Travel Deal of the Day (August 31, 2007)
Hertz is offering AAA members $45 off a weekly rental of some of its more expensive cars.
The Deal:
AAA memebrs receive $45 off a weekly rental of “Fun,” “Prestige” or “Green” cars when renting from Hertz. The discount also includes a free second authorized driver, 50% off of satellite radio and 25% off of GPS rental. Offer valid for rentals picked up by December 15, 2007.
How:
Go to the Hertz Deal.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 30, 2007)
The Ritz Carlton in Buckhead (Atlanta, GA) is offering a discounted rate to upgrade to its club level for American Bar Association (ABA) members.
The Deal:
Receive an upgrade to club level rooms for $50/night at the five-star Ritz Carlton Buckhead (Atlanta, GA). The upgrade to club level allows you to receive five meal presentations per day in the club level lounge. You also receive high speed internet access with this deal.
How:
Go to the ABA Ritz Carlton Buckhead Deal.
The Ritz Carlton in Buckhead (Atlanta, GA) is offering a discounted rate to upgrade to its club level for American Bar Association (ABA) members.
The Deal:
Receive an upgrade to club level rooms for $50/night at the five-star Ritz Carlton Buckhead (Atlanta, GA). The upgrade to club level allows you to receive five meal presentations per day in the club level lounge. You also receive high speed internet access with this deal.
How:
Go to the ABA Ritz Carlton Buckhead Deal.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 29, 2007)
American Express and Marriott are offering a promotion when you book a Marriott Hotel with an American Express Card.
The Deal:
Receive up to $250 ($50/night) in American Express Travelers Checks for using booking a Marriott hotel and using an American Express card for your Marriott hotel stay in AZ, CA, FL, HI, Mexico, the Caribbean and Thailand. The offer is valid only on “premium view rooms” through December 30, 2007.
How:
Go to http://www.marriott.com/ and use code AX6 when booking.
American Express and Marriott are offering a promotion when you book a Marriott Hotel with an American Express Card.
The Deal:
Receive up to $250 ($50/night) in American Express Travelers Checks for using booking a Marriott hotel and using an American Express card for your Marriott hotel stay in AZ, CA, FL, HI, Mexico, the Caribbean and Thailand. The offer is valid only on “premium view rooms” through December 30, 2007.
How:
Go to http://www.marriott.com/ and use code AX6 when booking.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 28, 2007)
Starwood is offering excellent last-minute rates this weekend at various hotels that have fewer business travelers because of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
The Deal:
Save money over Labor Day weekend at various Starwood Hotels. Sample rates include: $119/night at the Westin Embassy Row (Washington, DC), $129/night at the Westin Grand (Washington, DC), $99/night at the W Atlanta Perimeter Hotel and $179 at the Atlantic Hotel in Southern Florida.
How:
Go to the Starwood Starpicks Program.
Starwood is offering excellent last-minute rates this weekend at various hotels that have fewer business travelers because of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
The Deal:
Save money over Labor Day weekend at various Starwood Hotels. Sample rates include: $119/night at the Westin Embassy Row (Washington, DC), $129/night at the Westin Grand (Washington, DC), $99/night at the W Atlanta Perimeter Hotel and $179 at the Atlantic Hotel in Southern Florida.
How:
Go to the Starwood Starpicks Program.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 27, 2007)
I have previously reported on the Costco car rental coupons (see May 15, 2007 post). The most recent Costco travel brochure provides excellent coupons for car rentals. If you are planning a fall trip, you should visit your local Costco to grab a travel brochure - it can save you a tremendous amount of money off of your next car rental.
The Deal:
Costco provides pre-negotiated percent-off discounts at various major car rental companies (no coupon necessary). On top of those percentage discounts, Costco also has coupons for free days, free upgrades or dollar-off discounts. When the percent-off discount is added to the coupon discount, you can often save a lot of money off of a car rental.
How:
Costco car rental coupons are in the middle of the travel brochures located near the exit of each Costco.
I have previously reported on the Costco car rental coupons (see May 15, 2007 post). The most recent Costco travel brochure provides excellent coupons for car rentals. If you are planning a fall trip, you should visit your local Costco to grab a travel brochure - it can save you a tremendous amount of money off of your next car rental.
The Deal:
Costco provides pre-negotiated percent-off discounts at various major car rental companies (no coupon necessary). On top of those percentage discounts, Costco also has coupons for free days, free upgrades or dollar-off discounts. When the percent-off discount is added to the coupon discount, you can often save a lot of money off of a car rental.
