Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 28, 2007)
Hyatt is continuing an offer that provides a great incentive for joining its free stay program – Hyatt Gold Passport. Get a free night for staying just twice at Hyatt hotels and resorts.
The Deal:
Join Hyatt Gold Passport and earn a free night after your first two stays. The stays must be within 90 days after enrollment. You must enroll by June 30, 2007.
How:
For more information, see the Hyatt Gold Passport Enrollment Deal.
Hyatt is continuing an offer that provides a great incentive for joining its free stay program – Hyatt Gold Passport. Get a free night for staying just twice at Hyatt hotels and resorts.
The Deal:
Join Hyatt Gold Passport and earn a free night after your first two stays. The stays must be within 90 days after enrollment. You must enroll by June 30, 2007.
How:
For more information, see the Hyatt Gold Passport Enrollment Deal.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 27, 2007)
Hertz is offering 50% off of car rentals for weekend rentals at Hertz local (non-airport) locations for AAA members.
The Deal:
Receive 50% off of Hertz weekend car rental reservations if you are a AAA member. This discount is only valid at local (non-airport) locations. The discount applies through the end of 2007.
How:
Go to the Hertz Deal.
Hertz is offering 50% off of car rentals for weekend rentals at Hertz local (non-airport) locations for AAA members.
The Deal:
Receive 50% off of Hertz weekend car rental reservations if you are a AAA member. This discount is only valid at local (non-airport) locations. The discount applies through the end of 2007.
How:
Go to the Hertz Deal.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 26, 2007)
Fares from the southeast to the west coast are once again on sale. One particular sale fare is back – and should be publicized once again.
The Deal:
Fares from the southeast to the west coast are on sale. One prominent example – Birmingham, Alabama to Phoenix, Arizona for $49/way. Anyone traveling to Phoenix or Tucson from Birmingham or Atlanta should consider using this fare.
How:
Use an aggregator website such as kayak.com.
Fares from the southeast to the west coast are once again on sale. One particular sale fare is back – and should be publicized once again.
The Deal:
Fares from the southeast to the west coast are on sale. One prominent example – Birmingham, Alabama to Phoenix, Arizona for $49/way. Anyone traveling to Phoenix or Tucson from Birmingham or Atlanta should consider using this fare.
How:
Use an aggregator website such as kayak.com.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 25, 2007)
If you are in the market for a suite this summer in Las Vegas, here is the cheapest rate so far at a 4+ star hotel.
The Deal:
Mandalay Bay is offering its suites this summer starting at $179.99/night. For that price, you can either stay at Mandalay Bay or at THEhotel (all suite property also affiliated with Mandalay Bay). Standard rooms are also on sale for $129.99/night. Rates also include complimentary spa passes.
How:
Go to Mandalay Bay and THEhotel.
If you are in the market for a suite this summer in Las Vegas, here is the cheapest rate so far at a 4+ star hotel.
The Deal:
Mandalay Bay is offering its suites this summer starting at $179.99/night. For that price, you can either stay at Mandalay Bay or at THEhotel (all suite property also affiliated with Mandalay Bay). Standard rooms are also on sale for $129.99/night. Rates also include complimentary spa passes.
How:
Go to Mandalay Bay and THEhotel.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 22, 2007)
A new low-cost airline called Zoom Airlines is offering seats on its new New York Kennedy (JFK) to London Gatwick flights for only $99/way for travel until July 13, 2007. Fares are valid for one-way travel and have very few restrictions.
Go to the Zoom Deal.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 21, 2007)
Airtran has started a sale in various markets with summer and fall fares starting at $39/way.
The Deal:
Airtran is offering a sale in all of its markets. This sale is being matched by many competitors. Fares start at $39/way (fares are lowest midweek). Tickets must be purchased by July 3, 2007 for travel through November 14, 2007. 14 day advance purchase is required and certain blackout days apply.
