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	<title>Hotel Reservations &#187; Travel Tips</title>
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		<title>How to get a Flight Upgrade</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-news/travel-tips/how-to-get-a-flight-upgrade/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-news/travel-tips/how-to-get-a-flight-upgrade/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:56:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap flight upgrade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[first class upgrade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flight upgrade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free flight upgrades]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[upgrade delta flight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[upgrade flights]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=2150</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
 
 
You want a first–class upgrade on your next trip—who doesn&#8217;t? ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/imgCheapAirlineTickets.jpg"></a><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/60.gif"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2151" title="60" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/60.gif" alt="60" width="170" height="33" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>You want a first–class <strong>upgrade</strong> on your next trip—who doesn&#8217;t? But airlines have made it more expensive—and more confusing—to snare one.</p>
<p>In recent months, many big carriers have changed their <strong>upgrade</strong> rules, adding more restrictions and upping fees. More changes have already been announced for next year. So now is a great time to take a close look and compare airlines&#8217; programs.</p>
<p>Continental Airlines Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. fliers should pay particular attention because Continental is leaving its SkyTeam partnership with Delta this month and joining the Star Alliance with UAL Corp.&#8217;s United Airlines and US Airways Group Inc. That means customers of Delta and Northwest will lose some opportunities to earn miles and will see their reward trip options shrink. United and US Airways partisans, however, stand to gain. New York will be a prime battleground since Continental and Delta customers will likely want to choose one or the other, but the changes may lead to frequent–flier program jockeying across the country.</p>
<p>&#8220;I fully expect Continental to bring not only their frequent fliers but also some of their former colleagues&#8217; frequent fliers as well,&#8221; said Glenn Tilton, chairman and chief executive of United.</p>
<p>Some airlines say competitors have even been surreptitiously dropping promotional cards in their airport clubs trying to entice travelers to switch. <strong>If you want to switch, airlines will match your elite–level status in a competitor&#8217;s frequent–flier program.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/imgCheapAirlineTickets2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2158" title="imgCheapAirlineTickets" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/imgCheapAirlineTickets2-300x228.jpg" alt="imgCheapAirlineTickets" width="300" height="228" /></a>Picking the right program can depend on a host of factors, from the service each airline offers at your hometown airport to the size and reach of the carrier&#8217;s alliance network so you can earn and burn miles wherever you like to go. But for many road warriors, <strong>upgrades</strong> are by far the most enticing reward in a frequent–flier program: They are a better value than redeeming miles for tickets, and they greatly improve your travel experience.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/imgCheapAirlineTickets1.jpg"></a>International Upgrades</strong></p>
<p>The apple of most every traveler&#8217;s eye is the international <strong>upgrade</strong>—moving to a cushy business–class seat that lies flat for sleeping without spending many thousands of dollars. Under financial pressure, airlines have made international <strong>upgrades</strong> more expensive, just as they have upped the price for checked baggage or reservation changes.</p>
<p>AMR Corp.&#8217;s American Airlines, Continental and US Airways have all added &#8220;co–payments&#8221; to mileage awards, charging frequent fliers both miles and cash for <strong>upgrades</strong>. United will add co–pays in January.</p>
<p>US Airways is among the more–expensive for trans–Atlantic <strong>upgrades</strong>, charging 30,000 miles plus $300 for a one–way <strong>upgrade</strong> to Europe. Continental charges only 20,000 miles plus a $100–to–$500 co–pay, which varies based on the fare you paid for the coach ticket. The cheaper the fare, the higher the co–pay.</p>
<p>Delta, including its Northwest Airlines subsidiary, takes a different approach: It severely restricts the discounted coach fares eligible for an <strong>upgrade</strong>, forcing you to pay hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars more for a coach ticket to qualify for the chance to use miles for an upgrade. Only the three highest classes of coach fares (Y, B and M) are eligible for international upgrades. (And you still have to use 25,000 miles one–way.) For a New York–Paris trip in February, for example, Delta&#8217;s Web site offers coach fares as low as $592 plus taxes, but if you want a coach fare that&#8217;s eligible for a 25,000–mile <strong>upgrade</strong>, you have to pay $2,530 plus tax. (A discounted business–class ticket on the same flights is only $3,312 plus tax.) If you want to make sure you&#8217;re buying a fare that is eligible for an <strong>upgrade</strong>, Delta lets you drill down on its Web site to search by specific fare class.</p>
<p>Matthew Bennett, who publishes the newsletter First Class Flyer, says Delta&#8217;s cheapest upgradeable international fares are often $1,000 or more than the lowest upgradeable fares on other airlines. Sometimes other airlines cost more in miles, but the cash savings makes them more attractive. American, he notes, lets customers <strong>upgrade</strong> from just about any coach fare.</p>
<p>San Diego tax lawyer Chris Cooke frequently flies Delta and almost always gets upgraded on domestic flights, but international trips are a different story. &#8220;Since I virtually never travel in one of those [highest fare] classes, I&#8217;ve never been upgraded on an international Delta flight,&#8221; he said. On a New York–Dublin round–trip earlier this year, he sat in the coach cabin being knocked by passengers visiting a nearby bathroom and wondered why the airline wouldn&#8217;t offer one of the many empty business–class seats.</p>
