Get the Most out of Travel Booking Websites - Part 2

Tips for Using Travel Booking Websites - Part 2

by Andrea Eldridge

Over the last few weeks we’ve been exploring online tools to plan a great summer vacation.  From finding the best deals to doing Disney to cruising, the Internet offers a wealth of resources to get you where you want to go with fewer headaches.  Now that we’ve covered deciding where and when to go, we wrap up our travel series with sites that can help stretch your travel dollars.

Twitter (https://twitter.com/) has become the place for travel companies to announce insider sales that seem too good to be true.  Followers receive first-dibs on fare cuts before they hit the web, most often for last-minute getaways.  For example, Spirit Airlines (@SpiritAirlines) recently offered tickets from Washington, D.C. to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for $54 each way.  JetBlue (@JetBlueCheeps) is known to offer noteworthy deals on its airfare.  Hotel specialist Quickbook (@Quickbook) informs followers of discounts on hotel stays in major cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago.  Follow your favorite airline or hotel to get first crack at special offers.


Wondering if the best time to book your getaway is now or if you should wait a few weeks?  Nothing saps the glee from finally booking your trip like seeing the price drop significantly a week later.  Bing (www.bing.com/travel) search results include a "price predictor" that tells you whether the price is likely to increase, stay the same, or decrease depending on how fares are trending.  Keep in mind that the hotel "rate indicator," which tells you whether a rate you've been quoted is typical for the hotel, is limited to certain cities in the U.S.

After hours of scouring the net for the best flight deal, there are few things more frustrating than discovering that the flight that saves you $40 adds six hours to your travel time.  Hipmunk (www.hipmunk.com) searches return a list of air and train travel options by cost, duration, departure and arrival times, showing results on a quick-scan graph.  But we love the included "agony factor."  Hipmunk sorts trips so the best options for both price and your sanity appear at the top of the list, moving the most painful flights (like red-eyes and those with multiple or long layovers) to the bottom.

Car rental prices fluctuate constantly, but who has the time to keep searching for deals in the weeks leading up to your trip?  Reserve your rental through AutoSlash (www.autoslash.com) and they'll continuously check prices after you book.  If the price drops, your rental will be automatically re-booked for free, with the confirmation details sent to your email.  Sometimes you can even garner a free upgrade from a smaller to a larger car.

If you're trying to decide whether to fly or drive, or determine if it’s worth it to drive farther to an airport with a cheaper flight, AAA can help.  Before you try to calculate the combination of distance + fuel costs + number of people driving (and possibly hurt your brain with the higher math), check out their "cost to drive" calculator at http://fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com/.  Simply enter the starting and ending cities and some details about your car, and it'll do the math for you.

A few notes about bundle deals and consolidators:

Shop each component separately so you can price compare with the combined price.  Some hotels and airlines save the best deals for those who book directly with their site and making changes to reservations can be easier than when you’ve booked through a third party.

Some airlines (like Southwest) don't list their tickets with the big bundle sites like Travelocity and Orbitz, so make sure you check “discount airlines” separately.

Don't forget to include those pesky baggage fees when comparing prices.  The $100 you save on a cheap ticket may be outweighed by the charge for checking bags.

Flights by low-cost foreign airlines such as EasyJet (based in the UK) don't show up on Expedia either.  Book a ticket to a hub like Paris or Rome on a major carrier, then use Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Momondo (www.momondo.com) to reserve the low-fare airline to a smaller city abroad.  You can save a bundle flying like the locals.

If you’re buying airline tickets for the whole family, consider purchasing tickets individually.  When you buy tickets together, the airline reservation system sells everyone in your party the same highest price tickets, even if there are individual tickets available for less.  If you end up seated separately you may be able to call ahead to consolidate seats or rearrange seating when you get to the airport.

Happy trails!

Nerds On Call Reviews Summer Travel Websites: Save Precious Vacation Time

Summer Travel Websites for Saving You Time

Summer vacations hold a special appeal to me, harking back to the excitement heralded by the final bell on the last day of the school year, so many years ago.  But now that I’m grown up and have to do the leg-work to plan the trip, I’m often exhausted before I get out the door.  The wealth of online resources dedicated to travel planning can make it hard for me to make a decision.  How do I know when I’ve found the best use of my vacation dollars?

Over the next three weeks, we’ll explore some great online resources to simplify your travel planning (no, really!), as well as tips for how to make sure you get the best price and fewest headaches when booking travel online.


Before you dedicate a week to checking every travel deal site on the net, these consolidators scour the web for the best deals so that you don’t have to.

When you don’t have a specific location or travel date set, using the Internet to find a good deal or a great resort can be particularly overwhelming.  One way to get inspired: keep an eye on Travelzoo’s Weekly Top 20 (www.travelzoo.com/top20/ ). It’s a collection of the best deals from airlines, hotels, cruise lines and travel consolidators like Travelocity, Cheap Caribbean, and many more.  They sort through all the travel deals posted to the net each week and then present the “best of the best,” all in one place.

