Ready for Adventure

[mandyjane84]

Hi Everyone.
As a former travel agent, i know just how much travel cost consumers.
I got out of the game as I was just un-happy with the sheer magnitude that 60% of agents mark up, and how they could sleep at night.

I know that travel is a first in first dressed game, luck of the draw winner takes all. But also the pure fact that it was cheeper for me to book a month in USA (my annual trip) online just by searching hard than through my own employer, got me really into the "travel optimisation" (i dont like the term travel hacking), Im here to get the best deals, news and insider tips, and also to share what I know. Looking forward to the community and help ESP with anything North American related .

 

[travel193]

Hi Everyone.
As a former travel agent, i know just how much travel cost consumers.
I got out of the game as I was just un-happy with the sheer magnitude that 60% of agents mark up, and how they could sleep at night.
.

Thanks for sharing your TA experience Mandyjane. I've always wondered what I was missing by not booking with a TA but it seems that maybe they aren't worthwhile after all. Here's to some successful "travel optimisation."

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF mandyjane84!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Looking forward to the community and help ESP with anything North American related .

If one is looking for good old fashioned value for money , with a bit of quirkiness throw in then by flying
South West Airlines in the US or West Jet in Canada is nearly always (98 % of the time anyway) cheaper than their respective expensive legacy carrier competitors.

" I've got AAA membership" ( American Automobile Associated) can for about 95% of occasions get you a good discount off hotel accommodation, usually without showing a membership card, particularly for "walk ins" to just about any hotel in the US or Canada.

Some real gems can also be found on those websites such as Living Social & Daily Deals for packaged weekends away, ie spa weekends in the Rockies.


I've got quite a few more Websites that offer Plenty more great bargains to be had .... No travel agent wants to tell you this stuff..... I wonder why?

No commissions to be had could that be the reason?

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

 

[mandyjane84]

thanks cool cat phil. I have flown South west many times. Find them quite fun actually. good value and the crew are always good fun. So you joined AAA, with an American address or with your Australian address?

 

[UP4014]

Welcome aboard, hope you have plenty of time......

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

thanks cool cat phil. I have flown South west many times. Find them quite fun actually. good value and the crew are always good fun. So you joined AAA, with an American address or with your Australian address?

Cheets, I actually know that having previously worked in Tourism in Alberta, Canada. Trust me if you say AAA , very seldomly will you get asked for your membership card & if so , more likely than not the discount will still apply.
Everyone seems to live off the discount culture when it comes to hotel reservations in most places in North America ( won't work so good in the big cities) it seems.

 

[Hvr]

Welcome aboard mandyjane84, hopefully I will be off to the USA in a few months and may have some questions.

Until then enjoy the forum.