Where do you take your kids on vacation? Beaches and amusement parks are the typical go-to destinations when summer comes around, but urban life can be just as entertaining.
ABC News recently published a list of the top 10 cities for family vacations, which included Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, Atlanta and Chicago.
One of the other cities was New Orleans. Whether it's sampling delicious gumbo or touring the beautiful architecture in the French Quarter, travelers are sure to have a good time in this diverse and vibrant city. Let's not forget the zoo, aquarium, Mardi Gras World-where they can learn how they make the floats used for the parade. What about a swamp tour or a cemetery tour?
San Francisco, CA offers attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Haight-Ashbury and seaside views. A tour of Alcatraz is sure to thrill as well as a drive down the crookedest street in the world.
Families can take advantage of free admission to 19 Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C., among the numerous historical monuments to visit. Contact your local congressman to get tickets for a White House Tour.
Boston, MA comes in at number two with its sports and shopping opportunities. Tours are available at Fenway Park, and the Museum of Science and New England Aquarium both provide interactive exhibits for adults and children.
Number one on the list is New York, NY. The city is ideal for family vacations because of its limitless number of activities. From Broadway plays and zoos to worldwide cuisine and views from the Empire State Building, the Big Apple has something for everyone.
The best thing about visiting these cities is that you can visit year round. You don't need to wait for summer.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Family only sections on planes?
I remember very well taking my kids on planes when they were very young, including a trip down to Florida when my son was 5 months old. I was concerned about keeping him quiet on the flight so that he didn't disturb the rest of the passengers. I know that now that my kids are adults, I dread being near a baby on any plane trip and cringe at the idea of being near a young child who will be kicking the back of my seat all flight long.
This article suggests a family only section of the plane. Not sure how that can be handled considering the airlines are now charging extra for "premium seats", extra leg room seats and some even window or aisle seats.
If planes could create a family only section, do you think the idea would fly?
This article suggests a family only section of the plane. Not sure how that can be handled considering the airlines are now charging extra for "premium seats", extra leg room seats and some even window or aisle seats.
If planes could create a family only section, do you think the idea would fly?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
2010 Travel Trends
In a recent survey of travel purchasing and travel styles, these were the results
2010 Consumer Trends
The average American traveler took four leisure trips during the past year and spent more than $3,500 on leisure travel services.
A leisure trip is 75 miles or more from home, requiring overnight accommodations.
Four different 'tribes' of leisure travelers emerged
Sensationals make up 28%: Mean age of 40; professional singles and couples with a preference for action/the club life
Familias make up 23%: Mean age of 42; family vacation oriented; dual-income households with children under 18; package-travel oriented
Touristers make up 23%: Mean age of 47; happily married; entrepreneurial/driven to succeed and favor 'no-mistake' travel. They take the most trips and spend the highest amount per trip
Extraordinaires make up 26%: Mean age of 52; more than one-third are grandparents; wealthy empty nesters seeking urban cultural experiences
Describing today's consumers as 'newly resourceful'...consumers have reaffirmed their priorities... and discovered that living with less was not as burdensome as they expected....
Because of the ever-growing array of easy-to-use tools...consumers visit an average of 20 websites before making a travel purchase.
Consumers are asking for and receiving instant feedback about price, value and suitability and reading countless reviews.
Travelers were asked to identify the fear most likely to keep them from planning a vacation: It was the fear of overpaying. That's why they spend so many hours researching online...
Yet for all the talk of the new frugalness, it is not just price that is determining our choices....They don't want to give up luxury. They do want another layer of feeling good about going away. They want to be connected in a good way. Travel remains an entitlement for many, but it does need to parallel their values
One place where consumers are giving themselves "permission" to travel is anything involving family, relationships, or getting in touch with oneself.
The leisure traveler profile is:
age 64+ 11%;
45-63 45%;
32-44 30%;
18-31 14%
The profile of those using traditional travel agents is:
age 64+ 13%;
45-63 39%;
32-44 28%;
18-31 20%
People in the echo-boomers (18-31) represent 14% of the total population of leisure travelers, but they represent a significantly higher percentage (20%) of the leisure travelers who use traditional agents. Why? Their long acquaintance of the Web is old hat and they are not nearly as taken in with what they can find on the Web; they are pushing back from overload and the time it takes for research.
The study also reported agent usage based on factors other than age, including gender, ethnicity and income....Women, Asians and the affluent are overrepresented among agency clients.
Two-thirds of leisure travelers based a trip on a life event such as a wedding, birthday or anniversary celebration during the last year.
The researchers commented that: 'It's a new consumer mindset. Given all that is going on with the economy and difficult times for family and fiends, it's OK to travel if you have a reason. You can justify it when there's a life event happening'
2010 Consumer Trends
The average American traveler took four leisure trips during the past year and spent more than $3,500 on leisure travel services.
A leisure trip is 75 miles or more from home, requiring overnight accommodations.
Four different 'tribes' of leisure travelers emerged
Sensationals make up 28%: Mean age of 40; professional singles and couples with a preference for action/the club life
Familias make up 23%: Mean age of 42; family vacation oriented; dual-income households with children under 18; package-travel oriented
Touristers make up 23%: Mean age of 47; happily married; entrepreneurial/driven to succeed and favor 'no-mistake' travel. They take the most trips and spend the highest amount per trip
Extraordinaires make up 26%: Mean age of 52; more than one-third are grandparents; wealthy empty nesters seeking urban cultural experiences
Describing today's consumers as 'newly resourceful'...consumers have reaffirmed their priorities... and discovered that living with less was not as burdensome as they expected....
Because of the ever-growing array of easy-to-use tools...consumers visit an average of 20 websites before making a travel purchase.
Consumers are asking for and receiving instant feedback about price, value and suitability and reading countless reviews.
Travelers were asked to identify the fear most likely to keep them from planning a vacation: It was the fear of overpaying. That's why they spend so many hours researching online...
Yet for all the talk of the new frugalness, it is not just price that is determining our choices....They don't want to give up luxury. They do want another layer of feeling good about going away. They want to be connected in a good way. Travel remains an entitlement for many, but it does need to parallel their values
One place where consumers are giving themselves "permission" to travel is anything involving family, relationships, or getting in touch with oneself.
The leisure traveler profile is:
age 64+ 11%;
45-63 45%;
32-44 30%;
18-31 14%
The profile of those using traditional travel agents is:
age 64+ 13%;
45-63 39%;
32-44 28%;
18-31 20%
People in the echo-boomers (18-31) represent 14% of the total population of leisure travelers, but they represent a significantly higher percentage (20%) of the leisure travelers who use traditional agents. Why? Their long acquaintance of the Web is old hat and they are not nearly as taken in with what they can find on the Web; they are pushing back from overload and the time it takes for research.
The study also reported agent usage based on factors other than age, including gender, ethnicity and income....Women, Asians and the affluent are overrepresented among agency clients.
Two-thirds of leisure travelers based a trip on a life event such as a wedding, birthday or anniversary celebration during the last year.
The researchers commented that: 'It's a new consumer mindset. Given all that is going on with the economy and difficult times for family and fiends, it's OK to travel if you have a reason. You can justify it when there's a life event happening'
Monday, August 23, 2010
More Vacation Safety Tips
More Ways to Avoid Theft on Vacation
August 19, 2010 3:16 pm
by Jaclyn Liechti published in the
Smarter Traveler
Our recent story on how to avoid theft when you're on vacation garnered some helpful reader tips about keeping your valuables safe when you travel. In fact, smart vacationing begins before you even shut the door. Dinek writes, "Don't 'advertise' on Facebook and other sites that you're going to be away from home." Thieves can use this information to target your home while you're away, so if you do want to brag about your travails, be sure to check your security settings to make sure only close friends and family know you'll be away.
