Talk About Travel: Transcript Hosted by Craig Stoltz Washington Post Travel Editor Monday, March 8, 1999

Craig Stoltz The Washington Post

Craig Stoltz: Well, greetings folks, and welcome once again to our weekly Travel Chat, the only place I know of online where you can get all your travel questions answered in real time--provided, of course, that by some happy coincidence I happen to know something even remotely useful about the subject at hand.

In yesterday's paper-and-ink Travel section (available at www.washingtonpost.com/travel, for those of you beyond our borders), we wrote about Death Valley in winter, an underappreciated but lovely destination this time of year, and about airline Web sites. Airlines are trying to get us to do our booking--and to seek answers to a lot of our questions--via their Web sites. But how good are the sites? John Briley, the Travel section's airline reporter, and I performed our usually heartless analysis.

So today we'll be happy to take questions about airline and other Travel internet sites, and any comments about Death Valley or other less visible winter trips. As usual, we're open to all questions too. And those of you just out there lurking: Feel free--no, obligated--to join in when you have personal experience or useful information about questions we've put online. We'll get your comments right "on the air," as it were, to provide as many useful points of view as possible. And now, onto the show:

Thanks--someone had to tell USAir that the idea of withholding fare information until you've selected the flight is just crazy. I'm a USAir frequent flier and I've been baffled by that since they took their booking online. Since they are the only airline to do it that way, and it is so clearly hostile to Web users' needs, I suspect they will change that soon.

I'm not aware of other independent Web agents doing this. If they do, they won't last.

Annandale, VA: Craig,

Some airlines have both web access and their own Internet-based software (for example, United has www.ual.com and United Connection). Have you compared web vs software access?

Craig Stoltz: The only airline I'm aware of that offers reservation software you can load on your machine is United, and frankly we ignored it because so few people--especially late-adopter Web users--will go through that process (ordering, installing and configuring the software) just to patronize the airline. And United has said that, while it will continue to support those who use its software, that all of its new features and developments will be devoted to the Web, not the booking software. So I suspect in short order that United Web site, rather than its booking software, will be a richer and more functional tool.

Fairfax, VA : Just wondering how to solve this problem. I recently bought two tickets to Florida on the United Airlines web site. The reason I bought on their web site was they offered 1,000 extra frequent flier miles. When I went to book the flight, however, the system would not take our frequent flier numbers. I went ahead and booked the flight because I knew the flights were filling (I got the last two seats on the flight) and didn't want to lose the seats or the fares. How do I go about getting my bonus frequent flier miles? I've already tried emailing them, with no luck. We are flying in early May.

Craig Stoltz: Ah, another problem in Electroland revealed. Call the reservation folks, or the customer service folks. E-mail is one of the worst ways to get an airline's attention. Our efforts in testing showed a lot of mail simply goes unread. If they refuse to grant you the miles, let us know; that's something we would want people to know--if a promise for a reward for using a Web service isn't kept.

Great Bend, Kansas: We are attending a wedding in Alexandria Virginia the May 1st weekend. The most inexpensive rate that I can find at the moment is $212 per person to fly from Kansas City to National Airport. Should I grab that rate or should I keep checking to see if I can get it any cheaper? I want to leave on Friday and return on Monday. Is there usually a better rate if I leave in a.m. or p.m.?

Craig Stoltz: $212 sounds good, but make sure you check Vanguard Airlines, a small carrier that does business between KC. and DC. It's a low-fare carrier that doesn't show up on a lot of databases or agents' searches.

washington, dc : Love your chats - I find them very helpful.I'm trying to find a last minute but reasonable airfare to Miami from DC for the last weekend in March. Unfortunately, I can only travel Fri-Sun. Any ideas on how to find a fare? The prices I've found so far on the web have been appalling! The lessons of procrastination....

Thanks.

Craig Stoltz: At the risk of sounding like a shill for our advertisers, there are a number of ticket consolidators that have been working to make cheaper, even last-minute domestic tickets avialable. Always cheaper than last-minute, sometimes cheaper than advance purchase. I can't recommend any in particular, but several advertise each week in our section. Give 'em a call. And let us know what you find.

