How to Survive the Rising Cost of Air Travel
June 30, 2008
Every day brings new changes to the cost of flying and they all cost the budget traveler in lost services and higher prices for what few services are left. Recently American Airlines has begun to charge $30.00 round trip for one checked bag. That fee isn’t going to be too hard to live with but you had better watch out for the charge for oversized sports equipment which can run as high as $150.00 per item!
With most of the airlines a 2nd checked bag is going to cost about $25.00 and if the weight goes over 50 pounds for either bag it will cost you another $50.00. The best advice if you are a budget traveler is not to pack a 2nd bag and if you do,be sure that neither one goes over the 50 pound limit. It’s usually cheaper to pay the $25.00 for an extra bag instead of paying the $50.00 penalty for having one bag that is over weight.
Remember not to pack too many of those “what if” items because in cases of emergency those items can usually be purchased locally. Always downsize your toiletries as you just don’t need the large economy size bottle of mouth wash and you won’t be able get that large bottle of liquid through the security check point anyway!
Let us keep you up to date with the changes as they occur. Check in with us every couple of days for the latest news regarding the fast changing airline industry and the constantly escalating cost of flying.
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How to Plan and Book Your Next Budget Vacation
June 26, 2008
In this fast changing world there are many new sources of information coming at you every day. How in the world do you know where to look and how do you sort out all the information that’s available. It wasn’t nearly so hard to sort out a few years ago when you just asked a couple of friends about the place you were interested in visiting.
Now you can go to the library and find travel guides to nearly any destination in the world. There are beautifully illustrated books full of pertinent advice and there are even rows of DVD’s available on most travel destinations. You don’t have to be satisfied with a couple of brochures from a travel agent any more. With all the videos around you can actually travel to the destination before you ever have to make up your mind to spend any money to get there.
We have several wonderful magazines that are stuffed full of information on destinations and many great tips on how to make the travel more enjoyable and less costly. Take a look at “Budget Travel”, “BackPacker” and “Travel and Leisure” just to name a few. Of course you don’t want to forget the “National Geographic” and “Nat’l Geographic Traveler”. You can be sure that both of those magazines will be full of fantastic pictures of people and places from all over the world.
In the last few years we have gained the internet as a tool to help us plan our budget travels. We now have sights such as Priceline where we can actually bid on tickets, hotel rooms and travel packages. We have Travelocity, Expedia, and numerous other search tools to enable us to compare prices and help us make our travel arrangements. The Internet brings us closer to all the world than we have ever been before and there is more information available than any person can possibly digest.
We just have to take a little time to gather the necessary information, sort out what is actually of importance to the budget traveler and make our educated decision before we go to the Travel Agent or to the Internet booking sight and make arrangements that will turn our next budget vacation into a dream vacation.
Last Minute Travel Will Pay Off This Week
June 20, 2008
We have just received notice from Grand Circle Travel that they are reducing fares to Central Europe for this summer’s travel. They have an excellent river cruise that includes Old World Prague and the Danube River. The original fare was listed at $2795 but as the departure dates grow closer there are still some spaces to be filled and GCT is discouting the fares by $1000.00 for anyone who is able to take advantage of last minute travel.
To take advantage of these reduced fares you must reserve by June 25 and the travel dates available are July 6, July 10, July 17 or July 21 in 2008.
The fare includes air from NY to Budapest, 7 nights aboard a Grand Circle river ship, and 3 nightts in Prague. There wil be several guided sightseeing trips and most meals are included. When you divide the new cost by the number of days involved you will find that the cost of last minute travel is under $150.00 a day and includes nearly everything. If you are looking for budget travel and Europe is in your plans, then parhaps last minute travel is the answer for you.
Nationwide Airfare Sale Keeps Budget Travel Available This Summer
June 18, 2008
I have just received a notice from Travelocity.com that AirTran is having a nationwide airfare sale that extends through November of this year. Since I live in
These fares are good for travel until November 5, 2008 and must be purchased by July 1, 2008.
