It is annoying, and not productive or efficient, to visit websites that do not sort their travel deal listings. That is, many websites just list a bunch of "special" rates or fares, but do not filter based on a departure city. A relatively unknown website that shows travel specials from your home airport is voyij.com.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
© 2009, Charles McCool
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Hertz Florida car exodus sale
Hertz is having its annual Florida exodus sale. They need lots of cars there for the winter months and then they need the cars to go elsewhere for the summer. Instead of hiring drivers or trucks to transport the cars, Hertz offers super low rates to persons that can drive them one way.
Get these low rates while they are hot. I just looked at a random week in May, picking up in Ft. Lauderdale and returning to a DC airport location. The WEEKLY (not daily) rates were:
- $25 for economy class
- $30 for compact class
- $50 for midsize class
- $75 for fullsize class
- $100 for midsize SUV
Fantastic deals. You should be able to find a decent one-way flight or train ticket to get to Florida (before or after the car rental).
© 2009, Charles McCool
Get these low rates while they are hot. I just looked at a random week in May, picking up in Ft. Lauderdale and returning to a DC airport location. The WEEKLY (not daily) rates were:
- $25 for economy class
- $30 for compact class
- $50 for midsize class
- $75 for fullsize class
- $100 for midsize SUV
Fantastic deals. You should be able to find a decent one-way flight or train ticket to get to Florida (before or after the car rental).
© 2009, Charles McCool
Friday, February 27, 2009
Road Trip Cost Cutting Tips
Rental car rates can vary much even at locations in the same geographic area. You can save money by shopping around.
A recent example. I am planning a trip to visit Little Rock, Tuscaloosa, and parts between and around. It does not matter where I fly into. In fact, I redeemed a frequent flyer award (more below). Since I am using a frequent flyer award and visiting several areas, I have the flexibility to fly into any area airport. I researched flights and rental car rates at most locations between Tulsa, Memphis, Huntsville, Mobile, and Houston.
Checking around, rental car rates were relatively expensive from Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, and others; mostly in the $250 to $300 a week range. One location was much less expensive than the others. Drum roll.... It was Shreveport, about $150 with Hertz. So, I booked my frequent flyer flight to Shreveport which would have cost $536.
I considered driving instead of flying. It would have been about 2,000 miles just getting there and back, plus another 1,000 miles in the area. I used Cost2Drive to calculate fuel usage and carbon output. That certainly helped me decide to fly, although I put the true cost of driving my own vehicle at about 50 cents per mile including wear and tear, etc. I also realized that about three days would have been burned driving there and back, leaving me less time to research and explore.
© 2009, Charles McCool
A recent example. I am planning a trip to visit Little Rock, Tuscaloosa, and parts between and around. It does not matter where I fly into. In fact, I redeemed a frequent flyer award (more below). Since I am using a frequent flyer award and visiting several areas, I have the flexibility to fly into any area airport. I researched flights and rental car rates at most locations between Tulsa, Memphis, Huntsville, Mobile, and Houston.
Checking around, rental car rates were relatively expensive from Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, and others; mostly in the $250 to $300 a week range. One location was much less expensive than the others. Drum roll.... It was Shreveport, about $150 with Hertz. So, I booked my frequent flyer flight to Shreveport which would have cost $536.
I considered driving instead of flying. It would have been about 2,000 miles just getting there and back, plus another 1,000 miles in the area. I used Cost2Drive to calculate fuel usage and carbon output. That certainly helped me decide to fly, although I put the true cost of driving my own vehicle at about 50 cents per mile including wear and tear, etc. I also realized that about three days would have been burned driving there and back, leaving me less time to research and explore.
© 2009, Charles McCool
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Travel Reference Books Teach Travel Skills
Previously I talked about destination guidebooks. When you are planning a trip, it is worth reading a few different guidebooks to learn about the area, what to do, how long to spend there, and more.
The other genre of travel books, I call travel reference books. Travel reference books are extremely helpful because they can teach you travel skills; to help you save money, time, and stress, no matter your intended destination. Travel reference books can be about air travel (like my book), cruises, budget travel, luxury travel, solo travel, packing, and so on. You name it, there is probably a book for it. An example, I recently received a book called 101 Best Outdoor Towns. There are books on staying at colleges, monasteries, and aboard boats.
