When you travel as much as I do, you experiment with every booking option. I’m always on the lookout for the best price, the most options, and the best user experience. I’ve tried just about every online travel agency that exists, but Booking.com — a classic — consistently wins as the best hotel booking site …
Booking.com is the Best Hotel Booking Site. Here’s Why. Read More »
I’m a simple traveler who doesn’t need a lot from my hotel. In almost all cases, I’d prefer a cash discount than a vague guest benefit like a room upgrade or bottle of water when I check in. One of the alternatives to traditional hotel loyalty points direct from the hotel is by booking your …
More than a year after my first stay, I’m still using Airbnb. If I’m honest, I tried it the first time because I couldn’t afford anything else. The only options in my budget were Airbnb or camping, and even though I love to camp, it didn’t fit the mood of my Hawaii getaway. Are you new to …
I have a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad confession: seeking out local culture is not the first thing I look for when planning a trip. I went to Nicaragua for the scenery, Laos for adventure, and Europe for a competition. On all those trips — and dozens more — local customs were a second or third planning point. Nevertheless, I seek out …
I only recently tried Airbnb, despite knowing about the website for years. If you’re unfamiliar with the premise, Airbnb creates a marketplace for individuals to open their homes to travelers. Lodging options range from a room in someone’s home, an entire property for individual use, or unique stays like a bed in a treehouse. Airbnb touts …
If you looked at the hotel stays I’ve completed and/or reserved, you’d swear I’m scatterbrained. I jump from hostels to campsites to upscale mountain resorts and trendy chain hotels. Sure, there are times when I just want a basic room and anywhere will do so I look for a simple property at a low price. However, every once in …
Last year, I wrote about Cancelon, a website that allows users to list nonrefundable hotel reservations they aren’t able to use in hopes that someone else is willing to take over that reservation (typically at a discount). I’ve flipped through it a few times since I first wrote the overview and I still haven’t used …
Roomer: Sell Nonrefundable Hotel Reservations or Buy at Discount Read More »
Did you know there’s not a single Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, IHG, or Club Carlson in Slovenia outside of Ljubljana? For the most part, this country is home to non-chain hotels and other independently managed accommodations. Despite having a healthy balance of hotel rewards points in my budget, I frequently find myself in locations without chain hotels. Since …
Sometimes the experience a non-chain hotel offers outweighs my desire to earn points toward future free travel. Obviously, the best of both worlds is when you can pick the perfect hotel and earn/redeem points for that stay, and there have definitely been times when I can make that happen. Even if you’re deadset on booking …
Earning Points on Non-Chain Hotels with Stash Rewards Read More »