Travel Deal of the Day (March 31, 2009)
I have seen many airline frequent flyer credit card offers recently. The amount of miles for these cards keeps going up, and I imagine the cards are attracting new customers. These cards usually offer a point per dollar purchased on the credit card (sometimes offering bonus points for certain purchases) and have $75-$100 in annual fees (sometimes waived for the first year). Given the recent cash-back card offers, I cannot imagine a situation when I would pay for such a card.
Here is my "travel" deal today - my best advice regarding airline, hotel or other affinity credit cards is to use a cash back card. Right now, you can obtain 2% cash back on every purchase (see this link for an example of a card with 2% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee). If you instead obtain an affinity credit card, you may obtain a great sign-up bonus/prize, but for each subsequent year, you will pay a $75-$100 annual fee and will likely struggle to use the points you are accruing. Some will argue that there are ways to use points to maximize their value. My belief is that the value of such point systems is decreasing rapidly, and you will have a hard time consistently obtaining a value of 2 cents/point (which is what you would need to obtain to beat a 2% cash back card).
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 30, 2009)
Usually, five-star hotels in North America are quite expensive. However, there have been a few North American Four Seasons hotels offierng rates averaging around $150-$175/night. Here is an example of great deal in a wonderful Canadian city - Toronto.
The Deal:
The five-star Four Seasons Toronto is offering a weekend special starting at $172.50 per night (first night at $345 and second night free). The rate is valid for a two-night stay on a Friday and Saturday or a Saturday or Sunday. Rates are valid until April 30, 2009.
How:
Go to the Four Seasons Toronto Second Night Free Deal.
The Inside Scoop:
The reality is that even $172/night can seem extremely expensive in a bad economy. However, if you have to go to Toronto or you are looking for a quick vacation, this deal is extremely competitive for such a great hotel with great service.
Usually, five-star hotels in North America are quite expensive. However, there have been a few North American Four Seasons hotels offierng rates averaging around $150-$175/night. Here is an example of great deal in a wonderful Canadian city - Toronto.
The Deal:
The five-star Four Seasons Toronto is offering a weekend special starting at $172.50 per night (first night at $345 and second night free). The rate is valid for a two-night stay on a Friday and Saturday or a Saturday or Sunday. Rates are valid until April 30, 2009.
How:
Go to the Four Seasons Toronto Second Night Free Deal.
The Inside Scoop:
The reality is that even $172/night can seem extremely expensive in a bad economy. However, if you have to go to Toronto or you are looking for a quick vacation, this deal is extremely competitive for such a great hotel with great service.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 27, 2009)
Here are two Washington, DC area deals:
(1) If you are contemplating a visit for the Washington, DC Cherry Blossom festival over the next two weeks, there are still good deals on hotel rooms. To save the most money, I would use:
Priceline, Hotwire or LastMinute (providing last minute packages including air/hotel, air/car, hotel/car or air/hotel/car). Because of the bad economy, you may find numerous great deals this year for what is normally a high-demand and expensive period to visit DC.
(2) If you are looking to stay in the Washington, DC area for an extended time this summer, the Marriott Residence Inn in downtown Bethesda, MD is offering an entire suite/apartment including kitchen, bedroom, living room and bathroom as well as free internet and free American breakfast for around $83/night for AAA members. The rate is valid on Thursday-Sunday nights with a three night minimum stay. This is an excellent deal for an extremely convenient hotel that is walking distance to the Metro. Full rules/restrictions and booking details can be found here. (Though the link states rooms start at $97/night, I have found suites with King beds starting at $83/night.)
Here are two Washington, DC area deals:
(1) If you are contemplating a visit for the Washington, DC Cherry Blossom festival over the next two weeks, there are still good deals on hotel rooms. To save the most money, I would use:
Priceline, Hotwire or LastMinute (providing last minute packages including air/hotel, air/car, hotel/car or air/hotel/car). Because of the bad economy, you may find numerous great deals this year for what is normally a high-demand and expensive period to visit DC.
