PLANET TRAVEL INSIDER

Once a joke among serious gamblers, is the hottest form of betting during this recession.

2009-08-31T20:58:00.000-07:00

From the USA Today:

"Bigger casinos used to frown on penny slots," says Bob Sobczyk, vice president of casino operations at penny-slot innovator Ameristar, which owns casinos in six states. "A consultant told us it was a joke to put all those penny machines in. Then we showed him our revenue," Sobczyk says.

He says penny slots are a hit because they're video terminals — full of visual glitz and betting variety — that a mechanical slot machine can't match by lining up three cherries.

Read the entire article by clicking the above link.

Compare parking rates for various city airports

2009-08-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

From travel on the dollar:

If you are shopping for best rates to park your car and you’re crunched for time, then BestParking has already crunched the numbers for you and can help you find the best rate.

Great information including the ability to use their mobile site to see where you can save money on airport parking by getting a last minute rate check.

Click here for a link to their mobile site.

Hard times hitting Las Vegas

2009-08-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

From Time Magazine:

But I'm here because Las Vegas is on sale. The hotels, led by Wynn Resorts boss Steve Wynn, slashed room prices to increase occupancy rates to 82% from a low of 72%. On the right day in July, you could book the type of 750-sq.-ft. room that was $500 a year ago at the Wynn for $109 and get a $50 gift certificate. The high-end restaurants at the MGM have gotten rid of most of their $400 bottles of wine and replaced them with $100 ones. This is either a model for the rest of the country or, if the reset fails, the beginning of a long, long slide.

Las Vegas is the city hit hardest by the recession. Click the above link to read more from Time Magazine's article that details Las Vegas' bet for a come back.

Worst Part of a Trip May Be Booking It on the Web

2009-08-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

From the New York Times

A new report, to be released Tuesday by Forrester Research, found that far from embracing the do-it-yourself era, many consumers were fed up with the complicated process of planning and booking travel.

“What we’ve seen is growing frustration,” said Henry H. Harteveldt, a Forrester travel analyst. “Consumers see other Web sites becoming easier to use — retail Web sites, banking Web sites, media Web sites. But travel is treading water as a category. There are very few travel companies that are really looking to improve the planning and booking process.”

Instead, customers are forced to figure out extra fees, wade through fine print and understand industry terms like the difference between a deluxe and a standard room, in addition to educating themselves about destinations, flights and hotels, Mr. Harteveldt said.

“Travel companies expect the consumer to behave like a travel agent,” he explained. “The question I always ask these guys is, ‘Could your mother-in-law use your Web site without having to call you for help?’ The answer is always no.”

In fact, Mr. Harteveldt said a growing number of consumers appeared to be interested in using an offline travel agency, if they could find one.

“The fact that there are more people now who would consider using a good offline travel agent is telling me people are saying, ‘Enough already,’ ” he said.

Enough already!!!!

Click the above link to read the entire story.

Your bad luck is the airlines good fortune

2009-07-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

From the Wall Street Journal

"Unforgiving ticket penalties are unique to the airline industry; other industries typically either allow changes or cancellations, or allow buyers to swap or resell tickets they can’t use. Theaters and sports teams sell non-refundable tickets, but buyers can give them to friends or sell them. Hotels, restaurants and other service providers may charge fees for no-shows, but typically give customers time to cancel, imposing penalties only within 24 hours, or perhaps after 4 p.m. on the day of arrival."

Not all airlines rely on cancellation fees. How can that be? Isn't the lure of more fee revenue too irresistible for the airlines to ignore? Aren't fees so important that they have lured more travelers to the airlines?

But wait why is Southwest Airlines the most successful air carrier in operation today?

"Steve Landes, who runs a Florida organization of travelers who commute by air between home and business, says many frequent travelers are switching to Southwest Airlines Co., which allows ticket changes without a penalty. “That $150 charge is a killer, and people avoid it. Airlines may think they are making money on it, but they must be losing money. They are sending their customers away,” Mr. Landes says.

A Southwest spokeswoman says the carrier hasn’t had to rely on penalties to manage overbooking because it takes historical patterns of customer cancellations and changes into account. She says the airlines believes it draws more customers by making it easier to change travel plans if necessary."

Recently we booked four airline tickets from Chicago to Cleveland over the Labor Day weekend. When searching fares four airlines, United, US, American and Southwest all priced their fares within $1.00 of each other. However, when you factored in the checked baggage fees charged by United, American and US it really meant that their fares were actually higher over all than Southwest.