The drawback is that the best deals can sell out fast, so if you know you’ve found what you’re looking for don’t delay.  You can sign up for the Weekly Top 20 to be emailed to you when it’s released if you want to be sure not to miss out.

If you already know where you want to go, Kayak (www.kayak.com) does a quick search across hundreds of airline and travel agent options for your specific trip needs.  You’re then presented with a list of results tailored to your specific trip that Kayak has filtered to put the best deals first.  If you want to be sure that you have done a thorough scouring of the net, Kayak offers a one-click simultaneous search across competitor travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Bookit and more, so you can compare the best offers all at once.

Planning to do Disney?  Believe it or not, there are ways to save if you know the insider info.  Check out Mousesavers (www.mousesavers.com) for a collection of the best deals on all things Disney.  In addition to tips on how to get the best price on tickets, dining, and special Disney experiences, discover where to book to get the best rates on hotels, what you can expect on Disney cruises, even what’s planned for upcoming park, resort and ship improvements.

Current discounts and promotions are highlighted on the front page and updated regularly – from how to get the most out of a Disney Visa card discount program to coupon codes and special offers that would otherwise be tough to ferret out.  You’ll find up-to-date info about shows, freebies, and tips to make the most of your trip, including how to spend less time in line and more time enjoying your trip.

Before you make plans to embark on a cruise, check out Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.com) for reviews of cruise lines (by editors and site users) and tips to help you decide the best cruise before you book.  The “Deals” tab collects the top bargains by destination, cruise type or departure port.  Explore the “How to Cruise” tab for detailed guides and expert advice on how to choose, book, and finalize your trip, including things you need to know before you go and how to make the most of shore excursions.  Find the best deals, including the best seasons to book by destination, and tips to ensure you set sail on the cruise that best fits your needs and style.

Finally, before you book, submit specific details of the trip you’re considering to Cruise Compete (www.cruisecompete.com) to give travel agents the opportunity to find you a better deal.  Simply create an account, submit a request for a quote, and travel agent’s offers will be submitted online with no obligation and without revealing your contact info.

Stay tuned next week for easy ways to ensure you get the best price without sacrificing your sanity when using online resources to book your summer get away.

 

Get Turn-by-Turn Navigation in your Car

Turn-By-Turn Navigation for Your Car

by Heather Neal

In the "old days," if I was going somewhere new I'd call the business and ask for directions - a daunting proposition since not everyone is "good" with directions.  Those days are thankfully over and today I rely mainly upon the GPS in my car, with a little of my own instincts.  For the vast majority who don't have GPS standard-equipped in their car, how do you get where you’re going?

There are several great turn-by-turn navigation applications for Smartphone users:

Google Maps for your mobile phone (www.google.com/mobile/maps/, free, iPhone and Android) offers a wide variety of features in addition to navigation.  Find any location with a quick search and it'll suggest multiple routes, integrating traffic, highway construction and toll road information so you can avoid delays.  Directions are provided with a voice that sounds more human than machine and knows how to pronounce most street names correctly.  When you make a wrong turn, re-routing happens intelligently so you're not driving all around town to get back on track.  Walking and public transit directions are also provided if you decide not to drive, including estimated travel times and fare information.  Sync with Google Local for reviews of nearby restaurants and save your favorite locations for easy navigation to them in the future.


Waze (www.waze.com, free, all platforms) offers some fun features that may inspire you to give it a try.  It has a social component that automatically shares real-time traffic information and road alerts with other drivers.  Report road delays, accidents and police speed traps you see during your commute and learn about what’s in your path from fellow "Wazers."  Waze will even re-route you mid-commute if there's a better way around such an obstacle.  Share gas prices by reporting them at the pump so everyone can save a couple bucks and Waze will direct you to the cheapest station on your route.  Connect with friends through Facebook to coordinate arrival times if you're all headed to the same concert, or arrange a friend's pick-up: they request it, you accept, and then they can track your arrival time by "seeing" how close you are to them, all through the application.

There's potential risk with phone applications.  Using them while actively driving means picking up your phone to look at it (unless you have incredible restraint), and it's always dangerous to take your eyes off the road fumbling for your phone.  Even if you mount it to your dash, you may find the smaller screen more difficult to see than a stand-alone GPS device.  Do your own cost-benefit analysis to decide what's right for you.

Should you opt for a portable navigation device (PND), there are some must-have features.  A wide screen is vital for easy visibility. Make sure the device lists directions as text in addition to mapping, and it should offer re-routing around highways or toll roads.  Full-featured devices can replace your car's trip computer, serve as a Bluetooth for your cellular phone or even an MP3 player, and prices vary widely as a result based on these additional perks.

