More tips and tricks to finding available hotel rooms:
* Get referred to a competitor
As the sold-out hotels for alternatives. Call the direct hotel number for the hotel and simply ask if they could recommend another nearby hotel that might have vacancies.
Chances are good that they will suggest a comparable hotel, and might even know which of those hotels have rooms. After all, if there's a convention or something in town, you can probably bet that your call is not the first of its kind that they've received.
It makes sense for them to help you. They can't make money off of you on this trip anyway, so why not invest in a little no-cost goodwill that could leave a positive
impression for the next time you blow through town?
DEFINE 'SHORT DRIVE'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Call the local experts
Sometimes, calling the local chamber of commerce or tourist bureau ends up being your salvation. They have an overview of the local situation, and it's in their interest to make sure all visitors have a pleasant stay, spend lots of money, and come back again.
Other times, the call is useless. It all really depends on the quality of the local business organizations. I would definitely say it's worth a shot.
* Look past words that end with "otel"
If all the hotels and motels on the booking engines seem to be sold out, but you may want to try finding a room in a bed & breakfast, a hostel, a campground or a small, independent hotel that isn't found on the big sites.
* Language matters
When looking for rooms in tight markets, don't let desperation blind you to red flags.
Look and listen for key phrases that could tip you off to a clone of the Bates Motel or, more likely, a place that is waaay to far from where you want to be.
Hewitt, the Independent Traveler columnist describes them as phrases that "Sound a lot like a pilot on a delayed plane soft-peddling your time on the tarmac."
Tip-off phrases include: "Just a few minutes from", "A short drive to", "A quick ride by car or train". Watch also for "slash" locations. You know, like the Orlando/Miami area.
If they are using vague language to describe proximity to attractions, there's a good chance it is farther than you'd like. ALWAYS use Mapquest before you book.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
No room at the inn?
Have you tried calling around only to find everything booked solid? Try these travel tips:
* Call direct
Calling a hotel directly, rather than using the chain's main number, might get you a room at the last minute or during peak travel times.
National reservations desks often have a cap on the number of rooms they can fill at any given hotel, with the rest left to the specific hotel staff. Those working at the front desk have a better sense of the hotel's capacity and will be more likely to check for cancellations or no-shows.
They can also often offer you better rates than you'll find online, and you can make specific requests such as a nice view, a cot or crib.
* Check the consolidators
Third-party consolidators such as Priceline.com, Expedia.com or CheapTickets.com are basically wholesalers often commit far in advance to buying a block of hotel rooms at a set price that they mark-up and re-sell later. Because of that, they are not only a good place to find discounted rooms, but a great place to look when you're having trouble finding a hotel room during a busy period.
Even if a hotel in Orlando has a "no vacancy" sign on it, a consolidator may well have a room available.
* Ask the attraction
If you are traveling for a meeting, or to go to a local attraction, one of the best calls you can make is to the organization or attraction itself.
It's probably not the first time their preferred or partner hotels have been sold out, and they may be able to tell you "unpublished" alternatives. I find that sob stories often work, especially if they're genuine, filled with detail, and presented with desperation - not anger - in your voice.
* Call direct
Calling a hotel directly, rather than using the chain's main number, might get you a room at the last minute or during peak travel times.
National reservations desks often have a cap on the number of rooms they can fill at any given hotel, with the rest left to the specific hotel staff. Those working at the front desk have a better sense of the hotel's capacity and will be more likely to check for cancellations or no-shows.
They can also often offer you better rates than you'll find online, and you can make specific requests such as a nice view, a cot or crib.
* Check the consolidators
Third-party consolidators such as Priceline.com, Expedia.com or CheapTickets.com are basically wholesalers often commit far in advance to buying a block of hotel rooms at a set price that they mark-up and re-sell later. Because of that, they are not only a good place to find discounted rooms, but a great place to look when you're having trouble finding a hotel room during a busy period.
Even if a hotel in Orlando has a "no vacancy" sign on it, a consolidator may well have a room available.
* Ask the attraction
If you are traveling for a meeting, or to go to a local attraction, one of the best calls you can make is to the organization or attraction itself.
It's probably not the first time their preferred or partner hotels have been sold out, and they may be able to tell you "unpublished" alternatives. I find that sob stories often work, especially if they're genuine, filled with detail, and presented with desperation - not anger - in your voice.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Find out the driving conditions in a city you're visiting
Here are a couple of other user-generated Websites that could be of
interest to travelers. Check them out:
* Platewire.com
This site lets people tattle on potentially dangerous drivers by posting the offenders’ license plates along with a detailed description of his or her offensive behavior.
Somebody cut you off? Were you tailgated by a tractor trailer? Stuck behind a 100-year-old Buick driver going 25 mph on a 55 mph, one-lane road?
Don’t give in to road rage. Get even.
Since its founding last year, Platewire has posted more than 37,000 license plates attached to vehicles that somehow ticked off other drivers. The postings list the date, time and location of the various outrages, which occurred on roads, streets and highways across the country.
Mark Buckman, a software developer, launched the site last year after a 17-mile commute from his job in Arlington, Va. to his home in Fairfax, during which he was almost involved in five separate collisions caused by other drivers. The hazards included a guy who was driving with his knee while rummaging in the back seat of the car and an elderly man who made a right hand turn from the far left lane of the
highway.
"PlateWire intends to grow large enough to become a real deterrent to unsafe driving habits," Buckman writes on his site. "My goal is to bring awareness to bad drivers so they become aware of the dangers associated with the aggressive driving they have become accustomed to. So join in, vent your rage, and let us all do our part to make the roads safer."
* Caughtya.org
It's raining. The parking lot is nearly empty. You're only dashing in for a minute.
If you, an able-bodied driver, park in a handicapped space - just for a few minutes - who's going to know?
Maybe everyone.
Caughtya.org posts photos (Usually cell phone shots ), license plate numbers and other information about vehicles parking in spots legally reserved for people with
disabilities.
One of the featured entries this week was a police car parked in front of a handicapped parking sign in Coolidge, Arizona. Another shows a blue Pontiac Sunbird parked diagonally across a disabled parking space in front of a Borders bookstore in Crystal Lake, Ill.
The site also includes windshield notices that you can print out and stick under the wiper of cars illegally parked in handicapped spaces.
interest to travelers. Check them out:
* Platewire.com
This site lets people tattle on potentially dangerous drivers by posting the offenders’ license plates along with a detailed description of his or her offensive behavior.
Somebody cut you off? Were you tailgated by a tractor trailer? Stuck behind a 100-year-old Buick driver going 25 mph on a 55 mph, one-lane road?
Don’t give in to road rage. Get even.
Since its founding last year, Platewire has posted more than 37,000 license plates attached to vehicles that somehow ticked off other drivers. The postings list the date, time and location of the various outrages, which occurred on roads, streets and highways across the country.