<p>&#8220;I got about two minutes of sleep,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cheatsheet.jpg"></a>As airlines have added co–pays, most carriers have made more fare classes eligible for <strong>upgrade</strong>. And some have reduced the miles required for upgrades, deadening some of the sting of the cash payments. Continental and other airlines say a big advantage of the co–pay system is that travelers don&#8217;t have to buy tickets at higher fares just to be eligible, and then end up sorely disappointed if no <strong>upgrades</strong> end up becoming available. Typically, <strong>upgrades</strong> get confirmed after tickets get bought and at least a day before departure.</p>
<p>&#8220;The co–pay is roughly equivalent of buying into a higher fare bucket,&#8221; said Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president of marketing programs at Continental. But customers only pay the higher price if they actually get the <strong>upgrade</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Domestic Upgrades</strong></p>
<p>In general, Continental and US Airways have the best domestic <strong>upgrade</strong> programs, offering them free to elite–level frequent fliers when seats are available. Delta comes close, but offers free <strong>upgrades</strong> only to elite–level customers who have tickets in certain fare classes. (But more classes of tickets are eligible for domestic <strong>upgrades</strong> than for international.) Frequent fliers on American and United can snare <strong>upgrades</strong> by trading in the 500–mile electronic coupons they earn by flying or buy directly from the airline.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cheatsheet1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2160" title="cheatsheet" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/cheatsheet1-185x300.jpg" alt="cheatsheet" width="185" height="300" /></a>But, like international <strong>upgrades</strong>, the best way to <strong>upgrade</strong> on a domestic trip these days is to pay, unless you have super–elite status and are sure to get it for free. You can <strong>upgrade</strong> coach fares with miles, usually 15,000 one–way, and some airlines require a $50–to–$150 co–pay.</p>
<p>Another way to land in the first–class cabin: Buy a &#8220;Y–Up&#8221; coach fare that comes with an instant <strong>upgrade</strong>. Airlines offer coach fares with instant <strong>upgrades</strong> to help customers evade corporate–travel prohibitions on buying first–class fares. You end up paying several hundred dollars more for a ticket, but usually save hundreds of dollars off a first–class fare.</p>
<p>American&#8217;s Web site shows fares with instant <strong>upgrades</strong>, if available, when you search by &#8220;schedule and price.&#8221; FareCompare.com offers a tool that lets you search from your departure city for all destinations.</p>
<p>The cheapest upgrade of all can be the last–minute splurge: Buying an <strong>upgrade</strong> at the airport. Airlines have been experimenting with selling <strong>upgrades</strong> to customers at check–in, after elite–level frequent fliers have claimed first–class and business–class seats. Prices vary considerably: American charges $45 for every 500 miles of a flight, so a 1,500–mile flight would cost $135 to <strong>upgrade</strong>, one–way. United charges $77 for every 500 miles on domestic trips. Delta says its domestic <strong>upgrades</strong> sold at check–in are priced $50 to $150; Continental says its <strong>upgrades</strong> start at only $25 for short flights and top out on domestic trips at $250 for routes like Los Angeles–Honolulu and Houston–Anchorage.</p>
<p>Most airlines offer the <strong>upgrades</strong> only at airport kiosks and counters. US Airways, however, offer a unique deal: You can call 24 hours before departure at the airlines reservation line, 800–428–4322, and try to snag an <strong>upgrade</strong>. Price: $50 to $250 for domestic flights; $300 to $600 for trans–Atlantic trips.</p>
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		<title>Cancun &#8211; Climate Report</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/destinations/mexico/cancun-climate-report/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/destinations/mexico/cancun-climate-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:28:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cancun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cancun holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cancun weather climate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate in cancun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate in mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate of cancun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mexico cancun climate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mexico climate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=1664</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The temperature of the city is warm and tropical, moderated ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">The temperature of the city is warm and tropical, moderated by the marine breezes created by onshore trade-winds, which circulates through its avenues. Depending on the season, maximum temperatures range from 26 °C (78.8 °F) in January to 32 °C (90 °F) in July and August, and between 18 °C (64.4 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) at night. Temperature extremes have ranged between a maximum of 39.5 °C (103.2 °F) and a minimum of 7.5 °C (45.4 °F) at the Airport, which is 5 km (3.1 mi) inland south end of the city. More temperate conditions occur from November to February and it is hottest from April to September, due to proximity to the Caribbean and Gulf. Humidity is high all-year around, especially so during Hurricane Season (averages close to 70% on rain free days).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/weather.gif"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1890" title="weather" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/weather.gif" alt="weather" width="300" height="220" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The tropical storm season lasts from May to December; the rainy season extends into January with peak precipitation in September. February to early May tend to be drier with only occasional scattered showers. Although large hurricanes are rare, they have struck near to <strong>Cancun</strong> in recent years, Hurricane Wilma in 2005 being the largest. Hurricane Gilbert also made a devastating direct hit on <strong>Cancún</strong> in September 1988. Hurricane Dean also made its mark on the city</p>
