Travel Deals - Check Here Before Posting.

Does anyone happen to know of any coupon codes for any of these sites? I have been trying to booka flight to atlanta from detroit and it says one price, then once they add the taxes+fees, it is $70 more than what it said it was. It is rediculous. $70 in fees for doing what? I would really like to know. I have checked every site on here, some of them look like awesome deals, until they add their fees. Wish me luck, I need it.
The expedia coupon code is no good, but thanks anyways. I have found 2 coupon codes here for expedia but they all are not valid I guess. Just a heads up for someone who is looking to use it.

Regarding fees, following is information from the MIT Ticket Tax Project [mit.edu] regarding fees you will pay no matter what site you use to book. These fees alone have gone up so much in the last few years! Then add on the booking sites' fees and whew!

Quote : Base fare = BF = Airline fare without any taxes applied Federal ticket tax = FTT = U.S. value added tax (currently 7.5% of base fare), used to fund FAA operations and the Airport Improvement Program Federal segment tax = FST = U.S. tax applied per segment (currently $3.30), used to fund FAA operations and the Airport Improvement Program Passenger facility charge = PFC = U.S. "head tax" collected and used by specific airports (currently $0, $3, or $4.50), used for airport improvement projects Federal security service fee = FSSF = U.S. security tax (currently $2.50), used for passenger and baggage screening Total taxes and fees = TTF = U.S.: The sum of FTT, FST, PFC, and FSSF EU: The sum of all applicable national ticket taxes Total fare = BF+TTF = The sum of the base fare and the total taxes and fees; this is what the passenger actually pays, except that most travel agents also charge a service fee Effective tax rate = ETR = Total taxes and fees expressed as a percentage of base fare (= TTF / BF x 100%) Notes: * Special tax rules exist for Alaska, Hawaii, and rural airports in the U.S. * Additional taxes apply for international travel to and from the U.S. * PFC and FSSF are collected each time a passenger boards, except that no more than two collections are made for each direction of travel. There is no limit on the collection of the FST.

I've had some luck with www.blueeyetravel.com

Quote from dorylynn : Does anyone happen to know of any coupon codes for any of these sites? I have been trying to booka flight to atlanta from detroit and it says one price, then once they add the taxes+fees, it is $70 more than what it said it was. It is rediculous. $70 in fees for doing what? I would really like to know. I have checked every site on here, some of them look like awesome deals, until they add their fees. Wish me luck, I need it. The expedia coupon code is no good, but thanks anyways. I have found 2 coupon codes here for expedia but they all are not valid I guess. Just a heads up for someone who is looking to use it.

I don't have any coupons but I noticed a good deal at www.blueeyetravel.com

This is an AWESOME thread!

We are in the very beginning planning stages for a family trip to Europe next year. Do you all know of an all-inclusive website that might help with my planning? For e.g., best time of year to visit, sights to see, airfare and hotel? Flying from one place in Europe to another for minimal cost? I have heard that there are shuttles like that but I can't even imagine where to begin. Maybe I should even go to an old-fashioned travel agent!!

I am already feeling overwhelmed and I've only just begun looking into all this! Has anyone else planned a trip like this?

Thanks for your help!!!

I personally wouldn't trust one all-inclusive website for the best, most thorough information. From personal experience (Europe 3 months summer 2001, near yearly trips Ireland/UK since a child and other world locations), most of the fun in planning your adventure is the research on various boards and forums, reading the travel guides and, during the planning phase, getting a true feel for the kind of travelers you and your family want to be (guided in a group, traveling alone, some of both).

Whether you use a travel agent or not depends on how proactive you are in doing your own research and how comfortable you are in making reservations (transportation, lodging, advance site bookings, etc.) online, by phone or by mail. Just because you are feeling overwhelmed at this beginning , doesn't mean you won't be able to handle most of it yourself if you like. Although after doing your research, that's a good time to enlist the help of a travel agent if you prefer. They can give a newbie good advice on what your budget will allow. (I handled all the planning alone for my three-month trip in Europe except for the 21 days I traveled with Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door [ricksteves.com] in Italy. The rest of the trip I was a single woman traveling alone via train, bus and rental cars! Very doable and tons of fun!)

First things first...visit your local bookstore and really study the top travel guides for Europe: Frommers, Fodors, Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, etc. Note the writing style of the books, the budgets they are catering to, and see which ones you prefer. They are very different! I personally like Frommer's and Rick Steves, but don't find Lonely Planet my style, while many others absolutely love it. I love the Rick Steves' guides because there are inexpensive choices provided as well as the more expensive, hotels are actually located close to sites, and the tips alone for beating museum and attraction lines are worth the cost of the books.

Then either buy several guides at the bookstore or online (remember SD's Borders discount coupons, Amazon deals or Rick Steves' [ricksteves.com] special offers!) or try to find Europe travel books at your library, through your local Freecycle [freecycle.org] group or CraigsList [craigslist.org]. Of course, pop into any travel agency you pass and scoop up the free literature on things which interest you. It's all educational! Also, remember, around this time of year AAA [aaany.com] starts putting on their free travel shows or check the travel section of your newspaper for travel slideshows or talks happening locally.

Then get everyone in the family reading these guides (put a copy in the bathroom ! Bring one on errands to the post office or grocery store for line downtime!) and make notes on places/ideas that really call to you. The point is to give you information so you all can narrow down your choices of which countries to visit, how long to stay, what to see and do, etc. (Rick Steves' guidebooks put sample suggested itineraries at the front so that you can see what best to highlight in a limited amount of time.)

