A to Z of late deals

Something different this week. As I compile late deals most weeks for the Times and Metro, and as demand for inclusion is high, here’s a hopefully helpful A to Z of tips and requirements:

Africa: I get very few African suggestions, excepting Morocco, Cape Verde and Egypt. Pitch this and you’ve much more chance.

Britain: staycation deals are also scarce, yet increasingly needed as summer looms

Cruise: a very oversubscribed bracket. I can include one per column max, so only outstanding deals make it.

Discount codes: does your deal involve one of these? Then always first check that it works on the relevant booking platform.

Everything must go: companies constantly discounting remind me of shops with permanent closing-down sales. Occasional, stand-out reductions are far more tempting.

Friday: the optimal day to send me deals.

Group tours: love ‘em. Please specify the maximum group size.

Half-angle: angles too weak for feature pitches (eg a new hotel restaurant) can make the difference in nabbing a late deals slot.

Independent places: when it comes to hotels, indie and boutique are much preferred.

Japan: another rarity. When I have included Japan deals, they’ve tended to perform really well.

Kids: if suggesting a family-focused option, ensure the prices are equivalent (not based on two sharing).

Latin America: same as Africa, only with no exceptions. I’d love more.

Maldives: the most popular submission. Avoid if you can.

News-related: any submission hooked on recent news has twice the chance of appearing.

Overcomplicated: if the deal includes this if you do that, and this for members, and perhaps that… nah. Straightforward discounts work far better.

Packages: including flights, these are much preferred for overseas options.

Quick replies: if I have a question and you get back with an answer inside a few hours, I’ll be much more confident in including your clients in future.

Regularity: send me (good) deals each week or so and you’ll eventually get in. Persistence pays.

Savings: 95% of inclusions are money-off deals.

Transport: deals from rail or ferry companies are very welcome.

Urgent: to qualify as “late”, either the deal’s book-by or (last possible) travel date (or both) must be imminent. No more than two months from the publication date, or three for long haul.

Villas etc: if it’s a single self-catering property, then the possible travel window needs to be at least a month long so that multiple readers can capitalise.

(e)Xclusives: deals solely for Times readers? Yes please.

Weather: I avoid deals based on Caribbean travel in hurricane season, and anything similarly inclement.

Your feedback: should a deal’s inclusion result in bookings galore, tell me. It makes the section look good and encourages me to re-use your company or client.

Zoos: on ethical grounds, I’m opposed to publicising zoos or anywhere else with captive animals.