(2) If you are looking to stay in the Washington, DC area for an extended time this summer, the Marriott Residence Inn in downtown Bethesda, MD is offering an entire suite/apartment including kitchen, bedroom, living room and bathroom as well as free internet and free American breakfast for around $83/night for AAA members. The rate is valid on Thursday-Sunday nights with a three night minimum stay. This is an excellent deal for an extremely convenient hotel that is walking distance to the Metro. Full rules/restrictions and booking details can be found here. (Though the link states rooms start at $97/night, I have found suites with King beds starting at $83/night.)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 26, 2009)
One-way rentals are rarely cheap, but National needs people to move cars from Florida to the northern part of the US – so you can get a good deal right now on a one-way rental.
The Deal:
Obtain a one-way car rental from National (for pickups in Florida and drop-offs in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama or Louisiana) starting at $10/day (compact or midsize). Rates are valid April 1, 2009 – July 18, 2009. Rates are available for drop-offs in other selected locations (higher rates) and rentals must not exceed 21 days. Rates also include a complementary GPS unit.
How:
For full terms and conditions or to book, go to the National Car Rental One-Way Special.
One-way rentals are rarely cheap, but National needs people to move cars from Florida to the northern part of the US – so you can get a good deal right now on a one-way rental.
The Deal:
Obtain a one-way car rental from National (for pickups in Florida and drop-offs in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama or Louisiana) starting at $10/day (compact or midsize). Rates are valid April 1, 2009 – July 18, 2009. Rates are available for drop-offs in other selected locations (higher rates) and rentals must not exceed 21 days. Rates also include a complementary GPS unit.
How:
For full terms and conditions or to book, go to the National Car Rental One-Way Special.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 25, 2009)
There is a rather large recession going on right now – you would assume that this leads to great travel deals everywhere. I have noticed that there are some great travel deals; however, some providers have been unwilling to lower rates to a level that is consistent with the economic conditions. Here are some tips for hotels and airfare for finding good deals:
(1) Airfare: I have noticed that the best deals are on highly competitive routes – fares in markets dominated by a single carrier are not nearly as affected by overall economic conditions (of course, exceptions apply). In the past, the presence of a low-cost airline has been one of the keys to finding the best deals in a market. Now, I have seen very low airfares in some markets that are dominated by only high cost airlines. For instance, I have noticed from the Mid Atlantic region that there are $99/way fares to Florida and the same fares to Los Angeles. Given the distance between the Mid Atlantic area and California, I would tend to think that the $99 fare is a better deal.
I have not seen as many compelling “last minute” airfare deals. Usually, airlines publish airfares during midweek for travel either of the next two following weekends. (Use sites such as Smarter Travel to find such deals.) I would tend to think this is where the best deals would occur since an airline is relatively certain where it will have open seats so it should offer great last minute airfares in markets with tremendous seat availability. The recent last minute airfares as a whole have been rather unimpressive. I have found much better deals by looking for advance purchase fares in markets with tremendous competition. My general advance for finding such deals is to use sites such as Airfare Watchdog to find the best airfares from your city on any given day.
(2) Hotels: Some hotels have cut prices dramatically, and other hotels have been completely unwilling to adjust rates. I spoke with two hotels recently about a hotel stay. The hotels were similar in almost every manner – similar locations, similar hotel reviews, similar availability, inquiries relating to similar time periods, etc. One hotel discounted rates over 50% and bent over backwards to attract business, and the other hotel had an attitude of “take it or leave it.” Given this experience, I would make a few suggestions:
-Check the “specials” and “packages” sections of a hotel’s website to find any incredible packages. I have seen many hotel websites add excellent deals in the package area of a website. I would tend to think that hotels might be more willing to add excellent travel deals to this area of their websites rather than lowering rates overall as business travelers as less likely to look in this area of a website (so such discounts tend not to dilute business-traveler related revenue).
-Check TravelZoo, which frequently publishes great travel deals.
-Call a hotel’s in-house reservations manager. It can be a challenge to find this person. Often when you request “in-house reservations,” you are either connected to the national reservations line or a regional reservation office that handles reservations for multiple hotels. To “negotiate” a deal with a hotel, you need to find a contact in the hotel. These people will have far more discretion to deal/negotiate. As I mentioned earlier, some hotels still refuse to provide better deals, despite the fact that similar competitors are offering such deals. I simply recognize that such hotels do not need my business as much as other hotels.
-Ask for every discount imaginable – I recently encountered a tremendous AAA package. I was shocked this hotel even offered a AAA discount (this hotel in the past rarely offered any discounts). Ask for AAA, AARP, corporate rates, Entertainment Card, Professional Affiliations (Bar Association, Amer. Medical Association…), local chamber of commerce deals….
