How important is sun on a summer holiday? This week’s best bargains include options in Buckinghamshire, which averaged 18C last August, Greece’s Cycladic islands (27C), Malaysian Borneo (28C) and Cape Verde (27C). Yet although averages are useful, there are other meteorological considerations to balance. Cape Verde supposedly enjoys 350 sunny days per year, while summer is Borneo’s rainy season and any Brit will tell you that August always underwhelms. Perhaps this year will be different, however: the Met Office declared this week that “the chance of a hot summer is higher than normal”.

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Between Islington and trendy Shoreditch, the funky nhow London is offering up to 12 per cent off weekend breaks all summer, plus free Brompton bike hire so you can explore freely. With rooms with bowler-hatted lampshades and graffiti art depicting past monarchs, the 190-room hotel is close to Spitalfields’ indoor market, Brick Lane, Columbia Road’s kaleidoscopic Sunday flower market and Hackney City Farm. There’s also a small gym on site. Room-only doubles start from £162 at weekends (nhow-hotels.com).

2. Lancashire cottage

How to find last-minute summer rentals? If possible, browse a firm’s new additions: these will typically be available and often discounted. Proving this theory is the Gardener, a stone-built courtyard house in the grounds of the 19th-century Eaves Hall. That puts it close to Clitheroe — and its Norman castle — in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley, where waterfall walks, witch-trial history and acclaimed gastropubs converge. Sleekly contemporary and open-plan inside, the one-bedroom home is reduced by almost 10 per cent all summer. Seven nights’ self-catering for two costs from £638 (holidaycottages.co.uk).

3. Bucolic Buckinghamshire

Hartwell House is a stately home that’s been transformed into a hotel NIGEL HARPER

To celebrate the National Trust turning 130, Hartwell House, a stately home turned hotel in 90 acres outside Aylesbury that was donated to the charity in 2008, is running an added value offer. Book any length of stay between Sunday and Thursday, staying no later than August 31, and you’ll receive £130 of credit to use at the restaurant, or for spa treatments or afternoon teas. Traditionally baronial in style, Hartwell House is handily close to Oxford. B&B doubles cost from £479 (hartwell-house.com).

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• 24 of the best things to do in Oxford

4. Narrowboat in Staffordshire

On short round-trip narrowboat cruises from Stoke-on-Trent to Froghall along the Caldon Canal, an often overlooked offshoot of the far-busier Trent and Mersey Canal, travellers soon swap an industrial backdrop for glorious countryside. Along the way, you can alight to ride the Churnet Valley’s steam-powered heritage railway or just lazily look for kingfishers, herons and otters. No experience is needed and you’ll save a fifth if chartering a pet-friendly Princess 4 narrowboat on the route before September 2. It comes with a double bed, bathroom, saloon and kitchen. Four nights’ self-catering for six costs from £1,162 (black-prince.com).

Europe

5. Netherlands art tour

Five of Kinkerdijk’s 19 windmills GETTY IMAGES

A few places remain on a new Netherlands group tour led by the Dutch art historian Ger van den Munckhof. Based at the Hague’s opulent Hotel Des Indes, all marble columns and Parisian-style flair, it takes in Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum; a viewing of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring in the Hague’s restored Mauritshuis gallery; Vermeer’s porcelain-producing home town of Delft; and Kinkerdijk’s 19 windmills. Departing on July 7, four nights’ B&B costs from £2,545pp, including Eurostar Plus tickets, entrance fees, lectures and some extra meals (kirkerholidays.com).

6. High-end Canaries

One of Gran Canaria’s most luxurious resorts, the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia is five minutes’ walk from the beach of Maspalomas, and closer still to the town’s cinematic sand dunes. A low-rise, Spanish vision of terracotta roofs and whitewashed walls around a palm-shaded pool, it also comes with palatial rooms, a spa, a piano bar and tennis courts, while guests get reduced rates at local golf courses. Also reduced, by £396pp, is a week starting on June 23. Seven nights’ B&B begins from £1,525pp, including flights and transfers.