How:
Use an aggregator website such as kayak.com.
Airtran has started a sale in various markets with summer and fall fares starting at $39/way.
The Deal:
Airtran is offering a sale in all of its markets. This sale is being matched by many competitors. Fares start at $39/way (fares are lowest midweek). Tickets must be purchased by July 3, 2007 for travel through November 14, 2007. 14 day advance purchase is required and certain blackout days apply.
How:
Use an aggregator website such as kayak.com.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 20, 2007)
The four-star Paris Hotel in Las Vegas is offering an $89/night summer special.
The Deal:
Book the Paris Las Vegas Hotel for $89/night (based on availability) for stays through September 2007. As expected, this rate is cheaper than the special summer rates for a Las Vegas five-star hotel such as the Venetian, Bellagio and the Wynn. It is also lower than the rates at some other Las Vegas four-star hotels such as the Mirage.
How:
Go to the Paris Las Vegas Deal.
The four-star Paris Hotel in Las Vegas is offering an $89/night summer special.
The Deal:
Book the Paris Las Vegas Hotel for $89/night (based on availability) for stays through September 2007. As expected, this rate is cheaper than the special summer rates for a Las Vegas five-star hotel such as the Venetian, Bellagio and the Wynn. It is also lower than the rates at some other Las Vegas four-star hotels such as the Mirage.
How:
Go to the Paris Las Vegas Deal.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 19, 2007)
Everyone is thinking now about their summer trips. But if you want a good deal, now is the time to start planning your ski vacation next winter. If you plan very early, you often find good deals. Now is no exception.
The Deal:
Get the fourth night free (with rates starting at an average of $187.50/night with the free night) next winter at the five-star Four Seasons Jackson Hole. The Four Seasons is just next to the slopes at Jackson Hole, just a few miles from the entrance to the Grand Teton National Park. The fourth night free is valid from November 21, 2007 until April 6, 2008 excluding a few weeks during the December holidays.
How:
Go to the Four Seasons Jackson Hole Deal.
Everyone is thinking now about their summer trips. But if you want a good deal, now is the time to start planning your ski vacation next winter. If you plan very early, you often find good deals. Now is no exception.
The Deal:
Get the fourth night free (with rates starting at an average of $187.50/night with the free night) next winter at the five-star Four Seasons Jackson Hole. The Four Seasons is just next to the slopes at Jackson Hole, just a few miles from the entrance to the Grand Teton National Park. The fourth night free is valid from November 21, 2007 until April 6, 2008 excluding a few weeks during the December holidays.
How:
Go to the Four Seasons Jackson Hole Deal.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 18, 2007)
If you are traveling from the East Coast to Hawaii, fares can vary tremendously, but generally are anywhere from $500-$1000 roundtrip. Some people say that if they are going to travel that far and that long, they want to fly in first class. If you are looking to travel in first class, fares are usually much higher, starting at around $2000 roundtrip (not a deal). But competition has led to lower fares from the Baltimore area to Honolulu in first class.
The Deal:
Though many first class fares to Hawaii are $2000-$3000 roundtrip, airlines have chosen the Baltimore to Honolulu marked to offer more reasonable first class fares. Fares now start at around $639/way. Though this fare is much higher than coach, for a first class fare, this is quite reasonable. In fact, if you are traveling from New York, Philadelphia or Washington to Hawaii, this is the most reasonable fare you will find in first class. If you are traveling during the most high demand periods such as the December holiday season, the first class fare is only slightly higher than the very high coach fares offered by most airlines.
How:
Go to an aggregator such as kayak.com.
If you are traveling from the East Coast to Hawaii, fares can vary tremendously, but generally are anywhere from $500-$1000 roundtrip. Some people say that if they are going to travel that far and that long, they want to fly in first class. If you are looking to travel in first class, fares are usually much higher, starting at around $2000 roundtrip (not a deal). But competition has led to lower fares from the Baltimore area to Honolulu in first class.