While on the road, there are many steps you can take to make yourself less suceptible to petty theft. "Be careful where you park," writes Millicent, "We look for busy streets with lots of people around and good lighting if we have to return in the dark." If you didn't drive your own car, Joanne's advice will come in handy: "In many locations rental cars are very easy for local thieves to identify, so always learn how the door locks work before you leave the rental office. Also, keep your purse or carry-on in the trunk, not on the floor or seat of the vehicle."
Pickpockets are a common menace in popular tourist destinations, but with a little prep you can impede sticky fingers. "Here is a simple one," says Travelingprof. "Wrap your wallet with one of [those] thick rubber bands. Why? Have you ever tried to get a wallet out of your pocket with one of those thick rubber bands wrapped around it?" Reader dinek recommends a money pouch or belt worn under your clothes, and also has advice for those traveling out of the country. "Leave [your] passport in [the] cruise ship/hotel safe and carry [a] photocopy ... Just carry your driver's license as picture identification." This way, if your information is stolen, you still have the necessary documents to return to the country.
August 19, 2010 3:16 pm
by Jaclyn Liechti published in the
Smarter Traveler
Our recent story on how to avoid theft when you're on vacation garnered some helpful reader tips about keeping your valuables safe when you travel. In fact, smart vacationing begins before you even shut the door. Dinek writes, "Don't 'advertise' on Facebook and other sites that you're going to be away from home." Thieves can use this information to target your home while you're away, so if you do want to brag about your travails, be sure to check your security settings to make sure only close friends and family know you'll be away.
While on the road, there are many steps you can take to make yourself less suceptible to petty theft. "Be careful where you park," writes Millicent, "We look for busy streets with lots of people around and good lighting if we have to return in the dark." If you didn't drive your own car, Joanne's advice will come in handy: "In many locations rental cars are very easy for local thieves to identify, so always learn how the door locks work before you leave the rental office. Also, keep your purse or carry-on in the trunk, not on the floor or seat of the vehicle."
Pickpockets are a common menace in popular tourist destinations, but with a little prep you can impede sticky fingers. "Here is a simple one," says Travelingprof. "Wrap your wallet with one of [those] thick rubber bands. Why? Have you ever tried to get a wallet out of your pocket with one of those thick rubber bands wrapped around it?" Reader dinek recommends a money pouch or belt worn under your clothes, and also has advice for those traveling out of the country. "Leave [your] passport in [the] cruise ship/hotel safe and carry [a] photocopy ... Just carry your driver's license as picture identification." This way, if your information is stolen, you still have the necessary documents to return to the country.
Packing Tips
Another great article from the Independent Traveler
Some travelers jam two weeks' worth of gear in their bags for a long weekend. Others pack a bit too lightly and forget important things like medicine or passports. Savvy travelers strike the perfect balance and bring just what they need -- with a little help from our list of road-tested packing tips, of course!
Packing Methods
When packing your clothes, you don't want to neatly fold them individually as you would in a dresser. If you do, they will crease when compressed. Here are a few alternatives:
Rolling Your Clothes
Backpackers swear by this method. Rolling works well with pants, skirts and sports shirts. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves and then roll from the bottom up.
Fold Clothes Together
Take two or more garments, for example trousers, and lay half of one pair on top of the other. Fold the one on the bottom over the pair on the top. Then take the other and fold it on the top. This gives each pair some cushion where you've folded it so it's less likely to crease or wrinkle in the folds.
The Bundle Approach
This ingenious method of packing, which we learned from Judith Guilford, co-founder of the Easy Going travel store and author of the "The Packing Book," has now become our favorite. It's a bit difficult to explain without a demonstration, but we'll do our best. You need luggage that opens up and lays flat to do this. You will also need a flat, soft, pouch-like rectangular "core" with dimensions that are at least 1/2 to 3/4 the size of your luggage compartment. This can be a pouch filled with underwear or something similar.
Start with your sports jacket or the longest, most wrinkle-prone item you have. With the collar or waistband flat, place it against the bottom edge of the bag and drape the rest of the garment over the opposite side of the bag. Take another garment and place it in the opposite direction, flattening and smoothing out both garments in the bag and draping the remainder over the side. If you have trousers or other narrow items, do the same with them in the narrow direction of the bag. Keep alternating your items, ending up with the most wrinkle-resistant clothes you have.
When you finish, place your "core" in the middle. Now you're going to start folding the garments over the core and each other in the reverse order you put them in. If you fold something over and there's excess draping over the sides of the bag, tuck it underneath the bundle you are creating.
What you will end up with is a bundle of all of your clothes that looks like a pillow. You can pick it up in one piece. It's compactly packed and doesn't waste an available space in your luggage. Plus, because of the way things are folded, your clothes will wrinkle less.
To find something in the bundle, lay it flat and unwrap until you reach the layer you want. Take the item out and refold the remainder. If done properly each layer should result in a self contained bundle at each layer.
Tissue Paper
For delicate items, try tissue paper. Lay the item face down and place tissue paper on top. Fold it up with the tissue paper inside. Use additional layers of paper as you fold the garment so it is completely wrapped in and around paper. This is easy enough the first time you pack, but becomes a pain if you have to keep repacking. We only use this approach for evening clothes that we don't want to crush.
Tips for Air Travelers
• You may not pack liquid or gel substances in your carry-on unless they are in individual three-ounce containers, enclosed in one clear, quart-size, plastic, zip-top bag per passenger. Any larger containers of liquids and gels must be packed in your checked luggage.
• Be aware of restrictions on the size and number of bags you may bring onto your flight. Many airlines now charge a fee for every checked bag or have lowered the maximum permitted weight limits for checked luggage.
• Do not lock your checked bags except with TSA-approved locks; otherwise, if your bag is selected for random screening, agents will have to break the lock to get inside.
• Do not overpack your bag. Screeners will have a difficult time closing your luggage if selected for inspection, which will only lead to wrinkles and the potential for lost articles.
• Carry all film with you onboard, as screening equipment for checked luggage can damage undeveloped film.
• Place any packed belongings you don't feel comfortable with strangers handling in clear plastic bags. (I've been doing this for year- I use gallon size ziplock bags and put undergarments in them.)
• Do not stack books and other documents on top of each other; instead, spread them out throughout your bag.
Some travelers jam two weeks' worth of gear in their bags for a long weekend. Others pack a bit too lightly and forget important things like medicine or passports. Savvy travelers strike the perfect balance and bring just what they need -- with a little help from our list of road-tested packing tips, of course!
Packing Methods
When packing your clothes, you don't want to neatly fold them individually as you would in a dresser. If you do, they will crease when compressed. Here are a few alternatives:
Rolling Your Clothes
Backpackers swear by this method. Rolling works well with pants, skirts and sports shirts. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves and then roll from the bottom up.
Fold Clothes Together
Take two or more garments, for example trousers, and lay half of one pair on top of the other. Fold the one on the bottom over the pair on the top. Then take the other and fold it on the top. This gives each pair some cushion where you've folded it so it's less likely to crease or wrinkle in the folds.
The Bundle Approach
This ingenious method of packing, which we learned from Judith Guilford, co-founder of the Easy Going travel store and author of the "The Packing Book," has now become our favorite. It's a bit difficult to explain without a demonstration, but we'll do our best. You need luggage that opens up and lays flat to do this. You will also need a flat, soft, pouch-like rectangular "core" with dimensions that are at least 1/2 to 3/4 the size of your luggage compartment. This can be a pouch filled with underwear or something similar.
Start with your sports jacket or the longest, most wrinkle-prone item you have. With the collar or waistband flat, place it against the bottom edge of the bag and drape the rest of the garment over the opposite side of the bag. Take another garment and place it in the opposite direction, flattening and smoothing out both garments in the bag and draping the remainder over the side. If you have trousers or other narrow items, do the same with them in the narrow direction of the bag. Keep alternating your items, ending up with the most wrinkle-resistant clothes you have.
