Monday, April 30, 2012

Five ways to save on summer travel

(livingonthecheap.com)



Spring will soon give way to summer. With airlines reducing their flight schedules and fuel prices on the increase, expect even fewer airline ticket deals and flights operating over capacity. (It’s cheaper to “bump” you than fly with empty seats.) Smart travelers know to follow their favorite airlines, hotel chains and vacation spots on Facebook and Twitter, where spur-of-the-moment deals may be announced. But last-minute booking can be risky. It pays to be the early bird and catch some discounts by booking sooner rather than later. If you haven’t planned that summer vacation yet, get to it. Here are five tips that can help you make the most of your travel budget:

1. Book your airfare mid-week. The best day to book your airline tickets is on Tuesday. The reason? Many airlines release their sales for the week on Monday nights. By Tuesday, the other airlines have had a chance to look at their competitors’ sales and price match. The most expensive time to book your flight is over the weekend.

2. Be flexible. Most of the major online travel sites offer a flexible date and/or flexible airport option. Those options can save you some money on airfare if you’re not that particular about the exact days you travel or you have a choice of airports.  If you are tied to specific dates or airports, search for flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive days to fly.

3. Compare prices. Before booking a flight or hotel room, check out several of the major travel sites (e.g., Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline, Hotwire, Orbitz) and compare prices. When you think you’ve found the airline or hotel with the best deal, go to their website and see if their price is lower. You’ll often find that hotel websites match or beat the aggregaters. Don’t be afraid to call hotels directly (using the hotel phone number instead of the reservation number) and simply ask for a discount. If the hotel has empty rooms during the dates you’re planning to travel, they may be willing to negotiate a lower rate. If you don’t like the answer you get from the reservationist, ask for the hotel manager since he or she may be in a position to negotiate.

4. Name your own price. Many of the major travel sites will allow you to choose how much you’re willing to pay for your hotel room. For example, Priceline has a Name Your Own Price® option where you can choose a certain area of a city and the hotel star level you want, then tell them how much you want to pay for your room. I usually start my bidding at a little less than 50% of what they quote as the median price of a hotel in the area where I want to stay. If your offer is accepted, you can get some really nice rooms for reasonable rates using this option (if it’s rejected, you can try a higher bid after a 24-hour waiting period). But there are a couple of downsides. You don’t get to choose your hotel, and some of the hotels charge additional fees for parking or internet service, which isn’t disclosed up-front.

5. Travel off-season. This may not always be possible if you have kids in school, but you can get some good deals on hotel rooms (and sometimes airfare) if you travel slightly off season. For example, the main tourist season in Myrtle Beach is Memorial Day to Labor Day. Visit any other time in May or September, the weather’s still beautiful, and the hotel prices are cheaper. If you’re traveling to southern Florida, December and April (after Easter/Passover) are cheaper options than January through March, which is their main tourist season. An added bonus to traveling off-season is that the beaches (or other tourist attractions) are less crowded.

Summer Savings Pass!



The Summer Savings Pass is a one-price deal good for entry to several South Florida attractions. It costs $55 plus tax for adults and $45 plus tax for kids ages 3 to 12. If you already hold an annual pass to one of these venues, you may be eligible for an extra discount$30 plus tax for adults and $20 plus tax for youngsters. The pass is good for unlimited visits from May 14 to Sept. 30 at:
Buy at any of the attractions. Save time by completing this form in advance.

Second free Miami trolley route



The City of Miami’s free downtown trolley service has added another route. It runs along the Brickell/Biscayne corridor between SW 26th Road, near the Rickenbacker Causeway, and NE 17th Terrace near the Omni Terminal. Trolleys will run approximately every 15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Trolleys wil also run on Sundays during Miami Heat playoff games.

http://networkedblogs.com/x3jXl

Miami Daily Deals for April 30

We’ve got all the deals from Groupon, Living Social, Couptessa, Gilt City, DealSpyz, Saveology, Coupon Mob and more.