Mark Buckman, a software developer, launched the site last year after a 17-mile commute from his job in Arlington, Va. to his home in Fairfax, during which he was almost involved in five separate collisions caused by other drivers. The hazards included a guy who was driving with his knee while rummaging in the back seat of the car and an elderly man who made a right hand turn from the far left lane of the
highway.
"PlateWire intends to grow large enough to become a real deterrent to unsafe driving habits," Buckman writes on his site. "My goal is to bring awareness to bad drivers so they become aware of the dangers associated with the aggressive driving they have become accustomed to. So join in, vent your rage, and let us all do our part to make the roads safer."
* Caughtya.org
It's raining. The parking lot is nearly empty. You're only dashing in for a minute.
If you, an able-bodied driver, park in a handicapped space - just for a few minutes - who's going to know?
Maybe everyone.
Caughtya.org posts photos (Usually cell phone shots ), license plate numbers and other information about vehicles parking in spots legally reserved for people with
disabilities.
One of the featured entries this week was a police car parked in front of a handicapped parking sign in Coolidge, Arizona. Another shows a blue Pontiac Sunbird parked diagonally across a disabled parking space in front of a Borders bookstore in Crystal Lake, Ill.
The site also includes windshield notices that you can print out and stick under the wiper of cars illegally parked in handicapped spaces.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Car rental tips Part 3
Here is the last of a series on car rental tips:
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
* Consider waiting a day
If the only use you plan to make of a car on your first day
at a location is to drive to the hotel and sleep, why not
take a shuttle or a cab to the hotel, and rent a car the
next morning? It could save you the cost of a full-day's
rental.
Also, car rental prices tend to drop the further you get
from an airport and the agencies' captive customer base.
* Explore cyberspace
Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and best way to
compare many rental car rates.
Hit the websites of all the major agencies. You should also
check out a couple of the brand-name consolidators like
Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com) or Expedia
(http://www.expedia.com). They may have special deals not
available to solitary keyboard punchers or clue you in to
companies that you hadn't thought of.
Remember, rental rates can vary between agencies serving
the same market. There can even be striking differences
between different locations of the same rental agency in
the same city, especially if one of its sites is at an
airport.
While you're at it, if you are planning to buy extra items
such as a damage waiver or insurance, you should also
comparison shop those rates.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
* Consider waiting a day
If the only use you plan to make of a car on your first day
at a location is to drive to the hotel and sleep, why not
take a shuttle or a cab to the hotel, and rent a car the
next morning? It could save you the cost of a full-day's
rental.
Also, car rental prices tend to drop the further you get
from an airport and the agencies' captive customer base.
* Explore cyberspace
Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and best way to
compare many rental car rates.
Hit the websites of all the major agencies. You should also
check out a couple of the brand-name consolidators like
Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com) or Expedia
(http://www.expedia.com). They may have special deals not
available to solitary keyboard punchers or clue you in to
companies that you hadn't thought of.
Remember, rental rates can vary between agencies serving
the same market. There can even be striking differences
between different locations of the same rental agency in
the same city, especially if one of its sites is at an
airport.
While you're at it, if you are planning to buy extra items
such as a damage waiver or insurance, you should also
comparison shop those rates.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Car rental tips Part 2
Here are some more car rental tips:
CLUBS, COUPONS AND CONTRACTS
* Exploit your memberships
OK, if you're the grand wizard of the Pittsburgh chapter of
the Loyal Order of Raccoons, it may not mean much at the
rental desk.
But if you've got a AAA membership, you'll get a discount.
So will folks embraced by the AARP.
Many organizations, companies, credit unions, etc., have
arrangements with car rental agencies to offer special
discounts to their members. You may be eligible for a 5 to
15 percent discount and not be aware of it.
The same holds true for the holders of some credit cards.
You also want to look into joining one of the preferred
customer programs offered by the big rental agencies.
Membership, usually doesn't cost much, and it can often give
you deals on out-of-budget upgrades. The head-of-the-line
express treatment alone may be worth it for frequent
travelers.
* Clip coupons
I long ago stopped feeling embarrassed about handing desk
clerks coupons. Hey, a buck's a buck.
Just make sure that you read any coupon you plan to use
carefully for conditions and exceptions. And do it ahead of
time. If you think it's a little embarrassing to pull out a
coupon at the rental desk, imagine how you'll feel if you
find out that coupon isn't valid and you've got to drop down
a model.
Most upgrade coupons are "based on availability", so if you
plan to use an upgrade coupon and also have a coupon that
saves on the rental price, bring them both. If they can’t
honor the upgrade, they may still give you the price
discount.
Also, if you're going to use a coupon or any other kind of
discount, remember to mention it at the time you book your
reservation.
* Beware hidden charges
Taxes, airport charges, drop fees and insurance are just a
few of the things that can drastically increase the price of
your rental car. Surcharges can to tack on as much as 30
percent to the base price.
Make sure you grill the company on hidden costs so you know
what your paying for before you hit the road.
Many companies now post a copy of their rental agreement
online. That gives you a chance to comb through the fine
print without a long line of increasingly agitated travelers
tapping their toes behind you.
Be especially aware of taxes. They are a great target for
revenue-hungry local politicians because most renters don't
vote where they pay to borrow a car.
Sometimes these taxes manifest themselves under the heading
of 'airport fees'. In some cities, this cost can be so high
that it may be beneficial to take a bus or a cab into town
to rent from a local agency that local politicians aren't so
quick to tax. Once again, it comes down to spending some
time in front of your computer screen, doing research.
CLUBS, COUPONS AND CONTRACTS
* Exploit your memberships
OK, if you're the grand wizard of the Pittsburgh chapter of
the Loyal Order of Raccoons, it may not mean much at the
rental desk.
But if you've got a AAA membership, you'll get a discount.
So will folks embraced by the AARP.
Many organizations, companies, credit unions, etc., have
arrangements with car rental agencies to offer special
discounts to their members. You may be eligible for a 5 to
15 percent discount and not be aware of it.
The same holds true for the holders of some credit cards.
You also want to look into joining one of the preferred
customer programs offered by the big rental agencies.
Membership, usually doesn't cost much, and it can often give
you deals on out-of-budget upgrades. The head-of-the-line
express treatment alone may be worth it for frequent
travelers.
* Clip coupons
I long ago stopped feeling embarrassed about handing desk
clerks coupons. Hey, a buck's a buck.
Just make sure that you read any coupon you plan to use
carefully for conditions and exceptions. And do it ahead of
time. If you think it's a little embarrassing to pull out a
coupon at the rental desk, imagine how you'll feel if you
find out that coupon isn't valid and you've got to drop down
a model.
Most upgrade coupons are "based on availability", so if you
plan to use an upgrade coupon and also have a coupon that
saves on the rental price, bring them both. If they can’t
honor the upgrade, they may still give you the price
discount.
Also, if you're going to use a coupon or any other kind of
discount, remember to mention it at the time you book your
reservation.
