Panama City Beach was named as one of AAA's 2016 "Top Spring Travel Destinations” during March and April, based on the auto club’s hotel bookings.

Other cities to make the list include New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco, Myrtle Beach, Los Angeles, and Orlando, according to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey.

“The start of spring marks the first big push of the year for the travel industry,” said Brent Stahlheber, a spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. "Many hotels are already full and airline ticket prices are rising. Although finding a last minute deal may be difficult, it's not impossible."

MONEY-SAVING TIPS FROM AAA:

  • Book well in advance of your travel date. The rate of a plane ticket is similar to that of a hotel: as the number of bookings increases, so does the price.
  • Book flights during off-peak hours. For the cheapest flights and best availability, book between 1 and 5 a.m. Any ticket that was on hold or not paid in full is released at midnight. Meaning more supply, less demand (b/c people are sleeping), therefore travelers will find better deals.
  • Delete computer cookies. When shopping for airline tickets, delete your computer’s cookies after you shop for airline tickets b/c if you go back to the same site later in the day, the site will remember and may reflect higher prices than if you went there for the first time.
  • Travel on off-peak days. The best days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Flights are the cheapest and airports are the least crowded.
  • Follow hotels on social media. Sometimes hoteliers post last minute deals on social media to fill vacant rooms.
  • Bundle. If you need a airline ticket, hotel and rental car, it is most cost-effective to book them as a package instead of individually.
  • Use a travel agent. These are the masters of the “vacation bundle”. They know where the deals are hidden, and utilize their partners and knowledge of the industry to find you the best vacation that suits you and your wallet.

About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online from Sept. 30, 2015 to Oct. 20, 2015. A total of 400 participants completed the survey. Survey results have a margin of error of ± 4.9 percentage points. Responses are weighted by gender and age to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the 18-plus adult population in Florida.