Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 14, 1990 TAG: 9005110829
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF BUSINESS WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The earlier you book your reservations the better, said Ed DeLauney of AAA Travel Service.
That's especially true for airline tickets, he said, because the number of discounted seats on each flight is limited.
Airlines advertise bargain fares for those who buy tickets 14 days in advance, DeLauney said, but seats to the most popular destinations sell out long before.
The same is true of cruise ships, which set aside a limited number of cabins in each price category.
Cost-conscious people want the cheapest cabins, DeLauney said, so those are the first to go.
Another route to vacation savings is to shift the schedule to fall.
The weather is still good then, DeLauney said, and the cruise lines discount more steeply.
Kirk Martin of Martin Travel believes cruising offers the best value. Three- to four-day cruises are extremely popular.
People like cruises, he said, because one fee covers everything - air fare, transfers, cabin, meals, activities and entertainment. There are no budget-busting surprises.
Although there's a wide choice of options, Martin said $500 should cover a three-night cruise to the Bahamas and $640 should pay for four nights.
A package of a three-day cruise plus four days at Disney World might cost $800 to $900, including a hotel, rental car and admission to the park.
Until four or five years ago, Martin said, bargains were found at the last minute. Now tour operators have reprogrammed to advance discounts.
A $100 deposit to hold a discounted cabin is refundable up to 45 days before a trip, according to Martin.
Bill Thomas of Hopkins Travel said people with flexible schedules can find bargain air fares to Europe.
These are extra seats dumped by regular airlines that can be purchased only within 30 days of departure time.
They are on flights from New York or Dulles to Rome, Paris, London and Frankfort.
Typical cost between Washington and London is $550-575, Thomas said, compared to the usual discounted (Apex) fare of $770-800.
Thomas had some cautions. The flights aren't packaged with a tour, and the tickets are non-refundable.
And if the flight doesn't leave because of mechanical or similar problems, the airline won't switch you to a competitor's flight the same evening. You have to wait for the same flight the next night.
Another bargain is Cancun, Mexico. Thomas said Hopkins Travel has sold "a slew" of packages of seven nights there for $500-550, including air fare.
That's at tourist class hotels, Thomas said, but even a first-class costs about $650.
Even though summer is off-season in the Caribbean, Thomas said that area is more expensive.
A seven-night tour to St. Thomas will cost $750-1,000, he said. That includes travel but not meals.
A week in Jamaica, including meals, will cost $2,500 a couple.
DeLauney of AAA Travel said even a discounted trip to Hawaii will cost about $2,500 a person.
He reported that many Western Virginians, especially teachers, are going to Eastern Europe this summer to witness changes there first hand.
An 18-day visit to Russia and Scandinavia costs about $1,800, DeLauney said. A tour of several countries in Western Europe is about $1,300.
DeLauney said Roanoke has good air fares and service to a variety of destinations.
Ted Moomaw of World Travel agreed with that assessment.
Moomaw said USAir appears to be keeping its commitment for equality in fares between Roanoke and Greensboro.
But he said a lot depends on the destination, time of year and the day of the week.
In some cases, he said, it's cheaper to go to Greensboro, but in other instances Roanoke has the lower fare. He said any difference is usually too small to justify the drive.
As to travel extras, Martin of Martin Travel said trip cancellation insurance usually isn't worth the cost unless you or close relatives have health problems.
When you buy such insurance, he said, you are betting that something will go wrong.
He advised people to check their own household policies for travel coverage before investing in baggage loss insurance.
Airlines also have some coverage, usually for emergency items, in case baggage is late or lost. It's not enough, however, to cover the full loss.
Martin said baggage is often late but is rarely completely lost.
by CNB