Posted by Lending Club :: February 18, 2009 @ 5:56 am

It takes a real effort to find positive attributes of the economic crisis, but a few certainly do exist. Near the top of the list are the great deals that are becoming more common for those able to take a vacation.

Fears of layoffs may keep some workers from considering a vacation, but those whose jobs are relatively secure can get some amazing deals. Demand for travel is down significantly and many vacation destinations are trying to entice guests with extremely low prices. The Associated Press recently reported that airlines started 2009 with drastic price reductions, but cuts go beyond just airfare. These sales are nothing new, but the breadth of the offerings as well as the reduced restrictions are certainly noteworthy. Sale fares in prior years were typically only for travel through March. This year some deals are valid on travel as late as June.

There are many ways to find cheap travel online, but my favorite starting point is kayak.com, which searches other travel sites and presents the best of the best options. Deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and cruises can all be found on the site. You can also enter flexible travel dates, get price alerts by email and much, much more.

While the economic crisis is certainly a cause for concern, it’s important to keep the proper perspective about the constant stream of bad news. As I mentioned in Personal Effect of the Financial Crisis, unless the bad news affects you, it can actually present some positive opportunities. Getting a great deal on travel is one such example. An inexpensive week or two away will not only remove you from the negativity but may also give you the time to recover and be better prepared to deal with the crisis when you finally do return.

Are you planning a vacation for this year?