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SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013 | HERALDsTANDARD.COm
Associated Press
In this file photo, tourists and local residents enjoy a day the the beach as Memorial Day weekend begins in the South Beach area of Miami Beach, Fla. With a little advance planning, and some insider tips, summer vacations can be a lot less expensive.
6 things to ask before booking a summer trip NEW YORK (AP) — It’s May. Memorial Day and the end of the school year are in sight. Suddenly, you’re thinking about a summer vacation. A little advance planning — and some insider tips — can save you a lot of money. Whether you’re booking airfare, a car rental or a hotel room, there are questions you should ask first.
water in the room. Join the frequent guest program. Omni, Fairmont and Kimpton all give program members free WiFi — even those who have yet to spend a night. Fairmont gives its members free access to its health clubs. Kimpton gives a $10 credit toward snacks in its minibars. Big chains typically run summer promotions. AIR TRAVEL They offer loyalty club Q: When is the best members rewards like time to buy airfare? a $25 gas card or a free A: There is no overfuture night after just arching rule, but gentwo stays. erally the sweet spot For smaller hotels for buying is four to six and bed and breakfasts, weeks before you travel. pick up the phone and Prices are highest eight negotiate. to 10 weeks and two to Q: Are nonrefundable three weeks in advance. rooms a good deal? However, start your A: Sites like Priceline search earlier, if posand Hotwire offer deep sible. Learn what fares discounts in exchange tend to be on a route for taking a chance. so you can jump on a Vacationers only learn deal when one appears. Associated Press the name of a hotel after Timing it right can save In this file photo, the rush hour commute starts in early afternoon and with greater intensity as traffic is jammed in both they pay upfront. They a family hundreds of also aren’t guaranteed directions on Interstate 405 on the Westside of Los Angeles as commuters and vacationers hit the road. With a little dollars. And remember, advance planning, and some insider tips, summer vacations can be a lot less expensive. a bed type or choice of with most fares you now smoking or non-smoking HOTELS have 24 hours to cancel room. smartphone. Just be Use sites like SeatGuru. you the best protection. Q: How can I save a for any reason. Use that com and SeatExpert.com Debit cards typically And some hotels warned: using the smartfew bucks on my stay? to your advantage. give such guests lessphone’s GPS tends to to review specific seats. don’t offer the same A: Ask about extra Q: Is it worth paying coverage. desirable room locadrain its battery. RENTAL CARS charges. Parking at for extras such as more As for liability intions, like next to the ice An automatic toll colQ: Do I need rental car surance, if you don’t some hotels might be legroom, access to machine. lection device will cost insurance? $10 a night, while big shorter security lines have a personal policy Many hotels now offer about $5 a day. It can A: The rental firms city hotels can charge in nonrefundable rates and early boarding? you should probably save you time at busy excess of $50. Internet A: There are a number sell collision damage buy this extra covon their own websites. toll plazas if you’re waiver (CDW) insurance erage, which costs a of variables to consider The savings might be traveling during holiday access might cost $10 a for up to $25 extra a day or more. Many big here, including the few hundred dollars. Or weekends. But when less, but you still get to day. It offers protection hotels also have a manlength of your flight if you rent frequently, pick your room type and traffic is normal, it is from theft, vandalism — and your legs. The insurance companies harder to justify the time datory resort fee — that know where you will be or other damage. It’s a includes Internet, phone staying. If your plans airline and time of day will sell you annual non- savings. major source of revenue. owner car insurance calls and use of the pool change and you rebook, can also matter. If you decline the — that can run $25 a You can buy your way Decide whether you policies. however, you lose your service and the car still night or more. to the front of a security need this insurance long Q: Is it worth adding money. has a toll device, make before you get to the Look for savings on line. United, for exa GPS or toll collection Keep in mind that sure it is properly stored counter. amples, charges $9 for device? room prices can drop in the protective case. If food and drink. Hotel Your personal inthe privilege. But first A: You don’t need to a toll booth picks up the chains such as Embassy after you book. That disconsider the time you’re surance policy likely pay up to $14 extra a day signal you’ll be charged Suites, Hampton Inn and counted, nonrefundable covers rental cars. It Holiday Inn Express flying. At lunchtime on for a GPS. If you own a rate could still be higher the toll and face a hefty offer free breakfasts. a Tuesday, the airport is probably also extends li- portable GPS, bring it than if you booked the penalty from the rental Others offer free bottled room a month later. probably empty anyway. ability insurance to your with you. Or use your company. rental, which you also However, if you’re need. leaving Orlando or Las But confirm this well Vegas on a Sunday, the fee could be money well ahead of time with your insurer. spent. Many credit cards Boarding early imoffer rental car inproves your chances surance. Some offer of finding overhead primary insurance. Most space. But that’s about only cover what your it. If you don’t have a personal insurance does carry-on bag, then save not. And cards have the money — typically plenty of exclusions. If $10 each way. Only on you are renting for more Southwest — which doesn’t assign seats — is than two weeks or traveling to Ireland, Israel, there an additional adJamaica, Australia, Italy vantage: being first to or New Zealand, you pick where to sit. Then there’s legroom. might not be covered. Exotic and luxury cars, JetBlue charges extra some vans, motorfor seats in the front cycles and SUVs aren’t of the plane with covered. more legroom. But its Your card probably standard seats already doesn’t cover the rental have three inches company’s “loss-of-use” more legroom than a fee — a surcharge for similar seat on United. the revenue lost while “Preferred seats” on the vehicle is in the American Airlines start shop. Some personal at $4 and climb to $99, depending on the length insurance policies cover of a flight. But there isn’t this, some don’t. Pay for the rental extra space — you’re with the card that gives just nearer the front.