We all know what November means: Black Friday and amazing deals! It’s that time of year when everyone looks out for their bucket list items and gets to buy things they otherwise might not. But to get the best offers, you need to be smart about it. So, we’ve got 10 tips on how to bag the best Black Friday Deals online!
If you have a dream destination in mind for that well-deserved holiday, here’s how to make sure you get it at the best possible price this Black Friday. Mark your calendar for 24 November 2023!
1. Sign up for newsletters and email alerts
Sign up for email alerts and newsletters, and follow your brand on social media to stay in the loop about the best deals and specials.
2. Plan ahead
Create a list ahead of time of what you need to avoid being distracted by ‘great offers’ that you don’t actually need. Be specific about what you want. When looking for a good flight deal, have a specific destination but be flexible on your travel dates.
3. Set a budget
Set yourself a limit and put together a rough outline of how much you plan to spend, referencing to it while you browse to reduce the risk of impulsive shopping.
4. Do your homework
Research your product well so that you don’t end up buying something inferior just because it’s marked at a cheaper price.
5. Download the app
A lot of brands have exclusive app-only deals, so always have the app installed to get instant Black Friday deals wherever you go.
Download Travelstart’s app and get access to all our flights for even less.
6. Compare prices
Compare prices beforehand to see if you’re really getting a good deal. When booking flights, also check out hotel specials or all-inclusive packages around your travel dates to see which option gives you the best value for your money.
7. Be prepared
If you plan on making EFT payments, check that you have enough funds in your account. If you plan on booking flights, make sure you have the ID and passport numbers for all the passengers on hand. You don’t want to be scrambling around for documents at the last minute.
8. Check for secure payment
Any legit e-commerce site or online store should have a secure payment platform that does not store your credit card information, but instead safely encrypts it. If you are unsure about your purchase, check your statement to make sure you have not been incorrectly charged.
9. Understand the returns policy
Many deals will have T&Cs attached, so make sure you know what the return or exchange policy is before you buy. When booking flights and accommodation, check for blockout dates, trip exclusions and if you are able to make changes to your ticket. You can also buy additional products like Flexible Dates and Medical Cancellation Refund for extra peace of mind.
10. Avoid distractions
You’ll need to focus all your energy on nabbing those deals and staying calm. Having your kids or pets running around you may be distracting and you could end up buying the wrong thing.
A brief history of Black Friday
While many of us eagerly await the countdown to possibly the biggest shopping extravaganza of the year, an interesting thought is ‘How did it all start?’
The story goes as far back as 24 September 1869 when two financial ringleaders tried to corner the US gold market and bought as much gold as possible, hoping the scarcity would drive the price up and they’d stand to make an enormous profit. Unfortunately, word got out of their conspiracy and the stock market plummeted by over 20 percent in little more than a week, causing financial ruin for many investors and the general public. Hence, this financial crisis was labelled “Black Friday“.
A more recent version of its history fast-forwards to the 1950s in Philadelphia when frenzied crowds of shoppers and tourists would flock into the city the Friday after Thanksgiving, before the Army-Navy football game held on that Saturday. Everyone else had the day off to hit the shops, while the police had to work extra-long shifts to keep unruly crowds in check. They soon coined the dreaded workday “Black Friday”.
However, it wasn’t ‘til the early 90s that the phrase caught on and spread across media campaigns throughout the United States. It was during this time that businesses recognised this day as extremely profitable, turning over large numbers which put them “in the black” (profitable) as opposed to “in the red” (making losses).
Nowadays you don’t have to scramble through endless queues to get your hands on the latest Black Friday deals. You can simply shop online from the comfort of your couch.
Are you looking for great offers on flights, accommodation and holiday packages this Black Friday? Don’t get left behind waiting in the wings while these hot deals fly by! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to get deals on our biggest sale of the year before they sell out!
Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on our Black Friday deals throughout the day. Let your holiday adventures begin with Travelstart!
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart will not be held liable for loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of outdated or incorrectly noted information.