How to DIY overseas trip?

[hquek]

My style:


1. Book airtickets (then die die got to go).
2. Do research (I like tripadvisor for hotel ratings and comments, and books like lonely planet/frommer's for what to see/do).
3. Book hotels (using tripadvisor comments as backdrop, scour different websites for good deals - booking.com not too bad really).
4. Plan where to go and how to get there.

It's really not tough even in countries that don't speak english. As usual, money is the universal currency. :celebrate:

[Jennifer]

Thank you so much for all the advices.

[CMF]

Don’t forget to take up necessary travel insurance!!

[Pen88n]

You should plan a list of places / activities you want to do when you are there and "play by ear". If happen to be bad weather, choose the indoor activities for the day. Otherwise go outdoor. Booking day trips are usually pretty easy when you are there and you are staying in some "tourist" area where these services are available within reach.


Another item you might want to look at is which website to use for hotel booking. Take for eg, for China, I find booking thru’ Chinese websites offer cheaper rates (in local currency) than thru’ English websites. I would do my checking of hotel opinions thru’ Tripadvisor, but would then use a Chinese website to book the hotel (just search hotel Chinese name in google and it will list the sites). Other possibilities is booking directly thru’ the hotel’s own website - can be cheaper too.

[verykiasu2010]

For me :


1. check calenders - kids’ holidays, spouse biz trip / ownself biz trip / conf etc : make sure no clash in dates

2. make air tickets booking, select seats

3. plan itinerary, each location how long, routing, minimise / avoid back-tracking, key activities identified first, others can fill in later

4. book hotels

5. book car rental

6. update packing list

7. one week to departure : buy nec travel insurance online, change FX, and if got hotel offers by prepayment, convert hotel bookings to prepaid and save money etc

8. online check in, go airport

[Jennifer]

verykiasu2010:

and if got hotel offers by prepayment, convert hotel bookings to prepaid and save money etc

This one I dun understand. Saw this term \"prepayment\" in some hotel websites. Can explain in simpler terms? Many thanks in advance.

[Jennifer]

Pen88n:

Another item you might want to look at is which website to use for hotel booking. ..Other possibilities is booking directly thru' the hotel's own website - can be cheaper too.

Hubby told me to use wotif.com and not direct hotel booking, says it is cheaper at Wotif. I dun understand how it can be cheaper. Any catch?

We need 2 rooms. If via Wotif, can specify need interconnecting rooms? Many thanks in advance.

[php]

Jennifer:

verykiasu2010:

and if got hotel offers by prepayment, convert hotel bookings to prepaid and save money etc

This one I dun understand. Saw this term \"prepayment\" in some hotel websites. Can explain in simpler terms? Many thanks in advance.

it meant advance payment. the hotel will charge you upon confirmation of your booking. in some hotels, they only charge initially for the 1st night and the remaining upon checkout. some even charge you when checkout. if you are very confirmed with your travel plan, then prepayment will be cheaper if they offer you this option.

[Jennifer]

php:

Jennifer:

[quote=\"verykiasu2010\"]and if got hotel offers by prepayment, convert hotel bookings to prepaid and save money etc

This one I dun understand. Saw this term \"prepayment\" in some hotel websites. Can explain in simpler terms? Many thanks in advance.

it meant advance payment. the hotel will charge you upon confirmation of your booking. in some hotels, they only charge initially for the 1st night and the remaining upon checkout. some even charge you when checkout. if you are very confirmed with your travel plan, then prepayment will be cheaper if they offer you this option.[/quote]OIC. Any measures I shld take to safeguard my pyt?

I was reading some visitors' reviews at some hotels and found that mixup in rooms allocation is quite common. If paid upfront, can hv recourse if given wrong room? Many thanks in advance.

[php]

Jennifer:

php:

[quote=\"Jennifer\"]
This one I dun understand. Saw this term \"prepayment\" in some hotel websites. Can explain in simpler terms? Many thanks in advance.

it meant advance payment. the hotel will charge you upon confirmation of your booking. in some hotels, they only charge initially for the 1st night and the remaining upon checkout. some even charge you when checkout. if you are very confirmed with your travel plan, then prepayment will be cheaper if they offer you this option.

OIC. Any measures I shld take to safeguard my pyt?

I was reading some visitors' reviews at some hotels and found that mixup in rooms allocation is quite common. If paid upfront, can hv recourse if given wrong room? Many thanks in advance.[/quote]this happens anywhere, anytime... can't help especially during peak period...one thing for sure, you will pay for what you get...
i remembered many years back when my little girl girl was young, i booked through online requesting for a king-size bed room. upon check in, hotel told me that they had only 2 single-bed room. but in the end, the hotel upgraded me to a presidential suite room without any extra payment....still had a dedicated dining room on the same room and facilities to use... so shiok...

to avoid this happen, check in early to reduce the risk...