Perhaps my all-time favorite travel reference book, the one I would be proud to have written, is Traveler's Tool Kit by Rob Sangster. Although it is a guidebook, I am very impressed with Rick Steve's Europe Through the Back Door. It is a guidebook, in that it covers the destination of Europe. Half the book, however, is a wonderful reference guide with solid tips for having a great trip (packing, shopping, touring, etc., tips galore).
On my website, LowerAirfares.com, I occasionally review travel books. Please check there for my two cents before shopping. Do you have a favorite travel reference book? Let me know by submitting a Comment. Thank you.
© 2009, Charles McCool
The other genre of travel books, I call travel reference books. Travel reference books are extremely helpful because they can teach you travel skills; to help you save money, time, and stress, no matter your intended destination. Travel reference books can be about air travel (like my book), cruises, budget travel, luxury travel, solo travel, packing, and so on. You name it, there is probably a book for it. An example, I recently received a book called 101 Best Outdoor Towns. There are books on staying at colleges, monasteries, and aboard boats.
Perhaps my all-time favorite travel reference book, the one I would be proud to have written, is Traveler's Tool Kit by Rob Sangster. Although it is a guidebook, I am very impressed with Rick Steve's Europe Through the Back Door. It is a guidebook, in that it covers the destination of Europe. Half the book, however, is a wonderful reference guide with solid tips for having a great trip (packing, shopping, touring, etc., tips galore).
On my website, LowerAirfares.com, I occasionally review travel books. Please check there for my two cents before shopping. Do you have a favorite travel reference book? Let me know by submitting a Comment. Thank you.
© 2009, Charles McCool
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Twitter Me for Travel Deals
OK, I mentioned that my next post would be about travel reference books. I will get back to that soon. This post is a recap of this blog's purpose and some quick announcements.
This blog's purpose is to teach readers skills to save money, time, and stress on all aspects of travel. By following this blog and incorporating the skills into your travel planning process, you will become better at planning travel and finding deals. I appreciate hearing from readers. Instead of sending e-mail to me, please post comments so that everyone can learn from your suggestions and experiences. I approve comments and only post those that are appropriate and useful. I have not approved some that are spam or ads. Thank you.
I do post individual travel deals on Twitter. Click here to follow me on Twitter and read my travel deal (and other) twits. Check out the people I am following; many post their own travel deals.
© 2009, Charles McCool
This blog's purpose is to teach readers skills to save money, time, and stress on all aspects of travel. By following this blog and incorporating the skills into your travel planning process, you will become better at planning travel and finding deals. I appreciate hearing from readers. Instead of sending e-mail to me, please post comments so that everyone can learn from your suggestions and experiences. I approve comments and only post those that are appropriate and useful. I have not approved some that are spam or ads. Thank you.
I do post individual travel deals on Twitter. Click here to follow me on Twitter and read my travel deal (and other) twits. Check out the people I am following; many post their own travel deals.
© 2009, Charles McCool
Friday, January 30, 2009
Job Layoff = Travel Opportunity
The news is bleak. 900k US construction workers are not working. More than 75,000 workers laid off this past Monday. Most states have over 5% unemployment.
What can you do if you are out of work or facing a layoff? Whine? File unemployment? Start a business?
Get outta town! I meant it. This is a great time to travel. I have been laid off three times (the perils of working in high tech). Twice I took the opportunity to travel. I flew to Hawaii, criss-crossed the US several times, went to Europe.
You have sensibly managed your finances, right? Obviously, if you have debt, you cannot just pick up and leave. Many cultures, countries, and people have gap years or even sabbaticals--between jobs or other major life events (marriage, graduation, etc.). Most people, however, are under the false impression that they must work. There are countless websites, books, and resources about living abroad alone or with your family, travelling indefinitely for cheap or free.
For readers in Northern Virginia (if you know people in Northern Virginia, let them know, please!), sign up for one of my upcoming classes:
- Feb 11: Road Trip (Oakton, Fairfax county)
- Feb 17 and Feb 24: Do It Yourself Trip Planning (Sterling, Loudoun county)
- March 4: Road Trip (Clarendon, Arlington county)
- March 18: Quit Your Job and Travel the World (Oakton, Fairfax county)
Could that last class title be more perfect?
Whether or not I see you in one of my classes, realize that the current economic environment is not so good for employment but it is great for travel.
© 2009, Charles McCool
What can you do if you are out of work or facing a layoff? Whine? File unemployment? Start a business?
