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August 13, 2003 WUSA TV Washington DC
Bargain Travel Show
How to find the best travel bargain.
1. Decide the general area you’d like to visit. Let’s say London as our example. How long I could stay and the approximate dates of my availability.
2. Buy the New York Times and read the travel section-particularly the ads for two weeks or so. The Washington Post travel section is fine but too small and companies like American Airlines and Liberty Travel take multiple pages in the Times and perhaps half a page in the Post. (Hold up travel section of NY Times)
3. Check web sites such as www.travelocity.com,
www.expeida.com and perhaps www.Frommers.com for their London options and general prices of flights and hotels.
4. Now the British Airlines like Virgin Vacations, Virgin Atlantic airlines and British Air web sites and then the primary US carriers to Europe like AA, NW and others.
5. The official London and England Tourism web sites.
6. Now we have an overall idea of the cost of a package or booking my own air and hotel. Frequently getting the package deal as in the current Virgin Air at and Red Carnation Hotels puts you into superior accommodations at the price of a much lower cost hotel booked on your own and other perks make it too good to beat.
7. If I just need my air I check all the airlines flying to that site and be sure to remember that some airlines like JetBlue, ATA and Southwest are not a part of the auction sites or Expedia etc. I will also call the airlines reservations department late at night and talk over my plans and get their schedules and costs. Sometimes the reservationists will tell you that the lowest priced ticket is at xx departure time and you had no way of knowing that. Another thing you can ask them is how full the flight is on a particular day. This gives you an idea if it might be on the auction sites.
8. Amtrak has vacation packages and they have their own closeout or half price last minute specials at
http://tickets.amtrak.com/Amtrak/railsale. I haven’t found their website easy to navigate but the reservationists are always kind.
Remember sometimes we just can’t get it down to zero!!!
Some current Hot Deals!
Save big money and stay here! In Washington DC I tested out just one of several specials at the historic four star four diamond Jefferson, a Loews Hotel, by trying their two-night Presidential Picnic Package that includes luxurious Friday- and Saturday-night accommodations, and a picnic basket lunch to consume at one of the top 5 places for picnics. Priced at $380 the represents a room savings of more than 50%.
The Top 5 Places for Picnics in D.C. are:
1 – The Tidal Basin at The Jefferson Memorial—short cab ride away
2 – The Reflecting Pool—15 minute walk
3 - The Ellipse—4 blocks away
4 - The National Mall—15 minute walk
5 – U.S. Capitol Building
For information and to book this package, call 800-235-6397 www.loewshotels.com/hotels/washington_jefferson/.
Florida
BED AND BREAKFAST
THE CHESTERFIELD HOTEL
The Chesterfield Hotel, built in 1926, is an historical landmark, a member of The Small Luxury Hotels of the World and nestled in the heart of exclusive Palm Beach just two blocks to the world famous Worth Avenue and between the Intercoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean.
The Bed and Breakfast special enables guests to experience Palm Beach living in a luxury boutique hotel and includes:
o One Night accommodations in a Queen Superior Room
o Continental Breakfast the following morning for two
o 15% gift voucher to be used in The Leopard Lounge and Restaurant or Gift Shop
This special Bed and Breakfast package is available for $99.00 per night. The rate is based on double occupancy and excludes tax and gratuity.
The Chesterfield features fifty-four luxurious guest rooms and suites each uniquely decorated. Guests may enjoy an unparalleled dining experience and dance to world-class entertainment in the renowned Leopard Lounge and Restaurant. Visitors may also relish lounging at the heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi spa with a tropical setting, enjoying traditional English afternoon tea in the wood paneled Library, and savoring fine Cognac in Churchill’s Cigar room. Old traditions, contemporary touches, and concierge services complete an extraordinary guest experience.
The Chesterfield 1-800-243-7871
www.chesterfieldpb.com
www.redcarnationhotels.com
Toronto
Packages offer great hotel rates for $79, $99 or $129 CDN per night at over 60 Toronto hotels, set-priced menus at many of Toronto’s fabulous restaurants and 2 for 1 deals at over 30 top attractions. Package details are available at
www.itstimeforalittleto.ca and are valid until Labour Day. To book other getaways call Tourism Toronto at 1-800-499-2554.
or (416) 203-2600
www.torontotourism.com.