-Remind the hotel that you are on a travel budget. The reservations agents may be sympathetic to such a plea and work with you on a rate.
-Remind the hotel if you are a return guest.
Hopefully these tips will allow you to find a great deal. There are truly incredible travel deals right now – you just have to know where (and how) to look.
There is a rather large recession going on right now – you would assume that this leads to great travel deals everywhere. I have noticed that there are some great travel deals; however, some providers have been unwilling to lower rates to a level that is consistent with the economic conditions. Here are some tips for hotels and airfare for finding good deals:
(1) Airfare: I have noticed that the best deals are on highly competitive routes – fares in markets dominated by a single carrier are not nearly as affected by overall economic conditions (of course, exceptions apply). In the past, the presence of a low-cost airline has been one of the keys to finding the best deals in a market. Now, I have seen very low airfares in some markets that are dominated by only high cost airlines. For instance, I have noticed from the Mid Atlantic region that there are $99/way fares to Florida and the same fares to Los Angeles. Given the distance between the Mid Atlantic area and California, I would tend to think that the $99 fare is a better deal.
I have not seen as many compelling “last minute” airfare deals. Usually, airlines publish airfares during midweek for travel either of the next two following weekends. (Use sites such as Smarter Travel to find such deals.) I would tend to think this is where the best deals would occur since an airline is relatively certain where it will have open seats so it should offer great last minute airfares in markets with tremendous seat availability. The recent last minute airfares as a whole have been rather unimpressive. I have found much better deals by looking for advance purchase fares in markets with tremendous competition. My general advance for finding such deals is to use sites such as Airfare Watchdog to find the best airfares from your city on any given day.
(2) Hotels: Some hotels have cut prices dramatically, and other hotels have been completely unwilling to adjust rates. I spoke with two hotels recently about a hotel stay. The hotels were similar in almost every manner – similar locations, similar hotel reviews, similar availability, inquiries relating to similar time periods, etc. One hotel discounted rates over 50% and bent over backwards to attract business, and the other hotel had an attitude of “take it or leave it.” Given this experience, I would make a few suggestions:
-Check the “specials” and “packages” sections of a hotel’s website to find any incredible packages. I have seen many hotel websites add excellent deals in the package area of a website. I would tend to think that hotels might be more willing to add excellent travel deals to this area of their websites rather than lowering rates overall as business travelers as less likely to look in this area of a website (so such discounts tend not to dilute business-traveler related revenue).
-Check TravelZoo, which frequently publishes great travel deals.
-Call a hotel’s in-house reservations manager. It can be a challenge to find this person. Often when you request “in-house reservations,” you are either connected to the national reservations line or a regional reservation office that handles reservations for multiple hotels. To “negotiate” a deal with a hotel, you need to find a contact in the hotel. These people will have far more discretion to deal/negotiate. As I mentioned earlier, some hotels still refuse to provide better deals, despite the fact that similar competitors are offering such deals. I simply recognize that such hotels do not need my business as much as other hotels.
-Ask for every discount imaginable – I recently encountered a tremendous AAA package. I was shocked this hotel even offered a AAA discount (this hotel in the past rarely offered any discounts). Ask for AAA, AARP, corporate rates, Entertainment Card, Professional Affiliations (Bar Association, Amer. Medical Association…), local chamber of commerce deals….
-Remind the hotel that you are on a travel budget. The reservations agents may be sympathetic to such a plea and work with you on a rate.
-Remind the hotel if you are a return guest.
Hopefully these tips will allow you to find a great deal. There are truly incredible travel deals right now – you just have to know where (and how) to look.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 23, 2009)
I have noticed that car rental prices have not dropped in the same manner as air and hotel rates - despite the recession, car rental rates still appear to be (relatively) expensive. Here are some tips to save money on car rental rates:
(1) Check off-airport locations - Rates at off-airport car rental locations (such as the locations in downtown of a city) can vary dramatically from the rates at airport locations. If the rates are very high at airport locations, consider calling an off-airport location to verify whether free transportation is provided from the airport to that location. You may save a tremendous amount of money.
(2) Check out the Enterprise Weekend Special - Enterprise (at participating locations) offers 50% off of its normal rates over weekends via this Weekend Special. If you can rent a car Friday through Monday, you can save quite a bit of money.
