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Showing posts with label travel channel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel channel. Show all posts

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Travel Picks: Top 10 tips for holiday travel

travel
Travel Month
(Reuters) - Silver bells, sleigh rides, menorahs and mistletoe are on the not-so-distant horizon.

But before the festivities get underway, there are flights to catch, security lines to endure and delays to tolerate. With that in mind, online travel adviser Cheapflights.com (www.cheapflights.com ) have come up with 10 top holiday travel tips to help you navigate the festive season. Reuters has not endorsed this list:

1. For procrastinators: Book last-minute

Typically we encourage travelers to book flights between 60 and 90 days before an anticipated date of departure. That ideal time-frame has now passed, leaving many fliers scrambling to find holiday fare deals. But all is not lost! Data shows that airlines this year were perhaps a bit too aggressive with pricing early on, leaving seats still to be filled. Lucky for procrastinators, flash sales are popping up left and right and - better yet - the best is possibly yet to come. Start scanning now, as early December bookers could save the most on holiday flights.

2. Travel alternatively

As ongoing advocates of both alternative airports and alternative destinations, our stance holds true with the season of cheer upon us. For fliers with a set destination in mind, taking the time to compare nearby airports based on affordability could mean major savings. Boston residents, for instance, should consider TF Green International in Providence or Manchester-Boston Regional in New Hampshire if fares out of Logan are too steep. And the same is true for arrival cities. Folks eager to get away for a beach vacation should look for the deal rather than the destination. Instead of Miami this Christmas, how about a beach town on the Gulf like Fort Meyers or Sarasota? The bottom line: do your homework.

3. Fly on the holiday

Flight searches by date often tell an interesting but consistent story: flying midweek, early in the day or late at night saves travelers cash. 'Tis true on holidays, too. Many times the lowest fares go to travelers willing to fly on the holiday itself, whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve. Plus, the cheer can be felt 35,000 feet in the air for flexible fliers, as some airlines are particularly festive. Lufthansa in Christmases past has cooked traditional German meals and decked cabins with wreaths and decorations so passengers - and flight crews - can share in the celebration.

4. For gift givers: Shop online

In an era of ever-increasing baggage fees, it's best to show up to the airport with as little to check in as possible. Lucky for those with long wish lists, nearly everything nowadays can be found - and shipped - thanks to the glorious Internet. Evidence? Our recent list of travel gift ideas, all of which are available courtesy of the web. Order a Big Wheel-luggage hybrid for the junior traveler in your life or an airline gift card for your favorite frequent flier. No matter the choice, it means less to get through security and less on your credit card.

5. Ship gifts

If you've found a gift at a great rate or a specialty item during your holiday shopping sprees, then of course seize the deal. But if it doesn't fit in your carry-on, you may want to ship it via a courier company. Do the math a week before to see what will cost you less: a tracked package or an extra bag. If it's the latter, remember to leave your gifts unwrapped so security can easily access the contents.

6. Pack an empty suitcase

If the price is right, bringing an extra piece of luggage on your trip can be a frugal decision. Then, when it comes time to transport the gifts you've received home, you'll have an empty suitcase to fill. Either pack a fold-up duffel in your luggage or bring a separate bag if it means you won't get hit with high-priced baggage fees. First calculate what it will cost to ship your gifts home, then plan and pack accordingly.

7. Peruse duty-free

International fliers over the holidays have the opportunity to savor their layovers a bit in the duty-free shops, where high-end products go for everyday prices in airports around the globe. Hubs like Hong Kong International Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schipol and London Heathrow Airport offer shoppers a bounty of stocking stuffers and goodies for under the tree. Shop on your way - or way home - tax-free. A friendly reminder: If you're connecting Stateside from certain international locations, liquids purchased at duty-free have to be checked before the domestic leg of your flight.

8. For air mile collectors: Save the miles

Miles get tricky around the holidays, especially since "low points" seats for the most popular travel dates sell out even before the Halloween candy has hit the shelves. There's that, plus some airlines implement the never-popular blackout dates. Accumulated miles, whether through an airline or a credit card, are used most economically either when travel plans are booked early or a traveler has flexibility with their itinerary. Our advice: Save the points during the holidays unless you snag a great deal.

9. Health: Invest in hand sanitizer

The most wonderful time of the year is also the most sniffly time of the year for many travelers. Keep that in mind before you head for the airport, and pack plenty of hand sanitizer to help fend off germs. There's nothing worse than realizing during ascent that you're stuck in a cabin full of recycled air with a sickly seatmate. Fill your prescriptions, drink lots of water, wash your hands often - whatever it takes to guarantee your holidays will be spent both joy- and health-filled.

10. Plan ahead and expect delays

Flight delays are pretty much a guarantee this time of year, whether its crowded airports, bad weather or mechanical problems causing them. There's a way to plan ahead so that getting stuck behind infrequent fliers and families of five at airport security doesn't cause anxiety. First, avoid connections if you can when booking, even if it means paying a little more. If a connection is a must, then ensure there's a long enough layover in case your first flight is late to land. On the day of travel, get to the airport earlier - way earlier - than you typically would. Worst-case scenario: You spend extra time with your Kindle at the departure gate or relaxing at the airport bar.





