Sherman's Travel

Without the tourist surge of summer but still plenty of warm days, April is our sweet spot month for when to find great value in San Diego. Newly opened Hotel Indigo San Diego Del Mar’s advance booking savings combined with April and May’s low prices are a great example of how to save money by knowing when to go. Booking at least 14 days in advance will get you 20 percent off current rates, and combined with sweet spot savings (rates in April and May with the discount are as low as $128/night, whereas in June they climb up to $209/night), that’s a total savings of up to 38 percent.

The Hotel Indigo San Diego Del Mar is located only a few minutes outside of San Diego, in Del Mar, and had its grand opening on April 12. Formerly the Stratford Inn, the property has undergone a multimillion dollar renovation and its chic 94 rooms incorporate Del Mar flavor from Del Mar Racetrack murals to ocean-view terraces. Amenities include HD flat-screen TVs, iHome stations, Aveda bath products, free Wi-Fi in public spaces and free high speed Internet access in all rooms, and a fitness center. It’s also the only Hotel Indigo to boast a full-service day spa.

Book online to guarantee you’re getting the best available rate, and remember that you have to book at least two weeks ahead of your stay for the advance purchase savings.

See our San Diego destination guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights.

One of travelers’ biggest complaints from 2010? Checked bag fees. InterContinental Hotel Group feels your pain: The company is extending its “Check It Free” offer through April 30, allowing guests to apply for a rebate to compensate for those pesky airline fees.

IHG also ups the ante this time around by doubling the maximum rebate per stay to $100 – generally the equivalent of checking two bags on both legs of a round-trip flight. The promotion is running across all IHG brands, from luxe InterContinental to boutique-style Hotel Indigo to budget-friendly Holiday Inn.

Of course, the offer is not without its caveats. You must book a two-night weekend stay (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) and you must pay for the stay with a Visa card to be eligible. Download the rebate forms and see all the conditions at www.ihg.com/freebag.

For more tricks on saving when you fly, check out our Top 10 Ways to Avoid Airline Fees. Then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights.