Ten (Almost) Free Travel Deals: 2010 Edition

Freebies! It’s not just a buzzword anymore. Penny-pinching is more important than ever these days, and we’ve compiled a variety of deals that offer a little something extra for your travel dollars. These almost-free deals run the gamut from beaches to ski slopes, Alaska to Europe, and more.

Read on to see our top picks for the coming year, and don’t forget to share the good travel deals you’ve been seeing in the comment section below. {{{SmarterBuddy|align=left}}}

Free Companion Airfare to the Bahamas

Not looking forward to the long, cold winter? Why not hit the beach? With its free airfare offer, the Bahamas wants friends, couples, and other traveling pairs to take a sunny vacation on the cheap. Book an airfare-and-hotel vacation package of four nights or more at a participating Bahamas hotel, and you’ll receive free airfare for your companion. More than 40 properties throughout Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, and the outlying islands are taking part in the promotion. Book by February 9 for travel through June 30.

Vegas Freebies

Vegas.com has a constantly updated roster of “Buy & Get Free Specials” on its deals homepage. At publication time, several downtown and Strip hotels were offering free nights, with some deals as low as a free night with just one night’s minimum stay. Properties and travel dates will vary, so check back often to find the best deal that works for your budget. You can also find free continental breakfast offers, food and beverage credits, and vouchers for other free perks in the “Upgrade, Dining, & Other Package Specials” section of the Vegas.com deals page.

Fourth Night Free at Disneyland

Southwest Vacations has put together a Fourth Night Free Disneyland Resort Vacation Package deal. Book a minimum four-night airfare-and-Disneyland-resort package by February 19, including Park Hopper passes, and you’ll get a free fourth night at your resort, as well as early access to select attractions throughout the park with “Magic Morning” admission. Additionally, with Southwest, your first two bags fly at no extra charge. Travel is valid between January 4 and April 11.

Free Night, Breakfast in Puerto Rico

You don’t need a passport to visit Puerto Rico, and with the island’s latest promotion, you won’t need a lot of extra cash, either. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s latest deal, Puerto Rico Sparkles, features a free fourth night at more than 30 participating hotels, free breakfast, and discounts on area tours and car rentals. Book by January 15 for travel through April 15.

Free Blue Lagoon Excursion With Iceland Vacation Packages

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most iconic attractions, and with Icelandair’s Build Your Own budget package, you can visit it for free. Packages start at $499 per person and include round-trip airfare, two nights’ accommodation at a participating Reykjavik hotel, daily breakfast, and fuel surcharges. The Blue Lagoon transfer and entry admission are included during your first day in country. Travel is valid through March; no booking deadline had been listed at publication time.

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More than 130 Two-for-One Deals in Alaska

Everything in the Alaska Tour Saver coupon book is two-for-one—and there are more than 130 deals in all. Available for $99.95, the Alaska Tour Saver book offers buy-one, get-one free deals for lodging, dining, tours, rental cars, cruise excursions, and more. Many travelers find they recoup the cost of the book by using just one or two coupons. Additionally, if you’re not satisfied with the book, there’s a 10-day money-back guarantee. Sample offers include two-for-one whale watching cruises from Alaska Galore Tours, buy-one-get-one-free half-day rainbow trout fly fishing excursion from Susitna Valley River Guides, and a two-for-one Denali Jeep backcountry safari tour from Alaska Travel Adventures.

Complimentary Resort Credits With Marriott

Many travelers are attracted to resorts for their “everything under one roof” amenities—luxurious accommodations, golf courses, restaurants, spas, and more. Yet at the same time, many find the high prices associated with those on-site amenities to be off-putting. Now, Marriott has put together a deal that covers the best of both worlds: A $50 resort credit for each day of your stay, so you can take advantage of those “one-stop” extras at no additional charge. At publication time, 19 properties throughout Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas were participating in the deal. A two-night minimum stay is required; credits are then allocated for each additional night stayed. This offer is available through January 31.

Rock Resorts Offers Complimentary Nights

Rock Resorts is luring winter travelers with its Three for Free promotion this season. Participating properties can be found throughout ski country (Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico), Florida, and the Caribbean. Book by January 31 to receive the free night, a complimentary $50 gift card, and a hydration backpack at no extra charge. Travel must be completed by April 3.

Free Checked Bag With Kimpton

Hate paying baggage fees at the airport? Book your hotel stay with Kimpton and you won’t have to! The hotel brand’s We’ve Got Your Bag program offers a $25 room credit to offset the charges for your second checked bag. No expiration date has been listed; to get the room credit, you must book a room using Kimpton’s “Best Available Rate” pricing category and present proof of the airline baggage charge at check-in.

Stay and Ski Free

Pinecrest Chalet in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains has a Ski and Stay Free offer: Book a Sunday through Thursday night stay at the chalet and get two adult lift tickets at nearby Dodge Ridge Wintersports Area (a $118 value). Winter rates at Pinecrest start at $110 per night; some accommodations have kitchenettes and fireplaces. No expiration date has been listed for this promotion, and winter rates are in effect through March 26.

Your Turn

Have you seen any good deals that offer free perks? Share your insider secrets by submitting a comment below!