Friday, October 14, 2011

10 Outrageous Travel Fees

Companies in the travel industry seem to be finding more ways to get you to open your wallet. At a time when travelers are looking to save, prices are actually rising. In fact, domestic airfare prices jumped more than 8 percent from last year.

But that increase tells only part of the story. Consumers also are feeling the pinch of rising costs from airlines, hotels and car rental companies over items as mundane as boarding passes and pillows.

Here are Bankrate's 10 most outrageous travel fees and how to avoid them.

1. Fees for Booking by Phone

If you try to book your flight over the telephone instead of over the Internet, you may be charged more. Nearly all major airlines charge booking fees of $25 to $35 for this service.

To avoid the surcharge, try to book online whenever possible. Often, the best deals are listed on the airlines' websites.

2. Print Your Boarding Pass

Spirit Airlines (SAVE: 15.90, +1.38, +9.50%) has started charging passengers $5 to print their boarding passes at the airport. These travel fees will be assessed starting Nov. 1, 2011. The charge is assessed for each flight, so that's an extra $10 round trip. If you want to avoid the fees, you'll have to print the pass at home and bring it with you.

3. Avoid Checking Your Luggage

Got extra luggage to check? You'll have to pay. American and Delta airlines (DAL: 8.68, +0.26, +3.09%) charge $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second one. The airlines do make exceptions. They typically won't charge the most elite members of their frequent traveler clubs or for passengers who are traveling to certain international destinations.

Otherwise, take a carry-on bag instead of checking your luggage to avoid these travel fees.

If you do need to check a bag, be sure to pack light. Major airlines charge fees of up to $90 per bag for overweight luggage that weighs 51 to 70 pounds, and the prices increase for heavier bags.

Also, check with your airline to see if it gives a discount for online baggage checking. For example, US Airways (LCC: 6.30, +0.07, +1.12%) charges $20 for the first checked bag that's ordered online, compared to $25 to check bags at the airport.

4. Seat Selection Fees

It's one thing to buy your ticket for a flight, but if you want to select your seat, you may have to pay an extra travel fee. Many airlines, such as AirTran and Spirit, charge you to select the seat you want. At AirTran, the cost ranges from $6 to $20 per ticket.

Even if your airline doesn't charge for seat assignments, you may have to pay if you want to sit in a row that has extra legroom. At Spirit, the fees for seats with more leg space start at $12 if reserved in advance.

5. Priority Boarding Charges

If you want to board your plane early in order to claim space in an overhead bin, some airlines will make you pay for the privilege. American Airlines (AMR: 2.96, +0.15, +5.34%) charges for a service called Express Seats. You have to pay more for your ticket, but you can be one of the first people to board for your flight, regardless of your frequent flier status.

You also get to sit in one of the first few rows in coach. Pricing varies by trip, but The Dallas Morning News reported the surcharge at $19 to $39 each way.

JetBlue Airways (JBLU: 4.57, +0.05, +1.11%) recently launched a related program called "Even More Space," which costs a minimum of $10 per seat. Customers have early access to boarding and overhead bins and can sit in rows with extra legroom.

If you don't pay this extra charge, you'll have to hope you can grab a seat with sufficient space after the airline loads everyone else.

6. A Pillow will Cost You

If you want to take a quick nap on your flight, you'll have to pay up if you want to use a pillow from some airlines.

US Airways charges $7 for what's called a Power-Nap Sack. The package is an upgrade from a standard issue pillow. It includes a blanket, inflatable neck pillow, eyeshades and an earplug. It also includes a coupon for a future purchase from SkyMall, an in-flight shopping catalog.

American Airlines has a similar blanket and pillow package for $8.

The new products are nice and convenient, but if you don't want to pay this travel fee, you'll have to figure out a way to nap without an airline-issued cushion.

7. Expect Credit Card Surcharges Abroad

If you plan to travel abroad, be aware your credit card company may levy surcharges on foreign purchases you make. These travel fees are typically about 3 percent of the purchase price.

To avoid some of these travel fees, consider prepaying your international hotel and car rental costs while you're still in the U.S. Also, consider using a credit card that doesn't charge extra for currency conversions and spending overseas. Some card issuers, including Capital One, offer this benefit.

8. Rental Car Insurance

Collision-damage waiver, or CDW, insurance is a moneymaker for car rental companies. These optional policies insure you if you get in a wreck or otherwise experience a claims loss while renting a car. The charge for such rental car insurance can add $15 to $25 to the daily cost of a car rental.

The catch is that you may already have protection through your credit card company or auto insurer.

Before leaving on a trip, check with your insurance agent and card issuer to see what kind of coverage you have for car rentals. If your credit card already offers sufficient protection, you could decline the optional coverage. Just be sure to use that credit card when you make your rental reservation.

8. Watch Out for Airport Fees

This isn't an airline charge, but it is charged by rental car companies located within airports. These businesses have to pay fees to the airport to operate in their facilities, and they pass the charges on to you in the form of a concession recovery fee.