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		<title>Cancun &#8211; Driving in Cancun</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/destinations/cancun-driving/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/destinations/cancun-driving/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:56:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cancun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Destinations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cancun car rental]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cancun driving directions]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[driving in cancun]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[driving to mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mexico driving directions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=1667</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For safety purposes, it is not recommended that visitors rent ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/mexico.jpg"></a>For safety purposes, it is not recommended that visitors rent a car (this may be something the taxi drivers have encouraged). However, this applies anywhere that you are not familiar with. Some of the roads are well maintained here, and others may be sand or have potholes big enough to swallow a VW. If you are driving during daylight hours, keep an eye out for the buses, trucks, people and shuttles on the main roads, the side roads are a little rougher, but traffic is far less distracting. Police officers may sometimes pull you over, even for a minor violation, and ask for a bribe to let you off the hook, this may apply more to younger visitors, than say, those over thirty. If you are pulled over, be respectful to the police officer and don&#8217;t do anything that would worsen the situation. Unless you are planning to explore outside of the &#8220;Hotel Zone&#8221; or downtown, a car is not necessary and may be more of a burden than an asset. Alternative transportation is plentiful and inexpensive 24/7.</p>
<p>If you plan on parking in the nightlife area of <strong>Cancun</strong> or in downtown <strong>Cancun</strong>, it can be frustrating to find a parking spot.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/mexico.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1884" title="mexico" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/mexico.jpg" alt="mexico" width="410" height="272" /></a>A common rule of thumb for night driving is <strong>not</strong> to drive in the first place. Driving at night can be very dangerous especially in areas that are well away from the city. These areas may not be lit very well or may be completely unlit. Some of the common scenarios can be cars without their headlights on, robbery, potholes, and even jaywalkers among others.</p>
<p>A few tips and recommendations for driving in <strong>Cancun</strong> if that is necessary:</p>
<ul>
<li>Get insurance, and then get some more insurance. Driving in Mexico is pretty crazy. It&#8217;s not as bad as most Central American and Caribbean locations, but it is crazy all the same. Accidents happen, especially to tourists. Your personal insurance will probably (almost certainly) not cover you in Mexico, even if you were under the impression that they would. Be sure you check the deductible as well, because often the deductible is 10% of the value of the car, and rarely would repairs in Mexico cost anywhere near that.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Check and double check for dings and scratches. Even AVIS, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and the other big rental car companies will charge you for stuff that you didn&#8217;t do. When you start your review of the car before you take it off the lot, mark every single ding, dent, and especially window crack. If you don&#8217;t mark them, you will probably be charged for them.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>It is common practice in Mexico for transit police to remove the front license plates from cars when they have a parking violation (and there are some weird rules that aren&#8217;t posted). If this plate is taken you will have to go to the police department, pay your fine and then retrieve your plate, it&#8217;s a real pain. Often, renters don&#8217;t even notice that the plate has been removed and return their car to the rental company without the tag. The company will charge you a bunch of money to get it back. Some rental car companies are removing the front license plate and putting credentials on a piece of paper in the front window. You might ask if a car like that is available. Additionally some mount the license plates with one way screws (AVIS and Budget do this I think), but I don&#8217;t know how effective that is.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Highway 307 out of <strong>Cancun</strong> is really a pretty good road. Try not to drive when it is raining, the road floods unexpectedly and is generally very slick. In towns, especially <strong>Cancun</strong>, there are pot holes everywhere. These are probably the most dangerous part of driving in Mexico and do the kind of damage that car rental companies will get you for.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Watch out for topes. These are speed bumps, or speed mountains might be a better word. They tend to crop up in the middle of the highways before you enter towns and occasionally have signs that warn you, but more often than not signs are not displayed or are obscured in some way. These are extremely good ways to maintain the speed limit and you will find that after hitting one going sixty, your eyes remain constantly on the road and you watch your speed.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Unconventional bypasses — It is very common in Mexico for the highway to split into two different lanes in the same direction when passing through a town (Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos are two examples). The inner lane is for left turns and those people passing through town. The right lane is called the ejidal (community) road and is for access to any of the roads on the right side. If you get on the bypass, you CANNOT turn right and if you get on the ejidal, you CANNOT turn left. You also cannot change lanes through town, you have to make the decision where the road splits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If you get in an accident with a taxi or bus, call or wait for the police. Never argue with a taxista or bus driver, they are union and really stick together. Usually they will just accept a little cash for the damage and you can go on your way, this can be decided on your own (most taxi drivers speak at least a little English) or with a policeman present.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Often two lane roads will have huge shoulders on the right and left. These are for you to move to if a car comes up behind you. If a car comes up behind you on one these roads, simple pull over a little and they will pass. You can signal that it is safe for someone to pass by turning on your left turn signal (I know it sounds weird, but that&#8217;s the local custom). Additionally, if there are cars coming in the other direction, it is advisable to pull over a little onto the shoulder so that they can freely pass as well, they will assume that you are going to do so and start their pass even before you do.