Here are today’s deals:


20, 40, or 60 Units of Botox at Clear Image Aesthetic Center (Up to 76% Off)
One or Three Skincare Packages at Aromas Therapy MedSpa (Up to 64% Off)
$39 for a Sunset-Champagne Cruise for One from Miami Aqua Tours (51% Off)
Peruvian Dinner with Appetizer and Wine for Two or Four at Costazul in Coral Gables (Up to 60% Off)
Three-Night Stay for Two at Riviera Hotel South Beach in Miami Beach
$25 for $75 Worth of Wine from Wine Insiders
$20 for Any Speed-Dating Event from SpeedMiami Dating ($49 Value)
Basic Mani-Pedi or Shellac Manicure and Spa Pedicure at Oh La La Salon by Kat in Miami Lakes (Up to 59% Off)
10, 20, or One Month of 30-Minute, Small-Group Boot-Camp Classes at Elite Fitness Connection (Up to 89% Off)
60-, 90-, or 120-Minute Massage at Get Real. Health Solutions (Up to 64% Off)
$79 for an Organic-Based Keratin Hair-Straightening Treatment at Extension Dreams Salon & Spa in Surfside ($200 Value)
Car Wash and Wax or Full Detail at Spot Dry Car Wash (Up to 76% Off). Three Options Available.
$199 for a Two-Night Cruise to the Bahamas for Two from Celebration Cruise Line in West Palm Beach (Up to $478 Value)
One, Three, or Six Slimming Massages with Thermotherapy at Inches Body Studio (Up to 61% Off)
PC Diagnosis, Flat-Rate Repair, or $30 for $90 Toward Any Tech-Service Repair from TigerDirect.com
12 Laser Hair-Removal Treatments at Medical Solutions in Miami Beach (Up to 96% Off). Three Options Available.
The Miami Symphony Orchestra's "The 3 Great B's" for Two on May 11 at 8 p.m. (Up to 64% Off). Three Options Available.
Three- or Four-Night Stay in a Grand Class or Master Suite at Hotel La Reunión Golf Course & Residences in Guatemala
Four- or Seven-Night Stay at Presidential Suites Punta Cana by Be Live Hotels in the Dominican Republic
Four- or Seven-Night Stay in a Superior Ocean-View Room at Coyaba Beach Resort in Grenada
$419 for a Five-Night Stay in a Classic Doubles Room at Plaza Hotel Curaçao & Casino (Up to $765 Value)
Four-Night Stay at Sandy Haven Resort in Negril, Jamaica
Three-, Four-, or Five-Night Stay at The Sugar Mill Hotel in Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Three- or Four-Night Stay in an Executive Room at Veneto Hotel & Casino in Panama City
Ft. Lauderdale: $12 for $25 Worth of Italian-American Bistro Fare and Microbrews at Brewzzi in Boca Raton
Ft. Lauderdale: One or Three Massages or a Massage and Acupuncture Session at A-1 Wellness & Rehab/Barr Chiropractic (Up to 61% Off)
Ft. Lauderdale: Two or Four Microdermabrasion Treatments at South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery (Up to 79% Off)
Ft. Lauderdale: $240 for Four Hours of Moving Services with One Truck and Three Movers from Moving & Storage Services ($537.60 Value)
Ft. Lauderdale: If 28 People Donate $10, Then the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Florida Chapter Can Send One Child to Camp
Ft. Lauderdale: One-Hour Facial or $50 for $100 Worth of Salon and Spa Services at Pure Luxe in Sunrise
Ft. Lauderdale: $15 for Glamour Girl Spa Package at Giggles Kids Salon in Boca Raton ($30 Value)
Ft. Lauderdale: Two or Four Group Salsa Classes or One or Two Private Salsa Lessons for Up to Two at Mambo Con Cache (Up to 64% Off)
Ft. Lauderdale: One or Two Keratin Straightening Treatments at Salon Euphoria in Davie (Up to 64% Off)
Ft. Lauderdale: $15 for $30 Worth of Asian-Fusion Fare at Wild East Asian Bistro
Ft. Lauderdale: 8- or 12-Inch Visco Memory-Foam Mattress from Nature’s Sleep (Up to 74% Off). Six Options Available.
Ft. Lauderdale: $49 for a Photo Shoot and Custom Portrait Print from Creative Focus Photography ($375 Value)
Ft. Lauderdale: Casual Italian Fare Sunday Through Thursday or Friday and Saturday at Argenti Pizza in Tamarac (Half Off)
Ft. Lauderdale: $21 for Cups-and-Cones Pink-Popsicle Mani-Pedi at Hoy P’loy Nail Emporium in Boca Raton ($42 Value)
Ft. Lauderdale: $34 for Premium Oil Change, Tire Rotation, Wiper-Blade Replacement, Battery and Charging-System Check, and Brake Inspection at Precision Tune Auto Care (Up to $121 Value). Three Locations Available.
Ft. Lauderdale: Zoom Whitening Treatment, Exam, and X-rays at Dolphin Dental Care in Plantation (76% Off)
Ft. Lauderdale: Carpet Cleaning for Up to 600 or 1,200 Square Feet from Steam & Shine Carpet Cleaning (Up to 53% Off)
Ft. Lauderdale: $1,299 for Blepharoplasty at DiGeronimo M.D. Advanced Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Aventura ($3,000 Value)
Palm Beach: Four, Six, or Eight Microdermabrasion Sessions at Laser and Wellness Center in Jupiter (Up to 85% Off)
Palm Beach: $10 for $20 Worth of Dry Cleaning at Tropical Cleaners
Palm Beach: 20 or 40 Units of Botox at MediSun, LLC – Physician's Rejuvenation Center in North Palm Beach (Up to 74% Off)
Palm Beach: Two-Course Greek Meal for Two or Four with Wine or Sangria at Olympia Cafe in Palm Beach Gardens (Up to 58% Off)
Palm Beach: $15 for a Glamour Girl Spa Package with Updo, Makeup, and Nail Polish at Giggles Kids Salon in Boca Raton ($30 Value)
Palm Beach: American Breakfast or Lunch Fare for Two at Cypress Creek Country Club in Boynton Beach (Up to 63% Off)
Palm Beach: Grooming for a Small, Medium, or Large Dog or a Poodle at Dee’s Sanctuary and Grooming Spa in Boca Raton (Up to 52% Off)
Palm Beach: 10 or 20 Yoga Classes at YogaFox in Delray Beach (Up to 77% Off)
Palm Beach: Half-Day Paddleboard or Kayak Rental for One or Two from Treasure Coast Paddle in Jensen Beach (Up to Half Off)
Palm Beach: $20 for $40 Worth of Italian Dinner Fare, Valid Monday–Thursday or on Friday and Saturday at La Stella's in Boca Raton
Palm Beach: $75 for a Discovery Flight Lesson with Instructional Book from Tradewinds Flight School in Fort Pierce ($150 Value)
Palm Beach: $21 for Cups-and-Cones Pink-Popsicle Mani-Pedi at Hoy P’loy Nail Emporium in Boca Raton ($42 Value)