* Beware hidden charges
Taxes, airport charges, drop fees and insurance are just a
few of the things that can drastically increase the price of
your rental car. Surcharges can to tack on as much as 30
percent to the base price.
Make sure you grill the company on hidden costs so you know
what your paying for before you hit the road.
Many companies now post a copy of their rental agreement
online. That gives you a chance to comb through the fine
print without a long line of increasingly agitated travelers
tapping their toes behind you.
Be especially aware of taxes. They are a great target for
revenue-hungry local politicians because most renters don't
vote where they pay to borrow a car.
Sometimes these taxes manifest themselves under the heading
of 'airport fees'. In some cities, this cost can be so high
that it may be beneficial to take a bus or a cab into town
to rent from a local agency that local politicians aren't so
quick to tax. Once again, it comes down to spending some
time in front of your computer screen, doing research.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Car rental tips
AVOIDING CAR RENTAL HEADACHES
There's a lot to think about when you rent a car.
Typically, this decision gets a lot less attention from
travelers than the airborne legs of their journey. But it
can get complicated - and expensive; especially with
gasoline selling for more than $3 a gallon at the pump.
Here are some tips:
* Fuel efficiency
It used to be that the first thing on most car renter's
lists - especially folks traveling for business on the
company's dime - was comfort. You figure out how many people
you'll have, add luggage, and look for something that would
fit everything comfortably.
Now, more travelers are willing to skimp a bit on comfort to
get more miles to the gallon. Many businesses are
scrutinizing this element of their expense accounts more
carefully, and an employee may be able to score some points
by saving his or her company some money.
Pay attention to the miles-per-gallon numbers of the rental
cars. Some rental companies don't post this info, so you
should do your research in advance. If you're going to be
driving a lot, this could save you quite a bit of money.
* Fill it yourself
Never buy gas from the car rental company. It is almost
always a bad deal.
Yes, there are drivers out there who will e-mail me to say
this option worked out for them, but successes stories are
the exception to the rule. They depend on pump prices
dropping before the rental agency bureaucracy can respond.
Lately, we haven’t had many dramatic downward shifts here.
The flip side of this is making sure you fill the car -
yourself - back to where the gauge was when you drove off
the lot. If the agency fills it, they will do so with their
more expensive gasoline, and you’re credit card charge will
be bigger than you expected.
There's a lot to think about when you rent a car.
Typically, this decision gets a lot less attention from
travelers than the airborne legs of their journey. But it
can get complicated - and expensive; especially with
gasoline selling for more than $3 a gallon at the pump.
Here are some tips:
* Fuel efficiency
It used to be that the first thing on most car renter's
lists - especially folks traveling for business on the
company's dime - was comfort. You figure out how many people
you'll have, add luggage, and look for something that would
fit everything comfortably.
Now, more travelers are willing to skimp a bit on comfort to
get more miles to the gallon. Many businesses are
scrutinizing this element of their expense accounts more
carefully, and an employee may be able to score some points
by saving his or her company some money.
Pay attention to the miles-per-gallon numbers of the rental
cars. Some rental companies don't post this info, so you
should do your research in advance. If you're going to be
driving a lot, this could save you quite a bit of money.
* Fill it yourself
Never buy gas from the car rental company. It is almost
always a bad deal.
Yes, there are drivers out there who will e-mail me to say
this option worked out for them, but successes stories are
the exception to the rule. They depend on pump prices
dropping before the rental agency bureaucracy can respond.
Lately, we haven’t had many dramatic downward shifts here.
The flip side of this is making sure you fill the car -
yourself - back to where the gauge was when you drove off
the lot. If the agency fills it, they will do so with their
more expensive gasoline, and you’re credit card charge will
be bigger than you expected.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Cruise travel tips Part 3
Book Airfare Through The Cruise Line
A big benefit of booking airfare through the cruise line is you'll be on the ship's radar if your flight is delayed or canceled. It's the cruise line's responsibility to get you on the ship one way or another. If you book your own airfare and miss the boat (and didn't purchase cancellation insurance), meeting up with the ship at the next.
Go a Day Early
"I always book clients in a hotel the night before the cruise no matter where they are sailing from, it takes the stress out of missed connections, bad weather and lost luggage," says Mary Jean Tully, chairman and CEO of Ontario-based Cruise Professionals. "Who wants to fly all the way to Barcelona and get right on the ship? It's nice to wake up in the city where the ship is sailing from, have a leisurely breakfast, relax or do a city tour."
Cruise Off-Season
You'll save a ton of money on the cruise. Up to 60% off of the cruise lines posted rate. You might have to take your chances with inclement weather. I went in August which is typically hurricane season. We were lucky, a hurricane struck the Western Caribbean the week after we left. You can plan around that by going 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after the hurricane season has started and ended.
Have Fun!
It's your vacation. Kick back, relax, and enjoy yourself. And have a umbrella drink for me!
A big benefit of booking airfare through the cruise line is you'll be on the ship's radar if your flight is delayed or canceled. It's the cruise line's responsibility to get you on the ship one way or another. If you book your own airfare and miss the boat (and didn't purchase cancellation insurance), meeting up with the ship at the next.
Go a Day Early
"I always book clients in a hotel the night before the cruise no matter where they are sailing from, it takes the stress out of missed connections, bad weather and lost luggage," says Mary Jean Tully, chairman and CEO of Ontario-based Cruise Professionals. "Who wants to fly all the way to Barcelona and get right on the ship? It's nice to wake up in the city where the ship is sailing from, have a leisurely breakfast, relax or do a city tour."
Cruise Off-Season
You'll save a ton of money on the cruise. Up to 60% off of the cruise lines posted rate. You might have to take your chances with inclement weather. I went in August which is typically hurricane season. We were lucky, a hurricane struck the Western Caribbean the week after we left. You can plan around that by going 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after the hurricane season has started and ended.
Have Fun!
It's your vacation. Kick back, relax, and enjoy yourself. And have a umbrella drink for me!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
More cruise tips
More travel tips for smooth cruising:
Select your cabin with care. Even though you spend very little time in your room, you want to relax when you're in there.
Don't get a cabin on the Promenade deck. Also avoid the floors directly below the dining areas, the pool deck, the sports deck or the gym.
Also avoid rooms with adjoining doors unless you know your neighbors.
Try to select a room in the middle of the deck and on a lower deck as close as possible to the ship's center of rotation. This helps head off sea-sickness.
Insurance runs between 5-6% of the cost of the cruise but is definitely worth it. You'll be covered if you have to cancel the cruise for medical reasons, missed flights, work commitments, cruise line bankruptcy and other issues.
Select your cabin with care. Even though you spend very little time in your room, you want to relax when you're in there.
Don't get a cabin on the Promenade deck. Also avoid the floors directly below the dining areas, the pool deck, the sports deck or the gym.
Also avoid rooms with adjoining doors unless you know your neighbors.