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Windshields — Perhaps the most common type of problem that renters face is broken windows. Trucks have virtually no laws that govern how they can carry materials and in the Peninsula there are lots and lots of limestone mines. You can watch these limestone pebbles bounce out of the back of dump trucks up and down 307, bounces 5 or 6 feet high even on the third or fourth bounces. Windshields getting broken is extremely common.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Gas stations — Occasionally gas station attendants will avoid resetting the gas pump after the last person and try to charge you for the last bill and yours. I have never actually experienced this, but do notice that attendants in the Mayan Riviera and <strong>Cancun</strong> are now showing you (and making sure that you look) that the pumps have zeroed out before they start pumping.</li>
</ul>
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		<title>Cruise: Packing List</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-news/travel-tips/cruise-packing-list/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-news/travel-tips/cruise-packing-list/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:40:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alaska packing list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise check list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise checklist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruise packing checklist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[packing check list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[packing for cruise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel packing list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vacation packing list]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=1842</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Before embarking on any vacation you must decide what you&#8217;re ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Before embarking on any vacation you must decide what you&#8217;re going to bring with you.  These preparations are key in order to experience healthy and stress-free travels.  Although packing can evolve into an art over time, even the most veteran travelers will forget certain personals they need.  This usually isn&#8217;t a catastrophe because once you&#8217;ve de-planed you can purchase most things you have forgotten.  Even better, if you are in a car, you can always find a store along the journey to replenish what is missing.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cruise-ship-docked-at-port-zante-in-st-kitts.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1866" title="cruise-ship-docked-at-port-zante-in-st-kitts" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cruise-ship-docked-at-port-zante-in-st-kitts-300x225.jpg" alt="cruise-ship-docked-at-port-zante-in-st-kitts" width="300" height="225" /></a>Because of all the outs available during a vacation you may think packing isn&#8217;t a very high priority.  This may be true in some cases, but if you are planning to take a <strong>cruise</strong>, you thought wrong.  On a cruise ship you are stuck on the ship except for 2-3 pre-determined stops along the way.  Therefore, you need to make sure you have everything you need; the captain will not turn the ship around for you, no matter what class you paid for.  Even worse, if you forget something crucial, the shops on the cruise ship will charge you an arm and a leg for the products; they are well aware they are the only means of commodities on the open sea.</p>
<p>For this reason we have drawn up a blue print for what you need, and what you need not forget before departing for the ship.  There are three major things you need to think about: clothing, necessities and what type of luggage you should and can bring.</p>
<p><strong>Travel Documents, Identification and Wallet Items:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>3 copies of airline tickets, <strong>cruise</strong> tickets, passports/visas, and itinerary &#8211; pack 1 copy in carry on, 1 copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home. Alternatively, you can scan the documents and email an electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them from any computer terminal. (I usually do both &#8211; &#8220;just in case&#8221;)  This may seem like over-kill, but once again, you are on a <strong>cruise</strong> ship, not an airplane or train.  Once you&#8217;re on the boat, you&#8217;re stuck.  We want you to enjoy your trip, so having all these back-up documents will make enjoying your vacation easier.</li>
<li>Identification documents are the second most important papers you need.  This will include a passport and visas if necessary.  Some <strong>cruise</strong> lines will accept proof of citizenship in lieu of a passport, but be sure to check with that specific cruise line before taking this approach.</li>
<li>Pack a written list of your medications, including the name of the drug, dosage and times taken, in case they are lost.</li>
<li>Medical documents are the third most important, and in most cases just as important to those of you on regular medication.  Be sure to bring your medical insurance cards and medical history, especially if you are traveling alone.  You will need a copy of your prescriptions and a list of all the medicines you are taking.  Remember on the boat they may only sell generic drugs, so as long as you have your prescriptions, the <strong>cruise</strong> can obtain you specific medications in case of an emergency.</li>
<li>For medical and emergency reasons, make sure you leave a way to contact you at home if anything happens.  If you contact the <strong>cruise</strong> line they will give you emergency contact information for anyone watching your house, friends, or family.</li>
<li>A pre-paid phone card if very important.  You may think while on vacation you have no reason to call back home; wasn&#8217;t that the reason you left in the first place?  Although the isolation may be your goal, usually on an amazing vacation you can&#8217;t wait to get back and tell your friends and family of something spectacular you saw or experienced.  Sometimes the updates can&#8217;t wait.  For this reason, buy a pre-paid phone card before you leave.  I suggest either a 20 minute or 60 minute card, depending on how much of a telephone junky you are. <a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cystral-serenity-wo_793621c.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1867" title="cystral-serenity-wo_793621c" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cystral-serenity-wo_793621c.jpg" alt="cystral-serenity-wo_793621c" width="460" height="288" /></a></li>
