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Travel News Roundup
June 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
There are many travel articles these days, discussing how to get deals amidst rising gas prices. They prove that, with a little research, there are still deals to be had. Knowing the ins and outs of the travel industry can make a difference in the price of your trip.
5 Ways to Fly Cheap
CNN offers some insider information on the cheapest time of day to buy a plane ticket, along with the advantages of travel packages. Armed with these helpful tips, travelers can find that perfect bargain.
10 Sizzling Summer Airfare Bargains
Any traveler looking for location suggestions will love this MSNBC piece noting 10 exciting and inexpensive vacation destinations for the summer. Each suggestion includes specific ticket prices and sales to grab while they’re still available.
Returning Rental Cars
Finding a gas station before you have to drop off the rental car can be a pain, but this article explains why it’s the right choice. This one piece of travel advice can save you the hefty $8 per gallon fee rental car companies have started charging when they’re returned with empty gas tanks.
Hotel for the Weekend
June 25, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
This is the weekend to join in the fun! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in Phoenix this week. Taste of Chicago, a wonderful outdoor gourmet event, is currently going on in the Windy City. Jackson has the National Championship Appaloosa Horse Show and horses are also being featured in Charleston with the Edmondston-Alston House's Gala Race Week exhibit. And of course, Las Vegas is always a city full of excitement, shows, and events. Choose your destination and enjoy your days off.
* Phoenix, AZ
* Chicago, IL
* Jackson, MS
* Las Vegas, NV
* Charleston, SC
We look forward to your stay with us and providing you SuiteSavings rates every weekend!
Faster Airport Experience
June 24, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
At major airports, the security line has become untenable for the regular traveler: A lot of time is wasted; flights are missed. For the road warrior, this aggravation is compounded by multiple flights. However, there are ways to get to the front of the line.
Makers of the Clear Card have just announced a partnership with Delta, which will add more airports and terminals to the system. $128 a year does not sound like a lot for a guaranteed security line of 5 minutes or less. And with the current gas prices, I wouldn’t be surprised if more airports are enticed by the additional revenue.
If you don’t often fly into airports that have the Clear System set up, it may not be worth the money. but that still doesn’t mean you have to go to the back of the line. Smart Money suggests keeping your frequent flier card handy in order to see if you qualify for the priority line for preferred customers.
And even if you do have to enter the queue, be sure to check the TSA website to find out which line is shortest. That way, at least you’re not waiting longer than you have to.
Latest Gadget Guide
June 20, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
With the summer travel season on its way, now is the time to stock up on the latest gadgets and cool travel items. Whether going to a meeting or hitting the beach, having your favorite technological wonders beside you will add convenience and make your travel companions jealous. Here is our latest gadget guide with 5 more must-have items.
Safety Pin MP3 Player
If you don’t have a pocket, and don’t want to drop your mp3 player while juggling luggage and other items, try this mp3 player button. Just fasten it to a belt loop or anywhere else and have a hands-free music player.
Caffeinated Soap
This isn’t quite a gadget, but it’s still a pretty interesting idea. If you’re running late and don’t have time to grab a morning cup of coffee, get your caffeine fix in the shower. This soap has caffeine in it, which will be absorbed through the skin.
Tourist Remover
It’s like stain stick for your photos. If you’re at a crowded tourist site but would like postcard quality pictures, just install the tourist remover software, which can locate and delete any annoying strangers cluttering your shots.
Track Stick
Plot your adventures online with the Track Stick. This device plots your GPS location and lets you track your travel progress on a map, which can be posted online for family and friends to view.
16 GB flash drive
Have important information that you want to store? This 16 GB flash drive—that’s the size of a credit card—can help you keep all your files backed up and easily portable. It’s just what the tech-savvy traveler needs.
Summer Vacation Hotel
June 18, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Forget the staycation and take this opportunity to getaway. Summer is the time to take a break and do some traveling. See where you can go this weekend and snag a last minute deal.