This charge can increase the cost of the car rental by up to 20 percent. To avoid paying extra, consider renting a car at a nonairport location. Just make sure the company offers a lower rate at the other location and doesn't inflate the price to match what's charged at the airport facility.

10. Hook up to Hotel Wi-Fi for a Fee

Many major hotel chains, including Marriott (MAR: 30.15, -0.08, -0.26%) and Sheraton (HOT: 46.50, +0.48, +1.04%), charge for high-speed Internet access in your hotel room. Fees start at about $10 to $15 per day. To avoid these charges, ask if free Wi-Fi is available in common areas, such as the lobby. Also, ask the front desk or concierge if there are restaurants that offer free Wi-Fi nearby.

If you have a smartphone with a data plan, you can skip the hotel Internet altogether and just use your phone to surf the Web.


News by Foxnews

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Top 100 travel destination




Cast your minds back to every holiday / vacation you have ever taken!! Is there a place that stands out from the rest? Is there a destination or specific holiday or vacation attraction that takes its place as your number 1 'Best Travel Destination'. If so, whether it be an awe inspiring historical monument, place of immense excitement, the most beautiful place you have ever experienced or simply a place that just 'did it for you', please participate in this international survey (more details at the bottom of the page) for the 'Best Travel Destination'.

Below is the international survey for the world top 100 'Best Travel Destination''s based on holiday / vacation experiences.
1, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Orlando (USA) 
2, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Sydney (Australia)
3, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Paris (France) 
4, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Venice (Italy)
5, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. London (England)
6, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Manhattan (USA)
7, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Cape Town (South Africa)
8, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Las Vegas (USA) 
9, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Rome (Italy) 
10, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Great Barrier Reef (Australia) 
11, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Maldives (Asia)
12, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. South Island (New Zealand Region)
13, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Hawaii (USA)
14, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Grand Canyon (USA)
15, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Niagara Falls (Canada)
16, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. San Francisco (USA) 
17, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Rio De Janeiro (Brazil)
18, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Los Angeles (USA)
19, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Dubai (UAE) 
20, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) 
21, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Singapore (Asia)
22, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Seychelles (Africa)
23, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Auckland (New Zealand)
24, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Bali (Indonesia)
25, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Durban (South Africa)
26, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Bangkok (Thailand) 
27, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Whitsundays (Australia)
28, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Iceland (Europe)
29, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Costa Del Sol (Spain) 
30, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Cairns (Australia)
31, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Antigua & Barbuda (Caribbean)
32, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Melbourne (Australia)
33, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Mallorca (Spain)
34, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Giza (Egypt) 
35, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Lake District (England)
36, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Barbados (Caribbean) 
37, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Abu Simbel (Egypt) 
38, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Bahamas (Caribbean) 
39, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt)
40, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. New York (USA)
41, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Madrid (Spain)
42, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Zermatt (Switzerland)
43, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Algarve (Portugal) 
44, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) 
45, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Marbella (Spain)
46, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Bora Bora (French Polynesia) 
47, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Chich�n Itz� (Mexico)
48, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Masai Mara (Kenya) 
49, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Florence (Italy) 
50, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Disney World (Florida, USA) 
51, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Puerto Banus (Spain)
52, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Toronto (Canada)
53, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Great Wall (China)
54, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Agra (India)
55, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Edinburgh (Scotland)
56, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Menorca (Spain)
57, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Luxor (Egypt)
58, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Monaco (Europe)
59, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Hong Kong (China)
60, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Banff (Canada)
61, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Sorrento (Italy)
62, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Key West (USA)
63, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Canc�n (Mexico)
64, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Koh Samui (Thailand)
65, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Nice (France)
66, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Machu Picchu (Peru)
67, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Yosemite National Park (USA)
68, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Oahu (USA)
69, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Florida Keys (USA)
70, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Guam (Pacific Islands)
71, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Dublin (Ireland)
72, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Vancouver (Canada)
73, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Cumbria (England)
74, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. La Digue (Seychelles)
75, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Ayers Rock (Australia)
76, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Cayman Islands (Caribbean)
77, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Amritsar (India)
78, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. St Pete Beach (USA)
79, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Ibiza (Spain)
80, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Adelaide (Australia)
81, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Benidorm (Costa Blanca, Spain)
82, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Airlie Beach (Australia)
83, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Prague (Czech Republic)
84, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Aberdare National Park (Kenya)
85, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Cuba (Caribbean)
86, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Paphos (Cyprus)
87, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Valley of the Kings (Egypt)
88, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
89, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Isle of Man (Europe)
90, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Chamonix (France)
91, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Cannes (France)
92, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Courchevel (France)
93, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Berlin (Germany)
94, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Corfu (Greece)
95, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Wroclaw (Poland)
96, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Iguassu Falls (Argentina/Brazil)
97, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Malta (Malta)
98, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Playa Del Carmen (Mexico)
99, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Amsterdam (Netherlands)
100, Visit Travel Guide for this destination. Miami Beach (USA)