<li>ATM/credit cards are not a necessity, but if you bring them with you, make sure you call the credit card company ahead of time and let them know you are traveling.  If they see over seas purchases without being notified, they may freeze your account on grounds of suspicion.</li>
<li>Cash or traveler&#8217;s checks are a good way to bring lots of money without the worries of losing a wad of cash or your credit card.  As long as you have not signed the check, even if lost you will have lost nothing until cashed.  Make sure you keep the receipt for these checks in a separate location if they happen to get lost.  For this reason have contact numbers for whomever needs to be called if you lose these documents.</li>
<li>Since most cruises leave the United States, be sure to have a currency conversion chart.  Although most convertion kiosks have their own charts, these are not consistent everywhere in the world.  It is good to know that currency exchange is dictated by markets and change daily.  Due to this, you must have your own conversion chart to make sure you are getting an appropriate exchange wherever you are, never trust an over seas teller.</li>
<li>Although it may seem unlikely, at some stops along the <strong>cruise</strong> you may want to rent a car.  For example, on many Caribean <strong>cruises</strong>, many passengers find themselves wanting to take a tour of the islands they make stops at.  Although there are tour busses available, some travelers may want to rent their own car.  For this reason make sure you bring your driver&#8217;s license and auto insurance card.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Travel Necessities: Personal Hygiene</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Ear plugs aren&#8217;t only important for flying, but cruising as well.  Remember you are confined to the spaces on this boat; therefore there are very little spaces of privacy outside your room.  Even if you find privacy, it won&#8217;t last long; the ruckus of excitement will surround before you know it.  Ear plus will help you get away for that half hour you need before heading to dinner.</li>
<li>Because toiletries are so expensive on the boat itself, you should bring your own crash-kit for basic vacation survival.  A basic kit I would suggest would include: Q-tips, cortisone, Vaseline, antibiotic cream and anti-diarrheal medication.</li>
<li>Pain killers such as aspirin, Tylenol or Advil.</li>
<li>Hand wipes are good to have in your car, when you fly, boat, or any sort of travel where your hands may become sticky for some reason or another.</li>
<li>DO NOT forget sun screen, there is nothing worse than lying out on a beach in pain because your back is too burnt.  Along these lines, also bring a pair of sun-glasses, there will be many sunsets to enjoy, so be prepared.  I might add that even if you are planning a trip to Alaska or some icy dreamland, don&#8217;t think you won&#8217;t need your sunglasses.  The reflection off the snow is one of the easiest ways to get sunburned, ask any experienced skier.</li>
<li>Bring bug spray, not for the boat, but for those tropical destinations you will be investigating on your pit-stops along the way.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Travel Necessities: Electronics and Gadgets</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Plug adapter or power converters are good for traveling, but not crucial for <strong>cruise</strong> ships.  If you have certain electronics you MUST use during your vacation buy a converter just incase.  All other necessities on this list will have to be plugged into this converter if you run into a foreign wall plug.</li>
<li>Make sure you bring your cell phone and charger.  I usually keep mine turned off, but it is nice to have in order get new phone numbers or call your cab when you return to the port.  The same goes for your PDA or laptop; bring a charger.</li>
<li><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/packinguk.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1868" title="packinguk" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/packinguk.jpg" alt="packinguk" width="300" height="200" /></a>It is good to have a camera while on your journeys.  Manual and digital cameras are good for any vacation.  If you are taking a digital camera be sure to bring a charger and extra memory cards.  If you are using a manual SLR camera be sure to bring extra film.  Travelers often run out of film or memory halfway through their vacation.</li>
<li>If you are a reader, make sure you have a nightlight.  Reading on the deck opposed to your bedroom is a peaceful experience that needs a light.</li>
<li>There is always a workout are or gym on board a cruise ship.  Do not forget your iPod.  With all the kids and chaos around you, working out to your favorite music will be something you yearn for if you forget your iPod or portable music player.</li>
<li>An obvious item that is necessary for any trip is an alarm clock, preferably battery powered.  Some <strong>cruises</strong> put you on a tight schedule to keep up with.  You may have to eat at a certain time, and certain events only take place on certain days during certain hours; so bring something to keep you on point.</li>
<li>For those of you bringing a lot of electronics with you, bring a power strip and/or battery charger.  I don&#8217;t suggest bringing so much with you, but some of us must work during our &#8220;vacation&#8221; and it is understandable to always be prepared.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Helpful Items Specific to Cruise Vacations:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Zip loc bags of all sizes and even garbage bags, for emergencys or wet clothing.  Crazy glue, duct tape and clothes pins may seem like overkill, but the faster you can take care of a catastrophic situation or even something small that breaks, the more time you will have to enjoy the rest of your vacation.</li>
<li>A swiss army knife or any tool like it is very good for traveling.  Make sure you put it inside your check in bag due to security measures.  A swiss army knife can give you corkscrew for wine and knifes and scissors for any handy work you may need to be doing.</li>
<li>I like to bring a shoe horn anywhere I travel to, but it is not necessary</li>
<li>Playing cards are a classic check list item when on vacation.</li>
<li>An underwater camera may seem silly, but if you are going to the Carribean there are photos you will regret not being able to capture if you did not make this purchase.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>The List: Clothing you Need and Clothing you Don&#8217;t</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Remember before you start packing check out the <strong>cruise</strong> newsletter to find out what dress code for dinner is each night.  Different <strong>cruises</strong> have different restrictions based on how expensive they are and what kind of reputation that particular line exemplifies.<strong> </strong></li>