The Deal:
Though many first class fares to Hawaii are $2000-$3000 roundtrip, airlines have chosen the Baltimore to Honolulu marked to offer more reasonable first class fares. Fares now start at around $639/way. Though this fare is much higher than coach, for a first class fare, this is quite reasonable. In fact, if you are traveling from New York, Philadelphia or Washington to Hawaii, this is the most reasonable fare you will find in first class. If you are traveling during the most high demand periods such as the December holiday season, the first class fare is only slightly higher than the very high coach fares offered by most airlines.
How:
Go to an aggregator such as kayak.com.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 15, 2007)
The Las Vegas hotel summer specials have arrived. The five-star Bellagio hotel has announced its major summer sale, with rates starting at $169/night.
The Deal:
The Bellagio is offering rooms this summer for Sunday through Thursday night starting at $169/night. Suites start at $249/night.
How:
Go to the Bellagio Sale.
The Inside Scoop:
This sale is not overwhelming, as the same sale during past years has been a little cheaper and has included a free upgrade to waterview. However, given that Las Vegas hotel rates are higher this year, the rate increase is probably comparable to rate increases at other Las Vegas five-star hotels.
The Las Vegas hotel summer specials have arrived. The five-star Bellagio hotel has announced its major summer sale, with rates starting at $169/night.
The Deal:
The Bellagio is offering rooms this summer for Sunday through Thursday night starting at $169/night. Suites start at $249/night.
How:
Go to the Bellagio Sale.
The Inside Scoop:
This sale is not overwhelming, as the same sale during past years has been a little cheaper and has included a free upgrade to waterview. However, given that Las Vegas hotel rates are higher this year, the rate increase is probably comparable to rate increases at other Las Vegas five-star hotels.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 14, 2007)
The Loews Hotel in Las Vegas (formerly Hyatt Lake Las Vegas) is offering either one or two free nights (based on length of stay) for stays this summer.
The Deal:
The Loews Las Vegas is offering a great deal, especially for people staying a total of five nights. Buy two nights, get one night free or buy three nights, and get the fourth and fifth night free. Offer is valid until September 4, 2007.
How:
Go to the Loews Las Vegas Offer.
The Loews Hotel in Las Vegas (formerly Hyatt Lake Las Vegas) is offering either one or two free nights (based on length of stay) for stays this summer.
The Deal:
The Loews Las Vegas is offering a great deal, especially for people staying a total of five nights. Buy two nights, get one night free or buy three nights, and get the fourth and fifth night free. Offer is valid until September 4, 2007.
How:
Go to the Loews Las Vegas Offer.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 13, 2007)
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on sky-high New York City hotel prices, with some rates at average hotels starting at $500/night. You do not have to pay these rates, especially if you plan strategically for your stay.
The Deal:
New York City hotel rates have skyrocketed recently. Here are some tips to limit your financial hardship when booking a stay at a New York City hotel:
(1) Look at rates before you plan your trip, if at all possible. During major conventions, hotel rates jump. During less busy weeks, hotels offer more discounts. Plan your trip when hotel rates drop.
(2) Use Priceline and Hotwire. Though published hotel prices have risen, New York City hotels are still offering unused rooms via booking sites such as Hotwire and Priceline where the consumers do not know the hotel name until after binding themselves to purchase a room. Priceline and Hotwire can provide incredible discounts in New York City. Consumers often find four star hotels in central Manhattan for $150/night. Use sites such as www.biddingfortravel.com or www.betterbidding.com to find out what you should expect to pay using Priceline or Hotwire.
(3) Consider staying in New Jersey. Hotels such as the Hyatt Jersey City are often much less expensive than Manhattan hotels, and these hotels are accessible to Manhattan via public transportation in less than an hour. Lower priced hotels are also available on Long Island and in Westchester County. Often, these hotels in NJ, Long Island and Westchester County are available via Priceline and Hotwire.