When you finish, place your "core" in the middle. Now you're going to start folding the garments over the core and each other in the reverse order you put them in. If you fold something over and there's excess draping over the sides of the bag, tuck it underneath the bundle you are creating.
What you will end up with is a bundle of all of your clothes that looks like a pillow. You can pick it up in one piece. It's compactly packed and doesn't waste an available space in your luggage. Plus, because of the way things are folded, your clothes will wrinkle less.
To find something in the bundle, lay it flat and unwrap until you reach the layer you want. Take the item out and refold the remainder. If done properly each layer should result in a self contained bundle at each layer.
Tissue Paper
For delicate items, try tissue paper. Lay the item face down and place tissue paper on top. Fold it up with the tissue paper inside. Use additional layers of paper as you fold the garment so it is completely wrapped in and around paper. This is easy enough the first time you pack, but becomes a pain if you have to keep repacking. We only use this approach for evening clothes that we don't want to crush.
Tips for Air Travelers
• You may not pack liquid or gel substances in your carry-on unless they are in individual three-ounce containers, enclosed in one clear, quart-size, plastic, zip-top bag per passenger. Any larger containers of liquids and gels must be packed in your checked luggage.
• Be aware of restrictions on the size and number of bags you may bring onto your flight. Many airlines now charge a fee for every checked bag or have lowered the maximum permitted weight limits for checked luggage.
• Do not lock your checked bags except with TSA-approved locks; otherwise, if your bag is selected for random screening, agents will have to break the lock to get inside.
• Do not overpack your bag. Screeners will have a difficult time closing your luggage if selected for inspection, which will only lead to wrinkles and the potential for lost articles.
• Carry all film with you onboard, as screening equipment for checked luggage can damage undeveloped film.
• Place any packed belongings you don't feel comfortable with strangers handling in clear plastic bags. (I've been doing this for year- I use gallon size ziplock bags and put undergarments in them.)
• Do not stack books and other documents on top of each other; instead, spread them out throughout your bag.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Is it worth saving a few dollars....
Everyone is looking to save a few dollars on travel these days but after you read this article, please let me know if you feel that it was worth it.
As I have said before, how cheap does a bad vacation or trip have to be, before it becomes ok...
As I have said before, how cheap does a bad vacation or trip have to be, before it becomes ok...
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Walt Disney World announces Fall and Winter Promotions
Fall brings a number of special events to Walt Disney World Resort, as well as three offers that will help clients book early and plan their vacations. Beginning with Night of Joy (Sept. 10 to 11) and continuing with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (select nights from Sept. 14 to Nov. 1; separate admission required), Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Oct. 1 to Nov. 14; theme park admission required), Children’s Miracle Network Classic (Nov. 11 to 14; separate admission required) and Festival of the Masters (Nov. 12-14), guests will have so much to see and do during this upcoming season.
Travel agents can help their clients select one of the three special offers below that best fit their vacation needs during select dates. Travel agents can book their client’s vacation by Nov. 21, 2010, and help them save at least 25 percent on a room at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Plus, by upgrading to a package, they’ll get special benefits and magical extras. This offer is valid for stays most nights Oct. 3 to Nov. 23 and Nov. 27 to Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1 to Feb. 16, 2011.
Clients who purchase a four-night, five-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Disney Moderate Resorts by Dec. 20, 2010, will receive a free Disney Dining Plan. This offer is valid for arrivals most nights from Oct. 1 to 7, Oct. 22 to 28, Nov. 12 to 18, Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 10 to 21, 2010, and Jan. 1 to 5, Jan. 9 to 13, Jan. 21 to Feb. 3, Feb. 11 to 17, Feb. 25 to March 3, May 27 to June 2 and Aug. 19 to Sept. 29, 2011.
Clients who buy a five-night, five-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels by Nov. 21, 2010, can get a Disney Gift Card worth up to $500 free. The offer is valid for arrivals most nights Oct. 3 to Nov. 23 and Nov. 27 to Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1 to Feb. 16, 2011. The Disney Gift Card can be use at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort for shopping, dining and more.
Let My Vacation Lady help you figure out which fall promotion is best for your next Walt Disney World Vacation.
Travel agents can help their clients select one of the three special offers below that best fit their vacation needs during select dates. Travel agents can book their client’s vacation by Nov. 21, 2010, and help them save at least 25 percent on a room at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Plus, by upgrading to a package, they’ll get special benefits and magical extras. This offer is valid for stays most nights Oct. 3 to Nov. 23 and Nov. 27 to Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1 to Feb. 16, 2011.
Clients who purchase a four-night, five-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Disney Moderate Resorts by Dec. 20, 2010, will receive a free Disney Dining Plan. This offer is valid for arrivals most nights from Oct. 1 to 7, Oct. 22 to 28, Nov. 12 to 18, Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 10 to 21, 2010, and Jan. 1 to 5, Jan. 9 to 13, Jan. 21 to Feb. 3, Feb. 11 to 17, Feb. 25 to March 3, May 27 to June 2 and Aug. 19 to Sept. 29, 2011.
Clients who buy a five-night, five-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels by Nov. 21, 2010, can get a Disney Gift Card worth up to $500 free. The offer is valid for arrivals most nights Oct. 3 to Nov. 23 and Nov. 27 to Dec. 25, 2010, and Jan. 1 to Feb. 16, 2011. The Disney Gift Card can be use at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort for shopping, dining and more.
Let My Vacation Lady help you figure out which fall promotion is best for your next Walt Disney World Vacation.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Avoiding a Large Phone Bill When Traveling
By DAVID A. KELLY July 27, 2010
UBIQUITOUS connectivity has its downside, especially when it comes to the price of using your cellphone abroad. The proliferation of smartphones and the increased use of data have made it easier than ever to rack up huge communications bills while traveling overseas, even on a short trip.
“Many leisure travelers with iPhones are going to Europe, not turning off their data and allowing their apps to continue downloading data,” said Ken Grunski, chief executive of Telestial, a company that provides wireless services for travelers. “U.S. travelers were already getting hammered with expensive voice calls that start at $1 per minute. I know of people that have returned home to $1,000 or more roaming bills.”
Luckily for tech-savvy travelers who want to stay in touch, there are ways to avoid spending a small fortune. Here are some options.
Getting the Right Phone
Many countries outside the United States rely on a wireless network technology called GSM. But two major American carriers — Verizon and Sprint — use different technologies in most of their standard phones. Owners of those devices will need a special cellphone when traveling to many countries.
Verizon users have a fairly convenient way to deal with this problem. If you’ve been a subscriber for six months or longer, Verizon will lend you a global phone free of charge for trips of 21 days or less; the customer pays only the two-day FedEx fee of $9.99. Once you receive the phone, call Verizon to activate it and select an international rate plan (with the $4.99 a month plan, a call from, say, France, will cost 99 cents a minute compared with $1.29 without the plan; texts, which cost 50 cents per message sent and 5 cents per message received, are not included). After the trip, just ship the phone back. AT&T and T-Mobile have GSM networks, so many of their standard phones will work overseas, although you’ll still need to sign up for an international roaming plan to keep rates down. For example, with the $5.99 a month AT&T plan, calls from many Western European countries to the United States are only 99 cents. A package of 50 roaming texts costs $10.
Another option is to buy an inexpensive travel phone from a company like Telestial (telestial.com) or Planet Omni (planetomni.com). They typically cost less than $50. For example, Planet Omni’s Kit V520 ($49) offers a dual-band GSM phone, SIM card with both a United States phone number and a global phone number, and $5 in airtime. The service allows you to receive free incoming calls in France, Italy, Spain and Britain on the global number, and free voice mail in 60 countries. Costs for outgoing calls depend on the country. For example, an outgoing call from France to a United States landline is 99 cents per minute, while a call to a mobile phone is $1.49 per minute. Telestial’s Passport package (starting at $99) provides free incoming calls in Europe, as well as calls back to the United States for 49 cents per minute.
