Budget Travel

How To Get Paid To Go On Vacation

recently I became aware of a way to get extra cash back every time I book a hotel, rent a car or shop at my favorite online sites. Getting cash rewards is nothing new, many credit card companies give about 1.5% back just for using the card. However there are shopping portals which offer significantly more cash in your pocket, and you don't have to change your buying habits.

There are over 4000 merchants in these portal sites, including industry stalwarts like Priceline, Hertz, Walmart, Macy's and even Apple. Merchants pay fees to the cash back portal sites to drive business to their stores. The sites then share that cash with its members. It's no different from the principal of store coupons. Think about cash back portals as shopping with a coupon even when no coupon is available.

I recently booked a hotel for my vacation like I always do using hotels.com, and am getting 11.8% cash back on my total price. The important thing to remember here, is that I did not have to change any of my booking habits. I booked the hotel I was going to anyway, at the website I was going to use anyway, for the price I was going to pay anyway. Now for the first time and subsequently every time here after I'm getting spending cash back.

To be successful, cash back companies must effectively address several hurdles. Many of these business can fail for one of three reasons:

If the business model is sound, the portal can give back more than the standard cash back vs. many credit card companies. As I mentioned before I've received 11.8% cash back for hotel bookings.
You must not be forced to use little known companies like "Buffalo Bob's Corner Travel Agency". The portal's network should include the huge corporations you are already using like Priceline, Expedia and HotWire in addition to department stores at like Macy's and Target. Customers like to stick with their favorite sites and don't want to change their purchasing habits.

A really cool feature to implement is a browser tool integrated with Google searches. Let's say you forget to sign into your account. If you go to Google and search "Hotels in Cancun" or "Samsung TVs". The merchants that are a part of the cash back portal's network like Priceline and Best Buy display the discounts from these vendors in the search results page. You can quickly scan the page and see the best deals.

Alternatively, let's say you are already regularly booking at Priceline.com or Expedia. When you go directly to the booking website, a panel should appear at the top of the page saying "As a member, you are entitled up to 11% cash back". This brilliant browser tool concept is what can really separate a winner from the rest. You may forget about your membership, but your membership doesn't forget you.

As an aside note, I recently needed to purchase accessories for my Apple laptop. I ordered the items online, then went down to the Apple store to pick them up. Of course I could have had my items delivered. Once again, I bought the items I would have bought anyway, at the store I was going to anyway for the price I was going to pay anyway. Except that I am getting 7% cash back on my purchases. If you are an Apple user, you know that Apple does not give discounts to individuals or has Christmas specials. As a cash back member however, I can get a discount each time I shop the Apple store. Imagine how significant that 7% will be when I upgrade to a new $2500 MacBook pro.
If you have any existing coupons or are getting a special vacation package when booking online, you still get cash back in addition to what the merchant offers. That's because the transaction is independent of your booking. You book your hotel or vacation package like you always do and pay the price minus the discounts just like you are already doing. Then the shopping portal will pay you additional cash back on the balance.

You would not get the additional discount off right away. As long as you do not cancel your trip, you will be pleasantly surprised to see cash in your account after enjoying your vacation. This may take the form of a prepaid card on which they will deposit your cash, or set up direct deposit to your bank account.

I have found a company which addresses the concerns in this article and have created a video demonstrating step by step how use it to find the best booking deals. There are also instructions on how to open a free account. 
  

You can access this video here:

 

Destination Tips

Kerala the Most Enthralling Honeymoon Destination in India

Located on the south-western peninsula of India, Kerala is an enchantress that seduces all its visitors with its natural beauty. Kerala's topography is a mixture of mountains, valleys, green meadows, rivers, water lagoons and a series of forest reserves that can make anyone feel at paradise. It is no wonder that the state has rightfully earned the epithet of "God's Own Country." The denizens and the nature are plain and simple; yet rich in a unique way that can be experienced only if you visit the place.

