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Simple ways to cut travel costs

By EILEEN AMBROSE Baltimore Sun

Sunday, July 14, 2002

For some overworked souls, it will be important not only to escape on vacation this summer, but also to do so for less money.

The weak stock market and shrinking 401(k)s are prompting some to forgo the annual summer trip to Europe or Hawaii, said Diana Nyad, host of the radio program The Savvy Traveler.

"Now they say, 'We've never seen Canada and never been to Montana. It's right here, and we can get there by car,' " she said.

If you're among those wanting to get away without shelling out too many traveler's checks, experts recommend ways to keep costs down:

-- Get online help. Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or use a travel agent, experts suggest checking out travel sites for the latest deals. The three major online travel agencies are www. orbitz.com, www.travelocity.com and www.expedia.com. Some experts recommend www.qixo.com and www.farechase.com, search engines that peruse numerous Web sites for you.

"You can often find good deals on them," said Mark Sullivan, editor of Fodor's Travel Publications in New York. "It's a good idea to check more than one. Sometimes Travelocity has a deal that Expedia doesn't have."

Also, major online travel agencies don't include Southwest Airlines, the largest discount airline. If you want online information about Southwest, go to its Web site at www.southwest.com.

Online sites can also be used along with a travel agent, Sullivan said. He often starts his travel hunt online, then asks his agent to see if a better deal could be found. "A good travel agent knows the right times of day and right days of the week, and can help you find the cheapest fare possible," he said.

-- Be flexible. You can save money if you have leeway on when you can travel or don't have your heart set on a particular spot.

Nancy Broth, owner of Caves Travel Inc. in Pikesville, Md., said one couple called her wanting to go to Bermuda. But they were agreeable to switching destinations, and Broth found them a better deal to Jamaica.

"They got more for their money, and it was probably at least one- third off what they would have paid for Bermuda," she said.

Being flexible on airports can pay off, too. Sometimes it's 30% or more cheaper to fly to an outlying airport and complete the journey by shuttle bus or rental car, Sullivan said.

-- Investigate discounts and upgrades. Are you a member of AARP, AAA, the American Bar Association or some other group? Many hotels and car rental agencies give discounts to members of associations, Broth said. One of her clients got a $30-a-day discount on a $200 hotel room in Alaska as a member of AAA, she said.

Even if you're not a member of a group, ask for a discount or an upgrade at no extra cost, experts suggest. Often businesses will throw in perks such as a hotel room with a better view.

"It's in their interest to give you a better room if they have the room available," Broth said. "You will be happy and go away thinking the hotel was much better than you thought it would be and you will tell your friends."

You can phone home at a discount while traveling by using a prepaid calling card, said Matt Coffin, founder of LowerMyBills.com, an online comparison shopper.

"Sometimes hotels can charge you $2 a minute," he said, whereas using a calling card at a pay phone costs 5 cents to 10 cents a minute.

-- Travel by car. Experts say that in the aftermath of Sept. 11, many Americans are vacationing closer to home. A car is generally cheaper transportation than a plane, and the number of road trips is up, experts said.

Some travelers rent a car to avoid wear and tear on their vehicles. If you're renting, see if your credit card or auto policy provides insurance coverage for the rental car, saving the expense of buying coverage from the rental agency, Coffin said.

Consider loading up the car and visiting national parks, suggested Pauline Frommer, contributing editor to Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine. A yearlong pass costs $50, and people with disabilities or who are ages 62 and older can buy a lifetime pass for $10, she said.

"A lot of people are worried national parks will be extra crowded because so many people are staying in the United States," Frommer said. But many foreign travelers are also staying home, so the parks shouldn't be any more crowded than usual, she said.

Frommer also recommends children's summer camps that open their facilities to the entire family.

"In every state of the union you can have a lovely summer vacation for as little as $300 a week for a family of four," she said.

For information about family camps, check out the American Camping Association's Web site at www.acacamps.org or call (800) 428-2267.

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