The only thing that excites me more than exploring great new destinations is doing it while saving money. The bigger the savings, the more I love it. That's one of the things that inspired me to create the Thrifty Senior Traveler.
And Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) has given me plenty of opportunities to do both.
We've taken advantage of OAT's frequent Last Minute Deals, which typically offer departures within the next two to four months. I've even hit the jackpot by combining a Last Minute Deal with what I call the “Double Bonus” — a Last Minute Deal that also has no single supplement.
And these aren't occasional sales that appear once or twice a year. OAT regularly posts Last Minute Deals, sometimes offering extraordinary savings on trips with space still available.
I've seen a 15-day trip that normally costs $5,195 offered for $1,295. I've seen small-ship cruises departing in just two months discounted by 50%, including an Upper Deck A cabin.
The best part? You save the money without sacrificing an iota of the experience enjoyed by travelers who paid full fare.
That's what makes these deals so exciting to me. Find them on the OAT Travel website (www.oattravel.com).
Three More Ways OAT Can Save You Money
There are also three other OAT benefits worth knowing about.
1. Frequent Traveler Credit
OAT gives frequent travelers a credit worth 5% of their trip cost to use toward a future adventure. I've also found that the credit can sometimes be based on the regular tour price rather than the discounted Last Minute Deal price. That's a pretty nice bonus.
2. Take More Than One Trip
If you take more than one OAT trip during the same calendar year, there's another discount: $250 off, or $350 for travelers who have taken many OAT trips.
And yes, I've found that this discount can be applied to a Last Minute Deal, too.
3. My $100 Referral Bonus
When booking your first OAT trip, mention that I referred you and you'll receive $100 off per person.
Simply say, "I was referred by Jesse Slome, OAT #932019".
OAT built much of its business through referrals. When you use my referral number at booking, I receive a one-time credit toward a future trip. Just once.
That referral credit is particularly fun for the Thrifty Senior Traveler.
I've already used one of those credits to help reduce the cost of my 20th OAT trip to Tunisia to just $8.
Yes, you read that correctly. Eight dollars (plus airfare, where I also scored a great deal).
But as much fun as that was, the two opportunities that can really make a difference are OAT Last Minute Deals and the availability of solo spaces without a single supplement.
That's where I think the biggest savings can be found on your next international adventure.
