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How Can I Make My Complaint Work Better?
by Ed Perkins
Too often our complaints fall on deaf ears. Ed Perkins offers tips for making yourself heard and your complaint noticed, and, most importantly, getting your problem fixed.
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Ireland by Bus or Car
by The Deal Detective, SmarterTravel.com Staff
The Deal Detective weighs the pluses and minuses of an escorted tour versus an independent vacation.
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Expedia Eliminates Phone Booking Fees
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Customers can now book with a real person, for free! Will Expedia's competitors in the online travel agency business follow suit?
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United Offers Hotels and Rental Cars in Exchange for Miles
by Ed Perkins
You can now use United frequent flyer miles on hotel stays or rental cars. The catch? Each mile is worth a cent or less. Ed Perkins explains your options.
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Car Rental Booking Test Yields Surprising Results
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Our series comparing online travel agencies with direct travel suppliers continues this month with a focus on rental cars. The results may be a real eye opener: Where you book is less important than previously thought.
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New Changes for Elderhostel, Ireland's Rental Car Policies
by Ed Perkins
Elderhostel becomes Exploritas and Ireland allows seniors to rent cars. Ed Perkins explains the effects of these changes: You may be planning your next vacation before you've finished reading.
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United Adds Hotels, Rental Cars as Mileage Awards
by Tim Winship
Beginning today, Mileage Plus members can redeem their United miles for hotel stays and car rentals. The new option raises the question of award value: How much are miles worth?
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Tourist Taxes Add to Travel Budget
by Ed Perkins
If you thought taxation without representation was settled in 1763, think again. Ed Perkins explains which popular destinations tax tourists the most, and what you can do to avoid it.
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Why Do Car Rental Companies Charge for Spouses?
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
It's a Today in Travel twofer: Exploring why (some) car rental companies charge for spouses and helping a traveler figure out when to book award tickets to Australia.
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Fight Back Against Rising Rental Car Costs
by Ed Perkins
Car rental companies have been hit hard by the recession. Prices are climbing as a result. Ed Perkins offers advice on how to keep your costs down.
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Take a Fall Foliage Road Trip on the Cheap
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
With the leaves putting on their own (free) show, why not hit the road? Read on to discover tried-and-true tips for putting together your own fall foliage getaway.
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Pack Your Bags for College
by Eileen Ogintz
Heading to college is usually not an inexpensive option, but Eileen Ogintz has tips for saving—and for letting go.
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Opt Out to Avoid Extra Fees and Unwanted Services
by Ed Perkins
Do you notice those pre-checked boxes that sell you additional services? Ed Perkins explains what you might be wasting money on with these opt-out scams.
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Continental Offers Big Bonus for Multiple Partner Transactions
by Tim Winship
Members of Continental's OnePass program can earn up to 100,000 bonus miles for completing a variety of partner transactions by December 31.
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Do Rental Car Companies Charge Extra for Frequent Flyer Miles?
by Tim Winship
Tim Winship explains that it's standard practice for rental car companies to charge for frequent flyer miles, and advises it may not be worth the expense.
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InterContinental Offers 10,000 Points for Partner Transactions
by Tim Winship
Unlike some other recent partner offers, which tend to be annoyingly convoluted, this is a model of simplicity. And it's easy to earn the maximum 10,000 points.
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New US Airways Offer: Up to 50,000 Bonus Miles
by Tim Winship
For those whose normal travel and spending patterns put significant bonus miles within reach, this promotion lives up to its "Grand Slam" moniker.
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Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Fall 2009
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
When the temperature cools down, the savings heat up in off-season destinations. Whether you're looking for something far-flung or close to home, autumn brings savings to popular spots.
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AARP Travel Discounts Fail to Impress
by Ed Perkins
Many discounts for AARP members are also available to travelers through other organizations, so the best bet is to check several different providers for the cheapest rate.
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Rent a Vespa, See Paris by Scooter
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
A new scooter rental company in Paris will deliver a brand new Vespa, plus all the equipment you'll need, to your hotel door.
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What's the Real Cost of Your Rental Car?
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
It's not uncommon to show up at a rental car agency, having reserved a car at one price, only to leave with a higher bill once taxes, surcharges, and insurance fees are factored in.
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Rental Car Age Limits Present Problems for Some Seniors
by Ed Perkins
Even if you've pre-booked, age limits or age surcharges can prohibit you from getting your hands on a car rental. And did you remember to get an international driver's permit?
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Lock In That Summer Car Rental
by Ed Perkins
Ed Perkins explains why it's better to be safe than sorry and book your car rental as early as possible.
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Virgin America Expands Its Mileage Program
by Tim Winship
With the addition of Avis and Budget, Virgin America has begun addressing its loyalty program's woeful lack of earning partners.
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Bonuses Make Summer Car Rentals a Mileage Bonanza
by Tim Winship
While the normal earning rates for car rentals are discouragingly meager, this summer's special mileage bonuses are plentiful and generous.
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Out of Control Car Rental Fees
by Ed Perkins
Ed Perkins breaks down car rental fees and identifies which extras you can safely waive in order to save money.
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Seven Rental Car Problems and What to Do About Them
by Ed Perkins
For most travelers, renting a car is simple. But for those with complex itineraries, car rentals pose a whole world of problems. Ed Perkins is here to help.
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Six Sneaky Travel Fees You Can (and Should) Avoid
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Travel fees can be annoying at best, and severely expensive at worst. But here's a secret: You don't necessarily have to pay them.
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Latest Carlson Promotion Is Good for Budget Travelers
by Tim Winship
Carlson is offering the same bonus for stays at budget hotels as it does for stays at pricey hotels; good news for consumers looking to get the most for their travel dollars.
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Car Rental Deals Abound for Summer Travel
by Ed Perkins
Like most of the rest of the travel industry, rental car companies are offering a variety of deals to coax you to their counters.
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Ten (Almost) Free Travel Deals
by Molly Feltner, SmarterTravel.com Staff
While you're unlikely to get an all-expenses-paid trip unless you win a game show, you can still get portions your trip for free if you book certain promotions or take advantage of some alternative modes of travel.
