Here’s a great coupon code that I’ve used three times this month already! Save 5% on Priceline bookings by using the coupon code SPRING through 3/31/13. Five percent might not seem like a lot, but it really adds up when booking multiple nights!
Want to learn how to score great deals through Priceline? Check out my previous blog post.
© Jessica Leigh Rosier 2013
My dog enjoyed staying at a La Quinta recently. I got the 3-star room for $39 using Priceline’s coupon code!
Check out a few of my favorite free travel apps!
Finding a clean bathroom while traveling can be a monumental task, especially when touring a big metropolitan area. I remember a trip to New York City a few years back that entailed a harrowing bathroom-seeking experience. After searching for a bathroom for over an hour, I finally decided to pop into a national coffee chain and use their facilities. I patronized the coffee chain back home, so I assumed their amenities would be satisfactory. I was wrong, however, and found a filthy, one-stall unisex bathroom strewn with endless unrolled toilet paper after a 45-minute wait. Today, thanks to the app, Sit or Squat, I never worry about facing this problem. Sit or Squat is a free service sponsored by Charmin that relies on users to review bathrooms in a given area.
Those of you adventurous enough to embark on a road trip without any plan intact will love Hotel Tonight. The free app for Androids and iPhones allows travelers to make last-minute hotel reservations at deeply discounted prices. Rates are revealed at noon on the day of check-in. Simply open the app in the afternoon to book your discounted hotel for that same evening.
It has happened to all of us at one time or another. We’ve forgotten to pack our toiletry kit or we’re hungry for a midnight snack – we just don’t know where to go. Next time, instead of going to bed hungry, try the app AroundMe. Frommers highly recommends the app, which provides a list of nearby pharmacies, supermarkets, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and more based on your location.
© Jessica Leigh Rosier 2013
Looking for a clean bathroom while traveling? Try the app “Sit or Squat”.
Lodging can be one of the biggest expenses while on vacation. Luck for us, Yahoo! Finance’s Farnoosh Torabi spoke with Laura Michonski of Budget Travel to score tips on finding cheap lodging.
Here are a few of Laura’s favorite lodging options – all for less than $70 per night!
HotelTonight – an app downloaded to your smartphone that will help you search last minute deals for the same day.
CouchSurfing – a website that connects travelers with hosts offering a free place to crash.
ConTENTment Camping – a service that will set up a posh tent (complete with furniture), often near popular theme parks or music festival grounds.
Watch the video clip and read the article here.
© Jessica Leigh Rosier 2013
Check out these low-cost options before you book your next hotel!
Get ready to save on lodging!
Expedia has a great coupon code out right now- enjoy 7% off your hotel reservation by using code TRIPA7US5 at checkout.
Let me know what amazing deals you find!
© Jessica Leigh Rosier 2012
Save 7% on lodging, such as Chicago’s Hotel Felix, through Expedia’s coupon code.
Tim and Lynne Martin are two retirees with a truly inspiring story. Last year, they sold nearly all of their possessions – including their home – and set out to see the world on a limited budget.
Lynne’s master plans have already brought the couple to several European countries. Although this may sound like a hectic lifestyle for retirees, Lynne typically books an apartment for a month or two at a time, allowing them to enjoy a leisurely stay and truly discover the destination like locals. (See my previous post on AirBnB apartment rentals here).
In this article, Lynne shares the ins-and-outs of their atypical retirement, including how they afford their adventurous lifestyle on a small budget.
Thanks to The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! Finance and Lynne Martin for sharing this article.
© Jessica Leigh Rosier 2012
Would you sell it all to travel the world? Image courtesy of 123rf.com
Planning a getaway? Try booking online and using one of these coupon codes:
Best Western: 10% off with code “MVP” at checkout.
Travelocity: $100 off flight and hotel packages. Use code “RetailMeNot100″ at checkout.
Southwest Vacations: $125 off flight and hotel packages. Use code “RMN125″ at checkout.
Orbitz: $50 off Las Vegas flight and hotel packages. Use code “Vegas50″ at checkout.
JetBlue Airways: $50 off flight and hotel packages. Use code “ThankYou” at checkout.
As expected, restrictions apply when using coupon codes. Be sure to read the fine print. These coupon codes were found through RetailMeNot. Visit their website to find more travel savings.
© Jessica Leigh Rosier 2012
Looking to get away this summer? Save money by using a coupon code from Southwest Airlines. Photo courtesy of http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20011748-10391704.html
Here’s a great video clip from the TODAY show. Budget Travel‘s Marc Peyser visited the studio to share his tips on scoring free upgrades on airline seats, rental cars, and hotel rooms.
What’s the bottom line? Being friendly and considerate goes a long way!