Try to select a room in the middle of the deck and on a lower deck as close as possible to the ship's center of rotation. This helps head off sea-sickness.
Insurance runs between 5-6% of the cost of the cruise but is definitely worth it. You'll be covered if you have to cancel the cruise for medical reasons, missed flights, work commitments, cruise line bankruptcy and other issues.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Cruise tips
Here are some travel tips concerning cruises:
Never ever pay "brochure prices". That's the price a cruise line sets when it announces a boat or a particular tour. It's always negotiable. You should always aim to pay at least 40% less than brochure rate. Look on various websites, talk to travel agents or tour consolidators.
Choose your port carefully. Do you want to travel out of New Orleans, Galveston Tx, San Juan PR, or one of the Florida ports.
Choose your itinerary carefully. The cruise I really want to go on leaves out of San Juan PR. The cruise is a little less expensive than similar cruises, but the fact that you have to fly to PR negates those savings. In effect, it makes those cruises even more expensive.
Choose your travel partners wisely. I can't emphasize this enough. The wrong travel companions can ruin your vacation. Believe me, I know from personal experience.
More to come
Never ever pay "brochure prices". That's the price a cruise line sets when it announces a boat or a particular tour. It's always negotiable. You should always aim to pay at least 40% less than brochure rate. Look on various websites, talk to travel agents or tour consolidators.
Choose your port carefully. Do you want to travel out of New Orleans, Galveston Tx, San Juan PR, or one of the Florida ports.
Choose your itinerary carefully. The cruise I really want to go on leaves out of San Juan PR. The cruise is a little less expensive than similar cruises, but the fact that you have to fly to PR negates those savings. In effect, it makes those cruises even more expensive.
Choose your travel partners wisely. I can't emphasize this enough. The wrong travel companions can ruin your vacation. Believe me, I know from personal experience.
More to come
Monday, August 20, 2007
I just got back from my cruise
I was gone for 9 days. I had planned on updating this blog last week, but I didn't touch a computer on vacation. That had it's good and bad points.
The good was that I relaxed a lot. The bad was that I missed some of the sites that I visit constantly. I couldn't keep up with sports scores or travel updates. Travel information is important because I'm already looking to next years vacation. It will either be Cancun or Jamaica.
My next couple of posts will be cruise tips. Just some things I learned in general. I plan on going back to 2 posts per month. Every other Saturday. Maybe more, hopefully not less.
The good was that I relaxed a lot. The bad was that I missed some of the sites that I visit constantly. I couldn't keep up with sports scores or travel updates. Travel information is important because I'm already looking to next years vacation. It will either be Cancun or Jamaica.
My next couple of posts will be cruise tips. Just some things I learned in general. I plan on going back to 2 posts per month. Every other Saturday. Maybe more, hopefully not less.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Children Travelling Alone Part 3
This is the last part in a series on children travelling alone:
* Make sure the adult meeting your child at his or her
destination is carrying photo identification.
* Pack some snacks for the child: chips, sandwiches, trail
mix or other finger foods like grapes or berries.
* Put together a travel pack for young children to keep them
entertained while in-flight. It should include books,
drawing materials, small games or puzzles - whatever keeps
them busy.
* Give your child a little cash to cover incidental expenses
and phone calls in the event of an emergency.
* In addition to being sure your child knows how to place a
collect call, you may want to give him or her a calling card
before she travels, as well as a list of numbers to call if
necessary. I also firmly believe in having the child carry a
cell phone. Just make sure he or she is crystal clear about
the rules against using it during the flight.
* Just because a 5-year-old is permitted to fly solo, does
not mean that your child will be able to handle flying
alone, especially if the kid hasn't flown before. Parents
should use common sense and make a decision based on if they
feel the child is mature enough to handle it.
* Make sure the adult meeting your child at his or her
destination is carrying photo identification.
* Pack some snacks for the child: chips, sandwiches, trail
mix or other finger foods like grapes or berries.
* Put together a travel pack for young children to keep them
entertained while in-flight. It should include books,
drawing materials, small games or puzzles - whatever keeps
them busy.
* Give your child a little cash to cover incidental expenses
and phone calls in the event of an emergency.
* In addition to being sure your child knows how to place a
collect call, you may want to give him or her a calling card
before she travels, as well as a list of numbers to call if
necessary. I also firmly believe in having the child carry a
cell phone. Just make sure he or she is crystal clear about
the rules against using it during the flight.
* Just because a 5-year-old is permitted to fly solo, does
not mean that your child will be able to handle flying
alone, especially if the kid hasn't flown before. Parents
should use common sense and make a decision based on if they
feel the child is mature enough to handle it.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
More tips for children travelling alone
More travel tips for parents with childred flying alone to keep in mind:
There are lots of very good reasons why parents might want to put kids who still haven’t mastered shoelace tying on a plane all by themselves.
Divorced parents, or families geographically separated by one parent’s career, need to send children for visits; sometimes under court order. Kids often vacation with their grandparents or travel to spend time with aunts or uncles who live far away.
And summer camp season is almost here. But before you pack your kid’s Sponge Bob Squarepants suitcase and brief him on using an airplane restroom, there are some potential wrinkles you need to consider: Although the minimum age is 5, airlines require that children be at least 7 - usually 8 - before they can go solo on anything but a direct flight. If a kid’s itinerary includes a connecting flight, they MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Some airlines don‘t allow children to fly solo on flights with connections until they are considerably older. US Airways won’t let them negotiate tricky flights alone until they are 15. Southwest sets the minimum bar at 11.
All airlines have “mandatory unaccompanied minor service” for kids under a certain age. This means airline personnel will help the child make his or her connecting flights and personally get them on and off the plane and escort them off to whoever is meeting them at the final stop. That service comes with a fee, usually somewhere between $40 and $99.
The price varies greatly from airline to airline, and depends on whether it’s a nonstop or connecting flight. Some airlines charge only one fee, even if two or three kids are traveling together. Keep an eye out for this, and figure it into the equation when selecting flights.
The ceiling age for mandatory minor service also varies from airline to airline. It can be as young as 12 (AirTran, ATA, Southwest and United) or as old as 15 (American, Continental and most other major carriers). Again, you need to ask. Many carriers offer optional minor service for youths as old as 17.
Anyone under the age of 17 who is flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or responsible adult giving permission, destination and length of stay.
Minors must be met at the destination by another parent or responsible adult. Even if your 11-year old is used to riding buses or catching cabs, he or she won’t be allowed to do it on their own.
There are lots of very good reasons why parents might want to put kids who still haven’t mastered shoelace tying on a plane all by themselves.
Divorced parents, or families geographically separated by one parent’s career, need to send children for visits; sometimes under court order. Kids often vacation with their grandparents or travel to spend time with aunts or uncles who live far away.
