These 5 travel packages can save you cash on hotels and airfare

Travel ebbs and flows during the year, and January and February are often considered the shoulder season. According to Chris McGinnis of TravelSkills.com, the early part of the year is considered one of the best times to find travel deals. During a recent presentation at The New York Times Travel Show, he pointed out that travelers are less likely to get on the road this month since they were just traveling for the holidays. As a result, travel companies cough up great bargains during this slow season. Here are a few we like:

British Airways bargains to Europe. Economy or premium economy tickets to Europe offer some of the biggest discounts of the year during this shoulder season, and British Airways has a variety of package deals on sale. Purchase by Jan. 20, but travel any time between now and June 30. The deals include air-only fares, hotel combos, or fly and drive packages.

Accor slashes room costs in half. Accor is offering loyalty-program members rooms for as much as half off between now and Jan. 14. The hotel chain is also offering similar discounts to everyone else from Jan. 15-17 (but if you haven't already, you might as well join the free loyalty program to get in on the deals early). Accor made news recently for its intended acquisition of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

Sometimes more is less with Marriott. Between now and March 8, Marriott is offering take 20% off of stays at 30 popular U.S. properties. Discounts vary by property, but the longer the stay, the greater the discount.

Winter deals to Iceland. Icelandair is offering packages that includes hotel, airfare, and sightseeing from some of its North American gateways this winter and spring for around $600. Travel must be booked by Jan. 17 and completed by May 12.

IHG Point Breaks offer rooms for 5,000 points. IHG is famous for its Point Breaks promotion, a regular offer to redeem award stays for 5,000 points per night at various rotating properties.