Falls Church, VA: Re Death Valley: We spent a few days there at just about this time of year two years ago and had a great time. The weather was beautiful--into the 40s at night and in the high 70s up to about 80 during the day. Furnace Creek Ranch isn't as tacky as the article made it sound, and it is definitely the best choice for lodging and food. Moderate in both price and quality. The scenery is diverse and unexpectedly colorful (the natural colors from the mineral deposits in the ground and rocks need to be seen to be believed), and there are many short hikes and drives that offer rich rewards for a small amount of effort. We talk regularly about going back again.

Craig Stoltz: Thanks, Falls Church. Anybody else out there know of a good secret winter getaway?

BOWIE: WHATS THE DEAL WITH ALL THE
ADS TO EUROPE FOR LITTLE OR NOTHING. IS THERE SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TAKING JUST ANY FLIGHT?

Craig Stoltz: Fares to Europe are indeed frighteningly low right now, but safety is no concern. These are all (as far as I know) on scheduled, regular flights on major lines. What's going on is a lot of airlines are building Europe capacity--US-Europe travel is expected to boom over the next 10 years--and right now, both seasonally and developmentally, supply is ahead of demand. But jump on those Europe fares now; I promise you that by spring you'll be begging to find fares "as low as" $500 and up.

Ft. Belvoir, VA: Hi Craig,

If I were to visit Death Valley in July for a period of about 5 hours....how much water would you recommend I bring along?

Craig Stoltz: One gallon.

Washington,DC: Hi, I am planning a trip to Scottsdale,AZ in September and will be flying into Phoenix. Any tips on discount air fares or the best airline tro fly out of Washington or Baltimore?? THANKS!!

Craig Stoltz: I love Scottsdale/Phoenix--great stuff, particularly outside city limits. But Phoenix isn't a discount location--this is one of the things Sen. McCain is yelping about--that there is not sufficient service between Phoenix and D.C. Two suggestions: Shop Preview Travel's Low Fare Finder (best in the business) and make sure you shop the Southwest Air site. Between those two, you'll find a hard-to-beat fare. Hard to get it below $300, though.

Silver Spring, Maryland: Any suggestions on how to get information on places to stay in New York City for 10-14 days that are less expensive than standard hotels? Ideally, we would like a place that has a kitchenette to allow us to prepare some meals in our room. Thanks.

Craig Stoltz: I've had good luck over the years with Manhattan East Hotel Group (I think it's called), which offers suites and longer-term units that don't break the bank. Anyone else out there have a long-stay idea for NYC travelers?

Washington DC: Maybe it's the suspicious part of me, but are the fares on southwest, say, 100 round trip from BWI to lexington, kentucky, for real? And I can really get this on the web site one week before I want to fly out?

Craig Stoltz: Interesting--we're getting a lot of comments about how low air fares are today. Yes, Southwest is for real--they are a very well-managed and efficient line. Some folks balk at ultra-low fares from AirTran, due to their former safety record, but people shouldn't avoid low-fare lines generally. Book it, Dano.

bethesda,md: I bought my tickets through travelscape for a trip to tucson arizonia to see my sister graduate. I have to now consider hotel and renting a car arrangements. I want to be relatively close to the tucson campas, yet have the ability to move about. What is the best website to book hotel and rental?

Craig Stoltz: Expedia has the biggest database of cars and hotels; I'd start with them.

Herndon, VA: My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe in the fall. We are interested in the tours offered by Perillo. Do you or any of the readers out there have an experience with that particular tour group? Thanks in advance for comments.

Craig Stoltz: We've not sent a writer; the reputation they have is as a good operator, aimed more at mature travelers interested in major sites rather than more active and adventurous itineraries. But that's all heresay. Anybody out there have any experience with Perillo?

Somewhere, USA: Is there a Website that will provide airline rates without having to register first with a credit card number or some sort of identification?

Craig Stoltz: Most airline Web sites will let you check fares without a lot of rigamarole. Look for the "check fares" (or something similar) link rather than "book" or "reservations." Among the independent agencies--Expedia, Preview Travel, Travelocity--nearly all require you to check in first. But Travelscape (interest revealed: a Post partner that advertisers on our Web site) gives you quotes without self-identifying.

Washington DC: So what's this 'ticketless' travel that Southwest is touting?

Craig Stoltz: Ticketless travel means there's no cardboard slip sent to you; you show up at the airport with a confirmation number or faxed itinerary and they check you in with that. Airlines want you to do this, as it saves them vast amounts of money. It's convenient and trouble-free (usually) for simple, point-to-point travel. Any time an interary gets complex, insist on a ticket. Also: Make the reservationist fax you a confirmation, or print out the Web confirmation. If your resrvation is questioned, having paper in hand is key.

