What sites do you use to plan and book your trip?

[Anonymous]

Just wondering whether most families just use a travel agent when booking a vacation? Or are there any good websites you use to get a discount on nice hotels and resorts (like 4 and 5 star)? I usually just book directly with the hotel, but one of my friends swears by never paying "rack" rate... So now I'm wondering where people find these special discounts?

[Anonymous]

Kayak.com for flights. Hotels.com for hotels. For resorts I call myself, since I can get the government rate. Did this in Hawaii, it was a substantial savings.

[Anonymous]

I do a combination of things. I look up prices on the hotel sites using regular rates, AAA, AARP, government rates. I compare hotwire, hotels.com, orbitz/expedia/travelocity, and kayak. I also check on airline sites to see what a package would do for me. It's time consuming and you have to clear your computer's cookies in order to get updated information. Unless I doing something complicated, I always book air online and check out reviews on tripadvisor. I might even look at the location's convention and visitor's bureau website to see if there are any discounts or promotions being run by the area and to get a really broad range of accomodation information.

[Anonymous]

I use hotwire and priceline for amazing deals on hotels. But you can't be picky.

If you can afford 4 or 5 star hotels at their advertised rates, and don't mind paying those rates, then why bother bargain hunting? It does take time.

[Anonymous]

we have used cheapcaribbean.com

[Anonymous]

I use travelocity and expedia to check for hotel and flight options, but then always double check the airline and hotel websites directly too - sometimes there are different deals available. I rely on TripAdvisor for reviews when we are going somewhere unfamiliar. You need to read the reviews carefully to make sure the reviewer perspective matches yours (are they looking for a bargain or luxury) but I find it hugely helpful and so far has not steered me wrong. It is especially useful for foreign travel.

[Anonymous]

We generally go with the airlines we have points on, and get comparable prices from the airline websites directly (plus no middle broker). Then seatguru.com to pick seats.

For hotels, hotels.com--plus I always, always, map the hotel on google maps before I book. Or I just go to google maps and look to see what hotels are in the vicinity of where I want to stay, then look at the hotel website. Occasionally tripadvisor, but not routinely.

Food recommendations--flyertalk is good; egullet is better.

I haven't used a travel agent in almost 15 years.

[Anonymous]

you'll find the cheapest rates with priceline. Or if you book a package on expedia, orbitz, etc. The hotel can't publish super low rates, but since Priceline & packages don't show the actual hotel rate, you can get a room dirt cheap.

[Anonymous]

Cheapcaribbean, expedia, and travelzoo. DH is an elite status at Expedia and we've been using them for years. We've used Travelzoo to go on vacation together (no kids yet), so I can't speak to what type of family deals they have.

[Anonymous]

Find a Virtuoso Travel agent if you routinely want to book rooms at luxury properties (ritz, four seasons. St Regis) as there are always category upgrades or food/bev credits given during check in. One cannot get a Priceline rate for these properties but the upgrades go a long way.

I also use the itamatrix to see fares for extensive date ranges. It's a great tool and easier than kayak/orbitz that utilizes the technology.

[Anonymous]

PPs how do you get the government rate for a vacation? That is not allowed! It is only for business travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PPs how do you get the government rate for a vacation? That is not allowed! It is only for business travel.

it's not true in all cases. read the fine print and contact the hotel if you want to double check.

[Anonymous]

Shermans Travel, TravelZoo, Bloomspot, Jet Setter, FamilyGetaway, Hotels.com, Tripadvisor, Kayak, Living Social, Groupon, CheapCaribbean.com, MyDisney, Orbitz, Travelocity, AA.com. I get weekly emails from many of the sites and airfare deal notifications.

Got good deals with social media groupon type offers for hotels at places I already knew I wanted to visit. Always check the available dates and cross check the rate against what you can get on the hotel or amalgamator websites. Ex: Williamsburg Kingsmill, Resort at Squaw Creek. Sometimes no matter how much you try you end up paying the hotel's posted rate in order to stay at the place you really wanted.

Use a credit card with frequent flier mile bonuses with rental car agencies and restaurants (American Aadvantage) to rack up miles for free tickets and save them to use towards more expensive trips (like cross country or the Caribbean, not to the Midwest to see Gramma.)