Get outta town! I meant it. This is a great time to travel. I have been laid off three times (the perils of working in high tech). Twice I took the opportunity to travel. I flew to Hawaii, criss-crossed the US several times, went to Europe.
You have sensibly managed your finances, right? Obviously, if you have debt, you cannot just pick up and leave. Many cultures, countries, and people have gap years or even sabbaticals--between jobs or other major life events (marriage, graduation, etc.). Most people, however, are under the false impression that they must work. There are countless websites, books, and resources about living abroad alone or with your family, travelling indefinitely for cheap or free.
For readers in Northern Virginia (if you know people in Northern Virginia, let them know, please!), sign up for one of my upcoming classes:
- Feb 11: Road Trip (Oakton, Fairfax county)
- Feb 17 and Feb 24: Do It Yourself Trip Planning (Sterling, Loudoun county)
- March 4: Road Trip (Clarendon, Arlington county)
- March 18: Quit Your Job and Travel the World (Oakton, Fairfax county)
Could that last class title be more perfect?
Whether or not I see you in one of my classes, realize that the current economic environment is not so good for employment but it is great for travel.
© 2009, Charles McCool
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Don't Forget Travel Books
Believe it or not, the internet is not the only way to learn travel skills to save you money, time, and stress. As an author, I am partial to travel books. As a travel consultant, I find travel books invaluable. When I am planning a trip, especially to an unfamiliar destination, my first stop is usually my public library--from where I will check out several guidebooks. Guidebooks provide sample itineraries and recommendations for sightseeing, lodging, eating, transportation, when to visit, and more.
There are many different publishers of guidebooks, including Lonely Planet, Frommers, Fodors, Let's Go, Rough Guides, Rick Steves (Europe Through the Back Door), Moon, Insiders. I encourage you to, as I do, use several different guidebooks when planning your trips. The more times you do this, the more familiar you will become with each series. You will likely find yourself attracted to one or more series. Each publisher has a target audience, whether it is budget or luxury, young or old, independent or not. Everyone has their favorites, including me. By the way, the above guidebook publishers are listed in the order they came up in Google (not my preference).
The main disadvantage of travel guidebooks is that the information takes a long time to get released. By the time a guidebook is published, the entries (lodging, dining, attractions, etc.) may be obsolete (changed ownership, closed, changed prices or policies). Another problem (for some) with guidebooks is that since many travelers follow their advice that the once-quaint recommendations are soon tourist traps. I have seen many stories of someone visiting a remote village only to find other travelers with the same guidebook at their breakfast table or visiting a unique spot.
The value of guidebooks is that the information is provided by people that have already visited destinations I want to go to. They tell me places to visit (stay or eat) and not to. To independently plan trips, it really helps to know how long other people spend visiting area or how to use local transportation, for instance.
OK, that briefly covers travel guidebooks.
In my next post, I will discuss travel reference books. Whereas guidebooks cover specific destinations, travel reference books truly teach travel skills--such as how to save money, time, and stress.
© 2009, Charles McCool
There are many different publishers of guidebooks, including Lonely Planet, Frommers, Fodors, Let's Go, Rough Guides, Rick Steves (Europe Through the Back Door), Moon, Insiders. I encourage you to, as I do, use several different guidebooks when planning your trips. The more times you do this, the more familiar you will become with each series. You will likely find yourself attracted to one or more series. Each publisher has a target audience, whether it is budget or luxury, young or old, independent or not. Everyone has their favorites, including me. By the way, the above guidebook publishers are listed in the order they came up in Google (not my preference).
The main disadvantage of travel guidebooks is that the information takes a long time to get released. By the time a guidebook is published, the entries (lodging, dining, attractions, etc.) may be obsolete (changed ownership, closed, changed prices or policies). Another problem (for some) with guidebooks is that since many travelers follow their advice that the once-quaint recommendations are soon tourist traps. I have seen many stories of someone visiting a remote village only to find other travelers with the same guidebook at their breakfast table or visiting a unique spot.
The value of guidebooks is that the information is provided by people that have already visited destinations I want to go to. They tell me places to visit (stay or eat) and not to. To independently plan trips, it really helps to know how long other people spend visiting area or how to use local transportation, for instance.
OK, that briefly covers travel guidebooks.
In my next post, I will discuss travel reference books. Whereas guidebooks cover specific destinations, travel reference books truly teach travel skills--such as how to save money, time, and stress.
© 2009, Charles McCool
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