Skin by Tatum ($40 - 200)
Nieto Design ($200)
Mayer Hawthorne ($23)
The Shade Store ($98)
Taste of the Nation Miami ($88 - 175)
RuMe ($20)
Blurb.com ($20)
Minted Stationery Collection ($50 - 100)


Smile Authority - $39 for a Dental Care Package (Exam, X-Rays & Cleaning) from Smile Authority ($300 Value)
The Mexico Travel Co. - $699 for Private Residency Club membership & 8 days / 7 nights in Mexico (a $5,840 value)
Hemi Day Spa - Dermajet double-cavitation treatment at Hemi Day Spa
CanvasReadyToGo.com - $35 for photo printed on 16x20 stretched canvas from Canvas Ready to Go (a $99 value)
Clark Fish - $15 for $30 of fresh seafood from Clark Fish
Ciboney Restaurant - $15 for $30 of food & drinks at Ciboney Restaurant
Runner's Company - 50% off running shoes and merchandise from Runner's Co.
Jivana Massage & Wellness - Massage and spa packages at Jivana Massage & Wellness Center
Ace's Indoor Shooting Range & Pro Gun Shop - $25 for gun rental, gear rental & 2 hours of range time at Ace's Indoor Shooting Range & Pro Gun Shop (a $55 value)
dealsaver.com Grocery Sweepstakes - Register to WIN in the $2,500 Grocery Giveaway!


