BidonTravel Travel Updates, Tips, & Commentary

When bidding on Priceline.com Hotels, use star quality as part of your bidding strategy.

Start bidding with a higher star quality so that you can make immediate rebids using lower stars.

For example, if you start your bidding with 2 stars, Priceline checks for 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels in your price range. You cannot rebid within 72 hours for the same neighborhood using 3, 4, or 5 stars (even if you want to bid a higher price).

But, if you start with 4 stars, you can rebid for 3 stars and then for 2 stars right away.

This dramatically increases your chances to save.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Subject to U.S. government approval, expect Virgin Nigeria to start nonstop service between Lagos, Nigeria, and either JFK or Newark airport as early as May 2006.

Britain's Virgin Atlantic Airways holds a 49% stake in Virgin Nigeria.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Looking for a really cheap all-inclusive vacation this winter?

Well, check out cruise specials. Many people overlook these, but they often offer the best values of all.

While few are totally all-inclusive (you may have to pay for most drinks), you’ll know the price of the major components of your vacation in advance.

Moreover, if you would like to visit Cozumel, Belize, or other areas severely impacted by hurricanes this season, you won’t have to worry about the condition of your hotel, as you'll return to the ship each night.

Check out our Cruise FAQ for tips and suggestions.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Expect Las Vegas’s year long 100th birthday party to end with a bang on New Year's Eve.

First, you’ll experience a five-mile-long fireworks display launched from casino rooftops along the strip called “America's Party: Las Vegas New Year 2006 .” This will be totally awesome!

Then, if you have a ticket and are at least 21, you can join Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman and some 12,000 New Year celebrants at the Fremont Street Experience downtown. At 11:50, they’ll toast in the New Year with fine wine, and enjoy live bands and a spectacular laser light show. Las Vegas hopes to break the Guinness record for the "World's Largest Toast."

Cheap flights into Vegas from your city are probably already sold out. You can also try Hotwire or Priceline into Ontario or Palm Springs, CA airports, if you’re willing to drive some three to four hours.

Less expensive hotels are already sold out. Decide now if you’re willing to pay the rates available, as traditionally all hotels sell out before New Year’s Eve.

Have fun and best of luck!

Posted by Don Nadeau at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Virgin America, related to well-loved Virgin Atlantic, has garnered the financing needed to start service between U.S. cities in 2006. At this point, no routes have been announced.

Expect this new airline to keep fares low.

Because U.S. aviation rules prohibit predominately foreign-owed carriers from carrying passengers whose trips are solely between U.S. points, Virgin Atlantic CEO Richard Branson plans to hold a minority stake in the new airline.

With Branson involved, however, expect excitement. As you may remember, the first in-flight film on Virgin Atlantic was Airplane. Also expect outstanding service.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 05:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The battle between American and Southwest airlines for Dallas is heating up, and that means lower fares for you.

Southwest received permission to serve Kansas City and St. Louis from Love Field, with service starting December 13th. This brings heavy competition between Dallas and Missouri for the first time in years.

Living up to its threat to add flights to Love Field if Southwest expands operations there, American Airlines said it would also start service between Love and Missouri.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Taking "AAdvantage" of the range of its 777 fleet, American Airlines has launched non-stop service between Chicago and New Delhi. This is a tribute to India's increasing importance as an economic power and to the large population of Indian descent, which has settled in the Chicago area.

Eastbound, you reach Delhi in 14 hours and 25 minutes; westbound takes nearly 16 hours.

This route joins an increasing trend toward extremely long flights that save you time. However, be sure to drink pretty of water and to get as much exercise as possible during these flights, in order to feel as good as possible upon arrival.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)