yapta.com

Most third party travel sites are the same. All claim cheap fares, cheap hotel rates, and cheap rentals. Yapta.com has those claims, however, they also claim to save you money when the fare that you purchase actually decreases after the transaction is complete. Can this be true?

Yapta.com boasts that a traveler can check to see if the ticket price you book has dropped, AND GET AN AIRLINE VOUCHER FOR THE DIFFERENCE. If this is true, its an impressive service.

Although my gut tells me there has to be a catch, I noticed this morning that Marriott has a banner ad on the site. Does this legitimize the site? Maybe. Will I book my next flight using yapta? Probably not. I like to save money just as much as the next guy, but I'm a "book it and forget about it" kind of person. After booking a vacation I'd rather spend my time searching and learning about my destination rather than potentially jumping through hoops to get a $25 voucher for my next flight.

If you've had a good experience with yapta, I'd enjoy hearing about it.

RULES OF THE ROAD

In the latest issue of National Geographic Traveler there was a list of tips one should use when driving in a foreign country. The list is below along with a comment by your humble correspondent.

• Avoid driving in places where you don't speak the language or can't understand the alphabet. I can't imagine driving in China and asking for directions to the nearest Chinese restaurant.



• Drive during the day if possible. It's difficult driving at night in an unfamiliar area in the States, let alone in a foreign country with narrow roads and live-stock roaming the streets. On a similar note...last month when traversing on the back roads of Montana around 1 A.M....I came within inches of hitting a cow. Its a good story...email me if you want to know more.



• Ask for a car with GPS navigation. Make sure your navigation device speaks American.



• Don't be an easy target. Request that stickers or other indications that your vehicle is a rental to be removed. While visiting Hawaii, a friend of mine belongings (including cash and check book) were stolen when he "secured" his items in the trunk of his rental car. The police told him that is the worst place to place items as it is easier to break into the trunk than locked doors of a vehicle.



• Bring car seats for your children. Laws for car seats are different in each country. Don't assume the country you are visiting will have a car seat that fits the standards that you want for your youngster.



• If driving your own car south of the border, purchase Mexican insurance. Almost every major U.S. insurance policy specifically excludes coverage in Mexico. This should be a red flag for everyone. Traveler suggests purchasing a day-to-day policy on-line or in Mexico?? No Thank You. If I ever drive to the border. I will leave my car on the American side and either hire a driver or rent a car with rental car insurance.



• ...And my own personal suggestion when driving over-seas...Avoid "round-a-bouts". Whatever you think of American round-a-bouts...In Europe they are much worse, its like Thunderdome...there are no rules!

Travel Tip #7: Beware of "Dynamic Currency Conversion"

The next time you travel over-seas and paying with your American credit card don't be surprised if the hotel clerk, wait-staff, or car rental agent gives you a bill in U.S. dollars. This practice is known as dynamic currency conversion (DCC). So what's the big deal? One might think this is a convenient way to continue the transaction as you know exactly what you are being charged in U.S. dollars. But so fast, If you accept the pre-converted bill you will end up paying a higher exchange rate and credit card fees.

Companies that use DCC use an exchange rate that is competitive but many times is actually higher than the interbank exchange rate. Add that to the fact that in 2005 most credit cards automatically add a 1% "international service assessment" for all transactions outside the United States. and that $10 cappuccino just got a little bit more expensive.

Although it may seem unsafe to carry large sums of cash with you on a trip that you converted before you left the States...you will end up saving money in the long run. However, if you decide to use your credit card demand to have your bill in the local currency. Stores are violating their merchant agreement if they refuse to let you pay in the local currency. Also, before you leave home find out what the service fees are with your credit cards...one may be cheaper than the other.

Meet the Hotel Guest of 2020

The below article is very entertaining and serves as a future reminder that today's hotel guest is an ever changing being whose wants and needs change with the changing technology. if we don't give our hotel guests what they want and expect...they will find it somewhere else. The article was written by Jitendra Jain, who is employed with Starwood Hotels & resorts in Dubai.




It is the year 2020. The past twelve years have been a flurry of development in the areas of design, nanotechnology, robotics, medicine, the Internet, security and law. Contrary to popular opinion, the hotel industry has not been slow on the uptake. It’s been the decade of hospitality renaissance. A coming of age, an evolution of service as it should be…and a tribute to true personalization. Here’s a look at the hotel guest experience in the year 2020 and how guests have helped the industry become truly magnificent:



My stay. My choice. I can choose and book all elements of my stay before I arrive, from my king sized bed, a fabulous view of the sea, non-allergenic pillows, a romantic dinner at the hot new fusion restaurant on my 3rd night, a pampering at the spa on the 4th, a round of golf on the 5th and a super chocolate sundae, served cold upon arrival (not to forget my airport pickup and drop with a virtual interactive city tour, of course). Hotel revenue and inventory management systems have evolved to a level where every amenity and service can be chosen, packaged, sold and delivered.



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