(Photo Credit: CNN Travel website)
TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: My friends and family know that I enjoy travel planning immensely. After a long day at work, there’s nothing I like more than coming home to research online travel steals/deals while planning my next trip. My obsession has expanded; I’m no longer planning trips for myself, I’m now planning “toots” (toots = family word for a weekend away/trip/vacation) for my close friends and family. (Ex. Anniversary weekend in Toronto; Cross-Country meet up in Chicago; 5-day Caribbean girls vacation, etc.)
As I prepare to plan this year’s “toots,” I thought I’d share some of my favorite go-to travel planning websites:
TRAVELZOO: has provided me with ample travel deals over the years. Everything from discounted hotel rates in NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, etc., to full fledge European vacations. My best “steal of a deal” found through Travelzoo, was a luxury vacation in Dublin, Ireland. Roundtrip airfare from JFK to Dublin, Ireland; Automatic Rental Car for a week with unlimited mileage; 6 nights/7 days at the brand new Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt Hotel, set just outside the city. Not to toot my own horn (I’m tooting), but this vacation package cost me (and my sister, who I convinced to take the trip with me!) ~$950.00/pp for everything (RT Air, Rental Car, 6 nights at the Ritz, Taxes & Insurance). True story. I highly recommend signing up for the Travelzoo weekly email blast (released Wednesday’s at 11 AM if you’re a VIP – otherwise 12 PM for regular members, I think) and monitor their Top 20 deals for the week.
AIRFAREWATCHDOG: (and FareCompare, a close second) is my favorite airfare deal tracking website. By creating an account, I’ve been able to enter a variety of routes (Ex. PHL to ORD; ATL to PHL, etc.) that I travel frequently and set alerts to have Airfarewatchdog contact me when an airline is having a fantastic deal for any/all of my routes. This website has saved me countless dollars, as it alerts me immediately of great fares. Best fare purchased based on one of my daily emails from Airfarewatchdog? (I’m tooting again) RT Airfare from PHL to BOS on USAirways for $94.10, taxes included. I. Love. This. Site. (Note: You can set the frequency with which you receive the email alerts. I have daily alerts sent to me; however, my friends prefer receiving their alerts 1x/per week.)
SEATGURU: is a must when booking airfare. Period. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling in coach or first class, this website helps identify the best and worst seats on your flight’s aircraft. Prior to selecting my seats and booking my airfare, I always cross-reference SeatGuru to be sure I’m selecting a seat with sufficient legroom, that’s not next to the lavatory, has room for my belongings on the floor in front of me and is not directly across from the flight attendant’s seat. Use this site once and I promise you’ll be hooked, too!
GATEGURU: is a lifesaver when you’re waiting for your flight. Want to know where the nearest Starbucks is to your gate? Forgot to pack your umbrella and want to purchase one before boarding your flight to Seattle? Can’t remember where the Delta Sky Club lounge is at the Atlanta airport? Use GateGuru to find anything and everything at your major U.S. airport.
FLIGHTTRACKPRO: is a wonderful app to reference when flying. Enter your flight information and receive up-to-the-minute updates on your flight. I use it every time I fly – fantastic tool.
FACEBOOK: is a great tool to use for travel planning. Let me explain… if you haven’t already, sign up for any/all hotel loyalty programs at the properties you frequent. I don’t care if it’s a Holiday Inn or the Ritz Carlton, signing up for hotel loyalty programs benefits you in so many ways. First up, you become “a regular” in the brand’s system. Secondly, you often receive perks like free WIFI, complimentary beverages at check-in or from the minibar in your room, or access to the Club Lounge at participating properties. Finally, as a loyalty member, you can “like” the Facebook pages for participating brands and gain access to “loyalty member only” promotions. Kimpton Hotels In Touch Loyalty Program is the perfect example. Kimpton properties provide outstanding benefits to their In Touch members – upgrades, coupons for ~$10 worth of complimentary product from the minibar in your room, free WIFI, great discounted rates, etc. PLUS when liking their Kimpton In Touch Loyalty Program Facebook page, you’re able to get first-hand updates of great rates or special codes that can be used for online booking OR to be said to the front desk agent upon check-in at participating properties for a free gift. Love it! I try to “like” all of the hotel brands I visit online. Why not?
A few additional fan favorites include:
I have plenty more websites up my sleeve, but thought I’d begin with these. Enjoy planning your next experience!
the. experience. planner. 