Data Deals
With everything from Internet radio to online maps to multitudes of apps, iPhones and smartphones can consume huge amounts of data. It might not be a big deal at home, but using all those apps on the road can add up quickly. If you plan on using a lot of data services while traveling, make sure you check with the carrier to see if it offers international data roaming plans. For example, AT&T offers data roaming plans for the iPhone and smartphones that provide 20 megabytes of data usage within 90 countries for $24.99 per month, and up to 200 megabytes for $199.99 per month.
These charges are in addition to whatever your usual monthly charge is in the United States, but the cost pays off if you use a lot of data, especially when you consider that the standard international roaming rates for many Western European countries are about $20 per megabyte (according to Mr. Grunski, of Telestial, some Web pages are half a megabyte, so downloading, say, five pages in a single day could cost you $50 without a plan).
In addition, AT&T recommends that iPhone users go to their settings and turn off data roaming and options to fetch new data. They should also reset their usage tracker to zero so they can keep an eye on new charges, and make sure to use Wi-Fi instead of their phones’ 3G services to check e-mail messages or use the Web.
SIM Cards
Frequent travelers may want to consider another money-saving technique: replacing a phone’s American SIM card (the little electronic memory card that identifies and configures your phone) with a local (or country-specific) SIM card. In general, when you do that, all incoming calls will be free and outgoing calls (local or international) can be significantly cheaper. Be aware that replacing the SIM card means that your phone has a different number, so you may want to let your contacts know, or set your phone to forward all calls to the new number before you go. Your phone also has to be unlocked so it can work with other carriers’ networks — your cellphone company can provide information on how to do this — and it needs to be compatible with the wireless services in the country you’re visiting.
“Even with an international roaming package on AT&T, it can cost 99 cents a minute or more for voice calls,” said Philip Guarino, an international business consultant and founder of Elementi Consulting in Boston. “The moral of the story is, dump your American SIM card and buy a local one instead.” When Mr. Guarino travels he simply buys a SIM card at his destination airport and uses it for cheap local calls.
“In a pinch, even if I call directly from my phone using a foreign SIM card, the average direct-dial rates are about 60 cents U.S. per minute, which is cheaper than using my original U.S. SIM,” he said.
The VoIP Option
Internet-based voice services (VoIP) such as Skype (skype.com) or Truphone (truphone.com), which charge as little as 2 cents for calls to regular phones, are among the cheapest ways for international travelers to communicate. This spring, Skype announced support for the iPhone, allowing iPhone users to make or receive Skype calls over either Wi-Fi or 3G connections. One good option for travelers wanting to use Skype or Wi-Fi while traveling is Boingo Wireless. For $7.95 per month, travelers can sign up with Boingo (boingo.com) for unlimited Wi-Fi access in hotels, restaurants, cafes, airports and more in over 70 countries. Coupled with Skype or a similar VoIP product on an iPhone, smartphone or computer, it’s hard to beat the value.
Last, but Not Least
Don’t forget the old-fashioned calling card. When Mr. Guarino travels, he often uses discounted international calling cards from local cafes or newsstands.
“The rates to the U.S. are about 3 cents per minute, plus the cost of the local call,” he said. “It’s a good option for making a call from a land line, especially if you have a conference call to make where you don’t want to worry about call quality.”
UBIQUITOUS connectivity has its downside, especially when it comes to the price of using your cellphone abroad. The proliferation of smartphones and the increased use of data have made it easier than ever to rack up huge communications bills while traveling overseas, even on a short trip.
“Many leisure travelers with iPhones are going to Europe, not turning off their data and allowing their apps to continue downloading data,” said Ken Grunski, chief executive of Telestial, a company that provides wireless services for travelers. “U.S. travelers were already getting hammered with expensive voice calls that start at $1 per minute. I know of people that have returned home to $1,000 or more roaming bills.”
Luckily for tech-savvy travelers who want to stay in touch, there are ways to avoid spending a small fortune. Here are some options.
Getting the Right Phone
Many countries outside the United States rely on a wireless network technology called GSM. But two major American carriers — Verizon and Sprint — use different technologies in most of their standard phones. Owners of those devices will need a special cellphone when traveling to many countries.
Verizon users have a fairly convenient way to deal with this problem. If you’ve been a subscriber for six months or longer, Verizon will lend you a global phone free of charge for trips of 21 days or less; the customer pays only the two-day FedEx fee of $9.99. Once you receive the phone, call Verizon to activate it and select an international rate plan (with the $4.99 a month plan, a call from, say, France, will cost 99 cents a minute compared with $1.29 without the plan; texts, which cost 50 cents per message sent and 5 cents per message received, are not included). After the trip, just ship the phone back. AT&T and T-Mobile have GSM networks, so many of their standard phones will work overseas, although you’ll still need to sign up for an international roaming plan to keep rates down. For example, with the $5.99 a month AT&T plan, calls from many Western European countries to the United States are only 99 cents. A package of 50 roaming texts costs $10.
Another option is to buy an inexpensive travel phone from a company like Telestial (telestial.com) or Planet Omni (planetomni.com). They typically cost less than $50. For example, Planet Omni’s Kit V520 ($49) offers a dual-band GSM phone, SIM card with both a United States phone number and a global phone number, and $5 in airtime. The service allows you to receive free incoming calls in France, Italy, Spain and Britain on the global number, and free voice mail in 60 countries. Costs for outgoing calls depend on the country. For example, an outgoing call from France to a United States landline is 99 cents per minute, while a call to a mobile phone is $1.49 per minute. Telestial’s Passport package (starting at $99) provides free incoming calls in Europe, as well as calls back to the United States for 49 cents per minute.
Data Deals
With everything from Internet radio to online maps to multitudes of apps, iPhones and smartphones can consume huge amounts of data. It might not be a big deal at home, but using all those apps on the road can add up quickly. If you plan on using a lot of data services while traveling, make sure you check with the carrier to see if it offers international data roaming plans. For example, AT&T offers data roaming plans for the iPhone and smartphones that provide 20 megabytes of data usage within 90 countries for $24.99 per month, and up to 200 megabytes for $199.99 per month.
These charges are in addition to whatever your usual monthly charge is in the United States, but the cost pays off if you use a lot of data, especially when you consider that the standard international roaming rates for many Western European countries are about $20 per megabyte (according to Mr. Grunski, of Telestial, some Web pages are half a megabyte, so downloading, say, five pages in a single day could cost you $50 without a plan).
In addition, AT&T recommends that iPhone users go to their settings and turn off data roaming and options to fetch new data. They should also reset their usage tracker to zero so they can keep an eye on new charges, and make sure to use Wi-Fi instead of their phones’ 3G services to check e-mail messages or use the Web.
SIM Cards
Frequent travelers may want to consider another money-saving technique: replacing a phone’s American SIM card (the little electronic memory card that identifies and configures your phone) with a local (or country-specific) SIM card. In general, when you do that, all incoming calls will be free and outgoing calls (local or international) can be significantly cheaper. Be aware that replacing the SIM card means that your phone has a different number, so you may want to let your contacts know, or set your phone to forward all calls to the new number before you go. Your phone also has to be unlocked so it can work with other carriers’ networks — your cellphone company can provide information on how to do this — and it needs to be compatible with the wireless services in the country you’re visiting.
“Even with an international roaming package on AT&T, it can cost 99 cents a minute or more for voice calls,” said Philip Guarino, an international business consultant and founder of Elementi Consulting in Boston. “The moral of the story is, dump your American SIM card and buy a local one instead.” When Mr. Guarino travels he simply buys a SIM card at his destination airport and uses it for cheap local calls.