$449 For A Memory Foam Mattress incl. Delivery From Abbyson Comfort ($799 Value)
$19 12-Piece Makeup Brush Set from The Brush Company ($39 Value)
$99 Happy End Bleach Cream from Liz Skincare – Shipping Incl. ($185 Value)
$15 1-Day Trial of 3-Healthy Gourmet Meals from Overnight Snacks ($26 Value)


$49 for Body Contouring, Laser Hair Removal & More at Elite! ($250 value)
Fort-Lauderdale: $22 for Fresh & Healthy Cuisine at Jar Bar! ($45 value)


Ft. Lauderdale: $49 for one Microcurrent Non-Invasive Face Lift Facial (a $120 value)
Ft. Lauderdale: $99 for Allergy & Toxicity Testing - Live Blood Analysis ($375 value)


$20 for $40 to Spend on Unique Gifts at RedEnvelope.com ($40 Value)
$19 for 20-Page Deluxe Photo Book at MyPublisher ($90 Value)
$15 for $30 to Spend on Fresh Flowers and Gifts at ProFlowers.com ($30 Value)
$7 for Two-Year Magazine Subscription at Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, EveryDay with Rachael Ray, and more ($24 Value)
$15 for $30 to Spend on Customizable Capes at PowerCapes.com ($30 Value)
$29 for 16x20 Photo-to-Canvas Print at Image Canvas ($110 Value)
$15 for $30 to Spend on Dessert Gifts at Cheryl's Cookies ($30 Value)
$50 for $100 to Spend on Jewelry at Blue Nile ($100 Value)
$25 for $50 to Spend on Clothing and More at LastCall.com by Neiman Marcus ($50 Value)
$35 for $70 to Spend on Teddy Bears at VermontTeddyBear.com ($70 Value)
$20 for $40 to Spend on Kids' Merchandise at Cookieskids.com ($40 Value)
$5 for $10 to Spend on Food and Drink at The Juicery Bar ($10 Value)
$95 for Shampoo, Hair Mask, Trim, and Blow Out at Beauty Temple Salon and Day Spa ($190 Value)
$199 for Tandem Skydiving Experience at Skydive Air Adventures ($440 Value)
$99 for 20 Units of Botox at Dental American Group ($300 Value)
Coral Gables / South Miami: $62 for Non-Surgical Face Lift at Skintique Miami ($125 Value)
North Miami-Dade / South Broward: $139 for Two-Day Bartending Class with Course Book at Express Bartending ($330 Value)
Ft. Lauderdale: $99 for Eight-Week Weight-Loss Program at Physicians Weight Loss Center ($648 Value)
Ft. Lauderdale: $25 for Five Yoga Classes at Sabeena Yoga ($71 Value)
Ft. Lauderdale: $15 for $30 to Spend on Frozen Yogurt at Pink Papaya Frozen Yogurt Cafe ($30 Value)
Ft. Lauderdale: $15 for $32 to Spend on Organic Baby Goods at Organically Grown ($32 Value)
West Palm Beach / Jupiter: $47 for Three-Course Dinner for Two at B.B. King's Blues Club ($95 Value)
West Palm Beach / Jupiter: $140 for Two-Night Stay for Two and Three-Course Breakfast at An Inn on York Street ($280 Value)
West Palm Beach / Jupiter: $5 for $10 to Spend on Organic Produce at Ms V's Organics ($10 Value)
West Palm Beach / Jupiter: $10 for $20 to Spend on Consignment Kids' Clothing at Will & Emma's Closet ($20 Value)


$25 for $50 worth of fresh blooms and arrangements from Calyx Flowers
$599 for a four-day Carnival cruise, plus a two-night hotel stay
$20 for $40 worth of all-natural home supplies, food, baby products and more from Abe's Market
Buy a $50 Restaurant.com Gift card and $5 in Save Rewards for only $28, and get a $20 Walmart eGift Card
$15 for $30 worth of 100% recyclable sandals from Okabashi.com
$26 for four pairs of Naked Slipper Socks from Poochkis
$76 for a Fujifilm FinePix 14MP digital camera, shipping included


Plum Steal: Huge Savings on Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels
$25 for Customized Mom Calling Cards - a $50 Value
Custom Canvas Photo for $29 (11x14 or 11x17) OR $75 for a Series of Three Canvases (11x14 or 11x17)
$18 for Two "New Generation Lunch Boxes" from BrightBin - a $34 Value
$25 for $50 Toward Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Stylish Lunch, Produce, and Snack Bags


