DO check out New England's splendid fall foliage by following our tips for the best places to see the leaves in the Boston area.
DON'T visit Bermuda after the "high" season ends in late October. Although temperatures remain relatively mild and prices will plumet, many hotels and restaurants use the off-season to make updates and repairs, so you'll find many places are closed.
DO visit NYC in the early autumn. The city positively sizzles with cultural offerings, cooler temperatures make exploring the Big Apple by foot pleasant, and the holiday crowds haven't yet arrived.
DON'T put off your vacation any longer, if you didn't go away during the summer. After all, remember that taking a vacation is good for you!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Do's and Don'ts for Saving Money When You Sightsee
DO plan your sightseeing to take advantage of special bargains. For example, many attractions and museums waive or discount their admission fee at special times during the week.
DON'T forget that some of the most exciting and memorable experiences during your vacation might be completely free. For example, whale watching on Maui and being part of the Patriots' Day re-enactment outside Boston won't cost you a dime.
DO seek out bargain basement prices -- even on top-shelf entertainment. For example, Broadway shows are notoriously expensive. But savings abound if you know where to look -- just check out our insider tips on how to save big when you buy your ticket.
For more money-saving tips and tricks, DO visit the following related articles:
DON'T forget that some of the most exciting and memorable experiences during your vacation might be completely free. For example, whale watching on Maui and being part of the Patriots' Day re-enactment outside Boston won't cost you a dime.
DO seek out bargain basement prices -- even on top-shelf entertainment. For example, Broadway shows are notoriously expensive. But savings abound if you know where to look -- just check out our insider tips on how to save big when you buy your ticket.
For more money-saving tips and tricks, DO visit the following related articles:
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Do's and Don'ts for Saving Money on Food When You Travel
DO reserve a hotel suite with a kitchenette or even a condo so that you can make your own meals and save on dining out (this makes most sense if you are traveling with several other people, if you are staying in one place for more than a few nights, or if you are going to a place like Maui where condo rentals are plentiful and inexpensive).
DON'T forget that online coupons from sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, TravelZoo, and Zozi can help you save big (often as much as 90%) on deals at restaurants on vacation as well as at home.
DO take advantage of all the freebies that are included with your hotel room: if there is a coffee maker with complimentary coffee in your hotel room, go ahead and use it. And if a continental breakfast is included in the cost of your room, by all means, enjoy that, too!
DON'T overlook places that welcome your kids with wonderful freebies. For example, Loews Hotels have children stay free, eat free, and see a movie for free; Holiday Inns lets kids stay and eat free.
DO sign up for a restaurant discount card - it can save you lots of money at home and when you travel.
DON'T just do dinner. Instead, make lunch your main meal of the day since most restaurants have a lower priced mid-day menu (but the food is often the same).
DO bring your own snacks into theme parks, museums, etc. whenever possible.
DON'T forget that you can often save money if you skimp and splurge strategically at restaurant meals. An example, order tap water instead of a fancy bottle of water, but order the most fabulous dessert on the menu if desserts are your thing (you are on vacation, after all!).
DO ask your hotel to remove all the items from the mini-bar so you won't be tempted to eat a $8 Snickers bar.
DON'T forget that online coupons from sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, TravelZoo, and Zozi can help you save big (often as much as 90%) on deals at restaurants on vacation as well as at home.
DO take advantage of all the freebies that are included with your hotel room: if there is a coffee maker with complimentary coffee in your hotel room, go ahead and use it. And if a continental breakfast is included in the cost of your room, by all means, enjoy that, too!
DON'T overlook places that welcome your kids with wonderful freebies. For example, Loews Hotels have children stay free, eat free, and see a movie for free; Holiday Inns lets kids stay and eat free.
DO sign up for a restaurant discount card - it can save you lots of money at home and when you travel.
DON'T just do dinner. Instead, make lunch your main meal of the day since most restaurants have a lower priced mid-day menu (but the food is often the same).
DO bring your own snacks into theme parks, museums, etc. whenever possible.
DON'T forget that you can often save money if you skimp and splurge strategically at restaurant meals. An example, order tap water instead of a fancy bottle of water, but order the most fabulous dessert on the menu if desserts are your thing (you are on vacation, after all!).
DO ask your hotel to remove all the items from the mini-bar so you won't be tempted to eat a $8 Snickers bar.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Do's and Don'ts for Saving Money on Airfare
DO fly at off-peak times. Late on Friday and early on Monday are some of the busiest times to travel, but how about planning your trip for Tuesday, which is traditionally one of the slowest?
DON'T forget to compare all the additional fees, like those for baggage, reserved seats, etc., when you compare flight prices online.
DO plan far, far in advance if you want to use frequent flyer miles earned from other travel or from credit card use. Between fewer flights and more block-out periods, these seats are harder and harder to come by.
DON'T rely completely on general travel sites for last minute savings. Often, you'll find that dealing directly with discount airlines via their website or toll-free hotline yields the best last minute airfare deals.
DO time it right. See our tips on when to make your online reservations to find the best deals.
