> Planning Tools/Strategies

Book Review: Night + Day Series
The Night+Day series is a directory of the best urban attractions, nightlife, restaurants and hotels for the world's trendiest cities.

Alexis Lipsitz Flippin
Alexis Lipsitz Flippin - Bio of Alexis Lipsitz Flippin

Web sites for travel planning
Working with a tight travel budget? It's possible to shop on the Internet for the most expensive items you'll need. It's also possible to find out what other travelers have to say about that item before you buy it. Use the Internet to your advantage. Visit these key Web sites and get your planning on the right track.

Five Budget Travel Trips for $1200
In early 2008, the U.S. Congress passed a tax rebate that will pay many American families $1200. The idea is to put money back into taxpayer pockets, where it then will be spent to invigorate a sluggish economy. Tax rebate or not, $1200 is an interesting amount. How much can you expect to see and do at that price? Here are five suggestions for putting those dollars to work on a budget tra…

Xe.com: The Basics
International travelers must stay current on exchange rates to be certain they are getting the best values. This look at xe.com shows how an Internet travel tool can help budget travelers plan to save money by knowing up-to-the-minute financial information that can be used in bookings and other buying decisions.

Kango: Search for value and low price
The lowest-price ticket or room isn't always the best budget travel buy. You must search for value and get more for your money when you travel. Kango is a new aggregator of travel information that will help you make better budget travel decisions.

Budget Travel Resolutions 2008
Who would have thought that a bunch of resolutions would be popular? After all, most of us hate focusing on things upon which we must improve in the year ahead. But I've found this idea of finding new ways to think about saving money on travel is something most of us can look at and consider without feeling threatened. This annual project began in Assemble a Budget Travel Library
Here are book reviews, guidebook recommendations and links to the best prices on budget travel reference books. Find the best buy for your itinerary.

Back to School Travel Bargains
When school opens, so do some excellent travel bargains in places like Florida, the Caribbean, national parks and Europe.

Book Review: Deals you can't get unless you're over 50
Unbelievably good deals and great adventures that you absolutely can't get unless you're over 50 is a long title for a book, but it describes a guide that is needed for budget travelers who want to take advantage of age-based discounts. Joan Rattner Heilman provides details for senior deals on airfares, hotels, trains, car rentals and other travel products.

Book Review: How to Europe
For the first-time budget visitor to Europe, there might not be a more complete handbook on the market. You might think you're ready for your trip, but John Bermont will show you what real preparation is all about.

Book Review: How to Travel Practically Anywhere
Billed as a manual for shaping smart travel decisions, this book is packed with practical, easy-to-read strategies for planning, booking and navigating your trip.

Book Review: Make your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune
Tim Leffel advocates what he calls a contrarian approach to travel. He looks for the tourist crowds, then avoids where they eat or sleep. The result is a more memorable--and economical--way to see the world. Budget travelers find the best deals when they look in the right places.

Book review: The World's Cheapest Destinations
Tim Leffel outlines a strategy that is all but lost on most travelers: find an inexpensive destination, and your other money-saving plans become effortless.

Budget Ski Deals
Finding a ski deal can be tough. There are charges for everything from lift tickets to the ride from the airport. But ski bargains can be found with a little effort. Here are a few for the 2006-07 season.

Budget Travel Book
You know that frequent flier miles lead to free trips. But how good are you at managing and maximizing those miles? David Crandall shows you how to earn free airfares and cut travel expenses in his book "Fly Free: As Easy as 1-2-3."

Budget Travel Gifts at $15 to $1000
Looking for something to give your favorite budget traveler? Here are some suggestions for every price range that should make your next trip a better planned, more economical and enjoyable journey.

Budget Travel Resolutions for 2007
Five New Year's resolutions that could lead to cheap travel in 2007 for budget travelers.

Budget Travel Trends of 2005
Look at the top five budget travel trends for 2005 and you'll see evidence of a more cost-savvy consumer, a more competitive airline industry and the rise of improved technology. All of these add to the budget traveler's ability to save money in the marketplace.

Budget Travel Trends of 2006
Look at the top five budget travel trends for 2006 and you'll see evidence of a more cost-savvy consumer, a more competitive airline industry and the rise of improved technology. All of these add to the budget traveler's ability to save money in the marketplace.

Budget Travel Trends of 2007
The travel industry changes very rapidly. Trends of two years ago are often reversed and budget travel strategies that worked in the recent past might not be of much value today. Here are five trends that affected budget travel strategies in 2007.

Eight Tips for Holiday Budget Travel
A few simple rules for making holiday travel affordable.

Europe: Ten Budget Travel Bargains
Here are ten bargain tips for Europe -- any one of which could save you money and make the trip affordable.