“In a pinch, even if I call directly from my phone using a foreign SIM card, the average direct-dial rates are about 60 cents U.S. per minute, which is cheaper than using my original U.S. SIM,” he said.
The VoIP Option
Internet-based voice services (VoIP) such as Skype (skype.com) or Truphone (truphone.com), which charge as little as 2 cents for calls to regular phones, are among the cheapest ways for international travelers to communicate. This spring, Skype announced support for the iPhone, allowing iPhone users to make or receive Skype calls over either Wi-Fi or 3G connections. One good option for travelers wanting to use Skype or Wi-Fi while traveling is Boingo Wireless. For $7.95 per month, travelers can sign up with Boingo (boingo.com) for unlimited Wi-Fi access in hotels, restaurants, cafes, airports and more in over 70 countries. Coupled with Skype or a similar VoIP product on an iPhone, smartphone or computer, it’s hard to beat the value.
Last, but Not Least
Don’t forget the old-fashioned calling card. When Mr. Guarino travels, he often uses discounted international calling cards from local cafes or newsstands.
“The rates to the U.S. are about 3 cents per minute, plus the cost of the local call,” he said. “It’s a good option for making a call from a land line, especially if you have a conference call to make where you don’t want to worry about call quality.”
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sandals Resorts cuts ties with Apple Vacations
A couple of years ago, Sandals announced that it would cease sales through Apple Vacations. Rumors were flying, at that time, about the reasons. Some said that since Apple owned a stake in AMResorts, the management company for Secrets, Zoetry, Dreams and Now properties, they were in direct conflict with Sandals. Now that Secrets has 2 properties in Jamaica, it is something to consider. Another rumor, back then, that Apple didn't want to classify or rank Sandals properties uniformly equally, as Sandals required. Again, these were all rumors back then. Now, we hear that as of Aug 2010, Sandals is again pulling their line from the Apple inventory:
"Unique Vacations International (UVI), the company that acts as the worldwide sales and marketing representative of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, terminated its wholesaler agreement with Apple Vacations. UVI said the move is part of an overall strategy to partner with fewer companies that give priority to UVI, particularly Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Sandals bookings that have already been made through Apple will be honored. The change only applies to new bookings going forward.
UVI said it is investing in the traditional distribution system and will continue to grow this sector and to richly reward wholesalers, tour operators and agents who share its goals. The company did not specify why Apple Vacations in particular would not be included as part of its distribution system going forward. A spokesperson from Unique Vacations told Travel Pulse that the decision to terminate the relationship was made by UVI, not Sandals.
In a statement from Apple Vacations, Tim Mullen, senior vice president, said Apple had been notified on July 20 by Sandals and Beaches Resorts that it would no longer be able to sell their properties. No reason was given, according to the statement. The move was puzzling, Mullen said, because “Apple Vacations continues to increase production to Jamaica each year. Specifically, Apple has increased its 2010 production by 34 percent over 2009 and advanced sales are up more than 20 percent for 2011.”
Mullen said Apple Vacations continues to be optimistic about the growth of business to Jamaica, as well as the continuing improvement in the quality of products at the destination. Mark Noennig, vice president and general manager of Apple, told Travel Pulse that UVI’s move had taken Apple by surprise. “There didn’t seem to be any particular reason for this to happen, but we’ve accepted it and are moving on,” he said. “Apple doesn’t want to speculate on it. Business to the Caribbean has been very good. There’s a lot of new product there. We’ve been doing a lot of business with Couples. Secrets does very well for us, as well as Iberostar, Superclubs and Riu. So we’re not going to feel a lot of impact. Apple has the most charters into the Caribbean of anyone, so we are very committed to the region and will continue to move forward aggressively.”
Will we see Sandals back up in Apple's inventory soon? Time will tell.
"Unique Vacations International (UVI), the company that acts as the worldwide sales and marketing representative of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, terminated its wholesaler agreement with Apple Vacations. UVI said the move is part of an overall strategy to partner with fewer companies that give priority to UVI, particularly Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Sandals bookings that have already been made through Apple will be honored. The change only applies to new bookings going forward.
UVI said it is investing in the traditional distribution system and will continue to grow this sector and to richly reward wholesalers, tour operators and agents who share its goals. The company did not specify why Apple Vacations in particular would not be included as part of its distribution system going forward. A spokesperson from Unique Vacations told Travel Pulse that the decision to terminate the relationship was made by UVI, not Sandals.
In a statement from Apple Vacations, Tim Mullen, senior vice president, said Apple had been notified on July 20 by Sandals and Beaches Resorts that it would no longer be able to sell their properties. No reason was given, according to the statement. The move was puzzling, Mullen said, because “Apple Vacations continues to increase production to Jamaica each year. Specifically, Apple has increased its 2010 production by 34 percent over 2009 and advanced sales are up more than 20 percent for 2011.”
Mullen said Apple Vacations continues to be optimistic about the growth of business to Jamaica, as well as the continuing improvement in the quality of products at the destination. Mark Noennig, vice president and general manager of Apple, told Travel Pulse that UVI’s move had taken Apple by surprise. “There didn’t seem to be any particular reason for this to happen, but we’ve accepted it and are moving on,” he said. “Apple doesn’t want to speculate on it. Business to the Caribbean has been very good. There’s a lot of new product there. We’ve been doing a lot of business with Couples. Secrets does very well for us, as well as Iberostar, Superclubs and Riu. So we’re not going to feel a lot of impact. Apple has the most charters into the Caribbean of anyone, so we are very committed to the region and will continue to move forward aggressively.”
Will we see Sandals back up in Apple's inventory soon? Time will tell.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
If you bought too many souvenirs...
We all do it. We go on vacation and feel the need to buy souvenirs for everyone from the person watering your plants on up to your family. Your luggage is now overloaded, overweight or just won't carry anything else. What do you do?
Here are some suggestions that came from an article from the Independent Traveler.
Packing Problem: Too Many Souvenirs
You could always just pack less and leave room in the bag for some extra souvenirs. But who really wants to do that? After all, in the current context of expensive baggage fees, empty space in your suitcase is valuable real estate. And if you only brought a carry-on bag, some souvenirs you might purchase, like liquid-filled snow globes, may be prohibited past the airport security checkpoint. So with no room in your bag for anything larger than a postcard of Tuscany and only a carry-on in which to cart two weeks' worth of clothing, how do you get those bottles of pricey Italian merlot back to the States?
Many travelers ship souvenirs back home -- especially large or fragile things like handmade Moroccan rugs or Waterford crystal. A reputable shop that caters largely to tourists (and sells big and expensive items like furniture) will likely ship your goods back home right from the store. However, without shipping insurance or a tracking number, you have little control over the fate of your purchase.
A second option is to mail the item yourself. We recommend using major international shipping companies like UPS and FedEx as opposed to a local post office because overseas postal services (especially in developing areas) may be unreliable. Check out the major international shipping companies' Web sites before you leave to see if there's a location near where you will be traveling; if so, write down the address and phone number and stick it in your wallet. Also look up restrictions, shipping costs and shipping times. And make sure to get your shipment insured and write down a tracking number!
Your third, probably cheapest option is to pack a squashy, foldable bag that takes up little room in your suitcase. A soft duffel or zippered tote bag will work. If you end up with a mass of bulky souvenirs, you can unfold the extra bag and check it at the airport. Although you may end up paying a checked-bag fee for an extra piece of luggage, this might be a more economical way to cart your souvenirs home than paying for international shipping, which is not cheap. Wrap some T-shirts or sweaters around any breakable items.
