The best advice is to roll with it. Shopping can be cathartic, and with a bit of luck, you’ll walk away with a fantastic deal to enjoy.