• 22 of the best hotels in Gran Canaria

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7. Short Greek cruise

Celestyal’s Greek cruise includes a stop in Mykonos GETTY IMAGES

Fancy taking a taster cruise, or simply combining one with a longer Greece holiday? Between starting and finishing in Athens, Celestyal Discovery will call at the Cycladic islands of Mykonos and Santorini as well as Crete’s capital, Heraklion, and unsung Patmos, where a wilder mountain scenery awaits. There’s also a stop at the Turkish port of Kusadasi for excursions to see Ephesus’s ancient ruins. The 680-cabin ship comes with a pool and four restaurants. Reduced by more than 50 per cent, three nights’ full board departing on August 8 now costs from £349pp (celestyal.com). Fly to Athens.

8. Bordeaux boutique

Book by Wednesday to save 25 per cent on stays this summer of at least three nights at hundreds of hotels — across chains ranging from Ibis Styles to Tribe and Sofitel — owned by the hospitality giant Accor. Travel must be between July 4 and September 7. One option is the Mercure’s branch in Bordeaux’s lively St John quartier: a boutique, brightly modern property where the bistro serves local dishes. Three nights’ B&B costs from £207 (all.accor.com). Fly or take the train to Bordeaux.

Long haul

9. Central America tour

The indigenous village of Santa Maria de Jesus in Guatemala SHUTTERSTOCK

Intrepid Travel’s small-group tour combines four Central American countries. Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala promise wildlife-crammed rainforests, colourful buildings, volcanoes and ancient ruins. A visit to an indigenous village and a Salvadoran cookery demo are included, with optional kayaking and sand-boarding experiences costing extra. The July 5, July 26, August 9 and August 23 departures have been discounted by up to 35 per cent, with the first one the cheapest. Nine nights’ room-only in simple hotels costs from £904pp, including transport and six meals. Fly to Granada in Nicaragua.

10. Beachside Borneo

On the steep hillside of a little-developed island, Borneo’s conservation-minded Gaya Island Resort is great for activity: nature walks and yoga are free, while great snorkelling, scuba diving and kayaking in protected waters are all available. Alternatively, lounge on the secluded resort’s two sandy beaches and use its extensive spa before choosing a restaurant — perhaps the fine-dining rooftop venue for tremendous views of Mount Kinabalu. Reduced by 20 per cent, seven nights’ full board costs from £1,890pp, including flights, a villa upgrade and a couple’s massage; book by June 30 (kenwoodtravel.co.uk).

11. Cape Verde sunshine

Summer sun is virtually guaranteed in Cape Verde SHUTTERSTOCK

You’ve got until 11pm tomorrow to capitalise on easyJet Holidays’ sale knocking up to £100 off city breaks and up to £200 off other trips. Travel must be between August 1 this year and October 31, 2026. How about some virtually guaranteed summer sunshine in Cape Verde? On Sal, the tropical African archipelago’s most escapist island, Melia Llana is an adults-only all-inclusive hotel five minutes’ walk from a white-sand beach; swim-up pool bars are also on hand. In August, seven nights’ all-inclusive now costs from £1,118pp, including flights and transfers.

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• Which is the best Cape Verde island? Here’s how to choose

12. Bali resort

Ringed by paddy fields below Mount Batur, the FuramaXclusive Resort and Villas feels perfectly tranquil despite being just a 15-minute drive from the town of Ubud, Bali’s artiest town. Free shuttles let you explore its galleries and join tours to monkey sanctuaries and cave temples, while lazy resort days might be spent in the award-winning spa, swimming a lagoon pool or attending hatha yoga classes. Book this month to save as much as £150pp. In a Pool Villa, seven nights’ B&B costs from £1,749pp, including flights and transfers (travelbag.co.uk).

Whether you’re dreaming of white sand beaches or snowy mountains, Club Med makes booking luxury travel a breeze. With more than 80 destinations worldwide, it specialises in all-inclusive holidays that cover everything from flights and transfers to gourmet dining, open-bar drinks and daily activities.

