The festive season is one of India’s busiest travel periods, with Diwali holidays, family reunions and long weekends driving demand for flights and hotels. Airlines, hotels and travel booking platforms often introduce seasonal promotions and special offers to attract travellers.
However, an attractive discount does not always guarantee the best deal. Knowing when to book, what to compare and how to make the most of available offers can help travellers save money and enjoy a smoother journey. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Karthik Venkataraman, CPRO, Vernost and Bernard Corraya, general manager, Wego India, shared tips on how you can leverage festive offers. Before spending fresh money, review your balances and see where they can be redeemed. Festive periods often bring bonus-point promotions and special redemption options. Shop on trusted platforms, avoid unverified links and never share OTPs or card details. They want value that adds up across every purchase, booking and payment. Loyalty rewards, smart payments and travel offers work best when used together, and with a little planning, the festive season can deliver benefits that last well beyond the celebrations,” highlighted Karthik.
“Many of us hold unused points across bank cards, airlines, retailers and hotel programmes,” said Karthik. “Today’s consumers want more than a one-time discount.
Plan before you shop
List what you genuinely need, set a budget and shortlist purchases in advance. Planning helps you separate real bargains from impulse buys. Travelling on peak festive dates often comes with higher prices. Even a small adjustment to your departure or return date could make a difference to your overall travel budget.
