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Planning your family vacation? Travel deals come in all sizes this summer
Wooo hooo! This is so exciting!
Families, we have a plethora of deals and trips to choose from. Many hotels have started “Kids Stay Free” campaigns and it’s looking very enticing on my end.
If you are in the midst of booking your family vacation, be sure to outline all of the perks that are important to you and your family. For me, it’s AMAZING guest relations and never ending amenities. Today’s article will help you get your thinking caps on for planning your summer getaway.
The Today Show via MSNBC.com
Planning your summer trips advance will help get you the best deals — of which there are boundless choices for families this summer. Whether you are looking for the educational excursion, a beach pampering, or a city exploration, there is something for every family. And one very important thing to keep in mind when searching for the best deal is that you want to look at the overall value package — which means that finding the best deal isn’t necessarily just about finding the “cheapest room rate,” but rather finding the packages that give you the most for your money, where you will not be nickle-and-dimed for every subsequent thing you do on your vacation apart from sleep.
Here are some of Conde Nast Traveler’s favorite family summer deals that will give you the biggest bang for your buck:
1. Look to your favorite hotel chains for company-wide deals
One of the best ways to find deals for the summer is to consult your favorite hotel chains to see what company-wide deals they may be offering. This can give you the opportunity to visit any of their properties around the world for significant discounts. (READ MORE)
School snow days may delay family vacation plans
Many families are whipping out their calendars in search of alternate dates to vacation this summer. The continued snowfall around the country has depleted the number of snow days in some school systems. Decatur County School Board in Decatur, Tenn., reports that they have run out of snow days and may have to extend the school year or use floating holidays to make up the difference.
This is a great opportunity for popular family destinations to offer a sort of “relief” program for families who may have booked with them and now have to change their dates due to a possible school year extension. What do you think? Would you change your summer plans just to complete the school year? Hmm, this one is sticky.
The Decatur County Chronicle | Jennifer Clendenion
Recent snow and ice accumulations combined with winding, tree-lined country back roads have resulted in the local school system exhausting its allotted snow days for the year.
Schools were closed for a week at the beginning of the month after several inches of snow left several roads in the south end of the county too treacherous for buses. At least three other bouts of winter weather since the start of the year has left officials no choice but to close schools. Between the inclement weather and closings for holidays, Decatur County students have not attended school for a full week of classes since early December.
Director of Schools Dr. Michael Price told School Board members Thursday that the system is out of snow days. But with any luck, additional school days won’t be tacked on to the calendar in May. “We have three more days in the calendar we can still float around,” said Dr. Price, including two vacation days and a staff development day. School board members expressed concern that family travel plans might be affected if school is extended in May. “We’re going to avoid that,” Dr. Price said. (READ MORE)
Celebrate diversity
Today is a national holiday and the FTS team hope that you are enjoying a time of relaxtion and bonding with your family.
We’ll be back on Tuesday to share family travel news updates and details on Haiti, and how the travel industry plays an important part. Until then, Happy MLK Day!
Family travel predictions for 2010
I predict that in 2010, TSA will open family security check lanes year round.
Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for making Family Travel Suite the number one resource for family travelers in 2009. Here’s to a fabulous 2010!
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USA Today|Travel News
NEW YORK (AP) — The travel gurus are reading their crystal balls for the new year, and here are some of their predictions.From Travelocity.com’s Genevieve Shaw Brown:
• Airfares are going up, but hotel rates are going down.
• Resorts in popular destinations dependent on air travelers — Caribbean, Hawaii — will be particularly good values.
• All-inclusive resorts will gain popularity with budget-conscious travelers.
• Booking early is the best way to get the lowest airfare. Capacity cuts means airlines have more pricing power than 2009.
• Vacation packages will be the best overall value. Hotels are not keen to lower their standalone rates, but will do so as part of a package. Travelers who bundle flight and hotel will save the most.
From Hotwire.com’s Clem Bason:
• Travel sales will remain flat; travel deals will continue to improve.
• Hotel prices will continue to drop. Deal-hunters should watch markets such as Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco, where Hotwire expects unsold inventory could be sold at up to 55% off.
• Air prices will stay flat, as capacity cuts offset the slow recovery in business travel, leading to price stability.