How:
Costco car rental coupons are in the middle of the travel brochures located near the exit of each Costco.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 24, 2007)
On Wednesday, we had a deal at the four-star Mandalay Bay. Today, we have a deal at the five-star Bellagio.
The Deal:
Obtain rooms during the fall sale at the five-star Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas starting at $179/night. Rates are valid September 30-November 8, 2007. Rates for suites start at $249/night
How:
Go to the Bellagio Fall Sale.
The Inside Scoop:
While the standard room rate of $179 is not that remarkable, the rate for a suite of $249 is quite reasonable.
On Wednesday, we had a deal at the four-star Mandalay Bay. Today, we have a deal at the five-star Bellagio.
The Deal:
Obtain rooms during the fall sale at the five-star Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas starting at $179/night. Rates are valid September 30-November 8, 2007. Rates for suites start at $249/night
How:
Go to the Bellagio Fall Sale.
The Inside Scoop:
While the standard room rate of $179 is not that remarkable, the rate for a suite of $249 is quite reasonable.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 23, 2007)
Hyatt has an unpublished benefit that is very valuable for families – obtain a second room for your children at half off.
The Deal:
Under Hyatt’s “Family Plan,” obtain a second room for children under 18 at half off. This benefit is not publicized that heavily by Hyatt, but can save quite a bit of money for families that need two rooms.
How:
Go to the Hyatt Family Vacations Plan information page.
Hyatt has an unpublished benefit that is very valuable for families – obtain a second room for your children at half off.
The Deal:
Under Hyatt’s “Family Plan,” obtain a second room for children under 18 at half off. This benefit is not publicized that heavily by Hyatt, but can save quite a bit of money for families that need two rooms.
How:
Go to the Hyatt Family Vacations Plan information page.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 22, 2007)
Mandalay Bay is offering a fall special with rooms starting at $109/night.
The Deal:
Obtain a room at the four-star Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas starting at $109/night. Room rates are good until September 30, 2007 and include various other certificates for goods/merchandise at the hotel.
How:
Go to the Mandalay Bay Deal.
Mandalay Bay is offering a fall special with rooms starting at $109/night.
The Deal:
Obtain a room at the four-star Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas starting at $109/night. Room rates are good until September 30, 2007 and include various other certificates for goods/merchandise at the hotel.
How:
Go to the Mandalay Bay Deal.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 21, 2007)
Have you chosen your seat yet for your next trip? If not, here are some tips for getting the best seat:
(1) Before selecting your seat, educate yourself about the best seats on the specific type of aircraft that is scheduled for your flight at http://www.seatguru.com/.
(2) Choose the best seat available when you book your trip unless only middle seats are available. It is always best to secure a seat to ensure that you have an assigned seat for the flight.
(3) Continue checking for available seats as often as you can tolerate. Seats will often open up as travel plans change.
(4) If you really do not like your seat selection, check for seat assignment availability 72, 48 and 24 hours in advance of your flight. These are key times for elite frequent flyers to obtain complementary upgrades to first class, so the coach seats that these elite frequent flyers have (which are often the best on the aircraft) will open once these passengers obtain their first class upgrades.
(5) Inquire at check-in about seat availability. If there are no good coach seats, you may inquire about a very inexpensive upgrade for a much better seat. (You can often obtain very inexpensive upgrades at check-in if premium seats remain unsold.)
(6) Finally, ask the gate agent if you can wait to board until 20 minutes before departure to see if a better seat opens up if someone does not show up for the flight.
Have you chosen your seat yet for your next trip? If not, here are some tips for getting the best seat:
(1) Before selecting your seat, educate yourself about the best seats on the specific type of aircraft that is scheduled for your flight at http://www.seatguru.com/.
(2) Choose the best seat available when you book your trip unless only middle seats are available. It is always best to secure a seat to ensure that you have an assigned seat for the flight.
(3) Continue checking for available seats as often as you can tolerate. Seats will often open up as travel plans change.
(4) If you really do not like your seat selection, check for seat assignment availability 72, 48 and 24 hours in advance of your flight. These are key times for elite frequent flyers to obtain complementary upgrades to first class, so the coach seats that these elite frequent flyers have (which are often the best on the aircraft) will open once these passengers obtain their first class upgrades.
(5) Inquire at check-in about seat availability. If there are no good coach seats, you may inquire about a very inexpensive upgrade for a much better seat. (You can often obtain very inexpensive upgrades at check-in if premium seats remain unsold.)