And summer camp season is almost here. But before you pack your kid’s Sponge Bob Squarepants suitcase and brief him on using an airplane restroom, there are some potential wrinkles you need to consider: Although the minimum age is 5, airlines require that children be at least 7 - usually 8 - before they can go solo on anything but a direct flight. If a kid’s itinerary includes a connecting flight, they MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Some airlines don‘t allow children to fly solo on flights with connections until they are considerably older. US Airways won’t let them negotiate tricky flights alone until they are 15. Southwest sets the minimum bar at 11.
All airlines have “mandatory unaccompanied minor service” for kids under a certain age. This means airline personnel will help the child make his or her connecting flights and personally get them on and off the plane and escort them off to whoever is meeting them at the final stop. That service comes with a fee, usually somewhere between $40 and $99.
The price varies greatly from airline to airline, and depends on whether it’s a nonstop or connecting flight. Some airlines charge only one fee, even if two or three kids are traveling together. Keep an eye out for this, and figure it into the equation when selecting flights.
The ceiling age for mandatory minor service also varies from airline to airline. It can be as young as 12 (AirTran, ATA, Southwest and United) or as old as 15 (American, Continental and most other major carriers). Again, you need to ask. Many carriers offer optional minor service for youths as old as 17.
Anyone under the age of 17 who is flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or responsible adult giving permission, destination and length of stay.
Minors must be met at the destination by another parent or responsible adult. Even if your 11-year old is used to riding buses or catching cabs, he or she won’t be allowed to do it on their own.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Tips for children flying alone
Here are some travel tips for children flying alone:
* Never wait until you have reached the airport to inform
the airline that you have a minor traveling unaccompanied.
Always provide this information to customer service over the
phone, and have them inform you of all your options, all
fees involved, and so forth.
* If you can help it, buy your children nonstop tickets
only. If a change of planes is necessary, use a small, less
intimidating airport for the transfer, if possible.
* When you send your child, make sure that he or she is
traveling with emergency information. It should include
instructions on how to handle flight delays or
cancellations, emergency contacts and a means to pay for
necessities, such as overnight accommodation.
* Familiarize your child with the plane ticket and have him
or her keep it in a safe place. Upon departure, the child
will need to retain the ticket for the return flight or as a
receipt. Use e-tickets whenever possible, so the information
will be stored in the airline's computers in case of
emergency.
* Try to book a morning flight. If it is delayed or
canceled, you have the rest of the day to make alternate
plans. Some airlines won’t even allow children to fly alone
on the later flights in the day.
* Small children may have trouble with checked baggage. If
it can be avoided, don't send them with excess luggage. If
not, when checking luggage, make sure to check the stubs
yourself, to be sure that the luggage claim ticket and
luggage tag match your child's final destination.
* Get to the airport early to ease check-in and get children
accustomed to their surroundings. If possible, show them
where help desks are located, and get them to recognize
uniformed employees.
* Give your child a picture of the
person meeting him or her. The photo should have the
person’s full name, address and phone number written on the
back. You will need to provide this information to the
airline as well.
* Never wait until you have reached the airport to inform
the airline that you have a minor traveling unaccompanied.
Always provide this information to customer service over the
phone, and have them inform you of all your options, all
fees involved, and so forth.
* If you can help it, buy your children nonstop tickets
only. If a change of planes is necessary, use a small, less
intimidating airport for the transfer, if possible.
* When you send your child, make sure that he or she is
traveling with emergency information. It should include
instructions on how to handle flight delays or
cancellations, emergency contacts and a means to pay for
necessities, such as overnight accommodation.
* Familiarize your child with the plane ticket and have him
or her keep it in a safe place. Upon departure, the child
will need to retain the ticket for the return flight or as a
receipt. Use e-tickets whenever possible, so the information
will be stored in the airline's computers in case of
emergency.
* Try to book a morning flight. If it is delayed or
canceled, you have the rest of the day to make alternate
plans. Some airlines won’t even allow children to fly alone
on the later flights in the day.
* Small children may have trouble with checked baggage. If
it can be avoided, don't send them with excess luggage. If
not, when checking luggage, make sure to check the stubs
yourself, to be sure that the luggage claim ticket and
luggage tag match your child's final destination.
* Get to the airport early to ease check-in and get children
accustomed to their surroundings. If possible, show them
where help desks are located, and get them to recognize
uniformed employees.
* Give your child a picture of the
person meeting him or her. The photo should have the
person’s full name, address and phone number written on the
back. You will need to provide this information to the
airline as well.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Don't let your frequent flyer points expire
Make sure you know the rules for each plan that you participate in. Especially since airlines like to change their rules with little notice. I belong to US Airways and their plan requires a deposit once every 36 months. However, AA requires a deposit at least once a year.
The same with hotel loyalty programs. The Hilton HHonors program requires a deposit at least once every 9 months. The best part about their program is that you can earn points for staying in their family of hotels or from online rewards sites.
I have a free airline ticket but I don't think I'll ever accumulate enough points for a hotel stay.
The same with hotel loyalty programs. The Hilton HHonors program requires a deposit at least once every 9 months. The best part about their program is that you can earn points for staying in their family of hotels or from online rewards sites.
I have a free airline ticket but I don't think I'll ever accumulate enough points for a hotel stay.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
10 tips for travelling abroad
Here are 10 travel tips to keep in mind when embarking on an overseas vacation.
1. Make sure you have a valid passport, and if needed visa. Know the requirements of the country you are visiting. Some countries require that your passport be valid for 6 months beyond your date of travel.
2. Make 2 copies of your passport before you go. Leave one copy at home with relatives or a friend. If your passport is lost or stolen, this will make it easier to get a new one. Take the other copy with you and carry it separate from your passport.
3. Read any travel warnings or announcements for any countries that you plan on visiting.
4. Know the laws and customs of any country you will be visiting. You will be subject to their laws during your stay.
5. Leave a copy of your itinerary at home with friends or family. In the case of an emergency, someone will be able to contact you.
6. Do not leave your luggage unattended or accept packages from strangers.
7. To avoid being a victim of a crime, do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards. Leave your good jewelry at home.
8. When exchanging money or purchasing art and/or antiques, only deal with authorized agents. You don't want to unknowingly violate any local laws.
9. Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate prior to your departure.
10. If you run into any trouble, contact the nearest U.S. embassy.
1. Make sure you have a valid passport, and if needed visa. Know the requirements of the country you are visiting. Some countries require that your passport be valid for 6 months beyond your date of travel.
2. Make 2 copies of your passport before you go. Leave one copy at home with relatives or a friend. If your passport is lost or stolen, this will make it easier to get a new one. Take the other copy with you and carry it separate from your passport.
3. Read any travel warnings or announcements for any countries that you plan on visiting.
4. Know the laws and customs of any country you will be visiting. You will be subject to their laws during your stay.
5. Leave a copy of your itinerary at home with friends or family. In the case of an emergency, someone will be able to contact you.
6. Do not leave your luggage unattended or accept packages from strangers.
7. To avoid being a victim of a crime, do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards. Leave your good jewelry at home.