Many special packages available in Toronto and at the 37 Delta Hotels throughout Canada. We stayed at the Delta Chelsea an outstanding property conveniently located in the heart of Toronto.
www.deltahotels.com or call 1-877-814-7706.
Offering free third nights and other benefits Fairmont Hotels & Resorts operate 41 properties throughout six countries. Featuring such storied hotels as The Fairmont San Francisco, The Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac and The Plaza, Fairmont properties are often deemed attractions in and of themselves. For more information on Fairmont or reservations please call 1-800-441-1414
www.fairmont.com.
England
As I mentioned England and in particular London always have various bargain rates and packages try Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Vacations, the other major airlines and hotels.
Cheaper than staying home are some of Virgin Vacations offers:
London Winter Supersale from $429, travel 11/2-12/14, purchase by 8/29 includes: R/t air - 6 nights hotel - breakfast daily hotel taxes and service charges.
London January/February Supersale from $379, travel 1/12-2/23/04 purchase by 8/29 includes: R/t air (Tuesday and Wednesday departures only) 6 nights hotel breakfast daily hotel taxes and service charges.
Manchester Fall Fly/Drive Fling from $499 includes round-trip airfare from Washington & 7-day Hertz car rental travel valid September 3 – October 31, 2003 (Must be booked by August 28, 2003). Add on our UK Bed & Breakfast/go as you please option for accommodations in over 1,700 B & B’s throughout the UK.
1-888-YES-VIRGIN
www.virginvacations.com
Red Carnation Hotels Specials in London at Its Best
Red Carnation Hotels has put together a fabulous getaway package, including airfare, that offers guests unbelievable savings to London during the winter holiday season. Available at two five-star hotels: The Milestone Hotel and Apartments Kensington, “41” at Buckingham Palace, and at their three four-star hotels: The Chesterfield in Mayfair, The Montague on the Gardens in Bloomsbury and the Rubens at the Palace. The package includes two round-trip economy air tickets and three nights’ accommodation in one of these properties.
The London at Its Best package for two people includes:
* Two round-trip economy air tickets on American Airlines
* A Saturday night stay-over is required
* Minimum three night stay required in a luxury Double Room
* Full English Breakfast for two every morning in-room or in Restaurant
* Traditional English Tea once during their stay
* Fish and Chips and two beers in the Hotel’s Restaurant
* Half day London sightseeing tour
* Taxi ride from the Hotel to Covent Garden
* Must be booked by September 30, 2003
* Travel between November 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004 (All travel must return by March 31, 2004)
* There is a $40 high season room supplement per night between November 1 through December 13, 2003
The London at Its Best package including round-trip airfare and accommodations for two persons at The Montague on the Gardens, and The Rubens at the Palace departing from Washington, D.C. gateways, is $879. Single person price including round-trip airfare and accommodations is $682. Extra night rates are available at $143. An extra person sharing double room with round-trip airfare is $224.
The Chesterfield Mayfair departing from Washington, D.C. gateways, is $920. Single person price including round-trip airfare and accommodations is $724. Extra night rates are available at $157. An extra person sharing double room with round-trip airfare is $224.
The Milestone Hotel and Apartments and “41” departing from Washington, D.C. gateways, is $1,287. Single person price including round-trip airfare and accommodations is $1,092. Extra night rates are available at $279. An extra person sharing double room with round-trip airfare is $224.
All rates quoted are exclusive of appropriate air and government taxes and subject to availability. For details or to book the London At Its Best package, contact ITP Travel and ask for Eileen at (800) 223-7406 or email:
itptvl@aol.com.
www.redcarnationhotels.com.
ASIA
Cathay Pacific Airways’ popular All Asia Pass offers for one low price, Hong Kong, Bali, Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia – and many other exciting destinations. The All Asia Pass offers Economy Class travel to Hong Kong and any or all of 17 other Cathay Pacific cities in Asia from Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York within 21 consecutive days for just USD $1199 plus taxes. The price drops to USD $1099 plus taxes for adults 55 and older, full-time students 24 and younger and children under 12. Proof of eligibility required upon purchase. Cathay Pacific's CyberTravelers can purchase an All Asia Pass for just USD $999 plus taxes, and take along up to three friends for the same low price. To join the free CyberTraveler program, visit Cathay Pacific's local web site at
www.cathay-usa.com.