Why Cruising Can Help You Stay on Budget
June 17, 2008
At one time, cruising was only affordable for the wealthy and the privileged. Only these very fortunate, were afforded a vacation with such extraordinary ambiance, its stylish and elegant atmosphere, gorgeous staterooms with all of the amenities, superb dining, and fastidious attention to every detail by the crew, the room stewards, and the waiters.
Cruising now, is at a whole new level. Affordable and family oriented, cruising is now one of the least expensive means of travel and is considered the ultimate budget vacation because so much is included within the price of the cruise. Lodging, food, entertainment, onboard games, and the use of most of the cruise ships facilities and services are all inclusive. A cruise offers so much more value for your money than many other types of vacations.
In addition, cruises are now geared for every age, and every taste. They cater completely to the needs and desires of their passengers. Passengers can relax to their hearts content or they can engage in every activity offered; morning, noon, and night. Cruise ships offer activities such as basketball, table tennis, swimming, volleyball, gymnasiums, casinos, shuffleboard, dancing, playing poker and bridge. Many cruise lines offer a variety of massage types given by professional massage therapists as well as an opportunity to learn physical training techniques given by personal trainers.
If all that the cruise ship offers while onboard is not enough, there are the exciting shore excursions available at every port, affording additional opportunities for one to enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, jet skiing, para-sailing, touring the cities, shopping, etc.
When the sun sets and the day is done, you crawl into bed and fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the ship or you can party to your heart’s content and enjoy the excellent entertainment, boogie at the disco, listen to music at the piano bar, or go to the theatre.
Dining onboard is an experience in itself. There are so any choices that you will find it hard to remember that you are on a budget vacation. You’ll find casual buffets that offer a variety of delicious food, served throughout the day. Then there are restaurants onboard that offer anything from informal to first-rate dining. The food that you order through Room Service is also included, should you decide to relax in your room.
Although the cost may appear a bit high initially, remember that everything is included on the ship except drinks, gift shop items, personal attention activities such as massages or beauty salons, and some exclusive restaurants onboard. You will know most of your costs up front and should not be surprised by unexpected expenses, as you could be on typical vacations with separate hotel costs, car rental costs, meals, and entertainment.
If you plan your cruise early enough, you might be able to take advantage of any number of specials that are offered and if you plan your cruise for the off-season time period, you might enjoy even more savings. Another way to save money on your cruise is to be available at the last minute because cruise lines do not want to sail with vacant cabins and will offer a discount to passengers in the hopes of filling these rooms, as it gets closer to the sail date.
Cruising is a wonderful way to see parts of the world that you may otherwise never see. And cruising also offers the opportunity to stay as busy as you would like or lay back and relax without your likings interfering with the rest of your party. You will also enjoy food at its finest and will be entertained beyond your imagination. Oh, and let’s not forget the enjoyment of just being pampered for a change. It may be hard to imagine that all this is available to you on your budget vacation but cruising has changed a lot over the years and it certainly does offer tremendous value for the dollars spent.
AMTRAK MAKES BUDGET TRAVEL AVAILABLE
June 11, 2008
With the soaring cost of gasoline this year many budget travelers are planning on a vacation that will be a lot closer to home. Long cross country road trips are going to be a lot more expensive and if you plan to use an RV you need to start planning now for the money to fuel those thirsty mobile homes. Everyone is going to have to watch closely for the opportunity to take a vacation that is affordable and is able to fulfill the needs of a vacationing family. We have recently found several announcements that show that there are still some places to catch a great discount for the budget traveler.
Just take a look at what Amtark has to offer. This summer they will have a 15% discount for any one over 62 years of age. All active military personnel and their spouses and dependants will be eligible for a 10% discount. Be sure to watch for the discounts offered to members of various organizations. AAA members will be getting 10% off and there are usually discounts for special activities at different locations.
If you are a family that chooses to travel by rail, you will be happy to learn that children from 2 to 15 will travel at 50% off and there is no charge for those under 2 years.
In order to qualify as a budget traveler there will have to be a little extra work put into your travel plans this year. But then, I guess that’s the way it has always been. If you are looking for that special deal you do have to look a little longer and a little harder than the average guy. The rewards are going to be greater than ever for the budget traveler who is patient and persistent
