Hot Travel Web Sites
Update - September 15 - Let's see how this new feature works on this page:
Southwest Airlines - Click 'n SaveSM Internet Specials
Update July 11 - Southwest Airlines have posted $196.00 coast-to-coast rountrip fares for all 52 cities served by Southwest. Most of the other major airlines have had to match on flights with same cities involved. There are also some $162.00 roundtrip tickets available for San Francisco-Orlando, among other long distance flights.
NOTE: These tickets must be purchased by July 23rd and you need to act fast to insure availability. Travel period is August 18 through December 6, with some blackout periods for holidays. My advice is to check out Southwest Airlines for availability and then go to your favorite carrier to see if they are matching fares for that route.
Click on the umderlined titles below to go to the web sites. Remember that Best Fares is a Subscription Site with only limited info available to guests:
Update - May 15th, 1998
Commentary - The travel reservation "rules of the game" are changing rapidly. More and more, the Internet is becoming the dominant source for obtaining lower travel rates for airfare, hotel, rental car and other reservations.
Along with the booming economy, getting deals on travel reservations call for some planning. There are two basic approaches:
I have decided to make a list of the various cities and
destinations we would like visit. Then wait for the right airline deal, along with hotel and rental car rates to make the trip a good value.
Here are my basic perameters for rates:
The rates available can be spectacular, but you must be prepared to act fast, because the rates don't last long.
Web Site Review - Welcome to Preview Travel
Here is a site for obtaining travel information on the run. Here are some features:
This site should be in your list of favorites in your travel folder. Now click on the underlined title below and check out this site:
Preview Travel
WeB Site Pik - travlang front page
Now here is a web site you need for traveling in a foriegn country. Here are some features:
- Language courses
- Translation for common words
- Currency values
- Travel reservations, etc
Now click on the underlined title below:
travlang front page
Update - April 30th
Snooze Alarm: San Francisco to 15 East Coast Cities for as low as $174.00 One-Way for seniors and people traveling with seniors. This is major airline with purchase of two tickets from SFO to Dallas and then Dallas to the East Coast cities.These tickets are limited and must be booked immediately. Travel period is up to one year in the future
Update - April 26th
Best Fares Discount Travel Magazine and Online Service
This subscription service is proving to be right on top of any kind of airfare deal going on. They were way in front on the Southwest $99.00 one-way airfares from Oakland to several destinations on the East Coast. Would you believe, Eileen's daughter went ahead and bought advance tickets for a round trip flight to and from Manchester, NH costing over $650.00 with no refund. She could have gotten the same routing with this Southwest deal for $210.00 total cost. The deadline on these fares are April 15th and they are going fast(good on reservations until September 9th.)They do have restrictions and are not refundable, but can be applied against other flights, if reservation is cancelled.
Now you can check out your destination easily by putting in the two airports and the days of travel by clicking on the underlined title below or call 1-800-435-9792:
Southwest Airlines
Each day Bestfares posts several deals on airfare and\or hotels, including foreign travel. Some flights feature one-way rates domestically and round-trip fares across the USA for under $180.00. Many of these deals require quick action in order to get the deals. If you need a flight somewhere fast, give me a call and I will tell you if any thing is available for your destination.
April 1st Update
Hot Off the Press
One-Way Car Rentals from Florida and Arizona begin on April 1st to June 30th.
Avis Car Rental
Arizona, Florida Cars for $6.95 a Day. How's this for a deal! All cars in the special are FULL-SIZE, and drivers pay
no drop-off fees. The rate is for one-way from Arizona to nearly any major city in California with a 7 day maximum rental, or from Florida to almost any major city in the Eastern and Central U.S. with a 14 day maximum rental. You must call the phone number: 1-800-331-2212.
Budget Rent A Car
One-way rentals at 14.95 per for ANY size car with unlimited mileage for maximum of 10 days from Florida locations to major northern locations. Also weekly rate is available along with this deal? You must call the phone number: 1-800-527-0700.
Hertz Car Rentals
Hertz keeps extra cars in its Florida locations during the winter months, but needs to get rid of them come summer. That means a cheap deal for anybody who wants to fly to Florida and drive home. You can get a Hertz car for just $6.95 a day, as long as you drop it off at one of 34 out-of-state locations between April 13 and June 30. For more information, call (800)654-3131.
National Car Rental Drive Out Specials start at $17.99 a day and $79.99 per week for compact car?? Mid-size rental are $19.99 per day; $89.99 per week. All rentals include unlimited miles, no drop-off charges with a maximum rental period of 14 days. We did this a couple of years ago and had a great time driving up US 95 to Boston area with various stops along the way. Of course, another important part of this deal is "senior discount airline coupons." Because you need to fly to Florida and return from the airport up North where you return the rental car, you won't be able to get round trip airfare? So the discount coupons insure a low price for the airfare.
