SavvySugar

I'm Asking: Are You an "Airport Snob"?

SavvySugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:45:26 -0700

Naturally, it makes sense to book the cheapest flights possible if you're located near more than one major airport, as long it doesn't cost significantly more (in time or money) to get there. But what about layovers? Since I can typically find flights of similar value with a variety of stops, I do have my own penchants when it comes to picking airports - just one bad experience will make me avoid certain connections whenever possible. On that note, my local airport released this ad showing an intentionally exaggerated view of SFO when compared to other major California airports:

Of course, travel time and parking price should be factored into any choice, but do you find yourself preferring one airport over another for departure, arrival, or stops in between?

Take Care of These 7 Things Before Making a Trip

SavvySugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:00:57 -0700

Why it's me again with more better-safe-than-sorry reminders! Now sometimes with all the anxiety - "Did I remember to pack that?!" - and excitement - "Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!" - before leaving, we can forget to double-check important things back home. Click through this list and make sure to remember each item on my list.

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Get Cheap Rooms With These "Name Your Own Price" Tips

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:15:19 -0700

Travel season is upon us, and I'll be the first to say I have champagne taste, but am confined to a beer-sized budget. Finding deals on hotels and flights has never been so important, especially with gas prices and travel costs through the roof! So lately, Priceline's "Name Your Price" feature (you know the commercials - William Shatner is the "Priceline Negotiator"?) has been looking more and more attractive, but I've heard a story or two about users who have been less than thrilled with their rooms once they've arrived.

My girl Petsugar has been there and told me about a site she found that deconstructs the rules and ways of Priceline's hotel selection process. Dubbed BiddingForTravel, this site schools you on some sweet tips and tricks to using Priceline, and now Petsugar can even guess (correctly!) which hotel she is bidding on!

Go through BiddingForTravel's helpful FAQs first to learn how Priceline chooses your hotels and flights, then start bidding. If it's all too much and you need further help, request for bid assists from the pros to help you get the room and location you want for your next vacay. That's what I call full service!

Want some more tips on how to bid for rooms on Priceline? Then just read more.

Do your research: If you're going to bid for your hotels, at least get to know the neighborhoods where you could potentially be staying. Do your research of all the areas surrounding your destination (and your preferred hotel) to make sure you get as close to where you want to be as possible. Also, check around to see what rooms in each area are going for. You don't want to place a bid that's too close to the real price - then it's not a deal!
Check the competition: Hotwire is another site that lets you get rooms on the cheap, but there's no bidding involved. Cross-reference Hotwire's prices for the same neighborhood and star rating, and then bid anywhere between 15-20 percent lower than that.
Aim high: Just like if you were negotiating a salary, you should aim high and work your way down from there. If you're willing to settle for a three-star hotel, look at the 4.5-star hotels first, then bid, and if it isn't accepted, meander on down to the four- and three-star rated facilities.
Read the fine print: You are only allowed to bid once in 24 hours on a hotel in the same or higher star category, neighborhood, and date. Change any of the above info, and you're good to bid again immediately. Additionally, don't enter a second-choice neighborhood selection from the get-go. Hold off on this in case you have to bid again.
Bidding for airline tickets: When you're bidding for an airline ticket, try starting in the coach seats first. You may find that you'll be offered to upgrade with a deeper discount than if you just went straight for first class.
All sales are final: Once you confirm your rate, your reservation is nonrefundable, even with a fee. Just another reason to make sure you bid smart, and be patient to score the price you're looking for.

I'm Asking: Does TV Inspire Your Destination Dreams?

SavvySugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:45:32 -0700

Admittedly, I tuned into a couple episodes of The Bachelor this season. Not only did I watch pilot Jake fly - "on the wings of love," no less - into Vienna's arms, I got quite a few glimpses of St. Lucia. Now, to honor the recent surge in publicity and popularity, almost two dozen of the island's resorts have joined together in a Red Rose Romance promotion with special discounts for trips booked by March 31, and completed by the end of the year. While some are pricier - like the four-night Proposal Package at the rose ceremony location, Cap Maison (starting at $3,400, bachelor not included) - there are plenty on the more reasonable splurge side.

I'm definitely reminded of my fabulous honeymoon on this isle, and of so many other places I'd love to visit after seeing them on the small screen (like Vancouver). When you think about vacation wishes, are they ever fueled by places you spotted on television?

Picture It: The Queen Sea

TresSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:00:10 -0700

The Queen Mary 2 looked unreal as it departed from Australia yesterday. While the ship no longer holds the title as the world's largest, it's still impressive, and currently on a world voyage traveling to every continent in the world in 108 days. Would you like to hop aboard?