(3) Check out Priceline and Hotwire - You can save money with both Priceline and Hotwire. You will not know in advance about the car rental company that will be chosen for you, but you can potentially save a lot of money.
(4) Consider Renting a Car for Only a Portion of Your Trip - Sometimes you can use public transportation for part of your stay and rent a car for only a few days of your trip. This can save you a lot of money (no paying for parking, tolls, and/or gas). Many people just assume that they should either rent a car for the entire trip or use other transportation for the entire trip - consider renting a car for only the days when it is most necessary. Because hotel concierges can often obtain a car for you (delivered to the hotel) and some car rental companies will deliver cars to you, it can often be quite convenient to rent a car for only a day or two. You may also save money by (for instance) renting a car over the weekend (when the weekend rates apply) and giving the car back when the higher business (weekday) rates apply.
I have noticed that car rental prices have not dropped in the same manner as air and hotel rates - despite the recession, car rental rates still appear to be (relatively) expensive. Here are some tips to save money on car rental rates:
(1) Check off-airport locations - Rates at off-airport car rental locations (such as the locations in downtown of a city) can vary dramatically from the rates at airport locations. If the rates are very high at airport locations, consider calling an off-airport location to verify whether free transportation is provided from the airport to that location. You may save a tremendous amount of money.
(2) Check out the Enterprise Weekend Special - Enterprise (at participating locations) offers 50% off of its normal rates over weekends via this Weekend Special. If you can rent a car Friday through Monday, you can save quite a bit of money.
(3) Check out Priceline and Hotwire - You can save money with both Priceline and Hotwire. You will not know in advance about the car rental company that will be chosen for you, but you can potentially save a lot of money.
(4) Consider Renting a Car for Only a Portion of Your Trip - Sometimes you can use public transportation for part of your stay and rent a car for only a few days of your trip. This can save you a lot of money (no paying for parking, tolls, and/or gas). Many people just assume that they should either rent a car for the entire trip or use other transportation for the entire trip - consider renting a car for only the days when it is most necessary. Because hotel concierges can often obtain a car for you (delivered to the hotel) and some car rental companies will deliver cars to you, it can often be quite convenient to rent a car for only a day or two. You may also save money by (for instance) renting a car over the weekend (when the weekend rates apply) and giving the car back when the higher business (weekday) rates apply.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 20, 2009)
If you are looking for an excellent deal in Hawaii - here is one to consider...
The Deal:
BiddingForTravel is reporting that Priceline is accepting bids of $75/night for the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Big Island. Hapuna Beach is probably one of the two or three nicest beaches in Hawaii, and the hotel is a solid 3.5 or 4 star hotel. If you are looking to travel to Hawaii on a budget, this is an excellent deal.
How:
For more information, see this link.
If you are looking for an excellent deal in Hawaii - here is one to consider...
The Deal:
BiddingForTravel is reporting that Priceline is accepting bids of $75/night for the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Big Island. Hapuna Beach is probably one of the two or three nicest beaches in Hawaii, and the hotel is a solid 3.5 or 4 star hotel. If you are looking to travel to Hawaii on a budget, this is an excellent deal.
How:
For more information, see this link.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 16, 2009)
If you are interesting in going to the eastern shore of Maryland, the Hyatt Chesapeake Bay has a good deal for spring travel.
The Deal:
The Hyatt Chesapeake Bay hotel is offering rooms this spring for $129/night (weeknights) and $199/night (weekend). The rates do not include a nightly resort fee. This rate is a very good deal for late Spring travel on weeknights. The promotion also seems to apply around Memorial Day weekend (subject to availability). The promotion rules state that the rate is valid until June 1, 2009, but there are some nights in June 2009 that appear to be available using the promotion.
How:
Go to Hyatt.com and use offer code "SFEVER" or go to this link for more information.
If you are interesting in going to the eastern shore of Maryland, the Hyatt Chesapeake Bay has a good deal for spring travel.
The Deal:
The Hyatt Chesapeake Bay hotel is offering rooms this spring for $129/night (weeknights) and $199/night (weekend). The rates do not include a nightly resort fee. This rate is a very good deal for late Spring travel on weeknights. The promotion also seems to apply around Memorial Day weekend (subject to availability). The promotion rules state that the rate is valid until June 1, 2009, but there are some nights in June 2009 that appear to be available using the promotion.