Olney, MD: Hi Craig. Don't know if you got the question I submitted earlier today or not. My wife and I are planning a trip to Grand Cayman in June. I have a certificate from American for a free companion ticket. Can I use it on the Web when searching for my ticket ( which I will have to buy) or will I have to go through a reservations agent? Thanks, John

Craig Stoltz: Use the Web to price your ticket, BUT CALL TO MAKE THE RESERVATION. This is precisely the sort of curveball Web-based booking has proven itself incapable of hitting. You need human intervention. My guess is, if you try to go all electronic, misery will join you on vacation. Luckily, there's a town called Hell on the Cayman Islands if things get really bad. But seriously: Pick up the phone.

Bethesda, MD: For Washington DC.:
The Southwest fare is not to Lexington, but to LOUISVILLE. Southwest doesn't fly into Lexington. The two airports are about an hour - hour and a half apart. Still not a bad fare to go out to Keeneland in April

Craig Stoltz: Thanks, Bethesda! Another travel meltdown avoided, thanks to the miracle of the World Wide Web, and our attentive audience.

Arlington, VA: Craig-

Thanks so much for this feature- I frequently refer back to archived chats and have picked up some great tips. The article on airline web sites couldn't have been more timely. I spent much of Friday and Saturday trying to find/book a fare to Rome. I ended up using the web as merely a starting off point for my research. The real people I spoke with at USAirways were far more helpful than their non-fare quoting site. I even learned of a special deal that was not offered online. Spending any amount of time at these sites and one realizes why we still need good travel agents.

Craig Stoltz: Another great story, verifying that airlines have a long, long way to go before they are fully dependable and able to meet most fliers' needs.

New York, New York: I got one of those cheap fares to Paris but could only return on a Tuesday. Is there any way that I would be able to return on the earlier Sunday or Monday-- fly standby or...?

Craig Stoltz: Usually, those cheapie fares are highly restricted; my guess is you won't be able to change without a huge price difference. They offer these so cheap because certain days and flights otherwise go empty. If you need or want the more popular times, you'll have to pay retail.

Clifton VA: We are going to Venice, Italy for the Millenium. Do you have any particular restaurant to recommend for New Year's eve?

Craig Stoltz: I turn this over to the readers. Anybody out there have a favorite Venitian restaurant for special occasions?

Miami, FL: Can my travel agent get me better deals than the Internet sights?

Craig Stoltz: Yes, travel agents, especially those affiliated with big firms, can get you dirt-cheap prices. They often have contracts that give them very low fares, which they mark up to the public; that's where they make a profit. If they really want to sell to you, they can shave their margin. Who will they do this for? People who are spending a lot of money, lucrative regular customers, etc. Someone just bottom-fishing for a single ticket probably won't be well-served by an agent; they don't make enough money on you to spend much time helping you save $20 on a ticket. If that's you, the Internet--and consolidators--are the way to go.

Washington, DC: My parents took a trip to Rome this December with Perillo and they had a great experience. Their praise had a lot to do with the fact that the tour company didn't try to micromanage the whole trip and instead had a good balance of scheduled tours and free time.

Craig Stoltz: Thanks, Washington. Other Perillo vets out there?

Olney, Maryland: I have been wanting to visit some of the French islands in the Caribbean, but have been hesitant since I speak no French whatever. Can one get along just speaking English? Do they consider that insulting (not to use their language)? Thanks, John

Craig Stoltz: Every culture appreciates vistors attempting to use the language at least for simple transactions; if you're as interested in French culture as you seem to be, it really would be working learning some simple stuff (there are some good CD-ROM programs for beginners now, not as demanding as tapes or books). That said, you don't "need" French to visit any of the islands, I'm told. American tourists are everywhere and they are used to us, for worse or better. Anybody out there know differently?

Akron, Ohio: Okay, Craig, here is my question and problem with using online web sites to make reservations. First, I only fly Continental. However, I cannot make a reservation online because they do not accept American Express' CORPORATE card. I could use a personal AMEX card, but most of my travel is company-related. Why are they making it difficult for businesses to use their online service. I end up having to use a travel agent who now charges $10 per ticket for their service fee.
Signed,
Annoyed in Akron,
Elizabeth Bartz

Craig Stoltz: Another example of how airline Web sites can't walk and chew gum at the same time. I suspect you'll have to prevail on your boss to reimburse you for non-corporate card transactions--difficult if you work for a real hard-head, eh? Or, of course, foresake the Web till Continental fixes the problem. Have you contacted them?