The Independent’s deal-hunting team has rounded up the best Club Med discount codes and current offers to help you save on your next getaway. You’ll also find practical advice on how to book smarter with extra saving tips and helpful information.

Extra ways to save at Club Med

Join the Club Med loyalty scheme

Regardless of whether you’re shopping with a Club Med promo code or not, you can get additional benefits by becoming a Great member for free. You’ll accumulate points when you book, which stack up until you reach a new status. Then, you’ll be able to enjoy exclusive benefits, such as free stays and more. You can even build your points when shopping at the resort.

There are four different levels in the Great Members loyalty programme:

Turquoise: You automatically join this level when booking and will have access to the referral programme, the easy arrival service, personalised offers and the My Club Med app.

You automatically join this level when booking and will have access to the referral programme, the easy arrival service, personalised offers and the My Club Med app. Silver: Once you hit 20,000 points, your silver level will give you additional free early access to your resort with lunch included, a gift pass for a range of services, and free premium wifi.

Once you hit 20,000 points, your silver level will give you additional free early access to your resort with lunch included, a gift pass for a range of services, and free premium wifi. Gold: Users with more than 50,000 points get even more benefits, including priority check-in, private sales and early access to the sales openings.

Users with more than 50,000 points get even more benefits, including priority check-in, private sales and early access to the sales openings. Platinum: When you hit a whopping 95,000 points, you’ll be a platinum member and enjoy private transfers, room upgrades, and priority bookings at reservation-only restaurants.

Early bird and last-minute deals

Booking early is one of the easiest ways to save with up to 15 per cent off Club Med holidays when you plan ahead. There are already 2026 winter sun deals available, starting from just £799 for getaways to the Seychelles, Marbella, the Dominican Republic and Mauritius. If you prefer the mountains to the beach, Club Med’s all-inclusive ski holidays start from £1,549, with top destinations including Valmorel in the French Alps, Charlevoix in Quebec and Kiroro Grand in Japan.

Club Med also offers up to 20 per cent discount on last-minute deals, which are updated each week for a departure date up to three weeks after you book, and only on bookings that are a minimum of three nights. There are ski holidays included in these deals, so if a trip to Serre Chevalier was on your bingo card for 2025, you’ll be pleased to hear you can currently save more than £300 on a stay at a beautiful ski resort in the area.

Get £200 credit when you refer a friend

You can also use the Club Med refer-a-friend programme to get 2,500 loyalty points and a £200 voucher to use on your next booking. To submit a referral, log in to your Club Med account and head to the “my referral rewards” page where you can email a code for them to use when making their booking.

Your £200 credit is added to your account or via email 44 days before your friend’s departure and is valid on all destinations year-round, plus it can be combined with other offers and promotions. Your referred friend will also receive a £200 voucher towards their next holiday.

Children stay for free

Club Med’s free child places offer another way to save on your family trip. On sun holidays, children under six stay for free, or for ski holidays, under-fours go free.

Even better, childcare and kids’ clubs are included in your stay, with activities and expert supervision for children aged between four months up to 17 years. Whether it’s baby club, mini club or teen socials, there’s something to keep every age entertained while parents get a well-earned break.

Offers and sales with Club Med

Club Med’s offer section has all of its latest promotions and sales in one place. From winter sun and ski escapes to cultural breaks, the selection of destinations and resorts on offer are updated regularly with hundreds of pounds worth of savings per person. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for its flash sale events – recently the summer 2025 flash sale had discounts of up to £800 per booking.

Escape to the Maldives with Club Med Kani ( Club Med )

The Club Med dream deals page is packed with luxury holidays around the world that have been specially selected for limited-time discounts. You’ll find indulgent escapes including Club Med Kani in the Maldives, with seven-night all-inclusive stays starting from £1,259 per person or Opio en Provence in France from £981. Dream deals also include ski destinations like Pragelato Sestriere in Italy from £1,524 in January 2026 – that’s a £266 saving per person. If you’re flexible on dates or destinations, it’s one of the easiest ways to grab a great-value Club Med getaway.