If these are not enough one-way deals for you, then just call any other national car rental agency and see what they offer. You might find better deals yet where they will pay your hotel bills along the way, etc.
Best Fares Discount Travel Magazine and Online Service
Still new with subscription to BestFares.Com,which is supposed to be the best source of airline deals on the Web.
I just received my booklets and coupon books. The discount book is Quest International 50% off hotel coupon book. It also features coupons for 25% discounts on restaurants and has car rental coupons. The daily postings of airline deals for subscribed members on the web site total up to 20-30 a day with deals that really are terrific.
I have invested $60.00 to check this web site and magazine out over the next year. I will be giving you monthly highlights of the best features.
You can visit the web site for limited free features by clicking on the underlined title below:
Best Fares
See current value of dollar verses other currencies
as of May 13,1998 below.
Update - March 1st - I am changing format for this feature. This Page will now appear in both editions. It will be shown on the Opening Page and have a link with the highlights. You will also be able to access this page from links tied into Update for new deals shown under Updates Section of Opening Page.
What I want to do is find the sources for bargains: air, hotel, packages, and other travel deals. The problem with most promotions is they are severely limited as far as the available dates for booking; so what we need to do is keep on top of the major sources for travel related sites.
Also, let's build a reference for finding the best travel deals. The following list will be here to guide you whenever you need to make travel plans. There are countless sources of info. I certainly don't know all of them, but here are some good ones to start. When you hear of a good source, let me know. The following sources are highly recommended for the latest current information in the specified areas:
Travel Tools and Accessories
Here are some travel aids to help you in your trip plannning:
Welcome To MapQuest! Just enter your home address or city and then enter your destination address or city, whether across the state or across the country. Then pick your choice of detail to show the route with mileage:
If you are flying off to some exotic foreign destination you can check out air miles anywhere in the world by entering the airports involved by clicking on the link below:
How Far Is It?
Excite - CityNet
Here is your Number One source for travel information to any city in the world. Just pick the continent\country\and city for everything you need to travel there. You simply won't believe the resources available until you become familiar with this web site. So click your way to your favorite city to check this web site:
CityNet
Sunday SF Examiner\Pink Section
Sunday LA Times
Sunday NY Times
The value of the dollar against foreign currencies is a good thing to keep in mind in planning trip abroad. This year the value of the dollar is up substantially over most other currencies. Here is the current value of the dollar verses the most commnon travel destinations:
| Country | Currency Per US$ As of 5\13\98 | One Yr ago As of 01\27\97 | Dollar is + or - % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Britain(pound) | .6134 | .5600 | +09.5% |
| Canada(Dollar) | 1.4444 | 1.2700 | +13.7% |
| China | 8.2789 | n\a | |
| French(Franc) | 5.9635 | n\a | |
| Germany(Mark) | 1.7796 | 1.4500 | 23.9% |
| Hong ong(Dollar) | 7.7473 | 7.1900 | 07.8% |
| Italy(Lira) | 1754.5000 | 1422.0000 | 23.4% |
| Japan(Yen) | 134.5000 | 106.1000 | 23.6% |
| Mexico(Peso) | 8.5060 | n\a | |
| Portugal(Escudo) | 182.1800 | 143.0600 | 27.3% |
| Singapore(Dollar) | 1.6575 | 1.2900 | 28.5% |
| Spain(Peseta) | 151.0100 | 121.3000 | 24.5% |
| Sweden(Krona) | 7.7000 | 6.3300 | 21.6% |
| Switzerland(Franc) | 1.4807 | 1.2400 | 19.4% |
Now here is a site where you can check current value of any currency with any other currency:
The Universal Currency Converter™
WeB Site Pik - travlang front page
Now here is a web site you need for traveling in a foriegn country. Here are some features:
Now click on the underlined title below:
travlang front page
Elderhostel Online
Check out the "New & Improved" Website. If you don't get the catalogs sent to you, this site will give you the data you need to evaluate this senior organization:
Note: Important dates to keep in mind if you want to register for a popular program. The following data gives you :
NOTE: THE DATA ON DATES IS AVAILABLE IN THE TRAVEL DEAL ARCHIVE LOCATED WITH THIS ARTICLE THERE.
Now click here and check out Elderhostel:
Our Little Corner of the World - Highlighting the top destinations in California and other West Coast States.
LODESTONE'S LAS VEGAS - Rundown on hotels, deals and best accommodations.
LODESTONE'S LAS VEGAS
If you are a Automobile Club Member check out the good deals currently offered in the March\April Edition of VIA, the new travel magazine for California State Auto Ass'n. If you're not, why not?