Double-Check These 5 Things Before Booking Hotels Online

SavvySugar — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0700

Playing up the best features with professional photos is the name of any hotel's aesthetics game, but stave off disappointment (and final sticker shock) by asking yourself these five questions before booking a room:

Can I pinpoint it on a map? If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is! For example, several airport hotels have the sneaky habit of naming themselves after the closest big city, making that great San Francisco deal . . . closer to the tiny town of Millbrae. Take the extra two minutes and pop the address into Google Maps to verify it's where you actually want to be.
Is there an extra charge to book online? If you're using a third-party website for hotels (or even flights), it's essential to check for booking fees. It's quite possible you can save money by calling the hotel directly or visiting a chain's website instead.

See the rest when you read more.

What else is being charged? Look closely for additional taxes and services charges. Often times, listings vaguely reference that a room tax, resort fee, or city tax applies - if you want to know what that works out to be, call the resort directly to find out. It could make another hotel with fewer mandatory fees but a higher price tag come out on top of the bargain.
Do I pay in advance? Getting that great deal may involved a prepaid, nonrefundable stay. Know whether or not you're entering in your payment info to hold a spot, or if you need to have a card ready once you get to the hotel, too.
What's the cancellation policy? If the deal is prepaid, know when your card will be charged - while some are paid upon booking, others let you make changes or cancellations up until 24 hours before your stay begins. If you're not good to go . . . you want to make sure you're good to go, refund-wise anyway.

Save Money Twice Over and Make Magnets

SavvySugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:45:21 -0800

Step away from that overpriced gift shop display. I know it's hard to resist the $5 pens with ships that "sail" when turned upside down before crashing into the other side. But also crashing is your vacation budget. While always tempting to bring back a lil something special from your journey, this DIY souvenir came to me when I recently found some foreign change in my purse's interior pocket. As it turns out, some euros are copper-covered steel and stick to magnets - like the clasp of my purse - with no adhesive.

Even if you find pence or pesos of other alloys, make magnets on the cheap using a magnetic strip with adhesive backing from the local craft store or an old magnet and some glue. Not only does this souvenir cost much less than any cheesy, store-bought magnet, but you'll also be reminded of your doubly smart savings long after you return home, each time you open the fridge.

If You're Trying to Buy a Smile, Plan a Vacation

SavvySugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:45:35 -0800

As that old cliché goes, "Money can't buy happiness." Sure, spending on something swell puts a smile on your face in the short term, but chances are you've bought an item that you've had second thoughts about later. But what about vacations, dinners out, or other experiential purchases? Study after study - eight of them, in fact - show people gain more pleasure (and are generally more satisfied) by spending on an experience vs. a material good. On the surface level, it makes sense. I'm less likely to recall and mull over restaurant splurges that weren't up to par than that tinge of regret upon seeing an impulse buy each time I open my closet. Learn some of the findings when you read more.

Reasons include:

It's easier for us to decide on an experiential purchase than a material one.
We tend to think of experiences more on their own terms, rather than in comparison with other things.
We're more upset if we learn that someone else got a better deal, or that a better option exists, for a material purchase than for an experience-related one.

It's true that when you pay for a vacation, there's little left to show when you return home, but the memories are irreplaceable. Splurging on a once-in-a-lifetime trip may be just that (once in a lifetime), but I'm betting you'd think about it more often afterward than a pair of designer jeans. I'm curious - does this hold true for you, too?

Do You Take a Spring Break?

SavvySugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:41 -0800

Ahh, college. Even if trips weren't out of the country, the respite from classes was always welcomed in some special fashion. If you still get the time off (or are thinking of taking a trip during this month anyway), the week of March 22 is the priciest choice between now and early April, so watch out for that one, and remember the midweek-to-midweek savings!

For the season in general, data collected by Bing and Travelocity found airfares up nine percent from last year but hotel averages down three. Factor in the pricey activities and crowds and it may still push you, and your budget, over the edge. Do you use the coming of warm weather to bring out the bathing suits and grab a beer . . . or is that time in your life only a fond memory?

Photos of Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush Sporting String Bikinis and Six-Pack Abs in Costa Rica!

Molly — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:08:00 -0800

Kim Kardashian showed off her very famous bikini body - both front and back - cuddling up with shirtless Reggie Bush in Costa Rica on Saturday and Sunday. That Super Bowl-winning six-pack is certainly a welcome sight, and reminds us of their very sexy GQ spread last year. The two have been spending lots of time together since his season ended, including a couples pampering session with a head massage for Reggie. Scott isn't the only Kardashian boyfriend getting heat these days, but it looks like everything went great with Kim and Reggie on their exotic romantic getaway.

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