We also recommend signing up to the Club Med newsletter for the latest flash sales, promo codes and limited-time deals delivered straight to your inbox. Just scroll to the bottom of the homepage to register.

What to know before you book

Guarantees

When you book with Club Med, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your holiday is ABTA and ATOL-protected. Thanks to the travel operator’s price guarantee, the price you’ve paid won’t change with the cost of food, drinks, entertainment and activities always included.

If you’re booking a ski holiday, you’ll be covered by the snow guarantee. This means that if more than 50 per cent of your booked ski domain is closed for two or more consecutive days, within five days of your departure, you’ll have the option to cancel or rearrange your holiday. Keep in mind that cancellation excludes the cost of flights, transfers and extras.

Travel guides and inspiration

If you’re struggling for inspiration, Club Med has some helpful guides that are full of ideas to help you choose the right resort. It has round-ups on paradise hotspots such as Mauritius, the Maldives and the Dominican Republic, as well as Mediterranean favourites like Marbella and Sicily. Families can browse child-friendly resorts, with advice on the best all-inclusive clubs with activities for kids and free childcare.

For winter escapes, there are detailed guides for group ski holidays in the French Alps or Japan, including options in Val Thorens, Les Arcs and Kiroro Grand. You can even discover the best resorts in the mountains and lakes, with walking trails and scenic escapes around the Italian Lakes, Swiss Alps and Quebec’s Charlevoix region.

Cancellation

Club Med’s cancellation policy has a flexible approach on selected rates and a best-rate guarantee when booking. Club Med assistance insurance provides all guests with coverage for emergency medical expenses during their stay. You can choose to upgrade to serenity insurance, which has trip cancellation in case of unforeseen circumstances.

What to know before you arrive

Easy arrival

Club Med’s easy arrival service helps make your trip stress-free. Designed to help with pre-holiday prep, you can organise everything from ski hire to childcare in advance, leaving you more time to relax when you’re there.

Ideal for those heading on ski holidays, you can pre-book equipment, lessons and even register your children for their ski school, so everything is ready and waiting when you arrive at the resort. For sun holidays, you can sign up to childcare and kids clubs, book spa treatments or arrange excursions before you’ve even packed your case.

Download the Club Med app

Once your trip is booked, the Club Med app gives you a complete guide to your chosen resort, including information on restaurants, spa facilities, excursions and daily activities. It’s ideal for getting a feel for the place before you arrive and planning how you want to spend your time. Here are some of the perks:

Check the daily programme and customise your activity schedule

Make room requests and manage booking preferences

Receive photos taken by the resort team during your stay

Access detailed info on kids clubs, including age groups and activity times

How we choose the best Club Med deals

The Independent’s team of deal hunters dedicate themselves to carefully selecting the best travel offers, including from the likes of easyJet, Emirates, Tui, Expedia and Club Med. We look out for promotions on all-inclusive holidays, we’d never recommend a deal that we wouldn’t use ourselves. Here, you’ll find all of the latest and best bargains on Club Med bookings.

Why you can trust us to find the best discount codes

The Independent’s expert team of deal hunters know how to pick out the best travel offers and codes, so you can trust that you’re getting the best possible price. During our research, we consider all the important stuff – flights, excursions, hotels, package holidays and more. We don’t just source deals on holidays; we’re keen consumer champions all year around, sourcing the top offers day to day and during some of the biggest annual shopping events, like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and the Boxing Day sales.

Looking for something to do with the whole family over half term? We’ve found the best discounts on Legoland

You know that friend that can magically stretch a small handful of points and miles into two business-class tickets to Paris? What if you also had their superpower?

Enter Pointrs, the new (to the U.S.) platform that shows you how to save up to 75% on flights through the clever use of points and miles. To illustrate, Pointrs showed me that I could save up to 60% on flights from California to Hawaii by using Air Canada miles. Who knew?