8. When exchanging money or purchasing art and/or antiques, only deal with authorized agents. You don't want to unknowingly violate any local laws.
9. Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate prior to your departure.
10. If you run into any trouble, contact the nearest U.S. embassy.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Tips to keep your baggage safe
Travel tips to keeping your baggage safe:
1. Do not pack your expensive or irreplaceable items in packed baggage. Things like expensive jewelry, eyeglasses or medication. Although it's great to assume that all screeners are honest, in the real world that's not a reality. If you need to take these items along, pack them in your carry on bags.
2. Put tags on your bags and make sure they're up to date. Most people fill the tags out then forget about them. When their bags are lost, airport personnel find that the owner hasn't lived at the address listed for years.
3. Pack additional identification and even a copy of your itinerary inside your luggage. If your bag is lost, the airline can decide whether it should be mailed to your home or travel destination.
4. Put your name on everything. If anything gets lost or left on a plane, it's easier for you to make your claim with the airline if your item is easily identifiable.
5. Check all zippers and locks on your luggage. They may have broken or become worn since the last time you used them.
6. Keep an inventory of everything in your bags.
7. Make sure the airline places the correct destination tags on your bag. You don't want to go to Philadelphia PA and have your bags go to Philadelphia MS.
8. Once on the plane, remember where you stow your bags. If you stow your items in row 20 and you're seated in row 16, you could easily jump up and forget your items.
9. If your luggage is not on the luggage carousel, find the baggage agent on duty. Your baggage may have arrived before you did and is locked up in the agent's area. This can happen if your luggage is loaded onto a non-stop flight while your flight has a stopover.
10. Tie a string or bandanna to your luggage to help it stand out. Most luggage looks exactly alike, this helps you identify your luggage more quickly.
1. Do not pack your expensive or irreplaceable items in packed baggage. Things like expensive jewelry, eyeglasses or medication. Although it's great to assume that all screeners are honest, in the real world that's not a reality. If you need to take these items along, pack them in your carry on bags.
2. Put tags on your bags and make sure they're up to date. Most people fill the tags out then forget about them. When their bags are lost, airport personnel find that the owner hasn't lived at the address listed for years.
3. Pack additional identification and even a copy of your itinerary inside your luggage. If your bag is lost, the airline can decide whether it should be mailed to your home or travel destination.
4. Put your name on everything. If anything gets lost or left on a plane, it's easier for you to make your claim with the airline if your item is easily identifiable.
5. Check all zippers and locks on your luggage. They may have broken or become worn since the last time you used them.
6. Keep an inventory of everything in your bags.
7. Make sure the airline places the correct destination tags on your bag. You don't want to go to Philadelphia PA and have your bags go to Philadelphia MS.
8. Once on the plane, remember where you stow your bags. If you stow your items in row 20 and you're seated in row 16, you could easily jump up and forget your items.
9. If your luggage is not on the luggage carousel, find the baggage agent on duty. Your baggage may have arrived before you did and is locked up in the agent's area. This can happen if your luggage is loaded onto a non-stop flight while your flight has a stopover.
10. Tie a string or bandanna to your luggage to help it stand out. Most luggage looks exactly alike, this helps you identify your luggage more quickly.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Tips to help get you through airport security
Here are some travel tips to get you through airport security.
From the tsa.gov website:
Certain clothing and accessories can set off an alarm on the metal detector and slow you down. Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal when traveling through the security checkpoints:
Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties)
Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
Belt buckles
Under-wire bras
Hidden items such as body piercings may result in your being directed to additional screening for a pat-down inspection. If selected for additional screening, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
Take metal items such as keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs) out of your pockets.
Place heavy jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage or in plastic bags if they are offered, until you clear security.
Pack all your coats and jackets in your baggage when possible. All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. These include, but are not limited to, trench coats, heavy winter coats, suit jackets, sport coats and blazers. If you choose to wear an outer coat or jacket to the checkpoint, you will need to either place it in your carry-on or put it in the bin that is provided for you.
Also keep in mind that you are required to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector. All types of footwear must be placed on the X-ray machine to be screened. If you do not comply with Security Officers, you will not be allowed to board your flight.
From the tsa.gov website:
Certain clothing and accessories can set off an alarm on the metal detector and slow you down. Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal when traveling through the security checkpoints:
Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties)
Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
Belt buckles
Under-wire bras
Hidden items such as body piercings may result in your being directed to additional screening for a pat-down inspection. If selected for additional screening, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
Take metal items such as keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs) out of your pockets.
Place heavy jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage or in plastic bags if they are offered, until you clear security.
Pack all your coats and jackets in your baggage when possible. All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. These include, but are not limited to, trench coats, heavy winter coats, suit jackets, sport coats and blazers. If you choose to wear an outer coat or jacket to the checkpoint, you will need to either place it in your carry-on or put it in the bin that is provided for you.
Also keep in mind that you are required to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector. All types of footwear must be placed on the X-ray machine to be screened. If you do not comply with Security Officers, you will not be allowed to board your flight.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
More time share tips from an expert
These travel tips are courtesy of Gopher Central. You can subscribe to all of their newsletters here.
Just 40 minutes of your vacation.
That's the pitch many time-share sales people make when
offering you a shiny bag of hotel and restaurant discounts
in exchange for touring one of their model condominium
units.
It is, in fact, possible to get through the obligation in
fewer than 40 minutes.
But it will feel like four days.
This week's edition includes:
* ANATOMY OF A TIME-SHARE PITCH
* PUKE PRICE AND NOSEBLEED DROP
* SALES TALK SURVIVAL TIPS
P.S. If you're interested you can now post comments on this
and recent issues on our forum at...
Travel Tips Forum
============================================================
ANATOMY OF A TIME-SHARE PITCH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several years ago, I got a few deeply discounted days at a
Florida resort, as well as a coupon to a cheesy dinner show,
just by agreeing to tour a time-share property. The vacation
was great, but the tour was excruciating.
Imagine chaining yourself to one of those highly competitive
cell phone kiosks at the mall. Now imagine that the
aggressive salesperson just needs one more sale to get his
wife's engagement ring out of the pawn shop.
My wife compared it to being on a date with a hormone-filled
teenager who keeps interpreting "no" as "maybe."
So a recent "confessions" article in Frommer's Budget Travel
magazine by a former time-share salesperson touched a nerve.
Lisa Ann Schreier sold time shares in Orlando for six years,
and described the multi-staged selling approach and scripted
pitch common to most time-share retailers.
It was all so familiar. If you do agree to bite on one of
those discounts-for-sales-tour offers, here's what you can
expect when you show up, based loosely on Schreier's
insight:
1) The greeting.
A smiling salesperson will introduce themselves, ask you how
your trip's been so far, and assure you that this won't take
much time at all.
Depending on the salesperson, you may be put immediately at
ease or suddenly feel a cold centipede scurrying up and down
your back. There seems to be a wide range of personalities
and approaches among timeshare sellers.
