Travel Deals and Hotel Insider Tips

For Let's Travel!'s 100th show, Susi's guests give listeners "the inside scoop" from the pros, on how to travel cheaply. First guest Tom Parsons, "the godfather of budget travel and deals", was a travel pioneer on the Internet when he started his Web site BestFares.com in 1995 and he's been researching amazing deals ever since. Our second guest, Harvey Chipkin, a veteran travel writer, specializes in giving readers hotel tips.







Guests

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Tom Parsons, Founder
BestFares.com


Who is this man called the "godfather of budget travel and deals," the "king of cheap airfares" and the "seer of the skies"? By Tom Parsons' own admission, he is nothing more than a regular traveler who wants to save money and help others save. And that he does. Other people collect stamps or precious objects. Parsons collects cheap airfares and discount travel rates, and then he tells everyone about them.

Parsons got his start as a discount travel hound in the late 1970s when he was a traveling corporate executive. He noticed the wide variance in travel fares, even on the same airline flight. Using his natural analytical abilities and some good old sleuthing, Parsons unearthed some breakthrough methods to save dramatically on airfares. Then (of course) he began to tell his co-workers about it. In just fourteen months, Parsons single-handedly reduced the corporation's total travel budge from $2.5 million to $800,000. He was honored with a plaque at the annual meeting and given the title, "The Man Least Likely to Give Up a Travel Buck." Even Herb Kelleher, Former CEO and Founder of Southwest Airlines, called Tom "the best low fare policeman on the beat." That moniker is even more accurate today.

Parsons now appears on over 100 radio and television talk shows each month, dispensing his knowledge of hidden travel deals and fare secrets to audiences of shows ranging from NBC's The Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show to nationally syndicated radio such as Bloomberg Business Radio and the AP Radio Network. While his days are packed, Parsons is still likely to be found chatting with the receptionists and cameramen along the way, giving them advice on an upcoming trip. His interviews have the same popular appeal, lighting up phone lines with every visit. Since 1983, Parsons has become the Ralph Nader of the air. He has established a reputation as the traveler's friend and confidant, someone the average consumer can trust to be fair and honest and always on the consumer's side. His goal is to inform the general public about the truth in the travel industry. And as always, his mission is about saving money.

Parsons is the definitive answer to the age-old question uppermost in most travelers' minds: "How can I save money on my style of travel?"

Tom Parsons, one of the most sought-after travel experts in the country, is available for media interviews. He is a consumer champion, offering information on travel bargains, the airline industry and its effects on consumer pocketbooks. From frequent flyer miles to travel deals to the nation's seemingly never-ending changing security policies, Tom is on the beat. To book Tom, contact the media relations' staff at 800-576-8255, or via email at media@bestfares.com.







Harvey Chipkin, Hotel Travel Specialist


Harvey Chipkin has been writing about travel for more than 35 years, specializing in hotels. He has written for magazines like Travel & Leisure, The Ritz-Carlton Magazine, Stratos and Endless Vacation; and many travel industry magazines like Travel Weekly and Lodging Magazine. Harvey is a member of New York Travel Writers Association.


Some Travel Tips from Harvey

1. Once you've checked rates online, it's sometimes worth a call directly to the hotel to see if they can do better. They're supposed to have the same rates as a chain's Web site, but sometimes you can find a better deal.

2. Look for any potential promotion – senior, military, AAA – they can really offer solid savings.

3. Look for value added possibilities. Ask about free or nominally priced breakfast. Many resorts are offering a free night after a stay of 3, 4 or 5 nights.

4. A good travel agent is still invaluable. Agents who are members of groups like Virtuoso have access to good offers – or upgrades.

5. Depending on your time, use the Web strategically. Aside from the big players like Travelocity and Expedia, check out smaller ones like Quikbook.com

6. Check out the meta-search engines like kayak.com and fly.com because they comb all the other sides for better deals

7. Remember that a lower rate is not the only way to enhance value. If you book on a non-brand site, you might not get your hotel brand loyalty points, which can be very valuable.