Pointrs costs $7.99 per month after a 30-day trial. But how exactly does it work? And who is Pointrs best for?

Read our story to find out how and why you should be using it.

– Chris Butsch, The Travel 100

Universal Destinations & Experiences, which is the theme park arm of NBC Universal, powers some of the most beloved theme parks in the world, including Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Beijing Resort.

And the Universal theme park portfolio is only getting bigger, with its highly-anticipated Epic Universe set to open in Orlando on May 22, 2025.

For Epic Universe, at least, discount tickets are hard to come by. But especially for the other parks, there are multiple ways to save on admission, plus those extra costs you’ll face like hotels and food.

NerdWallet poured over the best way to buy discount tickets to Universal’s two U.S. resorts: both Universal Studios Orlando in Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood on the opposite coast in California. Here’s your ultimate guide to scoring discounted Universal tickets.

How much do Universal tickets cost?

Universal tickets aren’t cheap, typically hovering in the same price range as Disney tickets.

Before diving in to saving money on Universal tickets, here’s an overview of how much they actually cost:

Universal Orlando Resort ticket prices

Tickets start at $119 per day for Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure, granting you access to one of those parks of your choice for one day. Though, Universal employs a variable pricing strategy, where high-demand days like weekends and holidays cost more.

From there, Universal sells add-ons, like the ability to hop between parks on one day. You might also buy a Universal Express Pass, which allows you to bypass the standard line in favor of a (typically) shorter line.

Universal also sells multi-day tickets, which are a higher net price, but amount to a lower price per day.

🤓 Nerdy Tip Universal Studios admission prices vary by date and season — the prices listed in this article are for the cheapest possible dates. Review the Universal Studios pricing calendar to compare pricing by dates.

Universal Orlando versus Walt Disney World ticket prices

Universal Orlando Resort ticket prices are almost exactly in line with ticket prices for Walt Disney World, the competing theme park empire located not far away. There, ticket prices also start at $119 per day. But not only does Disney charge different prices per day, it also charges different prices per park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, which was already one of the smaller parks, is undergoing a massive construction effort that’s left it with even fewer rides than before. Though the construction is set to bring more stuff to do in the park down the road, including attractions themed to popular franchises including “Encanto” and “Zootopia.” Tickets to Animal Kingdom often go for that lower $119 price point. Meanwhile, tickets to Magic Kingdom Park (the most popular of Walt Disney World’s four parks) rarely drop below $139.

Universal Studios Hollywood ticket prices

Universal’s California counterpart (which entails just one theme park) is actually slightly cheaper, with tickets starting at just $109.

Again, Universal’s variable pricing strategy means high-demand days cost more. Like the Florida parks, you can also purchase add-ons like the Universal Express Pass.

Universal Studios Hollywood versus Disneyland Resort ticket prices

On some days, tickets to either of the two parks at the Disneyland Resort in California are actually slightly cheaper than Universal, with tickets starting at $104.

Again, though, prices vary by day, and add-ons like Lighting Lane (Disney’s version of Universal Express Pass) can quickly balloon your overall cost.

With that in mind, here are some ways to save on Universal tickets:

1. Take advantage of Universal’s limited-time ticket deals

Universal regularly runs its own ticket promotions — which almost always occur during off-season or shoulder season.

Particularly ahead of the Epic Universe launch, Universal is running a bunch of ticket deals at its Orlando parks to drive attendance before the mega rush that’s anticipated throughout summer 2025.

Here are the best Universal ticket deals that come straight from Universal.

Universal Orlando Resort ticket deals

Dining cards for eligible stays: Certain packages (meaning a hotel and ticket purchased together) are eligible for a dining promotion, where you could get as much as $1,000 in dining credits to use across the property.

The value of the credit varies, but spending more on hotels and staying longer results in a bigger dining credit.

To get the credit, you must book before Feb. 12, 2025 and travel before April 10, 2025. There are also a few other stipulations, such as that you must stay at least four nights.