(4) Search for rates using your membership discounts (AAA, Entertainment, AARP, ABA). Look for these rates using the web, by calling the toll free nationwide reservation number and by calling the hotel directly. Rates will likely vary among these three booking channels.
(5) Keep checking rates. Demand changes constantly, so the rates change constantly as well. Sometimes, within 48 hours of check-in, when a hotel realizes it cannot fill its rooms, it will drop rates dramatically.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on sky-high New York City hotel prices, with some rates at average hotels starting at $500/night. You do not have to pay these rates, especially if you plan strategically for your stay.
The Deal:
New York City hotel rates have skyrocketed recently. Here are some tips to limit your financial hardship when booking a stay at a New York City hotel:
(1) Look at rates before you plan your trip, if at all possible. During major conventions, hotel rates jump. During less busy weeks, hotels offer more discounts. Plan your trip when hotel rates drop.
(2) Use Priceline and Hotwire. Though published hotel prices have risen, New York City hotels are still offering unused rooms via booking sites such as Hotwire and Priceline where the consumers do not know the hotel name until after binding themselves to purchase a room. Priceline and Hotwire can provide incredible discounts in New York City. Consumers often find four star hotels in central Manhattan for $150/night. Use sites such as www.biddingfortravel.com or www.betterbidding.com to find out what you should expect to pay using Priceline or Hotwire.
(3) Consider staying in New Jersey. Hotels such as the Hyatt Jersey City are often much less expensive than Manhattan hotels, and these hotels are accessible to Manhattan via public transportation in less than an hour. Lower priced hotels are also available on Long Island and in Westchester County. Often, these hotels in NJ, Long Island and Westchester County are available via Priceline and Hotwire.
(4) Search for rates using your membership discounts (AAA, Entertainment, AARP, ABA). Look for these rates using the web, by calling the toll free nationwide reservation number and by calling the hotel directly. Rates will likely vary among these three booking channels.
(5) Keep checking rates. Demand changes constantly, so the rates change constantly as well. Sometimes, within 48 hours of check-in, when a hotel realizes it cannot fill its rooms, it will drop rates dramatically.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 12, 2007)
When you rent a car, if you do not take the car rental company’s insurance, you are liable for almost anything that happens to the car. There are easy ways to avoid disaster:
(2) Many credit cards offer secondary insurance coverage, meaning that those cards will cover anything not covered by any other insurance. The downside to relying on your credit card coverage is that they will not cover the costs that your own personal insurance coverage would reimburse – so you must either file a claim on your own coverage to cover the costs not reimbursed by the credit card coverage or you must cover those costs yourself. Also be aware that the credit card coverage may only cover damage to your own rental car, not any other damage to other cars or property.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 11, 2007)
Finding good airfares is not straightforward. You cannot just rely on web travel agent sites such as Travelocity since the inventory and fares are limited. You cannot rely on a single airline site since the fares are too limited. It often helps to use an “aggregator” such as kayak.com or sidestep.com which collects fares from airline websites, web travel agent sites and other travel websites. In addition to an aggregator site, when finding fares on Southwest, it is quite beneficial to download the “Ding” tool on Southwest’s website.
The Deal:
Download the Ding tool on www.southwest.com to get access to private sale fares offered by Southwest usually on a daily basis. Some fares sales are better than others, but recently Southwest has offered extraordinary fares including $30/way coast-to-coast fares. The routes which are on sale are seemingly selected at random, so you never know what fares will be on sale. But it always pays to check fares, since the fares can be extraordinarily low.
How:
(1) Go to www.southwest.com and download the Ding tool. (An icon for Ding will become installed on your system tray in the bottom right corner of your screen.)
(2) Click on the Ding icon on your system tray to find that day’s Ding fares.