(6) Finally, ask the gate agent if you can wait to board until 20 minutes before departure to see if a better seat opens up if someone does not show up for the flight.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 20, 2007)
I have previously discussed the American Bar Association discounts at Starwood Hotels, but Starwood has recently improved on the ease of obtaining good discounts based on your ABA membership. It is now very easy to check your ABA discounted rates online.
The Deal:
Obtain discounted rates at Starwood Hotels via an ABA membership. Through the “Starwood Select Program,” you can obtain discounted rates and free upgrades (based upon availability) at Starwood Hotels.
How:
Go to the Starwood Select Page for ABA Members.
The Inside Scoop:
Above and beyond the great rates, there are two reasons to check ABA rates at Starwood Hotes:
(1) ABA rates often have fewer restrictions than standard discounted rates at Starwood Hotels. You will sometimes encounter Starwood Hotels that only offer non-refundable discounted rates, but by using the Starwood ABA rate, you can obtain the same or lower rate with fewer restrictions (often including the ability to receive a refund if cancelling you reservation).
(2) If you join the Starwood Preferred Guest program via ABA, you will immediately be designated a "Corporate Preferred Guest," making you eligible for free upgrades and late checkout (based upon availability).
I have previously discussed the American Bar Association discounts at Starwood Hotels, but Starwood has recently improved on the ease of obtaining good discounts based on your ABA membership. It is now very easy to check your ABA discounted rates online.
The Deal:
Obtain discounted rates at Starwood Hotels via an ABA membership. Through the “Starwood Select Program,” you can obtain discounted rates and free upgrades (based upon availability) at Starwood Hotels.
How:
Go to the Starwood Select Page for ABA Members.
The Inside Scoop:
Above and beyond the great rates, there are two reasons to check ABA rates at Starwood Hotes:
(1) ABA rates often have fewer restrictions than standard discounted rates at Starwood Hotels. You will sometimes encounter Starwood Hotels that only offer non-refundable discounted rates, but by using the Starwood ABA rate, you can obtain the same or lower rate with fewer restrictions (often including the ability to receive a refund if cancelling you reservation).
(2) If you join the Starwood Preferred Guest program via ABA, you will immediately be designated a "Corporate Preferred Guest," making you eligible for free upgrades and late checkout (based upon availability).
Friday, August 17, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 17, 2007)
If you travel frequently, you have learned never to make long distance calls from your hotel room phone. With internet calling, however, you now have an incredibly convenient way to make long distance (including international) calls from your hotel room without having to use a cell phone.
The Deal:
Instead of using very expensive hotel room phones, consider internet calling (VOIP) on business trips. Services such as skype provide extremely inexpensive long distance/international calling. Many hotels offer free high speed internet (either in the room or in the lobby). Even if you have to pay for high speed internet, using VOIP service can be extremely cost effective, especially if you are making a large number of calls or you are making international calls.
How:
Check out http://www.skype.com/.
If you travel frequently, you have learned never to make long distance calls from your hotel room phone. With internet calling, however, you now have an incredibly convenient way to make long distance (including international) calls from your hotel room without having to use a cell phone.
The Deal:
Instead of using very expensive hotel room phones, consider internet calling (VOIP) on business trips. Services such as skype provide extremely inexpensive long distance/international calling. Many hotels offer free high speed internet (either in the room or in the lobby). Even if you have to pay for high speed internet, using VOIP service can be extremely cost effective, especially if you are making a large number of calls or you are making international calls.
How:
Check out http://www.skype.com/.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 16, 2007)
If you are planning a group trip or need a large set of rooms, Priceline.com has now expanded the ability of users to bid on up to nine rooms.
The Deal:
Priceline.com offers users an opportunity to bid for hotel stays at very reasonable prices. Priceline.com had previously limited the usefulness of the website to group planners since a bid could only be made for a maximum of four rooms. Of course, a group planner could make multiple bids, but there was no assurance that each bid would be accepted at the same hotel. Now, Priceline.com is allowing bids for up to nine rooms in each bid, allowing large family trips or groups organizers to use Priceline.com in more circumstances.
If you are planning a group trip or need a large set of rooms, Priceline.com has now expanded the ability of users to bid on up to nine rooms.
The Deal:
Priceline.com offers users an opportunity to bid for hotel stays at very reasonable prices. Priceline.com had previously limited the usefulness of the website to group planners since a bid could only be made for a maximum of four rooms. Of course, a group planner could make multiple bids, but there was no assurance that each bid would be accepted at the same hotel. Now, Priceline.com is allowing bids for up to nine rooms in each bid, allowing large family trips or groups organizers to use Priceline.com in more circumstances.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 15, 2007)
Hertz needs to move some of its cars by the end of the summer. If you happen to be traveling from a city where Hertz has quite a few cars to a city where Hertz needs more cars, you can obtain quite reasonable one-way rates.