Buy two days, get two days free: If you buy a two-day ticket under this promo, you’ll actally receive a ticket valid for any four calendar days during a seven consecutive calendar day period.

Save 30% on 4-night stays or longer at Universal’s new hotels

As part of the Epic Universe opening, Universal is opening three new hotels. The first, Universal Stella Nova Resort, opened on Jan. 21. Another, Universal Terra Luna Resort, will open on March 25. The third, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, will open with the new park on May 22.

For stays at Stella Nova and Terra Luna, you can save if you arrive before April 10. Four-night stays or longer are eligible for a 30% discount. To get the deal, you must book by April 5, for travel on eligible nights before April 10, 2025.

Universal Studios Hollywood ticket deals

Universal Studios Hollywood currently does not have any deals on its site open to the general public. But, it is offering $50 off annual passes purchased online before April 23, 2025.

2. Use discounted ticket sites

Authorized Universal ticket resellers can sell you tickets — and often for a cheaper price than whatyou’d get from shopping directly on the Universal ticket website.

If you do buy tickets from a site that’s not Universal itself, just look for that important word — authorized. That indicates it’s a Universal-approved ticket seller. Otherwise some scam sites might try to sell you tickets that aren’t actually real.

Here are a couple Universal authorized ticket resellers that NerdWallet recommends:

AAA

AAA famously offers benefits on everything from hotel stays to restaurants around the world. It also sells discounted Universal tickets to members in certain locations.

In order to buy the tickets, you must be an AAA member (which incurs its own fees). But, it may be worth signing up for AAA, especially if you can take advantage of other discounts besides your Universal vacation.

Undercover Tourist

Undercover Tourist is one of the most popular websites for discount Universal tickets.

Undercover Tourist® Get started on Undercover Tourist®’s website View details Get started on Undercover Tourist®’s website Types of tickets available E-tickets or mailed tickets with free shipping. Offers refunds and returns? Yes. There’s a 365-day cancellation window; Undercover Tourist will refund 95% of the total, with some exceptions. Hidden fees? No. View details Pros Offers discounts on theme park tickets.

Counts as a travel purchase on credit cards. Cons Bigger discounts usually have more strings attached.

You can’t get a full refund. View details

Ticket deals are generally a few dollars less than what you’ll find on Universal’s own website. For example, Undercover Tourist currently offers three-day ticket packages to Universal Orlando, which includes one day at the new Epic Universe park once it opens in May for $487. The same package is $491 on Universal’s own website.

Unlike AAA, no membership is required to shop with Undercover Tourist.

» Learn more: How to travel to Orlando on points and miles

3. Bundle tickets with hotels via Universal vacation packages

You can also save money on park admission by purchasing vacation packages through Universal Studios.

You can create a package that includes airfare, admission tickets and your hotel or choose only a hotel-and-ticket combination. Packages typically include additional perks like early park admission and complimentary shuttles between hotels and theme parks. These packages are sold directly on the Universal Studios website for both the Florida and California parks.

For example, Universal Orlando has offers on vacation packages for stays between between May 22, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2025 that are booked between now and Dec. 10, 2025. For short stays, the savings are slim — just a $5 discount for two-night stays booked alongside a three-day ticket package. The longer you stay, the more you save. Seven-night stays at a Universal hotel bundled with tickets get you a $200 discount.

» Learn more: The best Universal Orlando hotels

4. Leverage demographics and affiliations

Universal regularly offers deals for travelers who fit certain criteria, such as local residents or first responders.

Free tickets for first responders

In response to the Los Angeles wildfires, Universal Studios Hollywood is giving away what it calls First Responder Heroes Tickets.

All eligible active U.S.-based first responders are entitled to one complimentary general admission ticket, plus a 50% savings on up to three additional tickets. Tickets must be redeemed between now and April 10, 2025.

Universal defines eligible first responders as current paramedics/emergency medical technicians, firefighters, police officers/Sheriff’s deputies and National Guard members, with valid proof of identification.