The Inside Scoop:
Ding is beneficial for people who can make quick decisions. The fares are often on sale only for a few hours, so you must be able to purchase your ticket quickly. However, Southwest has two policies which help you if you make a purchase which you later regret:
(1) All Southwest fares, regardless of how cheap, are refundable for 24 hours after purchase; and
(2) Southwest has no change fee. So if you purchase a ticket you later cannot use, you can use the fare value as a credit for a year on Southwest without any change fee applied to your fare value.
Finding good airfares is not straightforward. You cannot just rely on web travel agent sites such as Travelocity since the inventory and fares are limited. You cannot rely on a single airline site since the fares are too limited. It often helps to use an “aggregator” such as kayak.com or sidestep.com which collects fares from airline websites, web travel agent sites and other travel websites. In addition to an aggregator site, when finding fares on Southwest, it is quite beneficial to download the “Ding” tool on Southwest’s website.
The Deal:
Download the Ding tool on www.southwest.com to get access to private sale fares offered by Southwest usually on a daily basis. Some fares sales are better than others, but recently Southwest has offered extraordinary fares including $30/way coast-to-coast fares. The routes which are on sale are seemingly selected at random, so you never know what fares will be on sale. But it always pays to check fares, since the fares can be extraordinarily low.
How:
(1) Go to www.southwest.com and download the Ding tool. (An icon for Ding will become installed on your system tray in the bottom right corner of your screen.)
(2) Click on the Ding icon on your system tray to find that day’s Ding fares.
The Inside Scoop:
Ding is beneficial for people who can make quick decisions. The fares are often on sale only for a few hours, so you must be able to purchase your ticket quickly. However, Southwest has two policies which help you if you make a purchase which you later regret:
(1) All Southwest fares, regardless of how cheap, are refundable for 24 hours after purchase; and
(2) Southwest has no change fee. So if you purchase a ticket you later cannot use, you can use the fare value as a credit for a year on Southwest without any change fee applied to your fare value.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 8, 2007)
Hertz is now offering hourly rentals in Manhattan to compete with companies like FlexCar and ZipCar. Rates include gas and unlimited mileage. Also, Hertz will offer you a free one-year membership in its Hertz Number One Club Gold program, which allows you to earn points, bypass the rental car counter, and often receive free upgrades whenever renting from Hertz.
The Deal:
Rent a Hertz car in Manhattan for rates starting at $12/hour.
How:
Go to the Hertz Manhattan Special.
Hertz is now offering hourly rentals in Manhattan to compete with companies like FlexCar and ZipCar. Rates include gas and unlimited mileage. Also, Hertz will offer you a free one-year membership in its Hertz Number One Club Gold program, which allows you to earn points, bypass the rental car counter, and often receive free upgrades whenever renting from Hertz.
The Deal:
Rent a Hertz car in Manhattan for rates starting at $12/hour.
How:
Go to the Hertz Manhattan Special.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 7, 2007)
Fairmont is running a sale for its President’s Club members (free membership) that includes excellent rates for some hotels and resorts.
The Deal:
Fairmont’s sale for members of its frequent guest club (President’s Club) offers excellent rates at some Fairmont hotels. Rates must be booked by June 12, 2007 for stays during June and July 2007 (the exact dates vary by hotel). Rates must be prepaid and are non-refundable. Sample rates include $99 in Scottsdale, Acapulco and Dallas; $129 (Canadian) in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise; and $129 in Boston.
How:
(1) Join Fairmont’s frequent guest club – the Fairmont President’s Club - at this link. Membership is free and has various perks.
(2) Find available dates and hotels here.
Fairmont is running a sale for its President’s Club members (free membership) that includes excellent rates for some hotels and resorts.
The Deal:
Fairmont’s sale for members of its frequent guest club (President’s Club) offers excellent rates at some Fairmont hotels. Rates must be booked by June 12, 2007 for stays during June and July 2007 (the exact dates vary by hotel). Rates must be prepaid and are non-refundable. Sample rates include $99 in Scottsdale, Acapulco and Dallas; $129 (Canadian) in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise; and $129 in Boston.