I'm going to add another option: Take disposable clothes with you on vacation and throw them out after wearing them. By taking clothes that you have no intention of bringing home, you'll have more room in your suitcase for souvenirs. I've done it with underwear, shoes and more. Rather than packing your best, pack stuff that you are ready to get rid of anyway. Wear them and toss them. It will leave space and weight left in the suitcase for all of the new stuff you are going to buy :)
Here are some suggestions that came from an article from the Independent Traveler.
Packing Problem: Too Many Souvenirs
You could always just pack less and leave room in the bag for some extra souvenirs. But who really wants to do that? After all, in the current context of expensive baggage fees, empty space in your suitcase is valuable real estate. And if you only brought a carry-on bag, some souvenirs you might purchase, like liquid-filled snow globes, may be prohibited past the airport security checkpoint. So with no room in your bag for anything larger than a postcard of Tuscany and only a carry-on in which to cart two weeks' worth of clothing, how do you get those bottles of pricey Italian merlot back to the States?
Many travelers ship souvenirs back home -- especially large or fragile things like handmade Moroccan rugs or Waterford crystal. A reputable shop that caters largely to tourists (and sells big and expensive items like furniture) will likely ship your goods back home right from the store. However, without shipping insurance or a tracking number, you have little control over the fate of your purchase.
A second option is to mail the item yourself. We recommend using major international shipping companies like UPS and FedEx as opposed to a local post office because overseas postal services (especially in developing areas) may be unreliable. Check out the major international shipping companies' Web sites before you leave to see if there's a location near where you will be traveling; if so, write down the address and phone number and stick it in your wallet. Also look up restrictions, shipping costs and shipping times. And make sure to get your shipment insured and write down a tracking number!
Your third, probably cheapest option is to pack a squashy, foldable bag that takes up little room in your suitcase. A soft duffel or zippered tote bag will work. If you end up with a mass of bulky souvenirs, you can unfold the extra bag and check it at the airport. Although you may end up paying a checked-bag fee for an extra piece of luggage, this might be a more economical way to cart your souvenirs home than paying for international shipping, which is not cheap. Wrap some T-shirts or sweaters around any breakable items.
I'm going to add another option: Take disposable clothes with you on vacation and throw them out after wearing them. By taking clothes that you have no intention of bringing home, you'll have more room in your suitcase for souvenirs. I've done it with underwear, shoes and more. Rather than packing your best, pack stuff that you are ready to get rid of anyway. Wear them and toss them. It will leave space and weight left in the suitcase for all of the new stuff you are going to buy :)
Friday, August 6, 2010
5 Ways to Upgrade your Vacation
This is an article that I found on the Independent Traveler.
"Most travelers can't afford five-star hotels and first-class airfare, but there are plenty of inexpensive -- and sometimes free -- ways to add comfort and small luxuries to a trip without clearing out your bank account. Things like a leisurely morning meal or a few extra inches of legroom in coach can make a big difference on an otherwise budget-minded getaway. Following is a quick list of five low-cost upgrade suggestions simple enough to try on almost every trip you take.
1. Ask for an upgrade.
You don't necessarily have to have tons of miles or tons of cash to fly business or first class, as many airlines offer low-fee upgrades based on availability at the time of check-in. These same-day upgrades can cost as little as $25, and often check-in agents can upgrade you for any connecting flights -- and in some cases for your return trip as well.
Even if no seats or upgrades for a higher class are available, you may be able to get a better seat, sometimes even for free. As more airlines have designated certain seats in coach as "premium" seats, they may offer you a seat in the front section of coach (where seat widths or pitch may be more generous), or perhaps right behind one of those exit row seats that have one seat taken out so you actually have two full rows of legroom -- more than enough space even you're built like Wilt Chamberlain.
If upgrades are available, the agent can usually tell you the exact cost, and you can accept or decline the offer. (You may not even have to go to the desk, as this option is also becoming more common for both online and kiosk check-in options.) At the very least, most check-in agents will scan their seating charts to try to find you the best available seat at no extra cost, just for the asking. You almost can't go wrong inquiring politely about any upgrade options; if you travel regularly, you'll be pleasantly surprised over time at how well this works.
2. Avoid long lines by buying tickets in advance.
An excruciating wait in a ticket or admission line can tarnish an otherwise great vacation day; shuffling along in the heat (or cold) with a horde of other folks in the same predicament is no one's idea of a good use of precious vacation time. Fortunately, most popular establishments have learned this lesson and now offer ways to purchase advance admission tickets -- which in many cases may offer a set entrance time as well, further reducing time wasted standing around.
This option is usually best employed at very popular attractions with instant name recognition and broad appeal: the American Museum of Natural History, the Uffizi, Disney. There is usually a small fee for the service (usually in the $2 - $4 range), but getting to skip the mile-long General Admission line and grab your tickets at Will Call -- or better yet, have your tickets mailed to you in advance -- is almost always worth a couple of bucks.
If you are traveling as a family or with a group, you might even find that buying a museum membership pays off, even for a one-time visit. For example, a year-long family membership at the American Museum of Natural History costs $115, and includes unlimited admission for two adults and up to four children all year long. Meanwhile, regular admission for two adults and four children is $92.
If you have even the most remote plans to visit again, the family membership is the way to go. Additionally, the AMNH will even let you have other family members use your membership -- so, for example, I could give my brother and his family my membership card, and they could all attend as well, on their own time. Check out these and similar options when you visit museum and theme parks; potential price savings aside, lines for members tend to be shorter than those for the general public.
3. Upgrade your rental car affordably.
One thing you can rely on about most rental car upgrades is that they're usually an add-on to the amount you are already paying, not a completely "new" price per se. That is, when you upgrade a rental, you are paying only a pre-determined upgrade fee, not necessarily the going full price for the higher car class.
For example, say during booking you see an economy car for $18 a day, and a full-size car for $50. If you book the economy car, and then are offered an upgrade at the rental desk, typically you will be quoted a few dollars per day more for the upgraded vehicle, perhaps $5 a day per rental class -- but not the full $50 you were originally quoted.
When reserving a car online, sometimes you will be offered the option to upgrade during the booking process; on a trip to Cleveland last year, I upgraded three full car classes for $3 a day. Learn more tactics for upgrading your car rental in How to Save on Car Rentals in a Recession.
The risk here is obviously that no upgrade is available, and that you are stuck in the economy car. Unless you are going to be driving a lot, this may not be a deal-breaker.
4. Use a travel agent.
Handling the countless tiny details of travel planning can sometimes feel like torture by 1,000 small cuts. Despite the glut of Web sites that offer endless flexibility and options for booking your own travel, somehow the whole process seems more grueling than ever. If you can find a good travel agent, the hassle of searching for and purchasing airline tickets can be offloaded entirely for fees starting around $35. A good travel agent can quickly filter out all the stuff you don't want and drill down to see things you can't see, such as seating charts, to find you the right flight at the right price with the right seats.
Especially when traveling as a family or with a group, when getting seats together can be critical to a sane and safe trip, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and anxiety by having a pro put together a sensible and reliable flight itinerary.
While your agent is at it, you might have him or her look into rental cars, hotel rooms and more -- and, if the price is right, go ahead and book it. Researching and reserving these yourself usually requires visiting multiple Web sites and can take a few hours of your time, so having a travel agent book them for you can save you time ... and it may not cost you anything more in fees.
5. Use room service.
To many folks, room service sounds like an extravagance, but the truth is that the cost of a meal delivered to your room is almost always exactly the same as if you went down to the hotel restaurant. The menu is the same, the prices are the same, the beer costs the same and the water is still free. The gratuity (usually 18 percent these days) is almost always added automatically, and at most properties you can put the meal on your hotel bill, so you don't even have to pick up your wallet.
