Last month we posted about a $200 mail-in rebate offered by the tourism board of Nassau Paradise Island, in the Bahamas, to vacationers. Now the same tourism board has put a similar deal on the table: Book a minimum three-night air-and-hotel package and you’ll save $200. But there's a catch: Flights must originate in either Orlando or Fort Lauderdale, so you may need a connecting flight or road trip to get there. This package probably won't make sense for folks who live near New York or another major hub where direct flights to Nassau are plentiful. But if you live within easy striking distance of the two Florida departure cities, this deal is arguably better than the last time around. You avoid the hassle of the mail-in rebate and get $200 taken right off your package price. Note: See our update, below, for a wider choice of airports.
Just like the last time around, you get a flat discount regardless of which hotel you book. That means if you choose inexpensive accommodations, your overall savings can be substantial. Hotels taking part in the promotion range from mega-resort Atlantis to the smaller Best Western Bay View Suites, and include all-inclusive properties. More good news: Most of the participating hotels are already offering fantastic deals, so you can save some serious money. For example, the Wyndham Nassau Resort has a "buy two nights, get two nights free" deal on the table that also includes a $100 food and beverage credit (scroll to bottom of page 3 in "hot deals"). That's a discount of more than 50% right there. When we priced out a four-night stay in late May, we found standard rooms going for $309 a night. When you pay $618 for two nights, you get two nights free—that's a savings of $618 even before the $200 package discount.
To take advantage of this deal, you have to book by May 8 and travel by June 24. To receive the instant package credit, book online and use the promo code "FREEAIR200." Note: The expiry dates for the hotel deals vary, so be sure to read the fine print. The good news is that many of the hotels have extended their deals.
Update: Many airlines, including Northwest, Delta, Continental, American Airlines, US Airways, and JetBlue are offering the same package with a wider choice of departure airports and travel dates through mid-December. In most cases, visitors receive $200 in the form of a mail-in rebate.
