Search Results for: blog travel savings rental cars and destinations

Saving Money on Rental Cars

If there is a silver lining in the gray cloud of record high gas prices it’s that a slew of rental car companies are offering deep discounts to summer travelers in need of wheels. As the price for a single gallon of unleaded fuel tops the $4 mark many major rental car companies are offering an array of deals to retain customers despite the fact that may automakers have cut back on the number of vehicles allocated to car rental companies, which means that there are fewer fuel-efficient cars for travelers to rent. The new promotions being offered by rental … Continue reading →

The State of Airfares—Good News/Bad News

Let’s start with the good news: Holiday travelers rejoice; some airlines are giving you something else to be thankful for this November. Select carriers are knocking the stuffing out of ticket prices for Thanksgiving travel. The bad news: the rate reductions (some as much as 40% off) only apply to off-peak days. So, once again, being flexible is KEY! More bad news: Last weekend, several airlines increased round-trip fares by $20. Which means there have been seven fare-raising attempts by the biggest full-fare airlines since Labor Day. One travel expert told news reporters: “I’ve never seen fares go up this … Continue reading →

More Alternative Airports

Looking to save money on a plane ticket to your holiday travel destination? The key to saving cash is to be FLEXIBLE. In my previous blog I shared a travel tip about utilizing alternative airports. I have found that I can save a bundle of cash by flying in to or out of alternate airports. (Meaning non-major metropolitan airports such as Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport or New York’s JFK.) To make things easier for you I have listed several alternative airports in and around major U.S. cities. Here now is the continuation of my previous list. BOSTON Main airport: Logan … Continue reading →

Alternative Airports

In my previous blog I mentioned that great airfare deals are available (even during the busy holiday travel season) provided you remain “flexible” with your travel plans. In addition to being flexible with your departure and return dates and times, it’s also helpful to consider flying in or out of alternate airports. For example, I live near two major airports in Wisconsin—–Milwaukee and Madison. So when I can’t get an affordable fare when I plug in one, I then check fares at the other. Some alternative airports are quite convenient; others are a stretch. For instance, I could fly out … Continue reading →

Is There Still a Way to Save on Holiday Travel?

That depends on how and where you plan to spend the holidays. If you are plan to take a plane to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving or Christmas you may be out of luck. According to travel agents, the average person books a flight 85 days in advance, up from 81 last year, and there are only 19 days until Thanksgiving and 51 days until Christmas. And even more bad news, in the past few weeks, several airlines have raised their fares. Travel experts say frugal fliers bought their tickets early for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. But, don’t despair, there … Continue reading →

Rental Cars—-What I Wish I Knew A Few Weeks Ago

I try very hard to learn from my mistakes. (Ideally, I would prefer to learn from other people’s mistakes, rather than go through the drama myself, but I digress.) A few weeks ago I had to rent a car while my four-wheeled wonder was getting serviced. Without getting into the details of the billing process (the car was supposedly covered by insurance, yada, yada) I ended up getting a crash course in Rental Car Hidden Costs 101. In the coming months many of you may be forced to rent a car at your holiday destination and for you I offer … Continue reading →

Why You Shouldn’t Wait To Make Holiday Travel Plans

Procrastinators be warned: When it comes to making holiday travel plans waiting until the last minute doesn’t pay. In fact, you’ll find in the end you are the one who will be paying big bucks to travel over the river and through the woods… In a previous blog I explained why airfare on some of the most popular domestic flights has gone up dramatically over the last few months. But, I also provided you with a noteworthy resource (remember I called it “my secret weapon”) to help you secure the lowest holiday airfare possible. Since then I have gathered a … Continue reading →

Holiday Travel—Good News, Bad News

If you want the secret to finding the cheapest airfare this holiday season you’ve come to the right place. I plan to reveal my secret weapon in the war against high airfare. But, first, let me tell you why you’re going to need my tip more than ever this holiday season. According to travel analysts, steeper fuel costs and fewer available seats on many U.S. flights are translating into some of the highest holiday airfares passengers have ever seen. Airfare experts say Thanksgiving ticket prices are averaging 3% to7% higher than last year and the last-minute sales for off-peak holiday … Continue reading →

Ways To Save On Holiday Travel

When I told my brother I had already gotten my daughter’s Halloween costume he about choked on the burger he was eating. He’s single and obviously has no clue that savvy parents who aren’t crafty enough to piece together a homemade disguise for their children buy Halloween costumes in August. Sure, fall just officially began today and most parts of the country are still basking in summer-like temperatures, but like it or not, the holidays will be here before we know it. Christmas is coming… and before that Thanksgiving. Not to mention Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, etc. The happy … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: A Unique Place To Satisfy Your Big Mac Attack and Delta Drops Prices In A Big Way

Drive about 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh and you’ll find a place to order up McDonald’s most famous sandwich… but what you’ll get is much more than just two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun. North Huntingdon—-located in western Pennsylvania–is the new home of the Big Mac Museum Restaurant. Fittingly, it is situated just 40 miles north of where the very first double burger, triple bun sandwich was served in Uniontown four decades ago for just 45 cents. To celebrate the museum’s big opening today the restaurant rewarded the first 100 customers … Continue reading →