A Concise Guide on Visiting the Philippines

Philippines is one of the countries in the world where you could see diversity right before your eyes. Strategically located beside the Pacific Ocean, it exhibits a humid and hot weather ideal for travelers who want to enjoy its tropical nature during half of the year and the rest of the year, the country also experiences torrential rains. It is a safe destination for travelers and a haven also for backpackers who loves to go island hopping. With the 7,107 islands that comprises the whole country, one can surely find something interesting. Majority of the islands here particularly in the Visayas region has long beaches with white sands. That is why a lot of restaurants and resorts are thriving in these areas. The country is also the remaining largest Catholic country in Asia but believers of other faiths are welcome with a large degree of freedom to exercise their worship

Exotic Bird Watching Tours of Nepal in Chitwan National Park 

Guided bird watching tours are not always the preference for nature enthusiasts who relish the quiet and solitude of their interest. However, to ensure a focused experience in unfamiliar terrain such as Nepal, a guided tour is invaluable. To guarantee both the most optimal sighting opportunities, as well as personal safety, a guided tour through Nepal's Chitwan National Park and other world famous nature preserves can prove a memorable experience. In some areas, this kind of eco-tourism is essential for the preservation of the habitats.

Romantic Date Ideas in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city of romantic canals, beautiful architecture and lovely cafes and stores to explore but sometimes gets a bad reputation due to it's tolerance of cannabis and prostitution. Still, Amsterdam is one of the most romantic cities in all of Europe. When you are there with your significant other, here are the top five romantic dates to take them on

Relaxing Activities for Queenstown Holiday Makers

Most people go on a Queenstown holiday to ski, hike or ride a bike. They simply want to get active. The resort town offers a range of adventure sports too. But what if you get tired and simply want to relax? You should not just stay in your room and watch TV. There are plenty of relaxing activities which you can enjoy in the local areas as well.

Top 5 Family Holidays Destinations in the Maldives

1. Soneva Fushi

2. One and Only Reethi Rah

3. Hideaway Beach Resort and Spa

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Hotels Accommodations

Top 4 Hotel Secrets for Travelers 

An average cost to flip a hotel room costs $30-40 per day. This includes the cleaning supplies, electricity, mini-bar attendants, hourly wages of maids, the cost of washing of the sheets and all other costs associated with the hotel employees and their services. By comparing the hotel room's operational cost to the average hotel room rent rates, travelers can see why the hotel business is so profitable.

Below are top 4 secrets that travelers should be privy to if they want to 
book a hotel room.

1) The Possibility of Getting Walked:  An average hotel will book its rooms 10% over capacity. That is because the average no-show rate of customers is 10 percent. Sometimes all the guests show up and that someone has to get walked by the hotel. This means that the hotel will now pay their entire night's room including tax plus add in one telephone call for the inconvenience and get them a room at a comparable or slightly lower grade hotel. This usually happens to guests who are not regulars at a particular hotel, or have only booked the hotel room for one night. One of the biggest reasons for guests to get walked is when they act like jerks to the hotel staff.

 2) Complain Smartly: Complains are directly referred to the front desks, however most issues are not caused by the front desk at all. You can be a smart complainer by going to the front desk, telling them about your issue and asking questions on whom you should speak about the complaint to. Also be polite about it. Many problems can be solved by the front desk attendant but you have to make sure that he does it. Make sure that the front desk listens to your complain and then go do something about it. Ask his name so that he knows that you now have leverage over him and can complain to the management if he doesn't resolve your issue.

3) Get an Upgrade: Travelers hear a lot of front desk agents say that all rooms are the same. However there are always a few rooms in the hotel which have a bigger bed, bigger flat screen, better bathroom or just a better view. By providing the front desk agent with a good tip, you can ensure that the upgraded room is yours for the night. Even if the hotel does not have a better room, you can get many value-adding amenities like late check outs, free movie, free mini-bar or other discounted hotel deals that are not advertised about. This is not a bribe; hotel desk agents are authorized to provide upgrades for special occasions so don't hesitate to ask for one when you get to a hotel.

4) Let the Bellboy Carry Your Suitcase: The wheeled suitcase came out in 1970 and ever since have been the bane of bellboys' existence. Because of the wheeled suitcases, guests no longer have need of bellboys to carry their hefty luggage; they can wheel it in themselves. Because of this, bellboys get fewer tips which leave their household bills unpaid. So next time to book a room at a hotel, give some consideration to the bellboy too.