The Deal:
Receive low one-way rates for Hertz one-way rentals in various markets. Rentals must occur by September 3, 2007.
How:
See the full list of participating markets and full terms and conditions at the Hertz One-Way Deals Page.
Hertz needs to move some of its cars by the end of the summer. If you happen to be traveling from a city where Hertz has quite a few cars to a city where Hertz needs more cars, you can obtain quite reasonable one-way rates.
The Deal:
Receive low one-way rates for Hertz one-way rentals in various markets. Rentals must occur by September 3, 2007.
How:
See the full list of participating markets and full terms and conditions at the Hertz One-Way Deals Page.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 14, 2007)
Starwood is offering a buy two nights, get the third night free offer at various resorts for the rest of the year.
The Deal:
If you are traveling over Labor Day weekend or any other three night time period, you can take advantage of a new offer from Starwood (Westin, Sheraton, W) resorts where you receive the third night free. The offer is good for stays of three nights at Starwood resorts with an arrival on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday through the rest of the year. The stay must be paid in full at the time of reservation, and the payment is non-refundable.
How:
Go to the Starwood 3-Day Weekend Deal.
Starwood is offering a buy two nights, get the third night free offer at various resorts for the rest of the year.
The Deal:
If you are traveling over Labor Day weekend or any other three night time period, you can take advantage of a new offer from Starwood (Westin, Sheraton, W) resorts where you receive the third night free. The offer is good for stays of three nights at Starwood resorts with an arrival on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday through the rest of the year. The stay must be paid in full at the time of reservation, and the payment is non-refundable.
How:
Go to the Starwood 3-Day Weekend Deal.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 13, 2007)
The Entertainment Book has great travel (and other) deals that you should look into when making travel plans. The Entertainment Book now has an online version that is free and provides tremendous discounts.
The Deal:
The online Entertainment Saversguide provides great discounts for a wide variety of merchants, including travel providers. Since it is free, I would highly recommend looking into the discounts offered.
How:
Go to the Entertainment Saversguide.
The Entertainment Book has great travel (and other) deals that you should look into when making travel plans. The Entertainment Book now has an online version that is free and provides tremendous discounts.
The Deal:
The online Entertainment Saversguide provides great discounts for a wide variety of merchants, including travel providers. Since it is free, I would highly recommend looking into the discounts offered.
How:
Go to the Entertainment Saversguide.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 10, 2007)
National Car Rental is offering $30 off a weekly rental through mid-December 2007.
The Deal:
Receive $30 off a weekly rental through December 15, 2007 when renting a car with National Car Rental. The deal applies to compact through luxury cars and also includes minivans and SUVs.
How:
Go to the National Car Rental deal.
National Car Rental is offering $30 off a weekly rental through mid-December 2007.
The Deal:
Receive $30 off a weekly rental through December 15, 2007 when renting a car with National Car Rental. The deal applies to compact through luxury cars and also includes minivans and SUVs.
How:
Go to the National Car Rental deal.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 9, 2007)
If you are a fan of bidding on Priceline.com and are interested in taking a vacation, there is an extraordinary deal for a four-star hotel in Maui.
The Deal:
Bidders are reporting on http://www.biddingfortravel.com/, which is a site allowing users to report successful bid prices on priceline.com, that they are receiving the Westin Maui for $125/night. This price is extraordinarily low for Maui, especially for the four-star Westin hotel.
How:
See more details at the following link.
If you are a fan of bidding on Priceline.com and are interested in taking a vacation, there is an extraordinary deal for a four-star hotel in Maui.
The Deal:
Bidders are reporting on http://www.biddingfortravel.com/, which is a site allowing users to report successful bid prices on priceline.com, that they are receiving the Westin Maui for $125/night. This price is extraordinarily low for Maui, especially for the four-star Westin hotel.
How:
See more details at the following link.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 8, 2007)
The Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas (formerly the Aladdin) is offering an $89/night promotion which includes a $40 hotel credit.
The Deal:
Obtain a room at the Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas for $89/night for certain dates in August and September 2007. The rate includes a $40 resort credit.
How:
Go to the Planet Hollywood Deal.
The Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas (formerly the Aladdin) is offering an $89/night promotion which includes a $40 hotel credit.
The Deal:
Obtain a room at the Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas for $89/night for certain dates in August and September 2007. The rate includes a $40 resort credit.
