Full Coverage: Get more for your money
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If you’re a bargain hunter and you’re not hopping on the Canadian vacation bandwagon, perhaps you haven’t realized what the Canadian dollar is worth in greenbacks these days.
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A strong dollar isn’t a cause for celebration in all cases — the Wall Street Journal reported, for instance, that Tiffany & Co. profits fell in the fourth quarter last year partly because of the muscle of U.S. currency — but for travelers, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of improved foreign exchange rates.
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Anyone who bet that American Airlines would turn its attention to its AAdvantage frequent-flier program after completing its merger with US Airways wins that bet.
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If you have perused those year-end lists of hot destinations, then wondered how you could afford any of those places, this column is for you.
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Logging on to most airline Wi-Fi networks feels like stepping into a time machine — and we don’t mean that in a good way.
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After spending the last year flying tens of thousands of miles, frequent fliers might feel as though they have just crossed the airline elite-status finish line.
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Super Bowl 50, the clash between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7, will be a tailgate of two cities.
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The funny thing about interruption provisions in cruise insurance is that they don’t cover interruptions in itinerary.
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You don’t have to spend a lot of green to go green when you’re traveling to or from an airport.
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You can save money in a resort town the obvious way — by visiting in the shoulder season.
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As we enter the final weeks of 2015, frequent fliers begin asking a familiar question: “Will I be able to hold onto my airline elite status for another year?”
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Yesterday’s secret deal destination may be today’s annoyingly overpriced spot.
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Consider the irony.
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No matter how many miles you fly or nights you stay in hotels, personal credit cards are still a powerful points-earning tool at your disposal.
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If you’ve seen this headline — “Geneva Is the Most Expensive City in the World for Dining Prices” — it’s probably based on the recently released Club Sandwich Index, or CSI, compiled by Hotels.com.
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For many years, true solo travel was the Rodney Dangerfield of travel: It got no respect from the industry.
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Once, airlines’ airport lounges were the province of the elite traveler. Hoi polloi had no access.
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Discovering you’re a victim of identity theft can quickly turn a vacation idyll into a bad trip.
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Los Angeles-based entrepreneur William Swann had a soft spot for his Citi Gold AAdvantage World MasterCard.
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While planning a summer trip to Europe for her family, Tara Firenzi of Santa Cruz was thrilled that she would save some money using awards miles for tickets for herself, her husband and 5-year-old daughter Ruby.
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I recently received a nasty little surprise on my bill when checking out of a Memphis, Tenn., hotel.
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Fifty thousand bonus miles! Free checked bags! Lounge access!
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You know the tried-and-true ways to boost the number of miles in your airline awards account: flying one or two carriers consistently, staying in specific hotel chains that give airline miles, using credit cards that earn points or miles on everyday purchases.
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You know the major players in hotel booking and search systems.
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Wilson Fang had an exceptional weekend in Napa Valley that included a romantic bed-and-breakfast, dinner for two on the Wine Train and tastings at Beringer Vineyard.
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We interviewed hotel front desk clerks and managers to learn some insider secrets, and many of them have to do with money matters.
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You want free checked bags and extra legroom. Priority boarding sounds nice too.
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You’ve worked hard for your award ticket, piling up miles in hopes of the free ticket at the end of the rainbow.
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Sooner or later, nearly everyone ends up complaining about an airline — usually aloud, but sometimes in a missive that goes to the airline.
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Before a recent trip to New Mexico, I reserved a rental car, in this case, an economy-class car from Budget for $282.
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Here’s an idea for gift-buying time that could add value to your frequent-flier account: If you would like to rack up airline miles, consider doing at least some of your holiday shopping online through airline frequent-flier malls.
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The most recent Marriott hotel room amenity has turned out to be a surprisingly controversial one.
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Although many consumers book rooms directly on hotel websites — out of loyalty to a brand or because they think they’ll find the best prices that way — such sites don’t always have the best deals or make the search easier.
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Maybe you’re ready for a new cellphone. Maybe you’re not.
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Wi-Fi needn’t break the bank: Use GPS to find free hot spots, check hotel’s signal strength and use Wi-Fi wisely, including setting priorities and email management. Apps can help too.
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An exit fee. In local currency. Next time, don’t be surprised. Other expenses might include visas, reciprocity fees, international taxes and more.
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When David Masunaga flew on United Airlines from Honolulu to Paris recently, a passenger traveling with his young son asked if Masunaga would switch seats.
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Here’s a tip. Don’t stress over tipping. Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America.
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At your hotel, scammers might target you with calls, fliers and even fake websites. Be wary of Internet security in general. And keep in touch with your credit card company.
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With another carrier switching to mileage awards based on ticket cost, here are some ways infrequent fliers can still compete for free seats.
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You’ve probably been there: You are in a rush to get home, and your flight is delayed or canceled.
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Staying connected on the road can be costly, especially if you’re staying in a hotel that charges you on top of what you’re already paying for your room.
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Sometimes it’s not your kids or your traveling partner that make your vacation plans expensive; it’s your dog.