Southwest, who has stubbornly not gone the baggage fee business model side, won our business yet again.

Why is Southwest the most successful air carrier flying today?

Read more from the Wall Street Journal article about airline cancellation fees by clicking the above link.

Web sites don't always have the best deals

2009-07-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

From the Chicago Tribune:

Web sites don't always have the best deals. Kayak.com and Expedia are great, but airlines don't necessarily offer all their discounts to the sites directly; instead, they offer net fares and consolidator tickets to large corporate travel agencies to ensure they fill empty seats without devaluing their inventory. So it can pay to talk to a travel agent; they have access to net and consolidator fares that the discount sites do not, especially for international business and first-class seats.

Click the above link for more of the Ten Secrets Airlines Don't Want You To Know.

And yes of course we do have access to net and consolidator fares at Planet Travel. Just call us.

Higher Car Rental Prices From Artificial Shortage

2009-06-29T21:46:00.000-07:00

Click above to read more information from the Consumerist:

Car rental firms have cut their fleets by almost 15% in the last year, creating an artificial shortage that has helped to raise prices. Inside, a few tips that can help lower the cost of your next car rental...

We noticed the increase when we rented a car in Las Vegas last month. Traditionally Las Vegas had the most competitive rental car rates in the nation. Not any more. And despite the tip to check out Priceline or Hotwire, we found both sites prices to be the same as renting from any major car rental site. The lesson learned is to shop and shop earlier rather than later.

Las Vegas Downton Hotel Room Rates Under $20.00

2009-06-24T21:41:00.000-07:00

Doing a little search on room rates for the week of July 5th we found hotel room rates at several downtown properties for as little as $20.00 a night.

The El Cortez is posting $17 a night rates that week.

Binons $18.00 a night.

The Golden Gate is $20.00.

Even the Golden Nugget, a four star property is getting in the low room rate action with $49.00 a night. That is really a deal.

All rates are available from Orbitz . Click on the package links at our 1lasvegasconnection.com site.

Think flight times are being padded? They are

2009-06-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

From the USA Today:

The Earth hasn't expanded significantly. The seismic plates under North America haven't shifted dramatically. And quite a few commercial aircraft are faster than ever. But it's still taking longer to fly on many domestic routes — and flight times are growing longer, not shorter.

Don't believe it? Check out the chart below and see just how much scheduled flight times have been stretched since 1995. For airline executives facing chronic delays on certain routes, the answer has been to pad those flights' "block times" by lengthening the total number of minutes the aircraft is expected to operate, all the way from the gate at Airport A to the gate at Airport B.

As one airline operations manager said to me a few years ago: "The airlines are no more on-time than they used to be, but they're better at covering it up."

Click above link to read the entire article

When Blogs Fall In an Empty Forrest

2009-06-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

Yes we did disappear for a while. We have been traveling a bit and bit busy. Not paying attention to our blog knitting. This New York Times piece did catch our attention. We have not been posting regularly and we are not alone.

According to a 2008 survey by Technorati, which runs a search engine for blogs, only 7.4 million out of the 133 million blogs the company tracks had been updated in the past 120 days. That translates to 95 percent of blogs being essentially abandoned, left to lie fallow on the Web, where they become public remnants of a dream — or at least an ambition — unfulfilled.

We just hit the magic 120 days and promise to do better. Watch this space.

Umm...do I get my free cruise now?

2009-03-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

From the Consumerist:

"Meet the "Royal Caribbean Champions," a group of fifty prolific posters to popular online communities that Royal Caribbean rewards with special access and free cruises in exchange for their frequent and positive commentary.... Members of the popular reviewing site Cruise Critic, one of the main targets of the program, are understandably pissed."

Royal Caribbean has a reputation among the travel agency community as being the toughest to do business with. As the Consumerist points out their arrogance knows no bounds. Failing to mention their affiliation with these cruise review "shills" without disclosing their bias, appears to be nothing more than standard operating procedure for this cruise line. Or perhaps a concern that their product is not up to the standards of their competitors. It certainly points in the direction that the very popular travel review sites are certainly not what they appear to be and are no substitute for the professional travel agent.