Washington, DC: Any suggestions for a Hawaiian honemoon in August? Neither my fiance nor myself have been there, and we were thinking of staying on Maui and Kauai (it's a two week trip.) Any tips for "must see" places or "must do" activities would be great, as well as your impressions on these islands.

Craig Stoltz: I have never been to Hawaii. I turn to our vast clicking audience. Anybody out there help these clueless lovebirds?

Upper Marlboro, MD: Hello, my question to you is the following: Right now, where is the best and cheapest place to go for a late winter getaway?? It looks to me the best deals can be found in Mexico??Do you know of any others??

Craig Stoltz: As the winter wanes--and we get past the February, I-need-sun-or-I'll-die time of year--the deals really open up. I've seen very aggressive pricing for Cancun, Cozumel and Punta Cana (!). If you're bottom-fishing, stick with a package deal offered by a big agency. Some Cancun deals are under $100 per day per person, all inclusive.

SFO: This chat requires a great deal of patience, it's almost like waiting for the Pony Express!

Craig Stoltz: Hey, my carpal tunnels are smokin'. I blame the Web servers.

Arlington, VA: I need to travel home to San Francisco in late May. I'm a Best Fares member, and I recently saw a $244 roundtrip fare (they give no details). I'm not quite sure of the dates for my travel, however, and need to wait another week. Am I likely to find a fare this low if I wait longer?

Craig Stoltz: My rule for West Coast fares, unless I'm bottom-fishing on purpose, is: Anything below $300 out of Washington or BWI is worth jumping on. Yes, sales occasionally beat that, and yes, I've done it for as low as $200, but that's very rare. I'd jump on it.

Washington DC: Craig,

do you get paid to go on vacations?

Craig Stoltz: Unlike most travel publications, The Post Travel Section pays for all its staff's travel--air, accommodations, food, etc. This leaves us beholden to nobody but our readers, which is one reason why our reports (in my vanity I believe) are sharper and more honest than most. We live within company per diems for the most part, and we have a travel office whose low fares we try to beat on the retail market. Yes, it's a great job, but yes, you work hard and don't really relax much when you travel. As the editor I have more of a desk job than some of my staff, who travel quite a bit more. I get out on 3 or 4 big trips a year, and half a dozen shorter getaways, and half a dozen business trips. I'll bet a lot of you folks travel more than that.

Alexandria, VA: When SWA advertised super cheap tickets to Nashville ($82 roundtrip!) I made plans to visit for a weekend in June. Any suggestions on the best way to experience Nashville on a shoestring budget?

Craig Stoltz: Another one I turn over to our vast lurking audience. Nashville vets out there?

Chevy Chase: Thank you for considering these two questions:

I would like to take a quick, 4 day (long weekend) trip some where, anywhere, for very little money (i.e. less than 300 RT airfare from DC or BWI) where would you suggest? Somewhere in the Caribbean or Europe? Should I get a package since it is very little time? I usually do it all on my own.

Second, for a quick trip to Argentina the second week of May. Is it possible to get $500 dollar RT tickets from a reputable consolidator? EURAM took my money and ran last year.

Thanks for your help!!

Craig Stoltz: As far as your quick getaway, if you seek relaxation in four days, head to the Caribbean. If you seek cultural or cosmopolitan adventure, head to Europe. But the jet lag to Europe may kill you over 4 days, and you're time is likely to be intense and memorable--but not relaxing at all. Shockingly, they are comparably priced. British Airways has some excellent short-term-in-London offers.

As for your second offer, we don't have much experience with the newer wave of consolidators operating here. I would not hesitate to use them--in fact I'm using one for a summer trip to Europe--but would encourage you, of course, to use a credit card when you book. That will at least prevent financial loss if the company can't deliver.

San Jose, Ca: There is a direct flight to San Jose from DCA. I think it is on United. It might be cheaper to fly there than San Franscisco

Craig Stoltz: Indeed: the old alternate-airport trick. In my experience, though, DC-to-San Jose is rarely cheaper than to SFO. But yes, check it out. United (I think) has extended service from Dulles to San Jose, to accommodate the bit-heads who work in tech businesses that shuttle back and forth. Off-time flights for that route may have excess capacity.

