| Booking travel online is big business these days and | | | | Booking travel online at travel web sites usually |
| on the plus side puts a lot of power in the hands of | | | | involves a service fee. In most instances it's not |
| the consumer to reserve their own travel | | | | outrageous and is usually around $5 per ticket or |
| arrangements. But it's critical you know 5 things to | | | | booking. Recently, I've seen some fees nudging up |
| get the best deal and discount available. So before | | | | around $20 and there's no need to pay that much. |
| you begin your travel research and booking online | | | | But the fees to be aware of are transfer fees when |
| start here. | | | | you change itinerary or cancel. It can cost you $100 |
| ALL TRAVEL WEB SITES ARE NOT CREATED | | | | or more to change after you've booked a flight. And |
| EQUAL | | | | if you want a refund, then it can be very frustrating, |
| When booking travel online they're two types you | | | | as you'll likely spend hours on the phone to get to |
| can use: the traditional travel web sites such as | | | | somebody who can authorize it. |
| Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity, and what are being | | | | The travel search engines make money from paid |
| called these days Travel Search Engines, which | | | | advertising and a referral fee from the airlines or |
| include SideStep and Kayak. | | | | hotels, so usually you don't pay a fee when using |
| The main difference is in the search capability. A | | | | them to book. But this is changing so always check |
| travel web site like Orbitz only searches its own | | | | for fee disclosure before booking. |
| database of available flights, hotel rooms, and car | | | | Generally, the fees should never be hidden from you, |
| rentals. So the search is restrictive. But you'll get | | | | but in a rush to book you may easily overlook a |
| more search features and booking travel services | | | | charge that wasn't obvious before. The profit |
| offered at these sites. | | | | margins for online travel sites are low, and they can |
| At travel search engines such as SideStep, the | | | | be very creative in their fee structure if you don't |
| results will include selections from airline sites, travel | | | | pay close attention. |
| web sites, and other databases containing flight, | | | | THE HIDDEN LINK THAT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY |
| room and car rental availability. The drawback is a | | | | Many of the travel web sites have a link on their |
| more "spartan" search capability, and you won't get | | | | page that allows you to become part of their affiliate |
| many of cool features you'll find at a travel web site. | | | | program for no cost. It's usually at the bottom and |
| IT REALLY DOES PAY TO COMPARE AS MANY | | | | not obvious. By becoming an affiliate you can earn a |
| AND AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN | | | | small commission for everybody you refer to them |
| If you want the cheapest fare or room, always | | | | that purchases a ticket, reserves a room, or rents a |
| check out multiple sites before booking travel online. | | | | car. |
| Many travel web sites negotiate and purchase large | | | | But before you rush out and quit your day job and |
| blocks of fares and rooms directly from airlines and | | | | set yourself up as a home-based travel agent, be |
| hotels, and then pass the savings onto consumers. | | | | aware you'll have to send thousands of people to |
| But because the reduction varies between sites, the | | | | make any decent money. But there's an even better |
| quoted rate for the same seat on a flight, or room in | | | | reason to become an affiliate. As an affiliate most |
| a hotel, can vary dramatically... and many times from | | | | sites will allow you to purchase your own tickets and |
| day-to-day. So it not only pays to check and | | | | still get paid the commission. It's effectively a |
| compare other sites, but if you've the time, to do it | | | | discount. Be sure to check the fine print on the |
| often. | | | | agreement just so you're familiar with the restrictions |
| TRAVEL WEB SITES DON'T ALWAYS GET THE | | | | if any, and how they'll pay you. But if you do a lot of |
| BEST DEAL | | | | booking travel online then check it out to see if it'll |
| Because of the competitiveness of the travel | | | | work for you. |
| industry these days here's another worthwhile step | | | | The travel industry continues to adjust to the |
| to take before you press that "submit" button at | | | | advantages of the Internet. Billions of dollars have |
| your chosen online booking site... hop over for a final | | | | been invested in online travel booking systems, and |
| check at the airline, hotel, or car rental company web | | | | new players continue to enter the market every |
| site for any special offers or lower rates you may | | | | year. Armed with these tips you'll be better prepared |
| get if you book directly. Sometimes the best deals | | | | to navigate through the maze to the very best deal |
| are reserved for their own online customers or | | | | for you. And there's still that travel agent in the mall |
| preferred clients, and you'll even avoid fees. | | | | if you just can't be bothered with the whole game of |
| BEWARE OF TRAVEL WEB SITE SERVICE AND | | | | booking travel online. |
| TRANSFER FEES | | | | |