SavvySugar

I'm Asking: Would You Gamble on Rain to Win a Free Stay?

SavvySugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:04 -0800

I don't know many people who look forward to a rainy day on a beach vacay, but this plan may make you more inclined. Although normal rates for Malaysia's luxury Tanjong Jara Resort will run upwards of $350 per night, if you encounter more than an inch of rainfall in any 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. period, you'll get a free night (with a three-night-minimum to be eligible).

Both the island's rainy season and the promotion go from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 so there's a good chance you'll encounter some falling water on a stay, but no guarantees to the required total to achieve your dream of a downpour payout. Since most of you were not signing up for sunshine insurance, would you splurge on a trip here and hope for the ~~best~~ wettest weather possible, or does the possibility of rain deter you from the planning point period?

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Source: Flickr User John-Morgan

On Board and Ready To Buy

SavvySugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:41:23 -0800

In a new move to up their retail, airlines may soon be offering more in-flight opportunities to purchase anything from limousine services to Broadway theater tickets. Though The New York Times reports that only American Airlines has begun limited testing of the retail concept, nearly all airline carriers have confirmed that they are planning to unveil similar expanded retail offerings on flights.

So why expand retail, especially in the midst of a recession? Well, according to SkyMall president Christine Aguilera, airline passengers are "some of the greatest consumers on the planet," simply because they've got nowhere else to go and nothing else to do. This aspect makes "onboard" retail unique because, frankly, "operators are able to lock their doors with their shoppers still inside."

To learn more about airline retail, keep reading

Would You Take an Affordable Clothing-Optional Vacation?

SavvySugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:09 -0800

Clothing optional situations are typically limited to behind closed doors, but not if you're venturing off on a nakation. You don't have to bare it all on nakations - that's where the optional part comes into play - though you can if you want to. Besides the fact that participating nudists say that nude recreation is fun, there might be a financial benefit to taking a trip that encourages you to don your birthday suit.

Travel writer Christopher Elliott hasn't taken a nakation, but he also isn't opposed to it. He points out that there are many deals to be had at clothing-optional resorts (which aren't seedy as some would assume, just make sure they're represented by the American Association of Nude Resorts). Aside from affordable rates, Elliott makes the reasonable suggestion that travelers can save on baggage fees by opting for a nakation.

Got a cost-saving travel tip? Join our Savvy Travel Tips group and share your expertise!

I'm Asking: Have You Ever Canceled a Vacation?

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:01 -0800

After the oft-annoying planning and booking process, the last thing on my mind is canceling a vacation. However, I once preliminarily booked hotel rooms for a pal's birthday with a 24-hour-notice cancellation policy directly from the resort's website. I knew I'd secured something at a good price while I diligently monitored my favorite travel sites to see if a room at a more desirable hotel would significantly drop in price (it did) or if I changed my mind and decided to go a different weekend (did that, too.).

Sadly my parents have to cancel their planned Caribbean vacation next week - however, since the doctor won't let my father fly, he's faxed notes to the hotel and, thankfully, they'll be fully refunded and the card credited for their flights.

Whether intentional or not, have you ever backed out of a trip (and, if so, did you lose any money in the process)?

Got a cost-saving travel tip? Join our Savvy Travel Tips group and share your expertise!

Savvy Tip: Two Ways to Score Free WiFi at the Airport

SavvySugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:51 -0800

Searching for (or stealing) someone else's spotty Internet signal is never fun. Trust me, I've tried it - and let's just say Savvy wasn't smiling when it cut out . . . midblog post. Still airport (and in-flight rates) won't always add up to a deal for an hour layover, or an hour flight.

Luckily, Google announced a free holiday WiFi program in 47 participating airports and on all Virgin America flights until Jan. 15! If you're not flying that airline, through those locations or another airport with already free WiFi, Bing will offer free Internet access at a range of airport and hotel hotspots if you simply perform just one search with their engine. Hey, you can use it to search for your next great deal!

Got a cost-saving travel tip? Join our Savvy Travel Tips group and share your expertise!

Source: Flickr User Michal Osmenda

I'm Asking: Would You Make a Donation for "Free" Services?

SavvySugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:20 -0800

Not that I'm one to turn down a little something for nothing to save money, and take advantage of museum free days or other no-fee exhibits while traveling, even gratis concerts in the park can have people asking for donations to keep these things a reality.Still the reality is, seeing the donation bin doesn't always make people toss in money or it'd be overflowing daily! Even Google's free holiday Wifi program has a giveback option. If you're looking for a way to spread holiday cheer and generosity, you can make a charitable donation to one of three organizations, and the company will match it up to $250,000 - whoa, now that's some pricey WiFi!

If faced an optional donation, especially for a service you'd ordinarily have to pay for, do you offer up a little something in exchange?

Source: Flickr User andreadg

Savvy Links: How to Avoid Excessive Airline Fees

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

How to avoid excessive airline fees when you travel. - Consumerism Commentary
Reader dilemma: "How can I throw a big party without going broke?" - Glamour
How your ex could destroy your credit. - Walletpop
Ask the readers: What do you do for frugal fun? - Get Rich Slowly
Taking credit card offers hurts your credit. - The Consumerist

Travel Tip: 3 Steps to Take If Your Flight Is Cut

SavvySugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:45:14 -0800

You think you've done a good job, booking a flight months in advance of your planned travel. But with airlines cutting costs - and thus flights - all the time, there's a chance you will see that foresight going right down the drain. If you get the dreaded "Itinerary update: Flight change" email, look for these three things:

Check destination airport and connections. If the airline is no longer serving that airport or if the new time you'd arrive is drastically different, they may reroute you to another local airport - fine if you're familiar with the area or aren't meeting people, but if that exact spot is where you're joining family, it can be a problem.
Check times. Make sure your new departure, connection, and arrival times work for you and be comfortable with the window between any connections. Most US airlines will offer a full refund if your new flight arrives either 90 minutes earlier or later than the originally scheduled one.

See the last step when you read more.

Check for other flights. Look for alternatives before you call the airline. Although there are no guarantees, you may be able to change to a different flight that day with less of a wait or one that arrives at your exact desired destination. While swapping carriers is trickier, know which airlines have code-share partnerships, as changes between those linked airlines can be possible through the same agent.

5 Ways Flexibility Can Cut Travel Costs

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:45:42 -0800

When it comes to bargains, it pays to play it cool. High maintenance travelers can be as finicky as they want while on vacation, but that approach won't get you the cheapest trip while in planning mode. Think flexibility when organizing a vacation, and the deals will come to you.

View Slideshow ›

I'm Asking: Have You Ever Purchased or Transferred Miles?

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:10 -0800

Ahh, the challenge of racking up enough miles to actually use them for a free ticket. Business travelers and those who frequently fly via the same carrier can stock up for award travel, but did you know that many major airlines have expiration dates following a period of "non-activity" (usually between 18 and 24 months)?

If you want to still make use of those miles, you can purchase the remainder to get a free upgrade or trip in batches of 1,000 miles. However, this adds up and varies greatly between airlines. Case in point: American charges $27.50 for 1,000 miles, whereas United rings in at $67.25 for the same number. It works well if you're close to a usable amount, but if your airline rewards program is simply going nowhere, transfer your miles to a friend or family member who's saving up for a ticket. After all, you don't want to be spending more money to get a free ticket than it would cost to buy the ticket itself.

Have you ever had to purchase or transfer miles when your mile-hoarding left you coming up short?