Hotel rooms aren’t cheap. Adding insult to injury is the fact that many properties are now moving back check-in times, so by the time you are forced to check-out you’ve barely been in the place for 18 hours. How do you justify forking over $200 for a room you aren’t given the opportunity to be in for 24 hours? Or worse, consider having to park yourself in the hotel’s lobby after a long flight simply because you arrived prior to the set check-in time. What a waste of time; precious time that you can’t put a price tag on. To … Continue reading →
There’s nothing worse than losing money when you don’t have to. Traveling doesn’t come cheap, so when it’s time to take flight, hit the road or ride the rails it’s a good idea to read the fine print before you fork over your hard-earned cash. For example, many jet-setting travelers think they are scoring big time by signing up for airlines’ frequent flyer credit cards. However, unless you read all the details associated with the enrollment process, becoming a member may end up costing you more than you bargained for. Sure, you’re earning bonus miles each time you use the … Continue reading →
April showers bring May flowers… in your hotel room. It’s not often that you hear of hotels giving guests something for nothing, but this spring, the Hyatt Century City in Los Angeles is gifting visitors with the sweet smell of seasonal blossoms—for free. The popular L.A. lodging recently installed a flower cart beside its front desk. Upon check-in, guests are given a small vase and told they can design their own floral arrangement to bring up to their room, at no extra charge. Blossoms range from tulips, daisies, and irises to chrysanthemums, sunflowers and carnations. According to Hyatt staff, the … Continue reading →
Vacationing in the Big Apple can put a BIG dent in your wallet. According to a recent travel survey, the average price for a hotel room in the heart of New York City will run you about $300. Not exactly cheap, though the hit to your travel budget could sting a lot more if you stay at luxury four-star chains, such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Sheraton properties. So what’s a frugal traveler to do if he wants to visit Manhattan without going broke? Fortunately, there is good news for budget-conscious tourists looking to explore the nation’s most expensive hotel … Continue reading →
You can learn a lot from penny-pinching travelers who enjoy cruising the high seas. These budget-conscious voyagers know what it takes to get the most bang for their buck. When it comes to stretching your dollar on a fun-filled cruise, consider the following: Seek Out Sales: Many large cruise companies, such as Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean offer special deals throughout the year. Some of the most popular promotions include: reserve one full fare booking and get a certain percentage off the second passenger or reserve a 14-day cruise and get seven days free. The deals can save you up … Continue reading →
Old Man Winter has been walloping the nation with blizzards, brutal cold and blistering winds. Consequently, it’s no surprise that so many people are looking to escape to warmer climates. If you are in search of sun-kissed shores and sizzling hot temperatures, but are worried a beach vacation will blow your budget, consider the following tips: Book early: If you want to save money on spring break travel, don’t procrastinate. Many of the best deals are available for a limited time only. Waiting for deeply discounted last-minute deals may cost you. Remember, as planes and hotels fill up super … Continue reading →
Right now, millions of Americans are looking to trade in the snow and cold for sun, sand and surf. Unfortunately, tropical escapes don’t usually come cheap. If you are seriously considering jetting off on a beach vacation this spring, consider the following money-saving tips: Travel with others: Group deals are ideal for families or friends looking to save cash on travel while enjoying each others’ company. Typically, group rates are offered to parties of six or more people; however, a number of travel companies offer deeper discounts to larger groups. For example, if you can gather a slew of extended … Continue reading →
Given the sky-high price of gas these days, I would just as soon leave the driving to anyone else. If filling up your vehicle is emptying your wallet, you may be thinking twice about hitting the highway on a spring break getaway. Fortunately, Greyhound is lending a helping hand to cash-strapped travelers. North America’s largest bus company just announced a bonus to its companion fares. Now, three people can ride at half price with the purchase of one full-fare adult ticket, making group travel cheaper than ever. “Whether you’re a family gathering for a reunion, a baseball fan watching your … Continue reading →
A few weeks ago, Southwest Airlines added yet another fee to its ever-expanding list of ala carte charges. Now, you’ll have to fork over $40 at the gate if you want to board the plane with the first group of passengers. The discount carrier doesn’t offer assigned seats like United and American Airlines, but will bump you to the coveted group “A” boarding if you cough up the extra cash. The offer begins 45 minutes before the flight departs, though is only available if the slots are not filled by elite and business select passengers who pay upfront for the … Continue reading →
Nothing is better than setting sail on a relaxing cruise that doesn’t leave your wallet high and dry. These days you don’t have to drain your bank account to afford a dream cruise. Instead, you can save a bundle by following a few simple money-saving tips. For example: Size: When it comes to financing a cruise, size matters. Massive cruise ships that house thousands of passengers and crew members often offer a boatload of amenities that may cost you a pretty penny. By opting for a smaller vessel with fewer available goods and services you can reduce the price of … Continue reading →
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