That said there are some terrific websites and guides for educating yourself:

Fodors Travel Forums [fodors.com] (choose "Europe" on the left-hand side)
A wealth of personal travelogues, advice and queries about every possibility you can imagine. I received fabulous personal recommendations for lodging and car deals for Kauai, Hawaii, and for my travels in Europe through those forums.

Thorntree Lonely Planet [lonelyplanet.com]
The Thorntree is perhaps the most easily accessible and comprehensive of all the travel websites. Travellers to anywhere can ask the advice of those on the ground, previous visitors or locals, and are sure to receive an answer from one of the most vibrant travellers communities on the net. The main section of the website also provides excellent maps, guides and booking services.

Rick Steves' Graffiti Wall [ricksteves.com]
Lively community of travelers who generously share their experience and enthusiastically learn from each other. Many helpful tips for traveling "close to the ground" and natives in Europe.

MyTripJournal [MyTripJournal.com]
Read journals of travelers who've experienced it all before you.

Travelocity [travelocity.com]
This has been my airfare travel booking site for some time now, although I check out many before any decision.

Travelzoo [travelzoo.com]
One of the best at offering cheap fares. Examples include $88 round-trip tickets to the Caribbean--though be warned that very often they're only available on undesirable travel days, like Monday, and the deals can sell out quickly. Airfare, car rental, lodging and cruise specials are displayed right up front on the home page. There’s limited search capability (by destination only), so be prepared to be spontaneous!

FlyerTalk [flyertalk.com]
This site allows users to exchange information on how to get the most out of their frequent flier miles, credit card points and hotel points. You maximize your frequent flyer miles on the trip and, hopefully, come home with another free trip in miles for next year.

What's On When [whatsonwhen.com]
Exhaustive global events guide that covers just about all conceivable forms of entertainment, from opera in Italy and major European rock festivals to the tiny and obscure. Very important if you want to hit or avoid festivals and events in certain cities.

Well, I hope not to get blasted for running on , but this is an exciting topic for me. Should you need more advice, feel free to PM me.

I will second Lonely Planet, I really like that site and its a great source of info - the people on it really seem to know what they're talking about. Kayak is also one I like to check, but also after i find a deal a lot of times i'll go straight to the airline's website to see if i can find something better. Also, lufthansa is having a sale on a lot of their US to Europe flights through tomorrow that are really good like chicago to munich for just like $200 - also worth checking out.

Hi I dont need help with flying deals but we do frequently travel back to canada where Im originally from and ironically I am hitting dead ends when searching for deals or offers. Isnt there anyway of saving money and maybe even getting free stuff when travelling. Since joining here I realize there must be a way. Ive searched quite a lot this past week and havent come up with anything that useful if anyone has any advice on where to look for travel deals offers etc in bc canada could you let me know Thank you. Im also willing to work to save money Im not expecting a hand out like I siad I have searched I play iwg quite a bit trying to win gift cards gas cards etc. I just think theres something Im missing but not sure what any help or tips are appreciated thank you

Quote from smamma3 : Hi I dont need help with flying deals but we do frequently travel back to canada where Im originally from and ironically I am hitting dead ends when searching for deals or offers.

Puzzled about what kind of deals exactly you are looking for and for what (airfare, cars, hotels, etc.) as I always see deals on flights, etc., for Vancouver, Victoria, and other cities in Canada on most of my regular favorite sites.

Where have you tried and what are you looking for?

Oh, wait, just realized that you might be speaking of general SlickDeals for Canada...not travel deals in particular? If so, assume that would belong in another thread, as in "Find Me A Deal." I find movie screening deals for my brother in Montreal all the time on the Movie Screenings Thread. [In fact, there's a free screening post for Vancouver showing right now on the last page. Just subscribe to that thread for daily emails and you'll keep up with all the screenings.]

Have you just searched by "Canada" or "Vancouver" or "Victoria"?

Thanks for the help yes thats what I meant but also hotels and activities and stuff Ill keep searching I guess. Thanks again

My first post here-and I have a question on the student universe travel site.

I found a flight I'd like but cannot find the requirements needed to qualify as a student.

I do work for a state university as staff. Does that count and and have a .edu in my email.

Thanks so much. My eyes bugged out when I checked the flight info and saw the price. It's about $40 cheaper PLUS I can choose the flight times instead of going hotwire and having it be a surprise!

Thanks to anyone that can help tell me if I would qualify as a student and what I would need to show for ID and who asks etc.

Quote from smamma3 : Thanks for the help yes thats what I meant but also hotels and activities and stuff Ill keep searching I guess. Thanks again

I think I know what you're looking for - http://www.redflagdeals.com/ Is a canadian focused site that has a pretty good forum so try that out. The only thing I can think of is if you travel a lot maybe you should try looking for a credit card with a good rewards program for miles/hotels/etc? If you travel like me I'm sure you have frequent flier set up with all the airlines and they alert you whenever deals come up? But you don't have to be a member to qualify for a lot of good deals on stuff, it just really helps to keep you in the know. The best winter deals I've seen when it comes to fights have been lufthansa's flights from the US to Europe right now and you don't have to be a Miles and More member to get those so keep that in mind too.

I would step carefully with student universe. I have heard some horror stories about them.

~JS

Thank you Ill check that out