DO pack light. If you plan to carry-on your luggage, you don't want to be weighed down by too much stuff. And if you plan to check it, you don't want to be stuck paying extra fees for overweight or oversized bags.
DON'T forget to compare all the additional fees, like those for baggage, reserved seats, etc., when you compare flight prices online.
DO plan far, far in advance if you want to use frequent flyer miles earned from other travel or from credit card use. Between fewer flights and more block-out periods, these seats are harder and harder to come by.
DON'T rely completely on general travel sites for last minute savings. Often, you'll find that dealing directly with discount airlines via their website or toll-free hotline yields the best last minute airfare deals.
DO time it right. See our tips on when to make your online reservations to find the best deals.
DO pack light. If you plan to carry-on your luggage, you don't want to be weighed down by too much stuff. And if you plan to check it, you don't want to be stuck paying extra fees for overweight or oversized bags.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Do's and Don'ts for Saving Money on Rental Cars
Renting a car when you travel can be full of hassles and unexpected expenses, so we have accumulated these Dos and Don'ts to help ease the process and save you money:
DO reserve early. Rental car fleets are constantly shifting, so you need to make your car rental reservations early to be sure you will have wheels ready where and when you need them. You also usually get a better deal if you reserve early. One easy way to do that is to make your reservations online.
DON'T pay for extra insurance. Many credit card companies include car rental insurance as one of the standard perks of using their credit card. You many also have rental car coverage from your regular auto insurance policy. But don't assume anything -- before you leave home, confirm you are already covered for for both the liability and collision coverage on rental cars, otherwise you'll have pay for the rental car company's policy.
DO check for damage. Before you take the car off the rental lot, look it over carefully and insist that the rental agent marks down any existing scratches and dents so that you can be sure you won't be held responsible for damage done before you picked up the car.
DON'T return the car with less fuel than it had at pick-up time because the rental company will charge you ridiculous rates per gallon for the missing fuel. But while you should refuel the car yourself...
DON'T top off the tank. As long as the fuel gauge needle is at the full mark, you've done your duty -- at today's gas prices, why pay more than you have to?
DO clean your trash out of the car. Why should you do someone else's job? Because it will take less than a minute and it will endear you to the rental staff. Who cares? These people have the ability to hold you accountable for damage done to the car and you don't want them to seek for scratches here and there to make up for the fact that you left junk food wrappers all over the floor.
DO find out if there is a grace period. Some companies will hit you with hefty late charges -- even an extra day -- if you don't return the car promptly, so make sure you know what their policies are and plan accordingly.
DO reserve early. Rental car fleets are constantly shifting, so you need to make your car rental reservations early to be sure you will have wheels ready where and when you need them. You also usually get a better deal if you reserve early. One easy way to do that is to make your reservations online.
DON'T pay for extra insurance. Many credit card companies include car rental insurance as one of the standard perks of using their credit card. You many also have rental car coverage from your regular auto insurance policy. But don't assume anything -- before you leave home, confirm you are already covered for for both the liability and collision coverage on rental cars, otherwise you'll have pay for the rental car company's policy.
DO check for damage. Before you take the car off the rental lot, look it over carefully and insist that the rental agent marks down any existing scratches and dents so that you can be sure you won't be held responsible for damage done before you picked up the car.
DON'T return the car with less fuel than it had at pick-up time because the rental company will charge you ridiculous rates per gallon for the missing fuel. But while you should refuel the car yourself...
DON'T top off the tank. As long as the fuel gauge needle is at the full mark, you've done your duty -- at today's gas prices, why pay more than you have to?
DO clean your trash out of the car. Why should you do someone else's job? Because it will take less than a minute and it will endear you to the rental staff. Who cares? These people have the ability to hold you accountable for damage done to the car and you don't want them to seek for scratches here and there to make up for the fact that you left junk food wrappers all over the floor.
DO find out if there is a grace period. Some companies will hit you with hefty late charges -- even an extra day -- if you don't return the car promptly, so make sure you know what their policies are and plan accordingly.
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Do's and Don'ts for Saving Money on Hotels
Here are some insider tips for saving money on hotel costs when you travel:
- DO search online to find money-saving hotel deals.
- DON'T automatically book the cheapest hotel - make sure the hotel location is ideal (you can spend lots of money on taxicabs if you are far away from everything you want to see) and has the amenities you can't live without.
- DO consider alternative lodgings like vacation rentals, B&Bs and private residences.
- DON'T forget to review your final bill carefully and insist that all unreasonable hotel surcharges be removed.
- DO find out if you can use frequent flyer miles or rewards from other programs to pay for all or part of your hotel bill. And by the same token...
- DON'T forget to sign up for the rewards program for the hotel you are staying in, if you aren't already a member - you might find you are eligible for perqs even on your first stay.
- Do get more for your money by asking the hotel if they will upgrade your room for free.
- DON'T be shy about taking advantage of freebies: if there is a coffee maker with complimentary coffee in your hotel room, why not use it instead of visiting the expensive coffee stand in the lobby? And if a continental breakfast is included in the cost of your room, by all means, don't miss it!
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