The Garmin Nuvi 3490LMT ($250, Amazon.com) is one of the highest-rated PNDs  by Consumer Reports and CNET, and for good reason - it's literally packed with features.  Use it as your bluetooth device for calls and texts.  Voice-activated seamless navigation makes it completely hands-free.  Its thin, sleek design makes it easy to drop in a pocket and improved graphics allow you to view landscapes in 3D.  Lifetime free traffic updates are included, in addition to map updates you can download up to four times a year without a subscription fee.

Those looking for a lower price point should consider the TomTom GO Live 1535M ($150, Amazon.com).  Similar to the Garmin, it has voice recognition, traffic reports (provided to you in HD!) and hands-free Bluetooth calling.  Lifetime Map Updates are included, totally free.  The “cool-factor” lies in its connection to TripAdvisor, Yelp and Expedia to help you choose your route, letting you navigate through areas with the attractions or dining options you prefer.  Integrate with Twitter so you can update family and friends through voice commands, in a safer manner than texting while driving.

With literally hundreds of devices to choose from, boiling it down to two suggestions really doesn't do the field justice.  Do your research, making sure to compare user and professional review sites to find the device that's right for you.

Travel Pages on Pinterest: Trip Out

Travel With Pinterest

Whether you’re compiling your own personal “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” planning your summer vacation, or just collecting gorgeous images for your desktop screensaver, Pinterest’s many travel boards offer ample material. If you just love drooling over white sand beaches, iconic landmarks, and picturesque cityscapes, there’s more than enough inspiration for a thousand daydream vacations. You’ll also find useful tips to make your trips more enjoyable and insider information to visit like a local, making Pinterest a great resource for planning a real-life getaway. With so many amazing destinations to discover, the hardest part will be narrowing it down to the places you want on your travel “bucket list.”

Travel Channel

http://pinterest.com/travelchannel/

It’s no surprise that the people who compile content for a channel dedicated to travel have a pretty amazing collection of places, cultures, foods and natural wonders to explore around the world. It’s tough not to get lost in the undeniably gorgeous images which link back to their primary site, www.travelchannel.com for more information about the destination. Whether you’re drawn in by the idea of hanging in a hammock by the ocean, looking to explore your inner champion with skiing, golfing, or fitness boot camps, or planning a family vacation on a budget, you’ll find links to helpful articles and the Travel Channels many “best of” lists. The “Travel Bucket List” board is full of fodder for your own must-see file, while the “Daily Escapes” board offers a different awe-inspiring image for (you guessed it) just about every day of the week. There are also boards devoted to behind-the-scenes peeks at their most popular shows, including “Destination Summer,” “Man v. Food,” “Off Limits,” and many more. Whether you’re looking for amazing hotels or the ultimate romantic locales, you’ll find it here.

Travel Hyper

http://pinterest.com/travelhyper/

Created by down-to-earth travel blogger Julie, Travel Hyper explores ultimate vacation destinations, to be sure, but with a more down to earth approach that allows you to translate your dreams into real trips. There are boards organized by place, from Australia to Bulgaria to Spain and just about everywhere in between; boards devoted to Disney, “Vacation Reads”, maps, and much more. Travel vicariously with her “2012 Vacation” board, tracking her route through Western Europe, or escape for a one-of-a-kind experience with inspiration from “2012 Events.” There are boards to help you plan your trip, from budgeting to keeping the kids copacetic on a plane, tips for packing or capturing your memories with “Travel Photo Tips”. If you plan your trip around where you’ll stay as much as what you’ll see, explore “Amazing Hotels,” “Castles,” and “B&B Love.” It’s hard to balance awesome escapes with a sense of achievability – Travel Hyper makes you believe you could one day make it to that beach in Jamaica, not just fantasize about it.

Thrifty Travel Mama

http://pinterest.com/thriftytrvlmama/

While I may wistfully imagine a relaxing beach vacation, toes in the water and margarita in hand, my reality is planning travel around nap schedules and kid-friendly entertainment. For that, I love Thrifty Travel Mama. From the gear that will get you where you’re going with the least amount of “are we there yet?” headaches, to ideas for making memories when you get there, there are solutions to any of the hurdles standing in the way of you taking your kiddos on that amazing getaway.

Conde Nast Traveler

http://pinterest.com/cntraveler/

One of the most well-known travel magazines has created one of the most massive Pinterest pages dedicated to all things travel, with 2,500 pins of inspiring images, tips and links to their picks for the best places to visit across the globe. While not always particularly budget conscious, the peek behind the first class curtain is fun while balanced with some great ideas for the rest of us. I didn’t know that “glamping” was a thing, but apparently so. Boards dedicated to just about any major destination are full of breathtaking images, from Shanghai to Charleston to Egypt. Get ready to ooh and ahh your way through page after page of pictures that will make you want to pack your bags.

Photo Copyright Flickr User Gael LE HIR


 

 


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