Travel Deal of the Day (April 22, 2008)
The five-star Wynn Las Vegas Hotel is offering rooms this summer for $159/night.
The Deal:
Rooms at the Wynn Las Vegas are on sale this summer for $159/night. Rates are valid on select weeknights from May 2008 to September 2008.
How:
(1) Go to the Wynn Las Vegas.
(2) Enter promotion code “WDMSM31” in the promotion code box in the reservations area of the website.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Travel Deal of the Day (April 17, 2008)
The Las Vegas summer specials have begun – given the slow economic conditions, the Las Vegas hotels will likely offer very good promotions, especially during May and June. The Bellagio is offering a decent rate on rooms this summer for midweek travel.
The Deal:
The five-star Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is offering rooms this summer starting at $159/night. Rates are valid for Sunday-Thursday nights from May 21, 2008 to September 4, 2008.
How:
Go to the Bellagio Deal.
The Las Vegas summer specials have begun – given the slow economic conditions, the Las Vegas hotels will likely offer very good promotions, especially during May and June. The Bellagio is offering a decent rate on rooms this summer for midweek travel.
The Deal:
The five-star Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is offering rooms this summer starting at $159/night. Rates are valid for Sunday-Thursday nights from May 21, 2008 to September 4, 2008.
How:
Go to the Bellagio Deal.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Travel Deal of the Day (April 16, 2008)
Do you realize that when a flight is operated by one carrier but also sold by another carrier as a code-share flight, a seat may be less expensive when booking on one carrier versus the other carrier?
The Deal:
When booking a seat on a plane, you should verify whether the flight is also operated by a code-share partner. If so, check the price of that same seat if purchased from the code-share partner. In some situations, the seat may be offered at a different price on that code-share partner. In most cases, even if you do book the seat on a code-share partner, you are likely still eligible for the same frequent flyer benefits since the code-share partners usually offer a variety of mileage earning options.
You should also note that the same issue arises when booking a frequent flyer ticket. A frequent flyer partner may offer the same flight for fewer miles. Such is often the case with short-haul nonstop flights. Some carriers offer promotions that allow you to redeem reduced mileage amounts for short-haul flights. The promotion may not apply on all carriers – so be sure to check around to verify if you can obtain the same seat for fewer miles.
Do you realize that when a flight is operated by one carrier but also sold by another carrier as a code-share flight, a seat may be less expensive when booking on one carrier versus the other carrier?
The Deal:
When booking a seat on a plane, you should verify whether the flight is also operated by a code-share partner. If so, check the price of that same seat if purchased from the code-share partner. In some situations, the seat may be offered at a different price on that code-share partner. In most cases, even if you do book the seat on a code-share partner, you are likely still eligible for the same frequent flyer benefits since the code-share partners usually offer a variety of mileage earning options.
You should also note that the same issue arises when booking a frequent flyer ticket. A frequent flyer partner may offer the same flight for fewer miles. Such is often the case with short-haul nonstop flights. Some carriers offer promotions that allow you to redeem reduced mileage amounts for short-haul flights. The promotion may not apply on all carriers – so be sure to check around to verify if you can obtain the same seat for fewer miles.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Travel Deal of the Day (April 14, 2008)
As mentioned previously in this blog, various four and five star hotels offer American Bar Association (ABA) discounts for ABA members. These rates can be very inexpensive when compared with other, publicly available rates.
The Deal:
Check out the ABA rates being offered during 2008 – some hotels are offering very competitive rates using the ABA discount. One example is the five star Ritz Carlton New Orleans, which offers a $129/night rate (seasonal rate/depends on availability) – it will be very hard to find any other rate at that hotel even close to $129/night.
How:
Go to the 2008 ABA Hotel Rates.
As mentioned previously in this blog, various four and five star hotels offer American Bar Association (ABA) discounts for ABA members. These rates can be very inexpensive when compared with other, publicly available rates.