<li>On most cruise ships there will be at least two formal nights.  On these<a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/WindStar-Gym-Thumb.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1865" title="WindStar-Gym-Thumb" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/WindStar-Gym-Thumb.jpg" alt="WindStar-Gym-Thumb" width="330" height="285" /></a> nights most dining halls require nice dress attire.  If you feel this is a hassle no worries, most <strong>cruise</strong> ships also have tuxedo rentals for men.  The buffet hall is usually open every night, so if you really don’t want to get dressed up you don’t have to. </li>
<li>To many people’s surprise dining room dress code can be very strict on a <strong>cruise</strong> line.  For women you can’t wear shorts, t-shirts, cut offs, tank tops, jeans, or be bare-footed.  For most nights, the dress code will be casual.  This is what you’d wear to your favorite “casual” restaurant, such as: sun dresses, a casual dress, casual pants such as khakis or cargo pants, but remember, no jeans.  For men, polo shirts, button-up shirts and casual pants (not jeans) are fine.   </li>
<li>During the day, anything goes!  You can wear shorts, t-shirts, capri pants, jeans, cargo or khaki pants, running shoes, flip flops and sandals.  The only dress code during the day is when going swimming.  When walking from your cabin to the pool you have to wear something over your swimsuit and you have to wear something on your feet.</li>
<li>If you plan on working out during your <strong>cruise</strong>, don’t forget your gym clothes.  Every <strong>cruise</strong> ship has a modern gym for those of you who don’t want to squander your exercise routine during your vacation.</li>
<li>Footwear should include walking or running shoes, sandals, and dress shoes for formal dinners.</li>
<li>You should probably also bring one hat, a jacket, and a sweater.  If you are worried about some of your garments, the <strong>cruise</strong> ships also have dry cleaning, so don’t worry about anything getting ruined.  If something gets lost, you’ll probably see it on the culprit hours later.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>What Type of Luggage Should I Bring?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>If you don’t live near a <strong>cruise</strong> port, you’ll normally have to fly (or drive in some cases) to your destination.  Before you start to pack, remember that you have to carry everything with you in the airport and around the cruise terminal.  Because of this make sure your main luggage has wheels.  Try to limit yourself to 1 piece of checked luggage, 1 carry on bag, and 1 personal item.  You can also take a garment bag, but be careful with these because the hooks can get caught on many places while you are boarding.<strong> </strong></li>
<li>There are of course weight restrictions for each airline.  They are specific depending on what airline you fly, so make sure you call either the airline or your travel agent ahead of time for information.<strong> </strong></li>
<li>Your name and address should be on a piece of paper inside each bag and on luggage tags on the outside of each bag.  Fill out your <strong>cruise</strong> tags and place them on your luggage; any “old” airline/cruise tags should be removed.  Your Carry-on Bag &amp; Checked Luggage should have locks.  Mark all luggage with some “bright” tape or wool pompoms for easier retrieval at the airport &amp; the <strong>cruise</strong> terminal.  Of course you can choose other radical ways of making your bag stand out but the point is, make sure your luggage isn’t generic.  Last but not least, make sure you bring extra luggage tags just incase anything happens to your original ones.<strong> </strong></li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Cancun &#8211; Hotel Maps</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/destinations/cancun-hotel-maps/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/destinations/cancun-hotel-maps/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:09:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cancun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Destinations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cancun google maps]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[cancun hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cancun map]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[maps of cancun]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=1685</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ 

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/hotelmap.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-1719 aligncenter" title="hotelmap" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/hotelmap.gif" alt="hotelmap" width="375" height="500" /></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Entering Closed Countries</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-news/entering-closed-countries/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-news/entering-closed-countries/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:31:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Caribbean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bill Clinton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Burma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cuba]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kim Jong-il]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kuwait]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Myanmar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[north korea airlines]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[visa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=1142</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were released ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yesterday American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were released and brought home after being detained in a North Korean prison for the past month.  The two prisoners had &#8220;wandered&#8221; across the Chinese border and been arrested by North Korean military.  Former U.S. President Bill Clinton made a surprise visit to the isolated country by way of a private jet in order to bring the Current TV employees back to the States.  The negotiations went accordingly and the journalists were released in a diplomatic fashion.</p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-1148 alignleft" title="1(2130)" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/121301.jpg?w=300" alt="Former President Clinton Landing in North Korea" width="300" height="212" /></p>