How:
Go to Hyatt.com and use offer code "SFEVER" or go to this link for more information.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 13, 2009)
Here are two very good Las Vegas deals for four star hotels:
(1) The Encore Las Vegas (via TravelZoo) is offering rooms starting at $129/night (weeknights) including a $50 resort credit per stay. Go to this link for more information.
(2) Mandalay Bay is offering rooms starting at $69/night (weekdays) and $99/night (weekends). Go to this link for more information.
Here are two very good Las Vegas deals for four star hotels:
(1) The Encore Las Vegas (via TravelZoo) is offering rooms starting at $129/night (weeknights) including a $50 resort credit per stay. Go to this link for more information.
(2) Mandalay Bay is offering rooms starting at $69/night (weekdays) and $99/night (weekends). Go to this link for more information.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 11, 2009)
AAA of Southern California and the Ritz Carlton Laguna Beach are offering an excellent deal for rooms at the five-star Ritz Laguna Beach hotel for this spring. This hotel is often rated one of the most beautiful hotels in the US.
The Deal:
The Ritz Carlton Laguna Beach is offering rooms on weeknights (via the "Splash into Spring" promotion) starting at $279/night (garden view room) - this rate includes breakfast for two, valet parking and the resort fee.
How:
To be eligible for this offer, you must have a AAA Southern California card and must book your travel via a AAA Southern California travel agent. Contact information for AAA of Southern California travel agents can be found at this link.
The Inside Scoop:
The room rates at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Beach are very expensive, but part of what makes the hotel so exceptionally expensive are the extras - the resort fee, the parking fee, the internet fee....This special includes breakfast, internet and the resort fee - if you are in the market for an exceptional five-star hotel (which is a big assumption during a recession), this is an exceptional deal.
AAA of Southern California and the Ritz Carlton Laguna Beach are offering an excellent deal for rooms at the five-star Ritz Laguna Beach hotel for this spring. This hotel is often rated one of the most beautiful hotels in the US.
The Deal:
The Ritz Carlton Laguna Beach is offering rooms on weeknights (via the "Splash into Spring" promotion) starting at $279/night (garden view room) - this rate includes breakfast for two, valet parking and the resort fee.
How:
To be eligible for this offer, you must have a AAA Southern California card and must book your travel via a AAA Southern California travel agent. Contact information for AAA of Southern California travel agents can be found at this link.
The Inside Scoop:
The room rates at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Beach are very expensive, but part of what makes the hotel so exceptionally expensive are the extras - the resort fee, the parking fee, the internet fee....This special includes breakfast, internet and the resort fee - if you are in the market for an exceptional five-star hotel (which is a big assumption during a recession), this is an exceptional deal.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 9, 2009)
There are signs on the internet (see, for instance, this link) of a tremendous sale from Dublin to Washington (Dulles).
The Deal:
Find fares starting at $51/way (plus tax) from Dublin to Washington (Dulles). This fare appears to be valid only for certain dates in late March 2009.
How:
Book you travel on Continental.com or on an aggregator booking site such as Kayak or Mobissimo.
There are signs on the internet (see, for instance, this link) of a tremendous sale from Dublin to Washington (Dulles).
The Deal:
Find fares starting at $51/way (plus tax) from Dublin to Washington (Dulles). This fare appears to be valid only for certain dates in late March 2009.
How:
Book you travel on Continental.com or on an aggregator booking site such as Kayak or Mobissimo.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Travel Deal of the Day (March 2, 2009)
TravelZoo has an excellent deal at the Westin Fairfax in Washington, DC for under $100/night including parking.
The Deal:
Get a room at the Westin Fairfax (formerly the Westin Embassy Row) near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. Rooms on weekend nights are $99/night and include parking. Rates are valid most weekend nights through June 2009 (some blackout nights apply) and must be booked by March 10, 2009.
How:
Go to the TravelZoo Westin Fairfax Deal.
TravelZoo has an excellent deal at the Westin Fairfax in Washington, DC for under $100/night including parking.
The Deal:
Get a room at the Westin Fairfax (formerly the Westin Embassy Row) near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. Rooms on weekend nights are $99/night and include parking. Rates are valid most weekend nights through June 2009 (some blackout nights apply) and must be booked by March 10, 2009.
How:
Go to the TravelZoo Westin Fairfax Deal.
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