Air Travel Is Getting Cheaper Because No One Is Flying

2009-02-25T20:17:00.000-08:00

From the Consumerist, "Prices are coming down as demand weakens, so if you were thinking of taking a flight — now might be a good time to start shopping for tickets."

Confessions of a casino pit boss

2009-02-13T21:13:00.000-08:00

From the February 2008 Budget Travel magazine an anonymous pit boss shares his/her observations including why there are dozens of places to buy chips and so few to redeem them.

Ginger Creek Valor is its own reward cruise update

2009-02-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

Just updated our Ginger Creek Valor is its own reward blog to include the latest news release. Just a few weeks left to book this cruise. We still have cabins.

Can you really win playing the slot machines?

2009-01-31T21:14:00.000-08:00

Yes and no. We ran across this article in the Kansas City Stars gaming blog from author John Grochowski, that points out that winning at slots is nothing more than an accident. "The combinations you hit are a pure accident of timing. If you played a split second faster, or slower, you'd see different combinations on the reels -- not necessarily winning combinations, but different ones." It doesn't matter if when, if or how you play. It is pure luck. No skill. No system. Just a chance that you found the machine that when you play hits upon the right winning combination. In our gambling guide, free to all Planet Travel clients that book a Las Vegas vacation, we talk about the importance of not being a zombie. Locking up a win on that slot machine and then moving on to the next machine is the winningest strategy for any slot player looking to evening the odds at the casino.

Book your next Las Vegas vacation at our website: 1lasvegasconnection.com.

Europe asks where are the American tourists?

2009-01-31T21:01:00.001-08:00

From the Chicago Tribune this article discusses the lack of American tourists and its affect on European retailers. The emphasis on the closing of American Express offices does not reflect reality. It is our understanding that the change (increase) in American Express' discount rate it charges retailers and the subsequent reaction of retailers to not take the card had more to do with the closing of the offices than the lack of tourists. The Paris Opera American Express office has been closed for several years. If you are traveling to Europe don't leave home without your Visa card. It is universally accepted. And the wide spread availability of ATM machines for currency exchanges at decent rates sealed American Express' European fate.

Click here to plan your next perfect European trip at our web site europecitytours.net.

A few words about craps

2009-01-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

Sunday night we played craps for a little more than an hour at the St. Charles Ameristar Casino. It was a busy holiday evening. The table was full of players. Chips flying. The dealers were trying their best to keep track of everything. "Same bet." "Hard four." "Place the six and eight." "Press." Just the atmosphere that makes craps so exciting. Quick seven outs. And even a few monster rolls.

Lately I have been playing craps following author Richard Orlyn's distinctive craps betting and money management advice. As I played Sunday, it became very obvious, very quickly, that my fellow players were losing money. Even smart players (those that avoid the center table bets aka "sucker bets") playing basic pass with odds and come bets with odds were losing money. In some cases hundreds of dollars. Let's not even talk about the guy who was betting big six and eight. One of the absolutely worst bets on the craps table. He was betting it though, and good craps table etiquette says don't say anything to anybody even if they are just pissing their money away.

The table was what I considered to be very choppy. That monster roll win can be easily wiped out by the next two quick seven outs after the point is made. It is tough to win when the point is four and your come bet is on the ten and you've got $20.00 in odds to back up each of your bets even if you are playing basic strategy or Orlyn's for that matter.

The good news was that despite the choppy table, I was consistently winning. Not a lot mind you. But I wasn't losing like everybody else. Lot's of cursing at one point. I think I walked away with $14 to the good for the hour I played. And I owe it to following Orlyn's system, for a lack of a better name because he is very adamant that no craps system will actually work. Dice have no memory. Orlyn gives you a reasonable chance of winning at the table. He focuses on making you bet on the numbers that give the highest probability of winning, six and eight. He throws in a few twists and turns. Even some controversial advice about removing your odds bet after your come point wins.

As I said before I have been playing Orlyn's system the last few times I have played craps. Following his system has allowed me to leave the craps table a winner more times than a loser lately. Sunday night I finally became an Orlyn believer. If you are a craps player, or better yet want to be a craps player, I encourage you to read No-Nonsense Craps: The Consummate Guide to Winning at the Crap Table.

For more information please click on the link below:

No-Nonsense Craps: The Consummate Guide to Winning at the Crap Table

Las Vegas, a Best Bet for Bargain Seekers

2009-01-11T20:07:00.000-08:00

What a difference a year makes. From the New York Time's travel section news about the jaw dropping bargains that are the norm in Vegas. Now if we can only do something about the airfare.