Watch the short segment to learn more: TODAY Travel – how to get a free upgrade
© Jessica Leigh Rosier 2012
We scored a free upgrade on a rental car by arriving late - all of the tiny compact cars were rented so we were told to choose whatever we wanted from the entire lot. We chose a Jeep, which was perfect for exploring the Everglades!
AirBnB, an accommodations service that lists vacation properties, is having a sale!
Save $25 on any booking of $100 or more through the end of March. Use the code BESTVALUES at checkout.
Learn more about AirBnB’s amazing deals through my post: http://travelingsaver.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/cozy-cheap-vacation-rentals-through-airbnb/
Visit http://www.airbnb.com/ to search for your next vacation rental.
©Jessica Leigh Rosier 2012
The lanai of an AirBnB rental in Islamorada, FL
Have you heard about AirBnB? The accommodations service lists vacation rentals – at great prices – all over the world. I’ve used AirBnB twice and both times have been a tremendous success. In this post, I will share my personal AirBnB stories.
How does AirBnB work?
AirBnB’s website, http://www.airbnb.com/ , serves as a search engine. Type in your vacation destination and see the available properties. People who have second homes, cottages to rent, or an extra room can sign up to be a “host.” People like us – the tourists – can book these beautiful properties right on the website.
What’s so special about AirBnB?
Much savings can be had by booking a vacation rental through AirBnB and forgoing the standard hotel room. Perks such as free laundry or free parking (which can be costly in a city) often accompany the rental. Many AirBnB properties have kitchens so you can save money by cooking your own food instead of dining out.
Another perk of AirBnB is the personalized service. Property hosts often live on-site and will share little-known treasures and best kept secrets about the area. When searching for rental properties, you can communicate directly with the hosts via the website.
My AirBnB finds
AirBnB is always my first stop when planning a vacation. I’ve used them twice in the last year and been very pleased. My husband and I rented a cottage in the Florida Keys last spring. A room at one of the Keys’ mega-resorts would have cost us over $250 in the height of tourist season. We paid $115/night for this idyllic cottage. Here’s a link if you want to check it out: http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15997
The lanai of our AirBnB rental in the Florida Keys
Decor at our AirBnB rental in the Florida Keys
A month later, I rented an apartment in Seattle’s trendy Belltown neighborhood with friends. We were attending a conference and opted to find our own accommodations instead of paying $200/night at the conference hotel. Our rental was simple, but perfect and only $65/night. We especially enjoyed purchasing fresh fish at Pike Place Market to cook in the tiny kitchen. Here’s a link if you want to check it out: http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6200
The Virginian, an AirBnB property in Seattle
The fine print
Use common sense – check the property rules before booking – read the reviews – know the cancellation policy – research the neighborhood to make sure it’s safe.
Find your next vacation rental at http://www.airbnb.com/
©Jessica Leigh Rosier 2012
We’re approaching a magical time of year for savvy travelers – shoulder season. Typically, the months of April to May and September to October signify slow business in the tourism industry. These months fall in-between major travel events for most people – spring break, summer vacation, and the holidays. Because there are fewer travelers, great discounts abound. In this post, I’ll share interesting spins on shoulder season discounts, thanks to Budget Travel.*
RV rentals
During shoulder season, RV rental companies need to move their fleet to meet demand for the upcoming months. These companies rely on customers to move their rigs for them. Cruise America (one of the largest RV rental companies) says “From time to time Cruise America needs to reposition RV’s from one area of the country to another. By taking advantage of one of our one-way specials you can get great deals on Time & Mileage charges while avoiding the usual one-way drop off fees.” They are currently offering a 50% discount on RV rentals from Chicago to Las Vegas between May 15 and June 5, 2012.
Check their website for a list of one-way specials: http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rent/hot_deals/
Re-positioning cruises
You’ve heard of Caribbean cruises and Mediterranean cruises…but what about a cross-Atlantic re-positioning cruise? This spring, many cruise companies will be moving their ships from U.S. ports to Mediterranean ports for the summer. Instead of piloting an empty ship across the ocean, they’ll take passengers along for the ride- at a discounted rate. For example, Norwegian Cruiselines needs to move a ship from New Orleans to Barcelona this April. Join them on the 13-night journey – complete with a stop at Portugal’s Azores Islands – for $672. My friend, Marti, is a fan of re-positioning cruises. She took a trans-Atlantic cruise from Galveston, TX to Barcelona last spring.
Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas on a re-positioning cruise in Cartagena, Spain. Photo courtesy of Marti Cargile.
Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas on a re-positioning cruise in Ponta Delgado, Azores. Photo courtesy of Marti Cargile.
Search for re-positioning cruises at: http://www.cruisecompete.com/specials/deals/repositioning/1
*A portion of this content was inspired by Budget Travel‘s article “Secret Routes to Savings” by Sean O’Neill, published September 2009. Read Sean’s article here: http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/0909_SecretSavings,4624/?src=inset
©Jessica Leigh Rosier 2012
