Getting the Most for Your Travel Dollars

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May 2006

Whether you are traveling for pleasure or business, making travel arrangements that fit your comfort criteria and your budget is every traveler's goal. The many online services make achieving those goals easier than they've ever been, if you learn the ropes. As a dedicated traveler, I share some tips and insights I've learned in covering hundreds of thousands of miles.

Be clear about your travel requirements.

Before you even begin to shop for a vacation destination, airline tickets and a hotel, ask yourself what criteria are most important to you?

• Must you plan ahead for vacation or can you be flexible to take advantage of last minute bargains?
• What location or amenities do you require in a hotel? Do you need just a clean, comfortable room in a safe location or are you seeking pampered luxury?
• Are you traveling with children? What do you need to meet their needs?

Especially if you are planning a family vacation, making a short list of your requirements and wishes before you begin to shop can help you evaluate options more efficiently.

Learn about the options for shopping for travel deals.

The Internet offers hundreds of options for booking travel arrangements online. Smart consumers know how to examine what each offers.

• Omnibus travel sites. These sites allow you to book various components of a trip—airline tickets, lodgings, and/or rental car, for example—at one site.
  
  
  • Traditional sites—such as the big three, Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, and Travelocity.com—are "transparent" sites that allow you to compare different options before booking.
  • According to Consumer Reports, two big "discount" sites— Priceline.com (its "bidding option" only) and Hotwire.com—generally offer cheaper rates, but you can usually see little about the booking before you commit. There may be heavy restrictions such as no cancellations, no changes. In fact, heavy restrictions (such as "use it or lose it") may apply to many bargain bookings through almost any of these sites. There may also be booking fees or other fees beyond the basic price quoted. Be sure you read the details and the fine print before you sign up.
  Any reputable omnibus site may offer what you desire if you understand and agree to the rules.
• Lodging only sites. Almost 9 out of 10 long distance trips in America are made by private vehicle. So you may need only lodgings at your destination. Several omnibus lodging sites offer options from many participating chains and independent hotels and motels in a variety of locations. As for the omnibus travel sites, read the fine print and know the limitations, fees, and rules before you book.
• Direct online booking with airlines, rental car agencies, and hotels/motels. In my experience—and I spend at least half the year on the road—individual companies may frequently beat the fares offered by the discount or omnibus sites. So I always shop the travel sites to see what they are offering, then go direct to the airline, rental car agency, or hotel to compare rates. Also, some discount airlines don't provide their listings to the travel sites. I also look for special offers on the company sites that might apply to specific locations or times of the year. If you plan to use airline frequent flyer miles, you will need to book directly with the issuing airline. Another tip: If the airline matches the discount site fare, remember that airlines typically don't charge a booking fee for booking online while most travel sites do charge a booking fee.

Comparison shop.

Of course, you're busy. But how much time is two or three hundred dollars or more worth to you? You can often save that much by comparing offers between different providers of the services you need for your vacation. Treat travel planning as a game—you're putting together the pieces of the "best deal" puzzle. In particular, be sure to confirm that quoted prices include all the fees. And check the fine print for restrictions or qualifications. If you live in an area where you can easily access two or more airports or are flying to a destination with several airports, comparing different options may uncover some bargains.

With particular regard to hotels and resorts, check out the destination's brochures and websites carefully. Also read all the reviews—guidebooks, travel sites, and reviews posted by individual travelers. Don't stop with one review or rating source—they can vary widely—but compare several to get a better overview.

Review the tiny details and fine print.

Extra fees seem to be a growing trend. Go beyond comparing basic prices to check for extra or hidden fees. For example, many airlines are now enforcing their excess baggage rule and have also lowered the weight limit that triggers the charge. Hefty charges for changing a ticket also are common. Many hotels have begun to slip charges on to the bill—such as putting a gratuity for maid service or various "amenities" on the bill; others may have hefty fees for online access, phone service, or business services. There may also be hefty "tourist" taxes charged by cities and airports that are not quoted in your basic price. Check the details before you book.

Check "off season" or "off peak" times of year for lower rates.

Popular vacation destinations usually have peak popularity seasons and "off seasons." For example, warmer climates such as Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico are popular in winter, and European destinations most popular in summer. Visiting these areas in their "off season" or in the "shoulder" season just before or after the peak season often enables you to take advantage of lower rates for travel and lodging. Of course, comparison shop.

Being flexible about scheduling can net "last-minute" deals.

Many airlines will announce limited-time bargain fares to selected destinations with short deadlines. Cruise lines may offer a reduced rate just a short time before sailing because they'd like to fill the spaces rather than have them empty. Many hotels may offer "weekend deals" during slow periods and on short notice. How do you find out about these? Local large newspapers may have travel tips columns and e-newsletters, as do some travel agents. Though sponsored by many travel industry companies, the website smartertravel.com publishes bargain deals and e-letters and is respected as a good source.

What about "package deals"?

A "packaged deal" is not an escorted tour but typically a package that bundles airfare and hotel costs together with certain other expenses such as airport/hotel transfers. A packaged deal from a reputable provider may offer a lower cost, but the industry is also full of less-than-reputable promoters/packagers. If the offer seems "too cheap to be true," you can bet it probably is. Even good travel agents have been burned by packaged promoters. So check the package provider out as thoroughly as you can. Considering trip cancellation insurance from a third-party supplier may also be a good idea.

Be alert for travel traps and scams.

As in other areas, consumer protection advocates advise travelers to be alert for deceptive travel promotions.

• Most unsolicited "announcements" that you have won a "free" trip are bogus—you know the kind that say all you have to do is call and claim your award (often a 900 number). They may arrive by e-mail, postcard/letter, or fax. Be skeptical. Better yet, ignore them.
• Some shady promoters advertise "deals" that seem extremely cheap. All you have to do is pay up front. Even if the trip is real (it often isn't), the accommodations for these "cheap" deals are often far from the "luxury" accommodations or transport promised. Obtain the names of airlines and hotels that will be used and check them out. Confirm the reservations. If the tour operator won't provide the details, give their "deal" a miss.
• Some "good" deals have hidden fees or obligations (like having to sit through a half- or whole-day timeshare promotion) that are not revealed until you've signed a contract or even arrived at your destination. Again, ask questions about exactly what's included and insist on full details. If the promoter won't provide them to your satisfaction, shop elsewhere.
• Never accept what appears to be a "good" deal and price from a promoter until you've independently checked what you can do elsewhere. You may find that it's easy to beat the deal.
• Paying for travel tours or specific travel components (airfare, rental cars, lodging) with a credit card enables you to dispute charges if the offer was misrepresented or the company cancels the trip or goes out of business.

Have fun!

The great plus of becoming an educated travel shopper is that when you've made sound, economical arrangements that deliver the vacation you and your family desire, you can relax and enjoy.

For more information

Travel Tips: How to Gear Up for a Great Trip

BBB Warns of Deceptive Travel-Related Promotions

BBB Warns Vacationers: Travel-Related Fraud is on the Rise

 

Prepared for Corning Credit Union by Remar Sutton & Associates, May 2006. Reviewed and updated June 2008. All rights reserved.