European Travel Myths
For many outsiders, a visit to Europe represents a significant investment in time and money. Unfortunately, many people squander these resources because of misinformation. These travel myths sometimes have tinges of truth attached, but when take too literally, they can rob the novice traveler. Take a look at 10 myths that could cost you money.

Exchanging Money on a Budget
International travelers pay for exchanging money. It's one of those expenses that can be cut to free up money for more enjoyable things. Here are some strategies for wise money exchanges.

Fall Travel Deals
Fall is a great time of year to travel: crowds are smaller and prices are often lower. Plan your budget autumn itinerary for destinations, airfares, cruises and hotels here.

Fifth Annual Budget Travel Resolutions
Four New Year's resolutions that could lead to cheap travel next year.

Five Chances to Save on Food when Traveling
Food costs can wreck a travel budget. Here are some strategies for keeping those costs in check without sacrificing nutrition or culinary adventure.

Fourth Annual Budget Travel Resolutions
Five New Year's resolutions that could save you money on travel next year.

Guide Picks: Shopping for Air Miles Credit Cards
Before you buy the sales pitches of frequent flier credit card companies, consider the cost of those miles.

Guide Review: Budget Travel Book
Readers searching for discount airfares and last minute flights should also take notice of another potential expense in travel: lost luggage. Find a strategy for minimizing the risk of lost luggage in the airport and save on travel.

Guidebooks for Adventure Travel
Some guidebooks go beyond saving you money--they take you to exotic or off-the-beaten-path locales. These volumes cater to the adventuresome independent traveler.

Hiring a Private Guide on a Budget
When you land in a new city, what do you see? More importantly, do you understand the significance of the place you've spent money to visit? Sometimes, hiring a personal travel guide for the day can maximize your budget travel investment.

Insurance for a Budget Trip
Travel insurance isn't needed for every trip, but the right policy at the right time can save you money and aggravation.

Internet Travel Basics 101
About Budget Travel shows you how to use the Internet to save money and plan your trip more effectively.

Off Season Take Offs
Paris in February? Why not? Traveling in the off-season will save you a lot of money.

Pack for a Budget Trip
Here are suggestions for how to pack when planning a budget trip. Also included are baggage fees for 10 major airlines and 10 top low-cost carriers. The fees vary widely. So does the amount of weight each traveler believes is needed for a trip. Live among the happy budget travelers and pack lightly.

Priceline Benefits and Drawbacks
A recent trip required 13 nights in nine cities. Each night was filled with a Priceline hotel bid. Some bids were big winners, at least one a big loser. But nearly all of them saved money off the rack rate quoted on the hotel Web sites. Take a look at how Priceline can help you, but also see how some of the rules involved can cost you money.

Priceline Benefits and Drawbacks
A recent trip required 13 rooms in nine cities. Each night was filled with a Priceline hotel bid. Some bids were big winners, at least one a big loser. But nearly all of them saved money off the rack rate quoted on the hotel Web sites. Take a look at how Priceline can help you, but also see how some of the rules involved can cost you money.

Refunds and Relief for Budget Travelers
Travel problems can create budget trouble for travelers. Here are strategies for pursuing refunds and relief.

Save Money with Package Deals
Independent travelers tend to shy away from planned vacations in favor of finding their own way. But sometimes, a package deal that includes airfare, hotel or even ground transportation can save a lot of money.

Shopping for a Miles Card
Before you buy the sales pitches of frequent flier credit card companies, consider the cost of those miles.

Spring Travel Deals
Plan now for your spring travel needs. Find the best deals on airfares, accommodations, ground transportation, cruises and all-inclusive vacations. Check out these seasonal deals.

Summer Travel Deals
Plan now for your spring travel needs. Find the best deals on airfares, accommodations, ground transportation, cruises and all-inclusive vacations. Check out these seasonal deals.

Ten Budget Tips for Planning Your First Trip to Europe
Many people who could afford to travel Europe are intimidated by the airfares and the stories of expensive meals and lodgings. Here are 10 tips for finding a way to visit Europe without breaking your travel budget.

Ten Budget Travel Myths
Budget travelers who follow the rules sometimes cheat themselves. That's because many assumptions about cheap travel are only half truths or completely wrong. Consider these travel myths and find out the facts that will save you money.

Ten Signs of a Possible Travel Scam
Everyone wants to find a great travel deal, but how do you spot a steal from a scam? Savvy budget travelers know how to spot the red flags commonly found in a scam. How many can you identify?

Ten Tips for Budget Business Travel
Expense accounts are being watched carefully as budget-conscious managers are watching business travelers closer than ever. Here are ten tips for pleasing the most miserly boss as you travel.

Top Carry-On Luggage for Budget Travel
Carry-on luggage is a strong choice for budget travelers. Packing lightly allows you to explore cheaper transportation options. Budget travelers who are light on their feet often get the best bargains.