• Car rental prices will be high, with few deals and some sold-out locations. Use less-expensive brands such as Payless or Advantage and rent from off-airport locations to save money.
• Get savings from vacation packages, with discounted deals online.
• Price differences between five- and four-star hotels will get smaller. (READ MORE)
Increased delays and limited cabin service has spiked private jet bookings
I’ve always thought that booking a private jet for long haul flights is the way to go for families. I’m hearing that the rates to book a private plane are more affordable than ever.
In today’s report, it clearly states that the recent terrorist act isn’t the direct reasoning behind more private flights. Passengers simply want more control, like, knowing that their flight will get to its destination on time and there will be meal service. You know, typical things that we’ve come to expect when we fly.
Elite Traveler.com
December 27, 2009 – NEW YORK, NY — Winter storms combined with late travel plans and increased marketing efforts have spurred a spike in private jet flights over the Christmas holiday. However, executives of several private jet companies contacted by Elite Traveler said that Friday’s terrorism attempt against a Delta Airlines’ flight operated by subsidiary Northwest Airlines has not specifically led to new bookings.
With reports of delays due to increased security procedures, including additional screening for international flights bound for the U.S., plus new limitations on cabin service, commercial airlines are once again facing the difficult situation of making air travel less convenient.
Among the new policies being implemented is making passengers remain seated during the final hour of their flight and turning off inflight moving maps showing an aircraft’s location. The latter, according to various news reports has resulted in some flights operating without inflight entertainment, and combined with airport delays, making holiday family travel more difficult.
“That incident (the Northwest flight from Amsterdam to Detroit) just reinforces the differences between private and commercial travel,” Woody Harford, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of CitationAir told Elite Traveler. However, he added, his company’s increase in business has been “a result of our relaunch more than any commercial incident.” In the Fall the operator changed its name from CitationShares to CitationAir by Cessna followed by a major marketing blitz. (READ MORE)
Northwest Airlines Flight 253 passengers explain
As expected, airport security has been tightened since the attempted terrorist attack. Interesting, I thought security was already tight at the airport. Makes me wonder just how prepared TSA officials are when it comes to potential threats.
Whether you are on a return flight home or are leaving for the New Year, be prepared for the extra time it will take to get through security. Talk to you kids, if possible, before you head to the airport so that they know what to expect and to be on their best behavior :/.
Passengers on the Northwest flight say the noise sounded like firecrackers. I’m shocked to see the smiles on the faces of the people in this video. It’s almost as if they don’t realize that their plane could have been blown up.
Here’s video from AP…
Beijing creates “Happy Snow World” to lure family travel during the Olympics
Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing
I read this press release and immediately began looking for flights to Beijing. I really love the fact that they are taking the time to invest in special activities for families. Love it.
The China Guide
BEIJING, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — For travelers looking to have some winter fun in Beijing this season while visiting the site of recent Olympic glory, the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium will be converted into a “Happy Snow World”. As a country of mainly one child families, the Chinese rarely miss a chance to show their kid a good time, and this is another classic example.
Happy Snow World is open from December 19th to February 20th and includes a variety of winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, winter games and skating. There will also be performances and a scenic area.
The China Guide ( http://www.TheChinaGuide.com ), a Beijing based travel company, is happy to include a stop at “Happy Snow World” as part of a Beijing private tour. With their own children to entertain in Beijing, The China Guide staff are experts at what Beijing has to offer the little ones.
“We do a lot of family tours and are always on the lookout for the most exciting things China has to offer foreign visitors. Family travel is not the same as group travel, we keep the schedules flexible and do things the local Chinese do with their kids. It offers foreign children the chance to mix with Chinese children, who are always interested to meet and play with them,” comments Judy Huang, travel manager of The China Guide. (READ MORE)
Major storm in the Midwest affects holiday travel
If you have not made it to your final destination by now, there’s a highly likely chance that you’re not going to make it by Christmas. According to reports, there’s another winter storm affecting the Midwest and it’s causing several cancellations and delays among airlines. Roads are slick and icy so stay off of them, if possible.
I know that this is a frustrating time for you and the family. My advice to you, stay positive, realize that Christmas is coming regardless and the family’s safety comes first.