Unless the hotel breakfast is included in your room cost, I find this option particularly attractive in the morning. While waiting for and eating breakfast, I can check in at work, dispatch e-mail, read the newspaper or watch the morning news, which for me beats slumping down to a hotel restaurant first thing in the morning by a country breakfast mile. Often you can order your meal the night before and choose a predetermined delivery time.
You will want to take a close look at the menu prices, as hotel breakfasts can be on the pricey side (although not always) and may be a more expensive option than popping down the street to the local coffee shop. But for a morning or two it won't break the bank, and the benefits are worth it. An omelet, buttered toast, some fruit and a pot of coffee delivered right to your room while you are still in your PJ's? There's the lap of luxury for you -- breakfast in bed.
Go Anyway,
Ed Hewitt"
"Most travelers can't afford five-star hotels and first-class airfare, but there are plenty of inexpensive -- and sometimes free -- ways to add comfort and small luxuries to a trip without clearing out your bank account. Things like a leisurely morning meal or a few extra inches of legroom in coach can make a big difference on an otherwise budget-minded getaway. Following is a quick list of five low-cost upgrade suggestions simple enough to try on almost every trip you take.
1. Ask for an upgrade.
You don't necessarily have to have tons of miles or tons of cash to fly business or first class, as many airlines offer low-fee upgrades based on availability at the time of check-in. These same-day upgrades can cost as little as $25, and often check-in agents can upgrade you for any connecting flights -- and in some cases for your return trip as well.
Even if no seats or upgrades for a higher class are available, you may be able to get a better seat, sometimes even for free. As more airlines have designated certain seats in coach as "premium" seats, they may offer you a seat in the front section of coach (where seat widths or pitch may be more generous), or perhaps right behind one of those exit row seats that have one seat taken out so you actually have two full rows of legroom -- more than enough space even you're built like Wilt Chamberlain.
If upgrades are available, the agent can usually tell you the exact cost, and you can accept or decline the offer. (You may not even have to go to the desk, as this option is also becoming more common for both online and kiosk check-in options.) At the very least, most check-in agents will scan their seating charts to try to find you the best available seat at no extra cost, just for the asking. You almost can't go wrong inquiring politely about any upgrade options; if you travel regularly, you'll be pleasantly surprised over time at how well this works.
2. Avoid long lines by buying tickets in advance.
An excruciating wait in a ticket or admission line can tarnish an otherwise great vacation day; shuffling along in the heat (or cold) with a horde of other folks in the same predicament is no one's idea of a good use of precious vacation time. Fortunately, most popular establishments have learned this lesson and now offer ways to purchase advance admission tickets -- which in many cases may offer a set entrance time as well, further reducing time wasted standing around.
This option is usually best employed at very popular attractions with instant name recognition and broad appeal: the American Museum of Natural History, the Uffizi, Disney. There is usually a small fee for the service (usually in the $2 - $4 range), but getting to skip the mile-long General Admission line and grab your tickets at Will Call -- or better yet, have your tickets mailed to you in advance -- is almost always worth a couple of bucks.
If you are traveling as a family or with a group, you might even find that buying a museum membership pays off, even for a one-time visit. For example, a year-long family membership at the American Museum of Natural History costs $115, and includes unlimited admission for two adults and up to four children all year long. Meanwhile, regular admission for two adults and four children is $92.
If you have even the most remote plans to visit again, the family membership is the way to go. Additionally, the AMNH will even let you have other family members use your membership -- so, for example, I could give my brother and his family my membership card, and they could all attend as well, on their own time. Check out these and similar options when you visit museum and theme parks; potential price savings aside, lines for members tend to be shorter than those for the general public.
3. Upgrade your rental car affordably.
One thing you can rely on about most rental car upgrades is that they're usually an add-on to the amount you are already paying, not a completely "new" price per se. That is, when you upgrade a rental, you are paying only a pre-determined upgrade fee, not necessarily the going full price for the higher car class.
For example, say during booking you see an economy car for $18 a day, and a full-size car for $50. If you book the economy car, and then are offered an upgrade at the rental desk, typically you will be quoted a few dollars per day more for the upgraded vehicle, perhaps $5 a day per rental class -- but not the full $50 you were originally quoted.
When reserving a car online, sometimes you will be offered the option to upgrade during the booking process; on a trip to Cleveland last year, I upgraded three full car classes for $3 a day. Learn more tactics for upgrading your car rental in How to Save on Car Rentals in a Recession.
The risk here is obviously that no upgrade is available, and that you are stuck in the economy car. Unless you are going to be driving a lot, this may not be a deal-breaker.
4. Use a travel agent.
Handling the countless tiny details of travel planning can sometimes feel like torture by 1,000 small cuts. Despite the glut of Web sites that offer endless flexibility and options for booking your own travel, somehow the whole process seems more grueling than ever. If you can find a good travel agent, the hassle of searching for and purchasing airline tickets can be offloaded entirely for fees starting around $35. A good travel agent can quickly filter out all the stuff you don't want and drill down to see things you can't see, such as seating charts, to find you the right flight at the right price with the right seats.
Especially when traveling as a family or with a group, when getting seats together can be critical to a sane and safe trip, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and anxiety by having a pro put together a sensible and reliable flight itinerary.
While your agent is at it, you might have him or her look into rental cars, hotel rooms and more -- and, if the price is right, go ahead and book it. Researching and reserving these yourself usually requires visiting multiple Web sites and can take a few hours of your time, so having a travel agent book them for you can save you time ... and it may not cost you anything more in fees.
5. Use room service.
To many folks, room service sounds like an extravagance, but the truth is that the cost of a meal delivered to your room is almost always exactly the same as if you went down to the hotel restaurant. The menu is the same, the prices are the same, the beer costs the same and the water is still free. The gratuity (usually 18 percent these days) is almost always added automatically, and at most properties you can put the meal on your hotel bill, so you don't even have to pick up your wallet.
Unless the hotel breakfast is included in your room cost, I find this option particularly attractive in the morning. While waiting for and eating breakfast, I can check in at work, dispatch e-mail, read the newspaper or watch the morning news, which for me beats slumping down to a hotel restaurant first thing in the morning by a country breakfast mile. Often you can order your meal the night before and choose a predetermined delivery time.
You will want to take a close look at the menu prices, as hotel breakfasts can be on the pricey side (although not always) and may be a more expensive option than popping down the street to the local coffee shop. But for a morning or two it won't break the bank, and the benefits are worth it. An omelet, buttered toast, some fruit and a pot of coffee delivered right to your room while you are still in your PJ's? There's the lap of luxury for you -- breakfast in bed.
Go Anyway,
Ed Hewitt"
Travel Review Sites
As a travel consultant, I know that many of my clients will check reviews on the major travel review sites. I also use them as a part of my research but never make them the sole or primary source of reviews but would rather rely on personal experience, client feedback and the experiences of my colleagues from throughout the US and Canada.
I came across this excerpt from an article in the Independent Traveler that really reiterates what I tell my clients as well:
"Travel Review Sites
On both Yahoo! Maps and Google Maps, you can click on a particular hotel to find more information about it, including driving directions, user reviews, photos and a link to the property's Web site for booking.
For a more in-depth view of a property, though, I head to TripAdvisor.com. While Yahoo! and Google both offer reviews and links to reviews, I know of no other site where you can get such candid reviews as you'll find at TripAdvisor.
This can be a mixed blessing. While negative reviews often tell you a lot about the hotel, I have sometimes found they tell you a lot about the reviewer as well; you sometimes need to read with a judicious eye to separate a fussbudget's whine from a valid complaint."
What I always advise my clients to do is take each review with a grain of salt. Put more credence in postings from reviewers who live close to your general geographic area. If you are from the New York Metro region, look more closely at the reviewers who live in the states surrounding NY, like New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or Massachusets, rather than those from Europe or Alabama, Tennessee or Oklahoma. No offense to anyone who lives in those states or Europe but, particulary, when reviewing an all inclusive resort, food tastes vary greatly by geographic areas.