Florida resident discounts for Universal Orlando Resort

Florida residents can take advantage of discounts on Universal Orlando Resort tickets and annual passes.

Right now, Universal is running a deal where Florida residents can get two additional days free after buying a two-park, one-day ticket online.

Tickets must be used before April 30, 2025, and there are a few other stipulations including that you must show valid identification showing you live in Florida.

There’s also an offer where Florida residents can save $100 on any Florida resident annual pass.

Military discounts

Active and retired military members and their spouses can save on admission costs by purchasing tickets ahead of time at participating military ticket offices.

Universal Orlando Resort: Two- and three-park 2025 Military Freedom Passes are available for eligible service members. Prices start at $210 per adult ticket. Up to six tickets at this promotional price can be purchased, though blackout dates apply. Universal Studios vacation packages are also available for eligible military families.

Universal Studios Hollywood: Discounted military tickets are also available for Universal Studios Hollywood, though the savings aren’t huge (typically $4 off standard tickets and Universal Express tickets). Additionally, these tickets aren’t sold at the box office. Instead, eligible personnel must purchase tickets in advance at a participating military ticket office.

» Learn more: 3 ways to score military discounts

Warehouse clubs

You can sometimes score discounted Universal Studios tickets if you belong to a warehouse club like Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s. Sure, warehouse clubs typically charge yearly membership fees, but they may be worth it — particularly if you’re using your membership to buy more than just Universal tickets.

For example, you can currently buy a Universal Studios Hollywood Season Pass from Costco for $170.

5. Become a Universal annual pass holder

We’ve mentioned season passes a few times above, and they can be worth it if you visit multiple times a year.

The cheapest Universal Studios Hollywood annual pass available to the general public, called the Silver Pass, costs about $200, meaning it can be worth it after roughly two or more visits. Just be aware of limitations, such as blackout dates.

For ultra-frequent visitors who also spend more on other in-park expenses, the Platinum pass, which has no blackout dates, could be worth it. It costs about $600, but includes other benefits including 15% discounts on food and merchandise inside the parks and free parking.

The cheapest Universal Orlando pass is a heftier $425. But, annual passes are in high demand this year, as annual pass holders are currently the only people eligible to purchase one-day tickets to Universal Epic Universe.

6. Redeem your credit card rewards at Universal

NerdWallet rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more. Learn More

You can redeem your credit card rewards for Universal Studios tickets. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, you can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for travel purchases through Chase’s travel portal.

In addition to booking hotels, airfare, rental cars and cruises, eligible Chase cardholders can book activities, including tickets to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Another way to save money on Universal Studios tickets is to redeem cash earnings from a cash-back credit card to cover the cost of tickets. Doing this can essentially “erase” recent travel purchases.

Here are a few cash-back credit cards that allow you to redeem your cash-back earnings for a statement credit, which could save you money on your ticket purchase:

Terms apply.

You can also save money by redeeming rewards from travel credit cards to cover the cost of airfare or hotel stays and make your trip less expensive.

Here are a few travel credit cards that allow cardholders to use miles or get statement credits for travel purchases charged to their cards:

Cards with travel statement credits Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card NerdWallet Rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card’s rates, fees, rewards and other features. Read Review Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card NerdWallet Rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card’s rates, fees, rewards and other features. Apply now on Bank of America’s website Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card NerdWallet Rating NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card’s rates, fees, rewards and other features. Read Review Annual Fee $95 $0 $395 Learn more Read Review Read Review Read Review

While these may not offer the best redemption value, it could at least make for a way to spend your points — so you can save your cash.

» Learn more: How to purchase theme park tickets with points

The best ways to buy discounted Universal Studios tickets

Now that you know where to find the best Universal Studios deals, you can begin planning your theme park adventure. And NerdWallet can help with that too.

Check out our guide to the best Universal hotels. Weigh the pros and cons of a Universal Express pass. And, start thinking about your first visit to Universal Epic Universe.