If you've got one of the disarming, personable ones, be on
guard. They may very well be nice people, but they've got a
job to do. And that job is to sell you something you
probably don't want and might not be able to afford.
If you've got the kind with a forced smile, oily personality
and Ratso Rizzo demeanor, then the waiting is over. The
uncomfortable part of your tour has just begun.
2) The intent
This is where you hear about what's going to happen during
the presentation. Frequently, you are asked to watch a brief
video filled with exotic vacation spots, tours of beautiful
condominiums, testimonials from gushing new owners and
charts that make time share purchases seem like a great
deal.
The salesperson then takes you on the tour of their best
units, highlighting all the nearby vacation and resort
amenities and dropping anecdotes about satisfied customers.
He or she will ask about your family, and point out features
- a swimming pool for the kids, a balcony for grandma's
afternoon highball - that get you to picture yourself as a
proud and happy owner.
============================================================
PUKE PRICE AND NOSEBLEED DROP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3) The warm up
This phase, if done properly by the salesperson, should feel
like a casual conversation. It's where they talk about the
terminology used in time-share world and discuss your
family's vacation needs.
Usually, they talk about traveling for vacation as though
it's a 'must have', like groceries or your utility bill,
that should be built into the family budget. They'll define
a vacation "problem" you didn't know you had, then offer a
solution. That solution will be buying a time share.
4) The puke price
The salesperson will show you a price sheet. Usually, the
numbers are intentionally high, the so-called "puke price"
because it tends to make clients feel sick.
Few people actually jump at this offer. The time-share folks
expect this. They're just setting everybody else up for the
final phase.
5) The deal
At this point, a "manager" will come in to take over. He or
she will then quietly offer you a "special" deal that most
people never get. You either got there just as the new price
became available, or you've got such a nice family that
they’d hate to see you leave without buying them a yearly
vacation. If they sense it's what you want to hear, it might
be offered just because you're such a tough negotiator.
Then comes "the nosebleed drop". This is a new price,
significantly lower than the first.
6) The twisting
This is where the pitch gets hard.
They'll try to demonstrate that, given your budget, you CAN
afford it. They'll stress that the nosebleed package is
one-of-a-kind and can't be offered again once you leave the
room. They'll use your kids or your elderly parents to guilt
you into signing a contract.
My wife and I ended up walking out at this stage. You should
feel free to do so too.
Schreier, in her article, says that she sincerely believes
that, for the right people, buying a time share is a
legitimate alternative to paying for hotel rooms year after
year.
She's probably right. I've met a couple of timeshare owners
who were happy with their decision.
But I've met more who regret it.
============================================================
SALES TALK SURVIVAL TIPS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What should you be on the lookout for? There are a lot of
things to consider when pondering a timeshare buy. A good,
basic checklist is offered by Audri and Jim Lanford of
Scambusters.Org:
1. Don't ever, ever buy (or sell) "on the spot." Sleep on
it, and take the time to evaluate whether the deal is a good
one.
2. If you are offered a prize as an incentive, read the
"fine print" on the prize, and DON'T PAY for anything.
3. Read the contract and have it reviewed by an attorney. If
the sales person promised you something that's not in the
contract, don't sign the contract!
4. If the presentation is too high pressure, leave. You have
every right to leave when you want. Simply stand up and
politely say 'thank you very much but we're leaving now.'
Then go - don't let them argue with you.
5. Ask for references. And then call those references. Ask
for folks who have been happy and folks who have been
unhappy. They'll probably at least give you the happy ones.
If they can't come up with those, you're in trouble.
6. Don't ever call a 1-900 number to book a trip - it's very
likely a scam.
7. Consider a timeshare the same way you'd
consider any other real estate investment. Do research and
educate yourself on the market and the value.
Considering how weak the resale market is for timeshares,
don't ever buy into the concept that owning a timeshare is a
money-making investment. If it makes sense at all, it's
because you’re going to use it, not sell it.
Just 40 minutes of your vacation.
That's the pitch many time-share sales people make when
offering you a shiny bag of hotel and restaurant discounts
in exchange for touring one of their model condominium
units.
It is, in fact, possible to get through the obligation in
fewer than 40 minutes.
But it will feel like four days.
This week's edition includes:
* ANATOMY OF A TIME-SHARE PITCH
* PUKE PRICE AND NOSEBLEED DROP
* SALES TALK SURVIVAL TIPS
P.S. If you're interested you can now post comments on this
and recent issues on our forum at...
Travel Tips Forum
============================================================
ANATOMY OF A TIME-SHARE PITCH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several years ago, I got a few deeply discounted days at a
Florida resort, as well as a coupon to a cheesy dinner show,
just by agreeing to tour a time-share property. The vacation
was great, but the tour was excruciating.
Imagine chaining yourself to one of those highly competitive
cell phone kiosks at the mall. Now imagine that the
aggressive salesperson just needs one more sale to get his
wife's engagement ring out of the pawn shop.
My wife compared it to being on a date with a hormone-filled
teenager who keeps interpreting "no" as "maybe."
So a recent "confessions" article in Frommer's Budget Travel
magazine by a former time-share salesperson touched a nerve.
Lisa Ann Schreier sold time shares in Orlando for six years,
and described the multi-staged selling approach and scripted
pitch common to most time-share retailers.
It was all so familiar. If you do agree to bite on one of
those discounts-for-sales-tour offers, here's what you can
expect when you show up, based loosely on Schreier's
insight:
1) The greeting.
A smiling salesperson will introduce themselves, ask you how
your trip's been so far, and assure you that this won't take
much time at all.
Depending on the salesperson, you may be put immediately at
ease or suddenly feel a cold centipede scurrying up and down
your back. There seems to be a wide range of personalities
and approaches among timeshare sellers.
If you've got one of the disarming, personable ones, be on
guard. They may very well be nice people, but they've got a
job to do. And that job is to sell you something you
probably don't want and might not be able to afford.
If you've got the kind with a forced smile, oily personality
and Ratso Rizzo demeanor, then the waiting is over. The
uncomfortable part of your tour has just begun.
2) The intent
This is where you hear about what's going to happen during
the presentation. Frequently, you are asked to watch a brief
video filled with exotic vacation spots, tours of beautiful
condominiums, testimonials from gushing new owners and
charts that make time share purchases seem like a great
deal.
The salesperson then takes you on the tour of their best
units, highlighting all the nearby vacation and resort
amenities and dropping anecdotes about satisfied customers.
He or she will ask about your family, and point out features
- a swimming pool for the kids, a balcony for grandma's
afternoon highball - that get you to picture yourself as a
proud and happy owner.
============================================================
PUKE PRICE AND NOSEBLEED DROP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3) The warm up
This phase, if done properly by the salesperson, should feel
like a casual conversation. It's where they talk about the
terminology used in time-share world and discuss your
family's vacation needs.