The Deal:
Check out the ABA rates being offered during 2008 – some hotels are offering very competitive rates using the ABA discount. One example is the five star Ritz Carlton New Orleans, which offers a $129/night rate (seasonal rate/depends on availability) – it will be very hard to find any other rate at that hotel even close to $129/night.
How:
Go to the 2008 ABA Hotel Rates.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Travel Deal Of The Day (April 10, 2008)
Many airlines are now charging to check more than one bag. In some cases, the first checked bag will incur a charge if it is over a certain weight or size limit. My answer to all these fees is to avoid checking bags.
The Deal:
The best way to avoid excess or oversize baggage fees is to avoid checking luggage. If you are used to checking luggage, this idea may seem impossible to implement. But, in reality, it is quite often possible to have only one carry-on (and one small additional personal item such as a laptop bag or purse) per person. Next time you travel, mark down which items in your suitcase you actually used on your trip or those items which you used and you felt were essential. When you get home, verify if those “necessities” would actually fit in a carry-on bag – most likely, the answer is yes.
Even if you find you cannot fit everything into a checked bag, consider sending your “checked” items ahead using a ground expedited shipper (UPS Ground, Fed Ex Ground, DHL…). It is often cheaper to use such an expediter instead of checking the bag – and you can track your bag and know that it has arrived at your expected destination.
Many airlines are now charging to check more than one bag. In some cases, the first checked bag will incur a charge if it is over a certain weight or size limit. My answer to all these fees is to avoid checking bags.
The Deal:
The best way to avoid excess or oversize baggage fees is to avoid checking luggage. If you are used to checking luggage, this idea may seem impossible to implement. But, in reality, it is quite often possible to have only one carry-on (and one small additional personal item such as a laptop bag or purse) per person. Next time you travel, mark down which items in your suitcase you actually used on your trip or those items which you used and you felt were essential. When you get home, verify if those “necessities” would actually fit in a carry-on bag – most likely, the answer is yes.
Even if you find you cannot fit everything into a checked bag, consider sending your “checked” items ahead using a ground expedited shipper (UPS Ground, Fed Ex Ground, DHL…). It is often cheaper to use such an expediter instead of checking the bag – and you can track your bag and know that it has arrived at your expected destination.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Travel Deal of the Day (April 8, 2008)
The four-star Westin St. Maarten is offering rooms for $149/night throughout the summer.
The Deal:
Obtain a room at the Westin St. Maarten for $149/night from June 1, 2008 through October 19, 2008 (limited blackout days apply).
How:
Go to the Westin St. Maarten Deal.
The Inside Scoop:
You should note the reason for the low rates – hurricane season is in full force from June through October. With that being said, this is an excellent rate, and if you are willing to travel during a time when there is a risk of a hurricane, you likely will be able to obtain quite a deal on a luxury Caribbean hotel.
The four-star Westin St. Maarten is offering rooms for $149/night throughout the summer.
The Deal:
Obtain a room at the Westin St. Maarten for $149/night from June 1, 2008 through October 19, 2008 (limited blackout days apply).
How:
Go to the Westin St. Maarten Deal.
The Inside Scoop:
You should note the reason for the low rates – hurricane season is in full force from June through October. With that being said, this is an excellent rate, and if you are willing to travel during a time when there is a risk of a hurricane, you likely will be able to obtain quite a deal on a luxury Caribbean hotel.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Travel Deal of the Day (April 7, 2008)
If you are a seafood enthusiast, McCormick & Schmick’s (a seafood restaurant in many major cities) is offering $20 off your next meal just for making your reservation online.
The Deal:
Receive $20 off of your next meal at McCormick & Schmick’s for making your reservation on their website.
How:
(1) Go to the McCormick & Schmick’s Promotion.
(2) Follow the steps on the promotion page.
If you are a seafood enthusiast, McCormick & Schmick’s (a seafood restaurant in many major cities) is offering $20 off your next meal just for making your reservation online.
The Deal:
Receive $20 off of your next meal at McCormick & Schmick’s for making your reservation on their website.
How:
(1) Go to the McCormick & Schmick’s Promotion.
