No matter how you plan, getting home for the holidays can mean long lines, delays, cancellations and especially high prices. Travel journalist Valarie D'elia was invited on the “Today” show to share bargain travel tricks that can save you big bucks. Here are some tips.

Web sites cheapskates can't afford to miss
Expertflyer.com: Don't count your frequent flyer miles out just yet! This site allows passengers to see what frequent flyer awards are available up to the last minute on five different airlines, including American, Frontier, Qantas, Singapore and Air France. You are privy to what travel agents see on their reservations systems, so you don't have to worry about calling the airlines and being at the mercy of the ticket agent. With your very own eyes, watch as the inventory becomes available. Subscription fee is $4.99 per month. Sign up in mid-December and January, and you'll have first dibs on seats for holiday season 2006, because airlines generally release frequent flyer seats 11 months in advance of flights.

Airfarewatchdog.com: Where to go if you haven't booked your trip home for the holidays. This grass roots, log style site features unadvertised and secret airline sales as well as "fat-finger" fares, mistakes that airlines make that occasionally allow you to book trips for $0! The small staff of four hunts and pecks diligently around the major Internet sites to find cheap fares. If Thanksgiving was any indication, the watchdogs say Christmas and New Year flights may become available on the holiday itself, so those who hold out possibly can make out.

Bumptracker.com: Holidays are prime time for getting bumped. Passengers looking to shop the airlines to get a sense of how much airlines will pay can look at this Web site, which shows how many other passengers have been bumped off certain flights and what, if anything, they were awarded. Bumptracker is only as good as the material submitted by bumpees, but the site also offers tips and tricks and shows a history of what airlines are paying to bump people.

Freebie events in Vegas during the holidays
Bellagio Hotel: The Fountains of Bellagio
The largest musical fountain system in the world celebrates the holiday season with a special repertoire of holiday music. Now through early January, holiday songs including "Sleigh Ride," "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and "Santa Baby."

Circus Circus: Santa under the Big Top
Children of all ages can greet Santa and Mrs. Claus at one of the most exciting resorts in Las Vegas — Circus Circus. Santa will be on hand to hear holiday wishes and spread Christmas cheer. Look for Santa on the promenade level next to the Adventuredome from noon to 9 pm. December 2 through 4, December 9 through 11 and December 16 through 24.

Nicaragua
From a political hotbed to a tourism hot spot — this Central American destination between Costa Rica and Honduras is one of the newest and safest, yes, safest spots on the map for travelers. It's "contra" to everything you might think. The civil war between the Sandinistas and the Contra rebels ended 20 years ago, and savvy travelers know that this is THE place for history, beaches and big, big bargains. Hotels cost a third of what you would expect and meals are a steal. Hospedajes, guesthouses, can cost as little as $4.50 a night. The volcanic Pacific Coast is the area where tourists visit, including Managua and the colonial towns of Leon and Granada. The Caribbean coast is mostly off limits to travelers because of drug-running, and the northern reaches are still littered with land mines. Starting Dec. 15, there will be a new non-stop AA flight daily from Atlanta to Managua. Travelers can travel independently or take a best of Nicaragua guided tour, such as the one offered by taratours.com (8 days/7 nights, daily departures. Price is $1,987 per person, based on double occupancy. Includes airfare from Miami, guides, hotels and some meals. Call 1-800-SEE-NICA or www.visit-nicaragua.com for more information.)

Colorado Family Ski Vacations
Steamboat Springs, CO
You'll have to take the kids out of school for this one because children 12 and under can fly free to Steamboat Springs, CO, and stay free at a Steamboat hotel when parents book a United Vacations, American Airlines or Northwest air-and-hotel package. One child flies free per paying adult, and kids stay free in their parents' room; certain packages include free skiing as well. This offer is good for travel from now through December 23 on United and again after the holidays through Feb. 16 when AA and Northwest join United in the promotion. Sample rates for adults, including round-trip airfare from Chicago on United, three-nights' accommodations, and a two-day lift ticket, are:

• $514 per adult at the Holiday Inn Steamboat Springs
• $594 per adult at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort & Conference Center
• $599 per adult at the Lodge at Steamboat

Available now through Dec. 23rd and again Jan. 2 through Feb. 16. For more info on the Kids Fly Free packages, visit steamboat.com.

Crested Butte, CO
Crested Butte, Colorado also joins the "Kids Fly Free" bandwagon after the New Year with American Airlines into Gunnison Airport. Prices for the "Kids Fly Free" packages are based on two adults and two children being part of the travel party and don't include tax. For midweek flights only and subject to availability. Packages start at $899 per adult and $103 per child, 12 and under, and include four nights' lodging in a two-bedroom condo, three days of lift tickets, airfare from the lower 48, and roundtrip transfers from the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport.
Call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association's official reservation center at (800) 814-8893 or GunnisonCrestedButte.com.

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