Please be sure to check out our sister site l las vegas connection.com

A Free Cruise

2009-01-04T20:27:00.000-08:00

We wanted you to be the first to know that free cruise is on the horizon. Details soon. Courtesy of the Ginger Creek Foundation and Planet Travel. For details about the cruise be sure to check our planetravelonline.com web site by clicking above.

$225.54 fare becomes $601.64

2008-12-27T23:32:00.000-08:00

Converted Total - US dollars - for information only		$601.64
While pricing a Chicago to London flight in April the base fare grew almost $400.00. Courtesy of Air Canada here are the details below. Oh and what is with the fuel surcharge of $225.00? Aren't we experiencing a five year low in oil prices? Passenger Type		Adult
Base Fare		241.97
Departing Flight - Tourist discount options - available only for Air Canada operated flights (including Jazz)
No Aeroplan Miles		-12.30
Returning Flight - Tourist discount options - available only for Air Canada operated flights (including Jazz)
No Aeroplan Miles		-12.30
Fuel Surcharge YQ		225.54
Taxes, Fees and Charges
Canada Airport Improvement Fee SQ		13.12
U.S.A Transportation Tax US		31.00
U.S Agriculture Fee XA		5.04
U.S Passenger Facility Charge XF		4.53
U.S. Federal Customs Fee YC		5.54
U.K. Passenger Service Charge UB		29.46
Canada Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST #10009-2287) XG		0.66
U.K. Air Passenger Duty GB		59.82
September 11 Security Fee AY		2.52
U.S.A Immigration User Fee XY		7.05
Total airfare and taxes before options (per passenger)		601.64

Number Of Passengers		1
Grand Total - Canadian dollars		$733.46

Happy Holidays to all our friends

2008-12-23T22:27:00.001-08:00

St Louis Casino Day Trips

2008-12-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

A day trip to the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles is a great idea. It is a perfect way of getting away and beating the winter blues. Currently we are sponsoring three trips scheduled for January and February 2009.

Also we added reviews to all of the St. Louis area casinos. First up, Harrahs. And frankly we don't mix words about it. Our entry is titled, "Harrahs St louis....where old slot machines go to retire."

Check out our website planetravelonline.com for more information.

Ginger Creek Foundation Charitable Cruise Blog

2008-12-15T20:06:00.000-08:00

We recently started a new blog dedicated to the April 26, 2009 charitable cruise with proceeds benefiting the Ginger Creek Foundation. Click on headline for a look.

Cruising for charity is a great way for non profit organizations to raise money to further their activities.

From our website planetravelonline.com

Why Use a Cruise to Raise Funds For Your Organization?

A BenefitCruise is a new & novel approach to raising funds.

A BenefitCruise enables your group or organization to raise substantial charity money.

A BenefitCruise takes less time and effort to organize than a traditional fund-raiser.

A BenefitCruise work is done by Planet Travel - booking reservations, answering questions, setting up
special requests, accepting payments to delivering documents.

A BenefitCruise offers activities for all age groups and interests - from Kid Camps for ages 2-17 to sports, gaming, special lectures and seminars, watching first run movies or just relaxing pool side.

A BenefitCruise participant enjoys a vacation yet feels great about supporting a worthwhile cause.

A BenefitCruise can bring more community recognition to your organization and charity.

A BenefitCruise gives you access to potential new contributors since friends and families tend to vacation together.

A BenefitCruise can earn free trips to be used by special VIP guest, raffled or auctioned off to create more charity dollars that add to your total Fund-raising.

A BenefitCruise will be featured on all of Planet Travels' web sites as an open invitation for others to join your cruise.

"The cheapest coach fares on many routes are half the price of a few months ago...."

2008-11-27T21:08:00.000-08:00

From the USA Today: "The weak economy may be bringing sky-high airfares down to earth.

With passenger demand for flights dropping, many airlines in recent weeks have instituted fare sales, and competitors have matched the lower prices."

Included is a chart of some popular routes and the now plunging airfares.

As one comment notes:

"Well, well, well...so ticket demand is going down...maybe those a**-holes running the airlines will finally figure out that screwing their customers over time and time again with bag fees, pillow fees and other "add-on" garbage fees is starting to come around and bite them in the butt."