* San Diego, CA
* Boca Raton, FL
* Boise, IA
* Annapolis, MD
* Houston, TX
We look forward to your stay with us and providing you SuiteSavings rates every weekend!
Flight Contingency Plans
June 17, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
There have been a number of studies recently, citing a decline in American air travel this summer. Some forecast that the airline industry could lose 6.1 billion dollars this year.
These grim numbers could mean some airlines offer great deals to try to fill empty seats, or it could mean that flights get canceled. While that may just mean taking a different flight, it could potentially disrupt a vacation or business trip. What can you do to recover from a canceled flight?
1. Many airlines let you choose a seat online by giving you a diagram of the plane, showing available seat choices. Keep an eye on that and see how full the plane is. If you’re one of only a few passengers, consider creating a contingency plan.
2. Depending on how flexible your schedule is, consider arriving the day before an important event or meeting so that there’s less chance of missing it, in case you end up on a different flight.
3. Sign up for email alerts and program the airline’s customer service number into your cell phone. The faster you learn about the cancellation and can rebook, the more choices you have for alternative flights.
4. If your flight has been delayed more than once, it’s likely to be delayed even further or canceled altogether. Look for a later flight in which the plane is already at the airport and change your ticket. It’s a gamble, but one that might end up getting you to your destination much faster.
Personalized Travel Guides
June 12, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Flipping through a guidebook for an entire region when you’re only visiting one city can be a frustrating way to plan a trip. Carrying around more guidebooks than you need is cumbersome and time-consuming. Instead of spending time searching through unneeded information, you may want to consider building a personalized travel guide for your next trip.
Creating a travel guide could be as easy as compiling Internet resources and printing out the information you will eventually use. Go to travel meet-ups to get tips on your destination, or read travel blogs from other people who have been there. Gathering all these resources can give you all the information you need and none of the information you don't. Plus, it's free!
It can also be done by a service such as Offbeat Guides, who will put together a travel guide for your destination, designed around your interests. It offers options such as a weather report and festival calendar tailored for just the time you will be there. They also boast the most up-to-date attraction information. Cut out the research and get a guide meant just for you and your trip.
Father's Day Travel
June 11, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
This weekend is the perfect time to travel. Celebrate Father's Day by taking Dad on a mini-vacation. Take advantage of the heat wave to hit the beach for the first time this season. Check out some of the great last minute deals at popular city destinations across the country.
* Denver, CO
* Miami, FL
* New Orleans, LA
* Detroit, MI
* Milwaukee, WI
We look forward to your stay with us and providing you SuiteSavings rates every weekend!
Airline Tickets go Paperless
June 10, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
It's the end of an era. You will no longer be able to get an airline ticket in the mail. The IATA has announced paper tickets as a thing of the past, changing over to e-tickets entirely. May 31st was the last day to have a paper ticket issued, and these last tickets must be used within the next 2 years.
It's probably about time. Getting rid of the paper ticket completely will reportedly save 50,000 trees each year. And when was the last time you showed up at an airport with a paper ticket and not a printed out boarding pass? It was scary the first time showing up at an airport with no ticket in hand, trusting your reservation would be in the computer, but now it's comforting to know you can't accidentally leave it behind.
For most of us, we won’t even notice the change, having switched to e-tickets long ago. So long, paper tickets!
Festival Hotels
June 5, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Treat yourself to a vacation this weekend. The good news is that you don't even have to go far away from home. Explore a nearby city and find spots off the beaten path. To mark Arkansas' birthday, the statehouse is giving free tours. The Dallas Museum of Art is having free concerts including Jazz Under the Stars and a performance by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. There's a lot going on and you can be a part of festivals and events. Take a look at the highlighted deals below for a great hotel price or check the full list of last minute savings.
* Little Rock, AR
* San Rafael, CA
* Atlanta, GA
* Indianapolis, IN
* Dallas, TX
We look forward to your stay with us and providing you SuiteSavings rates every weekend!
