Travel Writers With Travel Smarts Go Far

Updated: Mar 28th, 2010

It’s assumed that travel writers know the cheapest, safest, and savviest ways to travel. We all know what assume means. For those of you who don’t know what “assume” means, email us, and we’ll give you the real meaning of the word. After all, this is a clean blog and we cannot publish what “assume” really means!

Having travel smarts will get you far when you travel. You can travel inexpensively, even if you want to stay at a resort. Buckle up, sit back, and relax. Learn how to be a smart travel writer!

Holiday Savings

The holidays are right around the corner. Prices are supposed to be up by 30% or more for holiday travel. To avoid “flying into a price storm” this holiday season, follow these simple guidelines.

  1. First, book your flight early. If you do this you’ll be able to find more non-stop flights and flights with fewer layovers.
  2. Second, avoid the most expensive and traveled days of the year. Being flexible about the days you travel during the holiday season travel will save you money. For example, if you can fly in on December 26th, you can save over $100! True, you may have missed Christmas, but only by one day. This is all right with me. My direct flight was booked through Continental because it was the same price on Expedia. I saved over $100 dollars on my ticket!
  3. Finally, book the earliest flight of the day. You may have to drag yourself out of bed, but it will be worth it. Flying in the afternoon can be such a headache because of potential delays.

Cheap Sleep

Hotels and resorts in prime areas charge high rates. Their amenities such as pool, sauna, fitness room, spas, and the like — raise the rate per room. Remember this about hotels, motels, and resorts: they lose money each night a room is empty. They cannot recoup the lost income.

Here’s an inside scoop on how to save on hotels, motels, and resorts.

  1. Do not accept the first rate offered. Inquire about specials with a smile and when the front desk is not super busy!
  2. Call early. It pays to book in advance.
  3. Call direct. Avoid the “1-800” numbers that chain hotels offer. The customer service agent will read you the price from a screen; they have no room to negotiate.
  4. Avoid any add-ons. A room by the pool or beach will cost more. Ask for the lowest rate possible if a view doesn’t matter to you.
  5. AAA. Ask if the hotel accepts AAA and what discounts they give to AAA card holders.
  6. Super-saver rates. Did you know that hotels have “fall back rates?” They will quote you a rate if they “sense” that you are about to walk and book with another hotel.
  7. Sold-Out! Don’t fall for that line; it’s the oldest one in the book. Many “sold out” hotels have rooms available. A convention or wedding could have been canceled!
  8. Hotel discount companies. Check these companies out for major discounts from 20 to 70 percent: Hotel Reservations Network and Quikbook.
  9. FREE travel accommodations. Swap it! House and apartment swapping is very popular. Do you have an apartment in New York but would like to visit London? No problem. Check out HomeExchange for more information on swapping places. Please note that some “home swapping” organizations charge a fee.

Travel writers, these are just some travel smarts for you to know. There are plenty more, but this would end up being a 10 page blog! We’ll get you up to speed on how to become a money saver traveler & travel writer at the same time. Check back with us for more ways on how to become a smart travel writer.

Rebecca

The best time to buy airline tickets is during the week. Do not purchase tickets on the weekend! Many airlines like to “test” fare increases by increasing prices on Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays because fewer tickets are sold. If other airlines don’t follow the plan, the prices come down on Monday. It’s like gas prices. Some stations increase gas prices on a Thursday, but decrease them by Tuesday.

About Amandah Blackwell 198 Articles

Amandah Blackwell is a creative, freelance and ghost writer for industries that include but are not limited to the arts & entertainment, travel, publishing, real estate, pets, personal and professional development, and much more.

Amandah's personal writing projects include screenplays, teleplays, YA, non-fiction, short stories, and poetry. 

You can find more of her writing at www.MisticCafe.com, savvywritingcareers.wordpress.com, and www.savvy-writer.com.

You can follow Amandah on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/savvy_writer

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