<p>It is key to note that the former president did not enter <strong>North Korea</strong> through the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone); the border between North and South Korea.  The zone is heavily locked down in order to keep out any outside visitors.  Very isolated, <strong>North Korea</strong> is infamous for being the most difficult country to enter under any circumstance.  This lead us to thinking, what other countries in the world make it very difficult for tourists or even journalists to enter?</p>
<p>Burma (Myanmar) -</p>
<p>Burma is an isolated nation located on the Indochina peninsula.  Oppose to Thailand Vietnam and Laos, Burma has chosen to stay secluded from the western world during the second half of the 20th century.  The country has been under heavy military rule since a coup-d&#8217;etat in 1962.  Although not a violent or pro-war country, it is very hard to obtain a visa or sneak into the country undetected.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-1153 aligncenter" title="detail-shwezigon-temple-02-500" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/detail-shwezigon-temple-02-500.jpg" alt="Shwezigon Temple in Burma" width="500" height="333" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kuwait -</p>
<p>Remember that country the U.S. defended in the Persian Gulf?  Kuwait does not grant tourist visas, even to Americans.  Although if traveling for business, a hotel can grant visas to your company and allow you in.  Like many Middle Eastern countries, business visas are encouraged but tourism is not high on the list of goals.</p>
<p><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1150" title="Customs" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/customs.jpg?w=300" alt="Customs" width="300" height="298" /></p>
<p>Cuba -</p>
<p>Although there is an embargo the U.S. has sanctioned upon the socialist nation, it actually is not difficult to enter this unique island of the Caribbean.  However, if you are a U.S. citizen, getting back into the states after you have visited Cuba is a different story.  Many American citizens have been taken to court with infractions due to vacationing in Havana.</p>
<p>Because we have had to enter certain countries to rate all the hotels made available by hotelreservations.com, we have found ways around these barriers.  But remember these regulations are against tourist visas, in most cases journalists and government/business officials can easily obtain a visa.  Furthermore, many of these countries just make travelers jump through hoops in the hopes that the tourist will get discouraged and pick another country to visit.  So if you do have a yearning to see the temples of Burma or visit a war-torn country that can&#8217;t protect you from being kidnapped, you can make it happen.  Just remember once you&#8217;re there, you&#8217;re playing by their rules.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Megabus Offers $1 Bus Fare</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-deals/megabus-offers-1-bus-fare/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-deals/megabus-offers-1-bus-fare/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:05:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel Deals]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[bus travel deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap bus deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greyhound]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greyhound bus deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Megabus]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=1116</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The stimulus strategy is once again rewarding domestic travelers.  Megabus ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The stimulus strategy is once again rewarding domestic travelers.  Megabus is offering 50,000 $1 seats in efforts to boost sales.  Megabus is the first no-frills bussing company.  Started in 2003 by the Stagecoach group, the budget <strong>bus</strong> line was opened in the UK first, followed by a North American line in 2006.  This is not the first instance of low-cost carriers in the travel world.  Low-cost airline carriers boomed in the nineties with airlines such as RyanAir, SouthWest Airlines and EasyJet.  These airlines started the no frills travel trend offering flights for under $50 dollars. </p>
<p><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1118" title="megabus_back_large" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/megabus_back_large.jpg?w=300" alt="megabus_back_large" width="300" height="224" /></p>
<p>Although Megabus is pitched as a &#8220;no frills&#8221; carrier, there are basic amenities that are quite generous.  The buses only allow one large carry on to be stowed underneath, but the double decker busses are roomy, and provide free Wi-Fi on all routes.  The only downside of Megabus and their offer is ironically the recession.  The recession that has led to this unbelievable offer has also wiped out all of the Megabus lines that ran through Los Angeles, Phoenix and any remaining west coast hubs that were being scheduled in the previous years. </p>
<p>To find more on all the routes available, visit <a href="http://www.megabus.com/us/stops/index.php">Megabus.com</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Free Weekends at over 100 National Parks</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/top-10s/free-weekends-at-over-100-national-parks/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/top-10s/free-weekends-at-over-100-national-parks/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:07:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hawaii]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Summer Staycations]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Acadia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best national parks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bryce Canyon]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Denali]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grand Canyon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grand Tetons]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[natinoal parks map]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[The National Mall]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Volcanoes Hawaii]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yosemite]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=1127</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The tough times keep getting better.  According to the latest ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">The tough times keep getting better.  According to the latest report by the International Air Traffic Association international air traffic is down 9.3% from last year.  The recession has scared travelers away from the airports and their passports and encouraged weekend trips and staycations.  While U.S. cities may not be particularly exiting to most Americans, the<strong> National Park</strong> scene is hitting its stride.  