Fairfax, Va: I will go back China with my baby this month, I called Northwest airline to book first row seat for my baby, but nobody can do this for me, how to solve this?

Craig Stoltz: This is odd. It may be because the flight is on a code-share partner--a partner airline whose plane you'll fly on for part of the flight. Or it might be because some airlines are eliminating early seat selection. That they wouldn't/couldn't do this for someone flying with a baby borders on cruel. Northwest has indeed had customer service issues. Try going over the reservationist's head.

Washington DC: When I book flights, I go through an on-line agency (i.e. Travelocity) that claims to give you the 3 lowest fares for your itinerary. Is it worth the time to go to individual airline sites instead?

Craig Stoltz: It's worth checking out, but probably more with another independent agent like Expedia or Preview Travel. No matter what they say, these services often kick out "lowest fares" hundreds of dollars apart; we at the Post have reported on this incessantly. When we explored the airline sites for this week's issue, we rarely found a fare at those sites that beat the independent agents. Caveat: A few lines have limited, Web-only fares that beat low published fares. But I'd shop the quote against Preview Travel's low-fare ticker.

Washington DC: Considering how difficult BWI is to use on the weekend (no MARC trains saturday/sunday) what should one do if one's trying to use southwest for a weekend trip?

Craig Stoltz: Weep. Southwest keeps prices down by using off-center airports; their business plan makes it very unlikely they'll serve Dulles or National. To get to BWI on weekends, use Super Shuttle or another airport van service. They are slow but cheap. And write/call BWI to complain about weekend access. It is indeed an issue.

Olney, MD: For your honeymoon couple heading to Hawaii: I used to live there, and was back recently. Go to KAUAI !! and head to the north end of the island (Princeville area) It is far and away the best spot on earth.

Craig Stoltz: There you go, honeymooners. Any others?

Reston, VA: Hello! I have airfare price questions for you. I am traveling to Galway City, Ireland this summer and to Honolulu. Expensive time of year for both, I know, but I have no flexibility in that - Ireland is for a study abroad and Honolulu is for a friend's wedding. Through the web (Expedia, Travelociy, and Preview Travel) I have not seen anything under $750 round trip for Ireland, and not under $1050 for Hawaii. Is this what I should expect? Can you recommend "traditional" travel agencies that might be able to do better? When should I purchase before rates go up again?

Craig Stoltz: Traditional travel agencies probably aren't the answer; ticket consolidators are. Check with a number of them (again, they advertise in the Travel section), or have an agent check with them. But, to reinterate what I said before, most agents have little incentive to shop aggressively for a low airfare, unless you plan to book a hotel/car/activity package through them too.

Washingtonpost.com: A rundown on the best shuttle bus fares to BWI (and other area airports) is available on this site at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/toolbox/airportshuttles.htm.

Bethesda, MD: I am a member of both United Airlines' "Mileage Plus" program and Hyatt Hotels' "Gold Passport" program. The latter offers either points toward Hyatt discounts or 500 miles on UA for each night's stay. Is there a way to objectively weigh which is the more attractive choice? (Hyatt requires that you express your preference at the time of reservation.)

Thanks.

Craig Stoltz: The only advice I can offer here is the industry rule of thumb that a typical FF mile is worth about 2 cents. Maybe that will help you do the math. In my experience, road warriors with lots of miles built up have a hard time using them, and having hotel paid for on a ff vacation can really make it a sweet vaction with little out-of-pocket expense. For a moderate traveler like me, though, the air miles are far more valuable. Hope that helps.

Falls church, VA: Until now I have never had enough frequent flier miles to get free trip. I sthere a way to collect from the Air line web pages. I want to travel onn frre miles from one airline and if there is a way, have my wife make the same trip on my miles with another carrier.

Craig Stoltz: Our last question of the day is a tricky one. If your miles are on Northwest, you can book award travel online. If they are on Continental, you can use the Web site to see which flights have some ff seats available. All other airlines, you're reduced to calling on the phone. Getting your spouse on the same schedule on a different line sounds to me like a setup for one of those memorable Travel Horror Stories I always hear at dinner parties. Godspeed.

And godspeed to you all. Thanks again for joining us, and we'll see you again next Monday at 2 p.m. Next week we go on an African adventure, and travel with a small child. No, not in the same story.

Have a great week. . . .