All Asia Pass departures in 2003 may occur February 09 to May 15, inclusive and August 14 to December 04, with the last return date of December 11. Departures in 2004 may occur February 01 to May 13, inclusive and August 17 to December 03, with the last return date of December 10. Transpacific departures must occur Sunday through Thursday and all travel must be completed within 21 days of arrival in Asia.
For more information on the All Asia Pass, visit Cathay Pacific's local web site at
www.cathay-usa.com or call the airline's toll-free fax-back service at 1-800-607-3388, and enter document code 5001.
DEAL OF THE MONTH
Cathay Pacific’s August Deal of the Month offers remarkably affordable and convenient travel to exotic and fascinating Bangkok. Priced from just USD $549.00 (not including taxes and fees ranging from USD$60.90- USD$83.00 per person), the current Deal of the Month offers roundtrip Economy Class travel to Hong Kong and Bangkok (with free Hong Kong stopovers in both directions, applicable to additional departure taxes) on sale from August 1, 2003 to August 29, 2003 11:59p.m. Eastern time (or until deemed sold out).
Travel must take place between September 1, 2003 and November 30, 2003, inclusive. Travel must originate at a Cathay Pacific gateway city in the USA (Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York JFK) and tickets must be purchased online at:
www.cathay-usa.com/dotm
Additionally, Cathay Pacific has partnered with Shangri-La Hotels and Regal Hotels International to offer exclusively discounted hotel rates in Bangkok and Hong Kong, respectively.
non-stop 747-400 service from New York to Vancouver onboard one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world.
Liberty Travel in the NY Times this week had mega discounts to the Caribbean among just about every other destination you can imagine.
Overseas Adventure Travel has early booking discounts but they offer such value for the dollar and their repeat customer base is enormous so they are a consistently trusted reliable bargain.
CARIBBEAN
Jamaica
More than 50 % off rack rates at SuperClubs
Breezes Runaway Bay, Jamaica has a starting rate of $133 per person, per night (based on double-occupancy, land
only) everything is included from your room, all meals, unlimited alcoholic beverages, airport transfers and even tipping! Plus, Breezes boasts unique features such as a circus workshop where you learn how to fly the trapeze, juggling and trampoline clinics; water sports including snorkeling, water skiing and kayaking. Scuba divers are in for a special treat as there are two sunken Cessna planes that are a favorite for wreck divers (resort certification classes are complimentary; PADI certification is extra). Breezes' guests also enjoy unlimited and complimentary access to the 18-hole championship golf course just across the street from the resort (greens fees are included though caddies are extra and compulsory in Jamaica).
For a naughtier vacation, try the Hedonism Resorts in Jamaica for a low starting rate of $124 per person, per night (based on
double-occupancy, land only). The Super-Inclusiveness of a SuperClubs vacation applies as well and in addition to the staple land and water sports (exception: no golf), Hedonism is known for great evening entertainment as well as themed parties: pajama parties every Tuesday night & toga parties every Thursday.
Estimate about $400 for roundtrip air from Baltimore on Air Jamaica.
So a six-night/seven day trip to Breezes starts at $1,200 per person or $1,145 per person for Hedonism. No extras.
San Juan
Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort in San Juan has great specials on their internet site that you can combine with those weekend air specials from American Airlines and others that are available to this great destination.
www.sjcourtyard.com):
AMTRAK
Amtrak has many specials and vacation packages on their web site. Still too expensive? Always check their Rail Sale at
http://tickets.amtrak.com/Amtrak/railsale where truly great savings can be found. The big problem with Rail Sale fares is they're not totally reliable. The specific fares I’m mentioning may be sold out, or disappear by the time you hear this. When I checked last night Penn Station NY to Washington’s Union
was $35.60 one way and Boston to Newport News was $56.
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