I also advise my clients to eliminate the glowing reviews- from those who say "I want to stay here forever" and the negative reviews "my luggage was lost and I hated the entire vacation" in favor of the reviews in the middle. You need to read between the lines on many reviews. Was the reviewer a honeymooner- their reviews will tend to be more glowing. Was the reviewer annoyed at an outside source- the weather, airline, travel agent or their spouse?
Travel review sites can help in your vacation planning but please don't make it your only site in deciding upon a vacation destination or resort.
I came across this excerpt from an article in the Independent Traveler that really reiterates what I tell my clients as well:
"Travel Review Sites
On both Yahoo! Maps and Google Maps, you can click on a particular hotel to find more information about it, including driving directions, user reviews, photos and a link to the property's Web site for booking.
For a more in-depth view of a property, though, I head to TripAdvisor.com. While Yahoo! and Google both offer reviews and links to reviews, I know of no other site where you can get such candid reviews as you'll find at TripAdvisor.
This can be a mixed blessing. While negative reviews often tell you a lot about the hotel, I have sometimes found they tell you a lot about the reviewer as well; you sometimes need to read with a judicious eye to separate a fussbudget's whine from a valid complaint."
What I always advise my clients to do is take each review with a grain of salt. Put more credence in postings from reviewers who live close to your general geographic area. If you are from the New York Metro region, look more closely at the reviewers who live in the states surrounding NY, like New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or Massachusets, rather than those from Europe or Alabama, Tennessee or Oklahoma. No offense to anyone who lives in those states or Europe but, particulary, when reviewing an all inclusive resort, food tastes vary greatly by geographic areas.
I also advise my clients to eliminate the glowing reviews- from those who say "I want to stay here forever" and the negative reviews "my luggage was lost and I hated the entire vacation" in favor of the reviews in the middle. You need to read between the lines on many reviews. Was the reviewer a honeymooner- their reviews will tend to be more glowing. Was the reviewer annoyed at an outside source- the weather, airline, travel agent or their spouse?
Travel review sites can help in your vacation planning but please don't make it your only site in deciding upon a vacation destination or resort.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Before you buy your airline tickets...
I have brought this up before but it is important enough to revisit. If you are planning a trip that includes air line tickets, some changes have taken place in the last year that you need to be aware of.
You will now need to provide your legal name- EXACTLY as it reads on your photo ID or passport as well as your DATE OF BIRTH and gender. I am not being a nosey travel agent. This is now required by the TSA. You can be denied boarding if this information is not provided. If you have a redress #, please make sure you give it to me. If you don’t know what one is, don’t worry about it.
If you are flying within the US, you only need your driver’s license. Don’t know the last time you checked yours but I had no clue if my middle name or initial was on mine until I checked in order to purchase airline tickets. Well, now I know- driver’s license has my middle initial. Passport has my middle name spelled out.
Until a few months ago, there was no place to even enter a middle name or initial on your airline tickets. Most airlines and all of the tour operators that I use for my clients now have included spaces for that information.
So far, the only travel suppliers that have not adopted these rules are the cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line, for instance, will not allow you to put a middle name, initial or even a Jr. on the cruise documents even if it is on your passport. So if you are George Smith traveling with George Smith Jr, your son, both of you will be listed as just George Smith. How can they tell the difference, you might ask? I was told that the 2 will be differentiated by dates of birth.
Just another FYI, when it comes filling out online registration forms for Carnival, if you add a middle name to the registration form, that can’t be added to your cruise ticket, your past guest status may not be applied correctly. So for now, at least with Carnival Cruise Lines, leave off your middle names.
You will now need to provide your legal name- EXACTLY as it reads on your photo ID or passport as well as your DATE OF BIRTH and gender. I am not being a nosey travel agent. This is now required by the TSA. You can be denied boarding if this information is not provided. If you have a redress #, please make sure you give it to me. If you don’t know what one is, don’t worry about it.
If you are flying within the US, you only need your driver’s license. Don’t know the last time you checked yours but I had no clue if my middle name or initial was on mine until I checked in order to purchase airline tickets. Well, now I know- driver’s license has my middle initial. Passport has my middle name spelled out.
Until a few months ago, there was no place to even enter a middle name or initial on your airline tickets. Most airlines and all of the tour operators that I use for my clients now have included spaces for that information.
So far, the only travel suppliers that have not adopted these rules are the cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line, for instance, will not allow you to put a middle name, initial or even a Jr. on the cruise documents even if it is on your passport. So if you are George Smith traveling with George Smith Jr, your son, both of you will be listed as just George Smith. How can they tell the difference, you might ask? I was told that the 2 will be differentiated by dates of birth.
Just another FYI, when it comes filling out online registration forms for Carnival, if you add a middle name to the registration form, that can’t be added to your cruise ticket, your past guest status may not be applied correctly. So for now, at least with Carnival Cruise Lines, leave off your middle names.
Monday, August 2, 2010
All Inclusive Resorts-Great Vacation Value!
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a worry-free family holiday, or simply a relaxing vacation where you can leave schedules and decision-making behind, consider an all-inclusive resort.
Picture postcard beaches, comfortable accommodations, friendly service, and a variety of activities await you at the all-inclusive resort of your choice. And the best part is just about everything you eat, drink, or do is included in the price of your vacation—along with gratuities, entertainment and hotel taxes. All-inclusives offer value, convenience, and comfort. You won’t be presented with a check every time you order drinks or food, so you can safely leave your credit cards and wallet in your room safe.
Because of the variety of activities available, vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is an economical way to experiment and find new interests you might like to pursue at home. For example, you can learn to scuba dive while your traveling companion takes an aqua aerobics class or practices her golf swing. Most all-inclusives offer professional instructors and top-of-the-line equipment, making learning fun and easy.
Planning a wedding or a honeymoon? All-inclusives provide picture perfect, romantic settings. In some cases, weddings are free and include the assistance of a wedding coordinator who handles all the details, including making arrangements for a minister, a marriage license, champagne, a wedding cake, flowers, and music.
From ultra-luxurious resorts to family-friendly properties, there is an all-inclusive resort for every type of vacationer. Most of the all inclusive resorts are in the Caribbean and Mexico and the options seem endless. Because of the differences among all-inclusive resorts, it is important to work with a knowledgeable travel counselor who can match you with the resort that best fits your needs. Please contact us today for advice on which all-inclusive resorts are right for you.
Picture postcard beaches, comfortable accommodations, friendly service, and a variety of activities await you at the all-inclusive resort of your choice. And the best part is just about everything you eat, drink, or do is included in the price of your vacation—along with gratuities, entertainment and hotel taxes. All-inclusives offer value, convenience, and comfort. You won’t be presented with a check every time you order drinks or food, so you can safely leave your credit cards and wallet in your room safe.
Because of the variety of activities available, vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is an economical way to experiment and find new interests you might like to pursue at home. For example, you can learn to scuba dive while your traveling companion takes an aqua aerobics class or practices her golf swing. Most all-inclusives offer professional instructors and top-of-the-line equipment, making learning fun and easy.
Planning a wedding or a honeymoon? All-inclusives provide picture perfect, romantic settings. In some cases, weddings are free and include the assistance of a wedding coordinator who handles all the details, including making arrangements for a minister, a marriage license, champagne, a wedding cake, flowers, and music.
From ultra-luxurious resorts to family-friendly properties, there is an all-inclusive resort for every type of vacationer. Most of the all inclusive resorts are in the Caribbean and Mexico and the options seem endless. Because of the differences among all-inclusive resorts, it is important to work with a knowledgeable travel counselor who can match you with the resort that best fits your needs. Please contact us today for advice on which all-inclusive resorts are right for you.
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