How:
(1) Join Fairmont’s frequent guest club – the Fairmont President’s Club - at this link. Membership is free and has various perks.
(2) Find available dates and hotels here.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 6, 2007)
One of the best (if not the best) Hawaiian travel deals for a five-star resort is still available. As reported in the March 27, 2007 post, you can stay for four nights at the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, a five-star resort that is consistently one of the highest rated US resorts in Conde Nast’s yearly reader survey, on the Hawaiian island of Lanai for $221.25/night. Keep in mind that other Four Seasons resorts on Maui and the Big Island in Hawaii generally cost at least two to three times that rate for the least expensive room.
The Deal:
Stay three nights for $295/night at the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele on the Hawaiian Island of Lanai, and receive the fourth night free until December 18, 2007. (Total average price is $221.25/night.)
How:
Go to the Package Page on the Four Seasons website.
The Inside Scoop:
The reason that this deal exists is that the Lodge at Koele is not the typical oceanfront Hawaiian resort. Instead, it is an activity-lover's paradise, with every activity you could ever imagine contained in an incredible five-star resort. The incredible news is that another Four Seasons hotel (Manele Bay) exists on the same island and is on one of Hawaii's nicest beaches. As a guest at the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, you can use all of the facilities at the Four Seasons Manele Bay - they will even transport you to/from each hotel. Since many moderate Hawaiian resorts are well over $500/night, a five-star resort for under $225/night is really a deal.
One of the best (if not the best) Hawaiian travel deals for a five-star resort is still available. As reported in the March 27, 2007 post, you can stay for four nights at the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, a five-star resort that is consistently one of the highest rated US resorts in Conde Nast’s yearly reader survey, on the Hawaiian island of Lanai for $221.25/night. Keep in mind that other Four Seasons resorts on Maui and the Big Island in Hawaii generally cost at least two to three times that rate for the least expensive room.
The Deal:
Stay three nights for $295/night at the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele on the Hawaiian Island of Lanai, and receive the fourth night free until December 18, 2007. (Total average price is $221.25/night.)
How:
Go to the Package Page on the Four Seasons website.
The Inside Scoop:
The reason that this deal exists is that the Lodge at Koele is not the typical oceanfront Hawaiian resort. Instead, it is an activity-lover's paradise, with every activity you could ever imagine contained in an incredible five-star resort. The incredible news is that another Four Seasons hotel (Manele Bay) exists on the same island and is on one of Hawaii's nicest beaches. As a guest at the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, you can use all of the facilities at the Four Seasons Manele Bay - they will even transport you to/from each hotel. Since many moderate Hawaiian resorts are well over $500/night, a five-star resort for under $225/night is really a deal.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 5, 2007)
If you have never been to New Mexico, you are truly missing out on a beautiful part of the US. Now, with quite a few extraordinary fares to Albuquerque, you may be able to fly to New Mexico for quite a reasonable price.
The Deal:
Various airlines are offering very inexpensive fares (as of 7:00 AM this morning) to Albuquerque. Sample fares include $49.50/way from Atlanta to Albuquerque and $54.50/way from Washington Dulles to Albuquerque. This fare will likely be gone by the end of the morning - so book it fast.
How:
Use an aggregator such as kayak.com.
If you have never been to New Mexico, you are truly missing out on a beautiful part of the US. Now, with quite a few extraordinary fares to Albuquerque, you may be able to fly to New Mexico for quite a reasonable price.
The Deal:
Various airlines are offering very inexpensive fares (as of 7:00 AM this morning) to Albuquerque. Sample fares include $49.50/way from Atlanta to Albuquerque and $54.50/way from Washington Dulles to Albuquerque. This fare will likely be gone by the end of the morning - so book it fast.
