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