How:
Go to the Planet Hollywood Deal.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 7, 2007)
If you are renting a car, you should consider ways to protect yourself against an accusation that you damaged the car during the rental. Two simple steps can save you tremendous aggravation and will document the condition of the car before and after the rental.
The Deal:
When returning a rental car, most people assume that they do not have to worry about being charged for any damage to a rental car once a rental car is "checked in" and the car rental attendant (who may or may not inspect the car) does not complain about any damage to a rental car. This is not true – a rental car company reserves the right to inspect the car for damage long after you have returned the car. To protect against being charged for damage that occurred before you rented the car or damage that occurs after you returned the car, you should complete the following two tasks when renting a car:
Step One (When Picking Up Car Rental): Inspect the car thoroughly and notate any damage. Some car rental companies will have a form for car rental damage that they will require you sign before renting. Other companies will have no mandated procedure for inspecting damage before a car rental. Regardless, make sure any damage is noted and that you have written proof before you leave the car rental lot of any pre-existing damage on a rental car. (Most companies have a form which can be used to notate damage before a car rental. For companies without a standard form, have the car rental company notate damage on the car rental contract.)
Step Two (When Dropping Off Car Rental): Take pictures of the car. Use a digital camera (even the camera on your cell phone, if applicable) to document the good condition of the car. Remember, a car rental company reserves the right to inspect the car at a later time (which may occur after one or more people have rented that car) – so this is your opportunity to document the condition of the car at the time you returned the car.
If you are renting a car, you should consider ways to protect yourself against an accusation that you damaged the car during the rental. Two simple steps can save you tremendous aggravation and will document the condition of the car before and after the rental.
The Deal:
When returning a rental car, most people assume that they do not have to worry about being charged for any damage to a rental car once a rental car is "checked in" and the car rental attendant (who may or may not inspect the car) does not complain about any damage to a rental car. This is not true – a rental car company reserves the right to inspect the car for damage long after you have returned the car. To protect against being charged for damage that occurred before you rented the car or damage that occurs after you returned the car, you should complete the following two tasks when renting a car:
Step One (When Picking Up Car Rental): Inspect the car thoroughly and notate any damage. Some car rental companies will have a form for car rental damage that they will require you sign before renting. Other companies will have no mandated procedure for inspecting damage before a car rental. Regardless, make sure any damage is noted and that you have written proof before you leave the car rental lot of any pre-existing damage on a rental car. (Most companies have a form which can be used to notate damage before a car rental. For companies without a standard form, have the car rental company notate damage on the car rental contract.)
Step Two (When Dropping Off Car Rental): Take pictures of the car. Use a digital camera (even the camera on your cell phone, if applicable) to document the good condition of the car. Remember, a car rental company reserves the right to inspect the car at a later time (which may occur after one or more people have rented that car) – so this is your opportunity to document the condition of the car at the time you returned the car.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (August 6, 2007)
Fairmont is offering discounted rates at various hotels worldwide for members of its Fairmont President’s Club.
The Deal:
Receive discounted room rates for stays through the end of September 2007 at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Rooms must be booked by August 9, 2007. Rates include $119/night in Miami, $99/night in Acapulco and $119 (CAD) in Toronto. You must be a member of the Fairmont President’s Club (free to join) to take advantage of the rates. (After joining the President's Club, you will receive complementary perks when staying at Fairmont Hotels - see link below for more information.)
How:
Go to the Fairmont Deal. To join the Fairmont President's Club, go to this link.
Fairmont is offering discounted rates at various hotels worldwide for members of its Fairmont President’s Club.
The Deal:
Receive discounted room rates for stays through the end of September 2007 at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Rooms must be booked by August 9, 2007. Rates include $119/night in Miami, $99/night in Acapulco and $119 (CAD) in Toronto. You must be a member of the Fairmont President’s Club (free to join) to take advantage of the rates. (After joining the President's Club, you will receive complementary perks when staying at Fairmont Hotels - see link below for more information.)
How:
Go to the Fairmont Deal. To join the Fairmont President's Club, go to this link.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Travel Deal of the Day (Aug. 1, 2007)
Mandalay Bay is running a sale with rooms starting at $119/night.
The Deal:
Get a room at Mandalay Bay for $119/night including a $20 gift certificate to be used at the Mandalay Bay pool. The offer runs through the end of September 2007.
How:
Go to the Mandalay Summer Deal.
Mandalay Bay is running a sale with rooms starting at $119/night.
The Deal:
Get a room at Mandalay Bay for $119/night including a $20 gift certificate to be used at the Mandalay Bay pool. The offer runs through the end of September 2007.
How:
Go to the Mandalay Summer Deal.
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