You don't have to book a motel to view some great attractions in our own back yard. Here are some "don't-miss"
one day trips for your and\or your out-of-town guests:
The next few months of the year are a good time to sneak away for one of those overnight or two-three day excursion of California or other places. We are very fortunate to have some world-class destinations at our door steps. Right now until June, we can also benefit with lower rates and less competition for acommodations. Here is a listing of places to go where special rates are offered:
A little further away:
And think about these destinations for a short trip:
Now where to get your reservations. Here are good sources:
If you are going to Reno, Lake Tahoe or Las Vegas be sure to know the odds before playing those slots. You always know the pay-out ratio on video poker by simply looking at the pay out schedule for winning hands on each machine. Just click on underlined title for my tips on video poker:
Video Poker Tips
Transfer Rental Cars
Here is a deal worth considering if it works in with travel your travel plans. For us in Northern California, there are two time periods each year where you can get a great deal on a intermediate rental car for one-way travel from:
Avis has an offer of $7.95 a day for AARP on intermediate car from these locations. Maximum of seven days with no drop off fees. We did this a couple of years ago from Jacksonville to Logan Airport in Boston with National Car Rental. We had the car for 12 days at a total cost of 120.00. It made a wonderful experience for us as we had never driven up US 95 along the Eastern Coastline. We used Delta senior discount tickets to fly to Jacksonville and back home from Logan.
Now most of the major car rental companies have similar
deals. Some include air transportation to Arizona and will have vouchers for seven nights of hotel\motels for the trip back home. However, there is a individual fee for these deals. Still, it can be a great way to go if you want to see the Grand Canyon, stop at Las Vegas, or drop down to L.A. area on way back. Again, these deals come with no mileage restriction.
You can also make similar deals in the fall months from
Northeast US to Florida. Not sure of California to Arizona
but probably some similar deals would be offered in the fall.
Over the years I lived in the LA area, the LA Times
provided many opportunites to save money. Their Travel Section is one of the best around. So let's take a look at the Sunday Travel Section and see what it has to offer us in the SF Bay Area. Every Sunday you get travel advice, weekend escape ideas and news tips and bargains. You can also look back over previous editions for information. So just click on the underlined title:
The LA Times Sunday Travel Section
Mid-January Edition
With El Nino's stormy weather facing us,it's tough planning on driving up to Tahoe or Reno, but should you find a break in the weather, and you are a AAA member, then hurry up to Harrah's in Reno. They are offering two night package for 29.00 bucks for double occupancy with free continental breakfast at their Hampton Inn location which is connected
directly with Harrah's. This offer is available for Sun-Wed arrivals and ends on 2/25/98. Offer must be reserved ahead and subject to avalability.
Mid-December Edition
In the December 15 Travel for Seniors Edition I covered web sites for airline travel. Just click on the sites shown below.
Here is another web site to check out: "Best Fares Discount Travel Magazine - Online" This site has all kinds
of discounts. It does have a subcription of 60.00 per year including the magazine. Let me know what you think?
This page is an attempt to share some basic travel tips plus give current travel deals. I will show a separate section for Reno, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas\Laughlin because they represent such bargains for hotel, food and entertainment.
Reno, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas Deals
Be sure to check the weather reports if driving to Reno or Tahoe in winter months. Be sure the forecast is clear for the entire period you want to be away(Last year I went up for a quick one night stay and ended up snowed in for five nights.
Reno
The basics here is to check last minute rates at the local hotel casions. They will give good rates where they have last minute vacancies. Also, it is worthwhile to have a couple of "slot club" cards. Also, the Sunday Pink Section of the Examiner generally has some good deals.
Current Deals
If you want a room cheap, try Fitzgeralds by the Reno Sign downtown on Virginia Street. Special rate of 20.00 for one or two people. This rate is good December 1-24. Should make reservations before 11\30\97? Also have special package for two nights for two persons in a room with two dinners included at a flat rate of 32.95. Ask for the "O'Lucky Getaway" Their # is 1-800-648-5022. They are located right at the Reno Sign in DT Reno. Enter on 1st Street entrance which is one-way. Turn left just past the tracks from Sierra street(one-way street going South.) They have free valet parking for guests. Be sure to give us a report on your visit
Another place you might consider is the Silver Club in Sparks, right across the street from the Nugget. They are featuring a Sun-Thur rate of 25.00 for two(Ask for Ethel at 1-800-905-7774.) I know they have some good payout schedules on their VP. Check it out and give us a report.
Now here's a place that I would not recommend. The Pioneer Inn Hotel-Casino on Virginia Street below the Truckee River. They have a good rate,including a breakfast, but the location is the problem. After sundown, the area of this location is not recommended.
Lake Tahoe
Las Vegas, Laughlin
Again here, the same tips apply as shown under Reno. In addition, the Web has more coverage for Las Vegas. And the newspaper to check is the LA Times Sunday Edition.
Here are my links
Here are Some Travel Sites To Check Out
- ASTA _ Assn of Special Fares Agents
- Welcome to Big World!--Has a lot of Travel links-non commercial emphasis AND EURORA RAIL
- Preview Travel Lowfares!
- Best Fares Discount Travel Magazine - Online
times.
This page was last updated on September 15, 1998