This upcoming weekend on August 15-16, over 100 U.S. <strong>National Parks</strong> will be offering free admission.  Although industrialization has taken over the land, there are still vast amounts of country and our <strong>National Parks</strong> are still hailed as some of the most beautiful places on earth.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-1132 aligncenter" title="Zion_angels_landing_view" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/zion_angels_landing_view.jpg" alt="Zion Canyon, Utah" width="500" height="512" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This stimulus plan will actually put money back into the country by way of federal land revenue.  The government offered three free weekends this summer; the one closing upon us being the last of the three.  There are also free tours and discounts for lodging and hotels within park land.  Because of this, vacationing to <strong>National Parks</strong> has risen %6 percent in 2009.  With over 300 monuments, parks and recreational areas in the country, we&#8217;ve compiled a list of the best <strong>National Parks</strong> to visit based on the experience, crowds, and accessibility.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Volcanoes <strong>National Park</strong>, Hawaii</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Yosemite <strong>National Park</strong>, California</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Denali <strong>National Park</strong>, Alaska</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Zion <strong>National Park</strong>, Utah</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Bryce Canyon <strong>National Park</strong>, Utah</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Grand Canyon <strong>National Park</strong>, Arizona</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Grand Teton <strong>National Park</strong>, Wyoming</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Acadia <strong>National Park</strong>, Maine</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Great Smoky Mountain <strong>National Park</strong>, Tenn-N.C.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">The National Mall, Washington D.C.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">For more specific information on the <strong>national parks</strong>, visit the <a href="http://home.nps.gov/news/release.htm?id=883">parks and services website</a>.  Also for a direct link to the list of 100 parks that are offering free admission click <a href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm">here</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Top Ten Hush-Hush Hotel Perks</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/hotels/top-ten-hush-hush-hotel-perks/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/hotels/top-ten-hush-hush-hotel-perks/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:53:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hotels]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[room service]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[From AOL Travel
&#8220;Hotels usually aren&#8217;t shy about showcasing their perks. ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>From <a href="http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/lodging/galleries/top-ten-hush-hush-hotel-perks">AOL Travel</a></em></p>
<p>&#8220;Hotels usually aren&#8217;t shy about showcasing their perks. Whether its designer toiletries in the bathrooms, expansive outdoor pools, a luxurious spa and fitness center or a big name restaurant, chances are, hoteliers want you to know what extras are at your disposal.</p>
<p>But here&#8217;s a secret: many properties also have amenities that they don&#8217;t advertise. Why? Because these hush-hush <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-970" title="room_service_450" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/room_service_4504.jpg?w=300" alt="room_service_450" width="300" height="200" />hotel perks work wonders for garnering press, but can cost a fortune. As a result, hoteliers publicize these pricey (for the hotel that is) extras with care. Now, we&#8217;re blowing the cover on some of the best under-the-radar freebies.</p>
<p>From free car service to grocery shopping to decadent, made-to-order breakfasts, these are the bonuses you need to know about before you book your next hotel&#8230;.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Pet Friendly Skies</title>
		<link>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-news/pet-friendly-skies/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.hotelreservations.com/travel-news/pet-friendly-skies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:08:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all pet airline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dog travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PetAirways]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.hotelreservations.com/?p=938</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ 

 
Pets are now getting top-flight treatment, so to speak. Pet-loving ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> </p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-944" title="dogtraveler" src="http://blog.hotelreservations.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/dogtraveler.jpg" alt="dogtraveler" width="500" height="296" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pets are now getting top-flight treatment, so to speak. Pet-loving husband and wife team, Alysa Binder and Dan Weisel have launched an all-pet airlin&#8211;Pet Airways. Now the name may not be novel, but the idea certainly is.</p>
<p>Using their consulting and business backgrounds, the pet-friendly duo spent the last four years taking care of business requirements, like FAA regulations and airplane designs to accommodate the furry folks.</p>
<p>The airline is slated to operate out of the following five cities:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">New York</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Chicago</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Denver</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Washington</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Los Angeles</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We can&#8217;t say we&#8217;re totally surprised. I am sure somebody did their market research and discovered those top 5 markets have the highest rate of pet ownership and disposable income per capita&#8211;types of cities where pets could potentially be treated better than people.</p>
<p>Now that&#8217;s the cats meow.</p>
<p>Read more <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090714/ap_on_bi_ge/us_airlines_pet_airways">here</a>&#8230;</p>
<p>Check out the airline: <a href="http://petairways.com/">www.PetAirways.com</a></p>
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