Deal or no deal?

But if you've ever been burned by a deal that didn't deliver on the promised savings, you're right to be cautious. But should a healthy dose of scepticism keep you from getting a great bargain? Here are some tips for smart shopping:

Make sure it isn't a scam. The first thing you should do when considering any deal is to make sure that it's legitimate. Vacation and travel-related scams are still one of the most common types of fraud. Be especially cautious if it's a company you're not familiar with or if the offer seems too good to be true. For more information on spotting and avoiding scams, see Vacation scams: what you need to know.

Check out the rumours. So you've heard that hotel rooms in Las Vegas are going for a record low? Or that high end cruise companies are offering good fares right now? Is the downturn in the U.S. economy resulting in cheaper packages to Europe? Did JetBlue really auction off tickets on eBay?

Sometimes things that sound too good to be true are more than rumour. The trick is to find out what the experts are saying and to see if there are facts behind the speculation. In addition to news sources and travel publications, there are many travel experts turned bloggers, such as Arthur Frommer and Christopher Elliott, who follow the ups and downs of travel industry trends.