(2) Follow the steps on the promotion page.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Travel Deal of the Day (April 3, 2008)
Universal Studios Orlando is offering a weeklong pass for $79.99. When you consider the daily price of admission to Orlando theme parks, this is quite a deal, even if you are only going to Universal Studios for a few days.
The Deal:
Get a weeklong pass to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure for just under $80.
How:
Go to the Universal Orlando Deal.
Universal Studios Orlando is offering a weeklong pass for $79.99. When you consider the daily price of admission to Orlando theme parks, this is quite a deal, even if you are only going to Universal Studios for a few days.
The Deal:
Get a weeklong pass to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure for just under $80.
How:
Go to the Universal Orlando Deal.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Travel Deal of the Day (April 1, 2008)
I enjoy reading travel guides when researching a potential vacation destination. Guides such as Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet and others provide useful information about a destination. But, these days there is no reason to actually buy the book – you can legally obtain most of the information for free from a variety of channels.
The Deal:
Here are some convenient ways to obtain travel guide information for free:
(1) The most obvious place to look for such information is on the website of these travel guides. Most of the travel guide websites provide a majority of the information provided in their books for free on their websites.
(2) Check your library. You can often find the most recent guide for a destination at your library. My local library provides full-text versions of the guides online – you do not even have to go to the library to get a copy of Fodor’s Florida 2008.
(3) Check ITunes. Many of these travel websites now offer free podcasts regarding popular destinations. They are great tools for researching your proposed destination.
(4) Check out your local American Automobile Association (AAA) branch. AAA provides free travel guides for many destinations for members.
(5) Use tripadvisor.com, which is a great source of traveler-provided reviews of hotels, restaurants, attractions and destinations.
I enjoy reading travel guides when researching a potential vacation destination. Guides such as Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet and others provide useful information about a destination. But, these days there is no reason to actually buy the book – you can legally obtain most of the information for free from a variety of channels.
The Deal:
Here are some convenient ways to obtain travel guide information for free:
(1) The most obvious place to look for such information is on the website of these travel guides. Most of the travel guide websites provide a majority of the information provided in their books for free on their websites.
(2) Check your library. You can often find the most recent guide for a destination at your library. My local library provides full-text versions of the guides online – you do not even have to go to the library to get a copy of Fodor’s Florida 2008.
(3) Check ITunes. Many of these travel websites now offer free podcasts regarding popular destinations. They are great tools for researching your proposed destination.
(4) Check out your local American Automobile Association (AAA) branch. AAA provides free travel guides for many destinations for members.
(5) Use tripadvisor.com, which is a great source of traveler-provided reviews of hotels, restaurants, attractions and destinations.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Travel Deal of the Day (March 28, 2008)
If you are renting a car, you probably already know to inquire whether any membership clubs offer discounts on your car rental. But, I have recently noticed that car rental companies are offering vastly different discounts for each membership club.
The Deal:
When checking rates for a car rental, be sure to check rates using the discounts available from all possible membership clubs (AAA, American Bar Association, Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale, Airline Frequent Flyer Club, Hotel Chain Frequent Guest Club, AARP, Union Membership, American Medical Association…). The discounts vary dramatically. Quite often, the amount of the discount and the base (pre-discount) rate vary based on the club. For instance, a recent quotation I received involved a rate quoted with a AAA discount – the rate itself and the discount (33% off) were far superior than another other discount.
If you are renting a car, you probably already know to inquire whether any membership clubs offer discounts on your car rental. But, I have recently noticed that car rental companies are offering vastly different discounts for each membership club.
The Deal:
When checking rates for a car rental, be sure to check rates using the discounts available from all possible membership clubs (AAA, American Bar Association, Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale, Airline Frequent Flyer Club, Hotel Chain Frequent Guest Club, AARP, Union Membership, American Medical Association…). The discounts vary dramatically. Quite often, the amount of the discount and the base (pre-discount) rate vary based on the club. For instance, a recent quotation I received involved a rate quoted with a AAA discount – the rate itself and the discount (33% off) were far superior than another other discount.
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