Usually, they talk about traveling for vacation as though
it's a 'must have', like groceries or your utility bill,
that should be built into the family budget. They'll define
a vacation "problem" you didn't know you had, then offer a
solution. That solution will be buying a time share.
4) The puke price
The salesperson will show you a price sheet. Usually, the
numbers are intentionally high, the so-called "puke price"
because it tends to make clients feel sick.
Few people actually jump at this offer. The time-share folks
expect this. They're just setting everybody else up for the
final phase.
5) The deal
At this point, a "manager" will come in to take over. He or
she will then quietly offer you a "special" deal that most
people never get. You either got there just as the new price
became available, or you've got such a nice family that
they’d hate to see you leave without buying them a yearly
vacation. If they sense it's what you want to hear, it might
be offered just because you're such a tough negotiator.
Then comes "the nosebleed drop". This is a new price,
significantly lower than the first.
6) The twisting
This is where the pitch gets hard.
They'll try to demonstrate that, given your budget, you CAN
afford it. They'll stress that the nosebleed package is
one-of-a-kind and can't be offered again once you leave the
room. They'll use your kids or your elderly parents to guilt
you into signing a contract.
My wife and I ended up walking out at this stage. You should
feel free to do so too.
Schreier, in her article, says that she sincerely believes
that, for the right people, buying a time share is a
legitimate alternative to paying for hotel rooms year after
year.
She's probably right. I've met a couple of timeshare owners
who were happy with their decision.
But I've met more who regret it.
============================================================
SALES TALK SURVIVAL TIPS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What should you be on the lookout for? There are a lot of
things to consider when pondering a timeshare buy. A good,
basic checklist is offered by Audri and Jim Lanford of
Scambusters.Org:
1. Don't ever, ever buy (or sell) "on the spot." Sleep on
it, and take the time to evaluate whether the deal is a good
one.
2. If you are offered a prize as an incentive, read the
"fine print" on the prize, and DON'T PAY for anything.
3. Read the contract and have it reviewed by an attorney. If
the sales person promised you something that's not in the
contract, don't sign the contract!
4. If the presentation is too high pressure, leave. You have
every right to leave when you want. Simply stand up and
politely say 'thank you very much but we're leaving now.'
Then go - don't let them argue with you.
5. Ask for references. And then call those references. Ask
for folks who have been happy and folks who have been
unhappy. They'll probably at least give you the happy ones.
If they can't come up with those, you're in trouble.
6. Don't ever call a 1-900 number to book a trip - it's very
likely a scam.
7. Consider a timeshare the same way you'd
consider any other real estate investment. Do research and
educate yourself on the market and the value.
Considering how weak the resale market is for timeshares,
don't ever buy into the concept that owning a timeshare is a
money-making investment. If it makes sense at all, it's
because you’re going to use it, not sell it.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Should you consider a time share?
Here are some time share travel tips.
Today time shares are called vacation clubs or vacation ownerships. You hardly ever hear them called time shares unless you're reading the government-required fine print on a contract.
Time shares are the equivalent of having a vacation home. Most buyers love them because you don't have the maintenance or upkeep of a second home. Time shares also offer a more comfortable setup than you find at most hotels. You can find one or two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a living room with tv and stereo, and a balcony or patio.
Some of the most important things you should consider are:
1. Can you swap locations? A week at Disney sounds great, for the first few years. After that you're ready for a new location. Two of the major exchange companies are Interval International and Resort Condominiums Inc. These company let owners swap with other owners for locations around the world.
2. Are you locked into your week? Some companies require that you take the exact same week each year. Which is great for planning future vacations unless an emergency comes up, then you lose your week.
3. What are the maintenance fees? Fees can range anywhere from $300-$1100 per year. These fees are due whether you actually use your time share or not. Make sure to read the contract to see how often the fees rise and by what percentage and/or dollar amount.
If you do consider a time share, here's a quick list of the 4 top-tier time share companies.
1. Marriott International
2. Hilton
3. Disney
4. Four Seasons
Today time shares are called vacation clubs or vacation ownerships. You hardly ever hear them called time shares unless you're reading the government-required fine print on a contract.
Time shares are the equivalent of having a vacation home. Most buyers love them because you don't have the maintenance or upkeep of a second home. Time shares also offer a more comfortable setup than you find at most hotels. You can find one or two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a living room with tv and stereo, and a balcony or patio.
Some of the most important things you should consider are:
1. Can you swap locations? A week at Disney sounds great, for the first few years. After that you're ready for a new location. Two of the major exchange companies are Interval International and Resort Condominiums Inc. These company let owners swap with other owners for locations around the world.
2. Are you locked into your week? Some companies require that you take the exact same week each year. Which is great for planning future vacations unless an emergency comes up, then you lose your week.
3. What are the maintenance fees? Fees can range anywhere from $300-$1100 per year. These fees are due whether you actually use your time share or not. Make sure to read the contract to see how often the fees rise and by what percentage and/or dollar amount.
If you do consider a time share, here's a quick list of the 4 top-tier time share companies.
1. Marriott International
2. Hilton
3. Disney
4. Four Seasons
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Time share tips
Are you considering buying a time share? Here are 3 tips to keep in mind before you go to the presentation.
1. Make your time count. If a company says the presentation is 90 minutes, stay for only 90 minutes. After that, take the coupons and/or gifts they promised you and leave. Salespeople will impose upon you and keep you as long as possible. If they don't initially get the sale, they'll try to keep you there until they do.
2. Get everything in writing. Salespeople will promise you the moon to get you to sign a contract. The most common promises are bonus weeks or an extra vacation to another location. Make them put those promises in writing before you sign the contract. After you sign on the dotted line, they only have to provide whatever is detailed in the contract.
3. Find out about your states cooling off period. Most states have a 3-10 day cooling off period, during which time you can cancel the contract.
1. Make your time count. If a company says the presentation is 90 minutes, stay for only 90 minutes. After that, take the coupons and/or gifts they promised you and leave. Salespeople will impose upon you and keep you as long as possible. If they don't initially get the sale, they'll try to keep you there until they do.
2. Get everything in writing. Salespeople will promise you the moon to get you to sign a contract. The most common promises are bonus weeks or an extra vacation to another location. Make them put those promises in writing before you sign the contract. After you sign on the dotted line, they only have to provide whatever is detailed in the contract.
3. Find out about your states cooling off period. Most states have a 3-10 day cooling off period, during which time you can cancel the contract.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Welcome to travel tips
Welcome. This blog will focus on travel tips. Not things like where to find weekly deals or cheap rooms, seats, etc. I will talk about time shares, retiring overseas and things like that. I will also give travel tips covering things that most people forget about. Hints about applying for passports, how to pack your luggage, what to bring, etc.
I'll update this site at once a week, sometimes more. Feel free to comments and let me know if there's any topic you would like to see me cover.
I'll update this site at once a week, sometimes more. Feel free to comments and let me know if there's any topic you would like to see me cover.
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