Seth Daugherty asked:


Online travel sales are probably going to account for almost half of the travel market by 2010. There is no doubt that one of the best, if not the best way to get travel deals is through websites that offer online travel deals.

This includes two separate types of websites. One includes the standard travel websites. This would include Expedia and Travelocity among others.

The other, is the travel search engine, which would include Kayak and SideStep among others. No matter how you decide to book your travel, the sales in online travel websites is going to increase, and most likely, the reason has everything to do with the terrific deals offered online.

- Online Travel Sales: What Now?

It is obvious that this means there are a lot of choices when it comes to finding travel deals online. Here is a breakdown of the biggest names in travel sales online today.

- Travel Search Engines:

There are three online travel search engines that you should check out before committing yourself to a discounted airline ticket, car rental, cruise line or travel package. Remember that these travel search engines are different then travel websites, in that they offer a broader search that will cover searches for hundreds of smaller travel deal websites.

Travel Search Engines Include:

- Kayak

- SideStep

- Mobissimo

- Travel Websites:

There are at least four travel websites that you should look into before deciding which online travel sale to decide on. Remember that these are different then travel search engines, in that they stand on their own ground and usually sell you deals through the airlines.

Travel Websites Include:

- Orbitz

- Expedia

- Travelocity

- Priceline

The Differences in These Online Travel Sales Websites

Just like any other comparison on the web, there are going to be a lot of similarities and just a few differences in each. One thing is for sure, the travel websites, are going to have more flexibility and for the time being, offer better travel package deals then the travel search engines.

This is not to say that travel search engines don’t have a lot to offer for the online deal searcher. On the contrary, the travel search engines might be a great place to start. Regardless of which website, and which type of website you decide to find your online travel deal on, you are sure to find a great sale on travel online. Just stick to the websites mentioned in this article, and you will have no problem finding great travel deals at affordable prices.



MARLIN

Orkut G asked:


Hi,

I have booked expensive travel for next month. My parent suddenly died and I can’t make the trip. Can I expect my airline to make some consideration (refund) when I cancel my travel - due to the death?

Thanks for any ideas.

GREG

chic asked:


Can anyone help me about this? Unfortunately I have to leave from CA to TX. Any suggestion on how to take care and travel your cat? And if i reserved through continental airlines’ website is it guaranteed that my pet is with me even if i connect flight? Should i choose the same airline all through my travel?What’s the best pet carrier for this situation?
Thanks!

CLAYTON

Josh Webber asked:


If you are planning on traveling overseas, it is a good idea to acquire travel insurance before your departure. In fact, this should be near the top of your list of things to do. Travel insurance, similar to other forms of insurance, will probably not be needed. However, travel insurance, similar to other forms of insurance, can come in handy in the event of anything unforeseen happening while you are traveling.

Most travel insurance policies are designed to reimburse you in the event of the most likely scenarios that you might encounter while traveling, such as a delayed or canceled trip, death or illness, as well as the death of a relative at home. Travel insurance also covers the high cost of emergency medical assistance in a foreign country, as well as reimbursement for lost baggage.

You can also purchase various extras, including coverage in the event of an accident while participating in extreme sports, such as diving, skiing and skydiving; and coverage that will reimburse you for the cost of any emergency air transportation home, sometimes known as air ambulance. Travel insurance policies do not cover absolutely everything; they generally do not include coverage for expenses due to riots, wars and natural disasters.

It can be confusing determining how much travel insurance you need, or even if you actually need any at all. Most credit cards do include some kind of basic travel or trip cancellation insurance, which is usually adequate. If you are buying a plane ticket, your ticket comes with basic liability coverage for lost or delayed baggage, although it does not really cover expensive items. Also, if you are worried about your airline declaring bankruptcy, which is not so out of the question in today’s economic climate, an airline that ceases operations is required by law to protect you on another carrier or refund your ticket.

There are also policies designed for families and groups as well as so-called “multi trip insurance”. If you travel regularly throughout the year, it is almost certainly less expensive to purchase a policy that covers multiple trips. Family plans provide coverage for families traveling together and are also nearly always less expensive than buying an individual insurance policy for everyone. In this case, the definition of family may extend to various in-laws, cousins and grandparents.

The cost of your travel insurance policy can vary greatly, depending on the length of your trip and just how much coverage you want as well as your destination. Typically, you should expect to pay between 4% and 8% of the overall cost of the trip itself to have adequate travel insurance. If you are traveling to a remote or dangerous country, or to somewhere not recommended by the US department of state, expect to pay more for your travel insurance.

Not surprisingly, many people like to have the security of travel insurance or trip protection insurance if they are going on a particularly expensive or a once in a lifetime trip, such as a honeymoon or a vacation to a far away, exotic location such as Fiji or Africa.

Travel insurance policies also offer different levels of coverage, known as primary coverage and secondary coverage. If you take out primary coverage, your insurance company will pay you before any other insurance you have takes effect; if you have secondary insurance they will only pay you when you have collected from any other insurance options that are available to you.