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More for Your Money: Awareness of electronic risks is as important as secure pockets, pouches and bags.
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Lots of people still carry on their bags, but a heavy, big bag more than likely will need to go down below.
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Cruise lines use yield management to fill cabins, so some of the best prices are offered within 90 days of sailing. Here are a few, but remember: Most are out of Miami, so factor in airfare too.
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Options Away, Level Skies say they give travelers peace of mind by allowing them to lock in airfares without committing to buying a ticket.
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More for Your Money: Budget-friendly tips include subways instead of taxis, shared airport shuttles, tourist shop souvenirs and city passes. Oh, and check hotel cancellation policies.
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More for Your Money: Some of the best ways to snag a cheaper airfare involve staying alert for online deals and being flexible on travel dates.
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If you search carefully, you can find a good airline seat and cheap upgrades to business or first class.
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More for Your Money: In addition to credit card bonus points, you can qualify for free tickets faster through carrier pooling programs and paid airline memberships.
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Knowing tipping customs and ATM fees, and filling out VAT paperwork, are among ways to save while traveling.
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From rental cars to ticket changes, extra fees, taxes and charges can pop up unexpectedly and ruin your travel budget.
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More for Your Money: At the recent Los Angeles Times Travel Show, panel sessions offered ideas on hotel savings, free museums and airfare deals.
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More for Your Money: From MyRadar to GateGuru to TravelNerd to TripIt and beyond, savvy apps abound to make your travels easier.
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Your Money: If you don’t want airlines’ change and baggage fees to put a dent in your holiday travel spirit, here’s some advice.
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A travel writer learned about the gray retail market, the importance of returning a rental car to correct location and hot spots in London.
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When it comes to holiday travel, sometimes paying a little more isn’t such a bad idea. Consider these cases.
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You may think you’ve turned off data roaming, but the feature can take on a life of its own when traveling internationally — and the bill can be a nightmare.
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Booking a flight this summer? Timing is everything.
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More for Your Money: United and US Airways are now charging more for changes. It’s still free at Southwest, but if you’re a no-show, it soon could cost you.
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Pickpockets, taxi fraud and con-artist volunteers are among the scams and scammers that travelers have fallen victim to. Here’s a list of such tricks to avoid.
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There are several ways to save money on hotels, flights and rental cars.
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Our travel readers share tips regarding money and credit cards while vacationing.
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Answers to readers’ airline questions about Britain’s high airport fees, changing flight dates and luggage compensation.
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Prices are in constant flux as carriers try to fill their planes, but the sweet spot for the best deal is three to four weeks before departure.
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Many airlines offer discounts for young fliers. Also consider package rates. Taking the train instead? Amtrak has deals too. Another option: a cruise.
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Cheapair.com analyzes a year’s worth of data to find the best time to book flights, the best days to look for flights and the best days take flight.
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Many museums, the zoo and the monuments are free to visit in Washington, D.C.
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Hotels are turning to local artists for works to decorate guest rooms and other areas. Guests may buy the art too.
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The travel journalist covered the globe without spending a penny. A series about his project, ‘How to Travel the World for Free,’ is airing on some PBS channels.
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Affordable travel experts from Frommers.com, Cheapair.com, Airfarewatchdog.com, Budget Traveler magazine offer travel advice.
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Travel deals abound this summer in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Chicago and Lake Tahoe and on cruise ships.
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Airline ticket prices maybe be climbing for summer travel, but here are steps you can take to stay within your vacation budget.
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Choose destinations that have mass transit, and stay in hotels that offer deals or breakfasts.
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Coupons and passes from Gogo Wi-Fi can help bring in-flight costs down to Earth.
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Before going on the road, head to websites like Groupon and Living Social to check discounts available at your destination of choice.
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Each airline has its own guidelines on whether overweight passengers should buy more than one seat and how much it costs.
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Los Angeles Times Travel Show: Experts from Travelzoo, LivingSocial and JohnnyJet.com share strategies for stretching vacation dollars.
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Whether you’re headed for a tropical isle or a snow-packed mountain, here are suggestions for making your suitcase situation simpler, lighter and cheaper.
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Military servicemen and servicewomen are eligible for discounts for flights, hotels, restaurants, entertainment, skiing and more.
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Sports-related teen travel can be costly, but these ideas for saving on food, drinks, gas and souvenirs can help.
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Here are ways to save money on a visit to the normally pricey resort area of West Maui.
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Nobody wants to be stranded overseas when trouble is afoot, so here are five resources — from travel insurance to cellphones — to consider before heading abroad.
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Some discount providers will negotiate dates and prices.
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When it comes to life’s two guarantees, I find death less scary than taxes.
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From finding cheaper flights to scoring last-minute lift tickets, here are some websites that will help ease you on down the road (or slopes). https://www.dohop.com This airfare, hotel and rental-car search engine, based in Reykjavik, Iceland, was inspired by chief executive Frosti Sigurjonsson’s struggles to find connecting flights between Nice, France, and Iceland.
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A PBS special and the economy have helped fuel a rush to the nation’s most popular destinations.
