Some vacation-planning strategies, from websites to haggling

This undated courtesy photo shows Natasha Rachel Smith. Smith was good at math as a teen and was intrigued by personal finance. As an adult, she was determined to turn "marketing techniques on their head." Today, she works for TopCashback.com, which offers rebates to consumers who make purchases through the website _ including for travel. She also researches hotels vs. Airbnb when deciding on lodging, and compares car rentals to Uber, Lyft and taxi prices. And she's also game to haggle for bargains from vendors in a market. (Natasha Rachel Smith via AP) This undated courtesy photo shows Natasha Rachel Smith. Smith was good at math as a teen and was intrigued by personal finance. As an adult, she was determined to turn "marketing techniques on their head." Today, she works for TopCashback.com, which offers rebates to consumers who make purchases through the website _ including for travel. She also researches hotels vs. Airbnb when deciding on lodging, and compares car rentals to Uber, Lyft and taxi prices. And she's also game to haggle for bargains from vendors in a market. (Natasha Rachel Smith via AP)

By Beth J. Harpaz/The Associated Press March 2, 2018 4 min read

Natasha Rachel Smith was good at math as a teenager and intrigued by personal finance. As an adult, she was determined to turn “marketing techniques on their head.”

Today, she works for TopCashback.com, which offers rebates and other deals to consumers who make purchases through the website – including for travel.

The Associated Press asked Smith to share vacation-planning strategies along with some insights into how TopCashback works.

THE FLIGHT

For a last-minute winter getaway, Smith’s first stop for booking was Skyscanner.com, where you can input your departure airport without putting in a destination. She then looked for whatever the cheapest fares were to anywhere from her home airport.