You also may find that your policy is more expensive if you have what the insurance companies regard as a pre-existing medical condition. Always declare any pre-existing condition when you take out travel insurance, otherwise your policy may be void. This can lead to a very unfortunate experience, of needing insurance and not being able to purchase it at an affordable rate.

Once you have decided what kind of travel insurance you might need, purchasing it is simple. The internet has made it easy and convenient to shop around and compare prices and services offered. Most airlines, travel agents and cruise lines will only be too happy to sell you a policy, as they are probably getting a commission from the insurance company. You are not obligated to get your insurance through them – although it is often just as easy to do so.

If you are buying travel insurance for the first time and are confused, the best option is probably to purchase a basic policy along with your vacation, cruise or plane ticket. You should not be persuaded into taking out much more insurance than you will realistically need. Make sure that you understand exactly what is included and is not included in your policy; and that you take all the paperwork with you when you travel.



ROB

Brocks asked:


I understand many airlines are offering special price for this. I want to know if I can book directly from the internet without having to go to travel agencies.

MIKE

BabyDreyers asked:


Deciding to go on a vacation in the Philippines at the last minute need not be all hassle and stress. Last-minute travel is also a prime opportunity to get some astounding savings. Discounted last-minute airline travel, coupled with extremely low rates for Last Minute Manila Hotels, should provide not only the necessities but also added funds that you can put to good use while enjoying your vacation.

Although there are some people who prefer planning out every detail of their trips, there are those who live in the moment and prefer spontaneous decisions. Some prefer planning everything to cover every need and avoid unneeded stress. But unplanned last-minute getaways shouldn’t cause so much stress, so long as one is willing to be flexible with the arrangements.

Last minute travel involves having to do with the first available options. With the airline tickets, this entails center seats that may have a couple separated for the duration of the flight, simply because they have to make do with the leftover vacant seats.

For last-minute hotels, this means having to settle for the rooms that are not yet booked for some span of time. These are not necessarily shabby accommodations, but one risks not getting the best rooms of the hotel.

All of these factors, of course, can be offset by the aforementioned quality of flexibility. One could settle for what’s available if grandeur and luxury aren’t the primary determinants of one’s satisfaction. One could also wait for better accommodations to become available, so then flexibility goes hand in hand with patience.

If you can deal with all of those, then your last-minute trip to Manila could pave the way to an enjoyable yet very much cheaper vacation. The upside to last minute hotel reservations is that they offer premium discounts and price cuts just so the hotel gets to book a room that would be lying unused for a few days, anyway. That way, both parties benefit.

Of course, you run the risk of having nowhere to go if you book last-minute during peak periods. It is vital to research what the best timing would be. Being spontaneous doesn’t mean you have to go charging without even the slightest hint of a plan.

Granted, last minute Manila hotels provide quality accommodations at very affordable rates. One could always check the internet for last-minute booking offers as well as room availability. This way, one can conveniently make arrangements even on the fly.

Other advantages of Manila’s fine hotels include the proximity to vital establishments such as banking, shopping, dining, and a multitude of other purposes. Each hotel also has its own array of services that will let a traveler do anything he needs to do at his or her convenience, without even leaving the hotel’s premises.

So, don’t let the last-minute nature of your trip stand in the way of total enjoyment and great savings. Last Minute Manila Hotels offer good rates and excellent accommodations that will surely make your trip a wonderful bargain. Just remember: be flexible and be patient. There’s a good chance you can get a great deal from the get-go, but there are also risks involved. It pays to know the factors that affect last-minute reservations to guarantee your maximum satisfaction.



VINCE

Brad D asked:


I am a US citizen looking to travel to Brazil very soon. How do i obtain a visa? I have a passport…are visa’s included with an airline ticket? Do i have to go to the consulate near by or is there an easier way?

MALCOLM

Vish asked:


I am contemplating wether to book tickets for my wife and 9 month old daughter on Continental airlines as I have heard mixed reviews about the airline and it service. Since they will be travelling alone I am more worried. Please share your experience and help me decide.

TERRY

MissDeviance asked:


I see that NASA is planning to replace the Space Shuttle with a dual system, sending cargo and supplies up in one rocket and returning to the classic style with crew and capsule modules in a second rocket. Cheaper and more efficient, and allows for different systems needs for the different payloads.

Doesn’t this also make sense for airline travel? At any given time, there are multiple airline companies flying from and to the exact same destinations only minutes apart.

Why not have specific planes dedicated to carrying all the main luggage (cargo)? Then the passenger flights would have absolutely NO carry-on luggage on board, only handbags and laptop type cases. Security is streamlined, since the screening is so much simpler, and the passenger planes can dedicate themselves to passenger services.

Smaller jets could carry cargo (coverted corp jets), so they’d get there faster. Your luggage would be waiting.

ROYCE

shy e asked:


I fully paid the airlines ticket at the travel agency here in the philippines but i cancelled the next day. they havnt issue a airline ticket yet but they said i cannot refund it anymore. and is theres a service charge for refund? how much? please help i think they are trying to cheat and ripped us off… thanks

BEN