That being said, there are so many valuable tools to plan trips these days, and Facebook is only one of them, despite the hype.. Perhaps that’s an area of growth for the company…

Here are ways to make the mad money social media site work for you and your travels:

1) Click “like” on some travel pages, (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracy-Gallagher/284725555177 !!!) and receive updates about travel news! If you haven’t spent time finding people beyond your high school friends, there are personalities and commercial interests with pages on Facebook which you can follow and receive info. You could learn about travel deals, etc. The thing is – you have to log on to Facebook to check your news feed… If you don’t go on daily, it takes a concerted effort to check, which is a downfall.

2) Read the comments from other FB users on destination pages…. you will get an idea of what other travelers really liked about a location. Some may post photos or videos too!

3) Facebook Connect allows you to view other travel websites while remaining logged in to your social network. So you can see what your friends have done on other websites.. like where they’ve gone on TripAdvisor. It’s a great way to figure out which friends you should ask for advice about your trip.

4) Use an integrated travel app like Gogobot! The travel app allows Facebook users to share vacation photos with friends and non-friends while giving recommendations to people who post questions about general travel and specific destinations.

5) And lastly.. the good “old fashioned” way to learn about travel on FB – start a conversation and… just ask your friends…a trusted source.

Have a great weekend – it’s almost summer

Share This Post

However, we all know it can get us in trouble too. For instance – now that the airlines can electronically send you your boarding pass, we all can save time by printing it at home and scooting to security once at the airport. And even better – if you are somewhere where there is no printer,  you can simply load it to your mobile phone and check in.

BUT  – beware – even though some airlines offer it, you need to make sure the airport from which you are flying has mobile phone scanners at the security check. Otherwise, you will be forced to run back and print up your boarding pass at the kiosks near the airline check in desks… and wait on a security line again!

You can check on our airline’s website to see which airport offers mobile checking for that airport – each airline differs. Better yet – call and speak to someone. You wouldn’t want technology to come back and bite you twice!

Share This Post

Hong Kong

The gateway to Asia was my playground for one night with some girlfriends recently.. and we wanted to do it right. Should we stay on the Hong Kong side of Victoria Harbour.. or the Kowloon side (north of Hong Kong Island) ? What hotel would be the shortest trip from the airport to maximize our time out the night we landed? What about a hotel near good restaurants?

Middle class problems, I know. Cue the violin.

We ended up on the Kowloon side – which was my vote only because there are the best views looking back at the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island.  A stunning sight.

The hotel… was different. This is a lesson in how ads – and even websites can be misleading. Do your research!

Shangri-la Hotel, Kowloon

We stayed at the Shangri-la, which looked elegant on the website. Elegant can sometimes be code for “outdated” the same way “charming” can be translated to really small. I really find traveler reviews helpful to confirm (or not confirm) what you see on a website- where there is smoke, there is fire.

The Shangri-la is terribly outdated… and for a hotel in one of the most efficient cities in the world, I had to laugh when the “morning free coffee in the lobby” consisted of .. a coffee pot brewing ONE CUP at a time. Needless to say, there was a long line of Americans waiting. On the other hand, they had many cups of tea available. Tea IS Part of the Chinese culture after all, but management needs to know it’s audience better!

Anyway -…the people there were very nice, and I am able to share a lesson in hotel booking with you. Now I will offer other different Hong Kong hotels, since we drove right by two of my favorites on the way to the Shangri-la. One is high-end, and one is low…. I love giving options!!!

Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong

High end – this hotel needs no introduction. The Peninsula Hotel. If you can afford it, it is truly one of the best hotels in the world for service.

The rooms are luxurious with insane views, and high tech touches, like buttons by your bedside to control everything.  I had an incredible view from my bath tub, as well as the living room. If you want to enjoy the view, ask for a room in the modern tower. Another high class Peninsula perk: Limo service to and from the airport in a Rolls Royce. Round trip is about $385.  The price tag for a king bed, Harbour view room? Get ready for sticker shock: $1005… plus tax. www.peninsula.com/hongkong

My other favorite – and SO SO affordable and family friendly is the YMCA Salisbury Hotel, just a stones’ throw from the Peninsula. This place is clean, pleasant, and totally family friendly. Some rooms have views – and yes you pay for that, but a 350 sq ft family suite with a king bed and separate living room with pull out couch goes for about $250 a night!

The activities include an indoor swimming pool and rock climbing wall. If you want a casual, family environment, this is the place. Because of Hong Kong’s tradition as the epicenter for business and international travel, this is really a rare hotel.  www.ymcahk.org.hk

Hong Kong may not be on  your tourist map… but with more travelers visiting Vietnam, Bali, and other areas of Asia, many times you will find yourself staying over in Hong Kong. Not a bad pitstop…especially for five girlfriends!

I

Share This Post

C’mon – we’ve all fallen victim to airline gimmicks. Once I was reserving flights for my family, and found out I had to pay more than the ticket price to reserve seats. Yes – RESERVE seats. Since when does an airline charge for that? If I didn’t reserve them, it would have been a free for all with three kids – no assigned seats. They got me.

I wish I could remember which airline that was, but Air Tran and Spirit Air do the same thing. Some may call it a “family tax.”

Speaking of Spirit Air, their latest gimmick is crazy. They have been a target of my blog before – Mainly because if consumers aren’t aware of their policies, it could cost them. The latest: starting November 6, it will cost $100 per CARRY ON bag checked at the gate. If you check your carry on bag online or at the airport kiosks, Spirit still charges you, but less. This is for a carry on bag fellow travelers!

I think it’s tricky. And way too much money.

Another is Virgin Air’s latest – ice cubes in the shape of the airline’s founder face. Yes, Richard Branson may not enjoy a drink with you, but you will still be staring at his face . I love Virgin – love love love – but how much money did the airline spend on hiring designers and creating that mold? I’d much rather have other amenities.

And another beloved airline – Southwest – charges $10 for you to check in 36 hours before your flight instead of 24 hours. I am all for giving consumers choices, but I don’t think most fliers need that option if you can plan ahead 24 hours.

If you have a gimmick to share – please do! I am sure there will be many more come summer time travel….

Share This Post