How:
Use an aggregator such as kayak.com.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 4, 2007)
You arrive at your hotel, only to find out that the hotel is overbooked. This can be bad news or good news, depending on the flexibility of your travel plans.
The Deal:
Hotels, just like airlines, overbook to compensate for customers that do not show up to use their reservations. If your hotel is overbooked, the hotel will likely pay for your hotel stay that night at a comparable local hotel as well as transportation to/from that hotel and possibly also meals. This can be an incredible deal for people who are flexible, especially when your original room rate was high. In addition, if you are staying at that original hotel for more than one night and you are only bumped to the replacement hotel for one night, you will likely be upgraded to a nicer room/suite when you return for the remainder of your hotel stay.
However, for people whose plans are not flexible, this can be a nightmare. If you are not interested in a free night and would like your original hotel, the best way to avoid being bumped to another hotel is:
(1) arrive at the hotel early (if you arrive at midnight, the hotel is more like to have given away your room even if the room was guaranteed with a credit card),
(2) join the hotel’s frequent guest club (hotels are less likely to bump frequent guests, and
(3) call ahead on the day of arrival to the hotel’s front desk manager to let them know you will be arriving, especially if you will be arriving late.
The Inside Scoop:
If your plans are flexible and you would be interested in a free hotel night, you may want to inquire at the front desk at check-in whether the hotel is overbooked. If the hotel must bump a customer, it would be much happier about bumping a willing customer.
You arrive at your hotel, only to find out that the hotel is overbooked. This can be bad news or good news, depending on the flexibility of your travel plans.
The Deal:
Hotels, just like airlines, overbook to compensate for customers that do not show up to use their reservations. If your hotel is overbooked, the hotel will likely pay for your hotel stay that night at a comparable local hotel as well as transportation to/from that hotel and possibly also meals. This can be an incredible deal for people who are flexible, especially when your original room rate was high. In addition, if you are staying at that original hotel for more than one night and you are only bumped to the replacement hotel for one night, you will likely be upgraded to a nicer room/suite when you return for the remainder of your hotel stay.
However, for people whose plans are not flexible, this can be a nightmare. If you are not interested in a free night and would like your original hotel, the best way to avoid being bumped to another hotel is:
(1) arrive at the hotel early (if you arrive at midnight, the hotel is more like to have given away your room even if the room was guaranteed with a credit card),
(2) join the hotel’s frequent guest club (hotels are less likely to bump frequent guests, and
(3) call ahead on the day of arrival to the hotel’s front desk manager to let them know you will be arriving, especially if you will be arriving late.
The Inside Scoop:
If your plans are flexible and you would be interested in a free hotel night, you may want to inquire at the front desk at check-in whether the hotel is overbooked. If the hotel must bump a customer, it would be much happier about bumping a willing customer.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (June 1, 2007)
There are intense fare wars among three Hawaiian inter-island air carriers, Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, and Go Airlines. The fare wars were sparked by ultra low fares offered by low cost carrier Go. Now, all three airlines are offering $9/way fares between the Hawaiian islands.
The Deal:
Fly from October 1 through December 15, 2007 for $9/way between the Hawaiian islands on Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines and Go Airlines. You must purchase your tickets by the end of the day on June 1, 2007.
How:
Go to an aggregator website such as kayak.com or go to the individual airlines websites: alohaairlines.com, hawaiianair.com and iflygo.com.
There are intense fare wars among three Hawaiian inter-island air carriers, Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, and Go Airlines. The fare wars were sparked by ultra low fares offered by low cost carrier Go. Now, all three airlines are offering $9/way fares between the Hawaiian islands.
The Deal:
Fly from October 1 through December 15, 2007 for $9/way between the Hawaiian islands on Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines and Go Airlines. You must purchase your tickets by the end of the day on June 1, 2007.
How:
Go to an aggregator website such as kayak.com or go to the individual airlines websites: alohaairlines.com, hawaiianair.com and iflygo.com.
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