Fashionable Aprons and Gloves (50% Off)
Teeth Whitening Kit (83% Off)
Personalized Children's Books (50% Off)
Unique Handmade Accessories for Toddlers and Babies (50% Off)
Chic Wine Glass Accessories and Home Gifts (50% off)
15 Cooking Lessons (52% Off)
Custom Keepsakes & Gifts
Canvas Photo Art (Up to 56% Off)
Gourmet Cookies & Brownies (50% Off)
Stylish Quality Footwear
Personalized Digital Music Download (50% Off)
Personalized Labels and Tags (50% Off)
Handcrafted Jewelry (58% off)
4- or 5-Piece Skin Care System (up to 84% Off)


3 Sum Hairstyling Set with Vintage Ceramic Iron, 19mm Curling Wand, and Mini Flat Iron. Free Shipping!
Caravelle by Bulova Free Shipping!
9 Foot iPad and iPhone Charging Cable + Free Shipping Online Deal ($33 Value)
iPhone iPad Retro Phone Handset! (Shipping Included)
$24 for Four VIP Movie Tickets
5.5 Santoku and 3 Paring Zirconia Ceramic Knife Set + Free Ceramic Peeler
Redbook Two Year Subscription. Over 90 Off Newsstand!
4 Days 3 Nights with choice of 4th Night or 2 Free Rounds of Golf at Park Lane Suites in Hilton Head
$49 for a 20 x 20 Instagram Canvas Print from PixWraps ($129 value)
Bulova Ladies Adventurer Wristwatch Free Shipping!
$2 for $5 Starbucks eGift Card
2CT Diamond Veneer Studs from Cate Chloe
Four Eco Friendly Designer Pepsi Heritage Bags from Envirosax
Four Eco Friendly Designer Animal Planet Nomad Bags from Envirosax
Four Eco Friendly Designer Bags from Envirosax
16 X 16 Vintage Metal Photo Panel (Offer Includes Shipping)
12 X 12 Vintage Metal Photo Panel (Offer Includes Shipping)
Vintage Metal Photo Panel (Offer Includes Shipping)
Two Year Good Housekeeping Subscription (Over 88 Off Newsstand)
Custom Photo iPad or Laptop Cover by Celebrity Designer Gina Alexander


$12 for $25 to Spend on Expandable Flower Vases from Vazu USA$12 for $25 to Spend on Expandable Flower Vases from Vazu USA
$12 for a 10-Foot-Long iPad or iPhone Charging and Syncing Cable ($29 Value)$12 for a 10-Foot-Long iPad or iPhone Charging and Syncing Cable ($29 Value)
$34 for a RUNNUR Shoulder Pack and an Aluminum RFID Case ($70 Value)$34 for a RUNNUR Shoulder Pack and an Aluminum RFID Case ($70 Value)
$9 for a Body Glove Snap-On Hard Case with Kickstand for iPhone 4 or 4S ($30 Value)$9 for a Body Glove Snap-On Hard Case with Kickstand for iPhone 4 or 4S ($30 Value)
$10 for a Walking Buddy Pedometer ($25 Value)$10 for a Walking Buddy Pedometer ($25 Value)
$15 for an LED Dog Collar from Mhu Ghu ($65 Value)$15 for an LED Dog Collar from Mhu Ghu ($65 Value)
$20 for a Stylish Floppy Summer Hat from Toronto Outlet ($60 Value)$20 for a Stylish Floppy Summer Hat from Toronto Outlet ($60 Value)


$20 - 4 Pole Dance Fitness Classes
$150 - 3 Brazilian Sessions ($750 Value)
Pilates builds a healthy strong core and back
$39 - 1/2 Dozen Cupcake-Decorating Kits ($90 Value)
$44 a Massage or Facial, a $44 for Next 2 Treatments
$25-Shape your Body & Enhance Sexiness at Pole Dance
$95 for Venus Freeze Non-Surgical Face Lift
$99 for 6 Laser Hair Removal
$89 - Body Contouring & Cellulite Treatment
$99 - Six Laser Hair Removal Treatments for Small Areas
$300 - 4 Laser Hair Removal Manscaping Sessions
$39 for a Diamond Microdermabrasion Treatment
From Mind To Body Pole Dance Fitness. Get sexy fit.