TravelOFFEN.com Blog » Booking Site

I’m Reading – Hotels – Be Wary of Web Bravado

Doug Offen — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:10:23 +0000

I have been using the web for research since it first became available to me as a school teacher 20 plus years ago. Over the years the percentage of hype, boldness of claims and “bald-faced” lies have increased dramatically. Not just in the travel industry but right across the board, it is reader be aware and reader be wary. What is read or heard on the web must be taken with a grain of salt.

Truth and shades of truth are hard to police, hard to perceive, hard to understand and easy to believe.

The old adage if it’s too good to be true, it probably is fits much of the web hyperbole.

This ongoing manipulation of hotel revues has been debated for months now. I use SiteAdvisor, but with caution.

Does TripAdvisor hotel manipulation scandal render the site completely useless?

How do I boost my TripAdvisor rating?

That’s the most common question I get from hotel executives. And even though I try to persuade them it’s the wrong question — that there’s no proven link between a good review and bookings — they insist that their TripAdvisor reviews are the be-all and end-all.

Does TripAdvisor hotel manipulation scandal render the site completely useless?

Having covered the site since the very start, I think I’m uniquely qualified to answer that question. And my answer is: maybe.

Top 10 Choice is value

Doug Offen — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:20:31 +0000

Be sure to compare vacation packages.

Do not confine your family’s holiday happiness to cheapest we could find.

When you use our search engines the results are in a summary chart listed in some kind of order.

Usually lowest price is the way most are listed.
You can list by “Name”, “Our Picks” for value offered, “Shortest Flight”, etc. depending on the type of search used.
You can resort the results list in many different ways too.

The Travelonly Top 10 gives you a link for a special value to a destination from an airport in Canada.

These “Values” are always listed by lowest price.
Check more than the price when viewing the results list.
These are last minute listings for specific departure dates and specific airports.
The consolidator is trying to fill up the last spots for a package by offering a discount.
These listings change frequently because of their limited nature and the offers may fill at any time.

The results page shows other listings for other packages for the same departure point and destination.

Scroll down the listings to search for greater values within your budget.
You may be surprised by how many extras you may get for just a few dollars more.

This example was a Top 10 result for August 18 2009.

Only the top two listed are used for the example because they were so close in costs but so different in value.
Price can not be your only criteria when choosing you vacation.
Other values at other resorts were on the list but they were at least a hundred dollars more per package.

Resort/hotel details compared by clicking “Hotel Details” link.

For $27 more this is what you get for same departure city, same destination location and dates.

Don’t just use price as the main reason for choosing how to spend your hard earned money.
You deserve the “Best Vacation Experience Value” available for your dollar.
Check out our listings against the other travel sites on the web. We compare very well in almost all cases.

Insurance Note:

Prices quoted are without insurance value added costs.

Full Deluxe RBC Travel Insurance is always recommended for your peace of mind.

Insurance is value added protection against the unexpected and unforseen.

You hope you never have to use it but you are glad you have it!

If you are looking for the most popular vacation packages, on specific dates:

Use our regular search engines and book well in advance.

The popular ones usually offer great value for the dollar and sell out without having to discount.

If you have any questions or need any clarification, please call (705)534-7520 or contact us by email (use the link at the top right column of this page).

The more you know the better you choose. We like the “no surprises” method of doing travel sales.

Destination Values for You

Doug Offen — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:01:17 +0000

Below is a link to our listings of the latest and greatest values in destinations to be found around the world.

Browse through the headings.
Click on “View More Information” for more details.
Use the “Find Travel Deals” – “Search a Location” near the top right of the page to see specific locations in the world and the special deals negotiated for that region.
You can’t find a better deal anywhere than the deals we have listed here.
Email me for more information and to book your choice.
This is a great opportunity to use your air miles rewards and other discount flight options you may have to add savings to these great values.
Of course we can book flights for you too.
Flights are not included in the listings.

Click Here to go to our Special Destination Deals listings.

Right Now – Top 10 Vacation Values from Travelonly

Doug Offen — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:43:43 +0000

Right Click on the link below that interests you the most and choose “open in another tab” to see the value details

If you get an error message go to “Vacations Packages” booking page. Enter your destination and dates for the best current deals.

These values are to the moment, current.
They may change at any time for even more savings.
They may go up in price or sell out completely.

Please upgrade your browser

If an above link shows an unavailable error message, click our “Hotels” booking page.
Enter your destination and dates for the best current deals.
Go when you want and where you want at the price you want and book it!

Note:

The search results page lists many alternatives for your perusal
There are hotel details links about the inclusions and other property amenities
Departure and return dates can be modified for savings (sometimes)
When you click on the booking link for your choice you will be quoted RBC travel insurance details too
When you begin to fill in personal information, you are on a secure web page
Be sure you are correct with each detail or choice when booking – most errors cannot be changed without penalties

You can book directly on line or if in doubt, send me an email (see top right of this page) or phone 416-737-9954 for more details.

Book online right now

Invoice for a Travel Purchase in Ontario

Doug Offen — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:21:30 +0000

The “Travel Industry Council of Ontario” (TICO) has mandated the following instructions for creating an invoice for a travel purchase.

Check to see that your travel agent has included all the necessary information when you purchase.

Invoicing Checklist

As per TICO regulations for Travel Sales in Ontario, here is what needs to be included in any invoice. Print this table and use it as a checklist to ensure you are properly invoiced for a travel purchase in Ontario.

Not all invoices need be presented in the same format. Registrants (agents or suppliers) may use whatever format they wish.

What is important is that invoices contain all the information specified in Section 38 of the Regulation.

_____ name and address of the customer who purchased the travel services

_____ name and address (if known) of each person on whose behalf the payment is made

_____ date of the booking

_____ date of the first payment

_____ amount of the payment, indicating whether it is a full or partial payment

_____ amount of any balance owing

_____ due date when any balance owing must be paid

_____ any fees, levies, service charges, surcharges, taxes, or other charges, and whether these amounts are refundable or not

_____ total price of the travel services

_____ name under which the travel agent carries on business

_____ travel agent’s address, telephone number, and any other relevant contact information (such as a fax number or email address)

_____ TICO registration number

_____ a fair and accurate description of the travel services, including the destination, departure date, and the name of persons who will provide the travel services

_____ an indication of whether the customer has purchased trip cancellation insurance

_____ an indication of whether the customer has purchased out-of-province health insurance, if applicable

_____ an indication of whether the contract permits price increases

_____ if the contract permits price increases, a statement that no price increases are permitted after the customer has paid in full

_____ if the contract permits price increases, a statement that if the total price of the travel services increases more than 7% (and is not the result of an increase in retail sales tax or federal Goods and Services Tax), the customer has the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund

_____ a description of the typical information and travel documents that will be needed by each person for whom travel services were purchased

_____ that entry to another country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete

_____ that living standards and practices at the destination may differ from those in Canada and the standards and conditions at the destination with respect to the provision of utilities, services, and accommodation may differ

_____ the name of the travel counsellor who made the booking and accepted the first payment

Travelonly is in full compliance with the above regulations, whether you book through me (705-534-7520) or book your vacation online yourself.