Here’s the latest story…
USA Today|Associated Press
OMAHA (AP) — Holiday travelers battled slick, icy roads and scattered flight cancellations and delays on Wednesday as a major winter storm began to spread across much of the nation’s midsection — and the worst of the weather was still expected to come.The storm was likely to intensify by Thursday, bringing heavy snow, sleet and rain to a large swath of the Plains and the Midwest. A foot or two of snow was possible in some areas by Christmas Day.
“It’s an usually large storm, even for the Plains,” said Scott Whitmore, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Topeka, Kan.
In northwest Kansas, snow started falling before sunrise Wednesday, after freezing rain had already iced up roads. Part of Gove County saw 8 inches of snow, though it was far lighter elsewhere, said Albert Pietrycha, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Goodland.
A stretch of Interstate 70 in western Kansas was snowpacked by mid-afternoon, although it wasn’t closed — yet. The state Department of Transportation warned that travel would be almost impossible in northeast Kansas by Thursday afternoon.
”It’s kind of hard to stay on the roads. You’ve got to go slow,” said Jason Juhan, a clerk at the Love’s truck stop in Goodland, Kan. “People are just trying to get through and get to where they need to as fast as they can.”
Still, he saw an upside to the weather: “It’s been a few years since we’ve actually had a white Christmas out this way.” (READ MORE)
Blizzard causes more travel delays
It’s Monday and our phones have been buzzing from our readers who have attempted to reach their destinations since Friday. Here’s the latest. Airports are espcecially backed up due to all of the flights that were cancelled. A word of caution to our family travelers, don’t go to the airport right now. If you must, send one adult to go and work with the attendant at the counter. We understand that most of the 800 numbers are busy and you might get more results by talking to a representative face to face.
We know that this is an especially challenging time to travel, trust me, I’ve been there. The best way to tackle this situation is to delegate a representative from the family i.e., the husband or if that’s not an option, stay at the airport, remain calm and try to form an alliance with other stranded families. Maybe one of you can keep your ears open to details about how to get blankets, food vouchers and when the next flight is scheduled to leave.
All the best to you. Things are looking up.
Manchester Evening News | Dean Kirby
COMMUTERS faced more delays as snow continued to cause travel chaos across the area.
Hundreds were stranded at Manchester Airport overnight as staff struggled to clear the backlog of flights caused by yesterday’s runway closures. Passengers were being urged to check with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Traffic on the region’s roads struggled again in the arctic conditions. Motorways and many main roads appear to be clear and moving this morning, but roads off the main stretches were still treacherous.
Scroll down to read the live coverage of travel conditions
Manchester Airport has released the following statement: “We are continuing to clear the backlog of flights. A total of 10 flights from yesterday are still to leave. The majority of these flights will be leaving today, however some airlines have re-booked passengers onto flights later in the week.
“We are working with our airlines to arrange overnight accommodation for passengers whose flights have been delayed, however some passengers stayed in the terminals overnight where they were given food, water and blankets to make them as comfortable as possible.
“We are urging our passengers to check with their airline before they travel to the airport as bad weather in Europe and USA means some airlines have cancelled flights.” (READ MORE)
Families urged to ship gifts to prevent baggage theft
Associated Press
Many of you will be heading to the airport this weekend, but before you do, consider shipping your gifts for loved ones via UPS or Fed Ex. Baggage theft is on the rise. In today’s article carousal crooks are thinking up clever ways to swipe those gifts from your checked luggage. This post is not intended to inject fear, it is simply FYI.
The Wall Street Journal | Scott McCartney
As travelers get ready for holiday flights, they might want to skip tucking presents into their checked suitcases this year. That’s because baggage theft is on the rise.
This year, Delta Air Lines Inc. baggage handlers were caught rifling through suitcases in the belly of airplanes in Hartford, Conn., pocketing laptops, cameras, iPods, GPS units, jewelry, watches and earrings, according to Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police.
Authorities also broke up a ring of airline thieves in St. Louis who, according to Lambert Airport Police Chief Paul Mason, were targeting soldier’s bags that were shipping off to war. Baggage handlers pulled soldiers’ duffels off a conveyor belt in a tunnel, stashed loot and then picked it up later, taking it home under their coats or in backpacks. Among the stolen items recovered: laptops, electronic game systems, cameras, cigarettes, battery chargers, sunglasses and firearms. (READ MORE)
