How to DIY overseas trip?

[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...

[GuzHo]

If you are traveling as an adults only group then DIY trips would be fine. But if you are traveling with small children, elderly persons or people with health conditions then it would be better to travel with a pre-planned/pre-confirmed travel arrangement. This would help you to save time, money & efforts.

[php]

GuzHo:

If you are traveling as an adults only group then DIY trips would be fine. But if you are traveling with small children, elderly persons or people with health conditions then it would be better to travel with a pre-planned/pre-confirmed travel arrangement. This would help you to save time, money & efforts.

yes, very true....unless you really know that place very well....if not, it may spoilt your holiday...

[Jennifer]

GuzHo:

If you are traveling as an adults only group then DIY trips would be fine. But if you are traveling with small children, elderly persons or people with health conditions then it would be better to travel with a pre-planned/pre-confirmed travel arrangement. This would help you to save time, money & efforts.

Agreed.

Thinking of doing DIY since the children not keen on similar activites due to age gap. Also hubby cant be away for too many days. Just a short trip like 4 to 5 days (inclusive of flying).

[verykiasu2010]

if you have a frequent-stayer program with the hotels it will be good


these days many hotel chains offer their lowest price guarantee to match any lowest price you can find from the internet / agent for their hotel's room/type..... so mostly likely direct booking gets you the best rate (hotel earns more without having to pay comm to agents)

as a frequent stayer, chances of up grade is high

once i made an advanced payment for a hotel but the trip got cancelled...emailed the hotel for the refund, and they agreed even though as per booking agreement they are entitled to the full payment without refund - the gave me face for holding the highest tier of the hotel's frequent stayer program la......and every time i stay sure got upgrade too......ssshhhhhh.