Sunday, April 5, 2009

So you want to be a Travel Agent in D.C.?

Enjoy. If you think a travel agent's job is boring, just look at these examples. A DC airport ticket agent offers some examples of 'why' our country is in trouble!!

Thank Goodness I'm not a Travel Agent


1. I had a New H ampshire Congresswoman ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn't get messed up by being near the window. (On an airplane!)


2. I got a call from a candidate's staffer, who wanted to go to Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information, and then she interrupted me with, ''I'm not trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown is in Massachusetts .'' Without trying to make her look stupid, I calmly explained, Cape Cod is in Massachusetts , Capetown is in Africa.' Her response - click.


3. A senior Vermont Congressman called, furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that's not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state. He replied, 'don't lie to me, I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state!'' (OMG)


4. I got a call from a lawmaker's wife who asked, ''Is it possible to see England from Canada ?'' I said, ''No.'' She said, ''But they look so close on the map.'' (OMG, again!)


5. An aide for a cabinet member once called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas. When I pulled up the reservation, I noticed he had only a 1-hour layover. When I asked him why he wanted to rent a car, he said, ''I heard Dallas was a big airport, and we will need a car to drive between gates to save time.'' (Aghhhh)


6. An Illinois Congresswoman called last week. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:30 a.m., and got to Chicago at 8:33 a.m. I explained that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois , but she couldn't understand the concept of time zones. Finally, I told her the plane went fast and she bought that.


7. A New York lawmaker called and asked, ''Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know whose luggage belongs to whom?'' I said, 'No, why do you ask?She replied, ''Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said (FAT), and I'm overweight. I think that's very rude!'' After putting her on hold for a minute, while I looked into it. (I was dying laughing). I came back and explained the city code for Fresno , CA is (FAT - Fresno Air Terminal), and the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage.


8. A Senator's aide called to inquire about a trip package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, she asked, ''Would it be cheaper to fly to California , and then take the train to Hawaii ?''


9. I just got off the phone with a freshman Congressman who asked, ''How do I know which plane to get on?'' I asked him what exactly he meant, to which he replied, ''I was told my flight number is 823, but none of these planes have numbers on them.''


10. A lady Senator called and said, ''I need to fly to Pepsi-Cola, Florida. Do I have to get on one of those little computer planes?'' I asked if she meant fly to Pensacola , FL on a commuter plane. She said, ''Yeah, whatever, smarty!''


11. A senior Senator called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China . After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded him that he needed a visa.Oh, no I don't. I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those.'' I double checked and sure enough, his stay required a visa. When I told him this he said, ''Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express!''


12. A New Mexico Congress woman called to make reservations, ''I want to go from Chicago to Rhino, New York .'' I was at a loss for words. Finally, I said, ''Are you sure that's
the name of the town?''Yes, what flights do you have?'' replied the lady. After some searching, I came back with, ''I'm sorry, ma'am, I've looked up every airport code in the country and can't find a rhino anywhere. ''The lady retorted, ''Oh, don't be silly! Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!'' So I scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered,
''You don't mean Buffalo , do you?'' The reply? ''Whatever! I knew it was a big animal.''

Now you know why the Government is in the shape that it's in!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Travel for Less

How a Vacation Home Rental Can Push Your Dollar Further

(ARA) - Despite today’s economic woes, people are still traveling; they are just doing so in a much more budget-minded manner. Scouring for deals and methods to cut costs while on vacation has never been more important. One budget-friendly trend has emerged as the solution for those who want to travel for less: vacation home rental. Travelers may wonder how renting a vacation home will actually cost less in the end. First, vacation homes usually come equipped with all the necessities to cook meals. Just cutting one group meal a day out of a vacation budget can save hundreds of dollars over the course of the trip. By eliminating all of those little extra food outings and instead stocking up at local grocery stores, travelers could possibly cut trip costs in half. "Eating out is certainly a big part of most vacations, but when people are cutting back, the ability to stay in and cook provides a more affordable alternative, and one to which many vacationers are drawn," says Ryan Swaim of Dunes Realty, one of the largest vacation rental agencies in the Myrtle Beach, S.C., area. When calling to inquire about a vacation home, travelers should ask what supplies are provided in the kitchen and how far away the grocery store is from the home's location. This will help determine whether dining at home will be a good option for that property. In addition to saving money by not eating out, a vacation home is a larger space so more people can travel together and split the cost of the rental. And with multigenerational travel on the rise -- grandma, aunt, mom, dad and kids all traveling together -- it's an easy way to be comfortable and share intimate travel memories together in a larger space. Do the math. If renting a four-bedroom villa for a week costs $1,000, two families of four will pay only $500 each for accommodations; that same price sometimes only covers two to three nights in a hotel. In addition, many homes have amenities at no additional cost, meaning none of those pesky “resort fees” to use the pool or other extras. Financially, vacation rentals make a lot of sense. As a Member of Park Lane Vacation Club, you could expect to pay only 600.00 for the same Villa! "The ability to truly feel 'at home' while on vacation is a big draw, especially for families with children," says Swaim. "Many of Myrtle Beach’s vacation rental properties offer private pools, deepwater dockage, hot tubs, large porches and easy access to the beach and ocean." Myrtle Beach is a fantastic place to look for vacation rentals because they are so plentiful along the 60-mile stretch of coastline. Choose from a condo with a full kitchen or a massive home on the beach. With thousands of rental options and agencies, travelers are sure to find one to fit specific needs and price ranges. “The Myrtle Beach Area is blessed with a wide selection of vacation home accommodations most situated near or with in walking distance to the beach,” says Rick Elliott of Elliott Realty. “Value-added amenities and friendly service are what set us apart. That is why so many families return each year.” Besides having a spectrum of vacation rentals to choose from, Myrtle Beach offers many attractions and activities that are free or very affordable, adding even greater value to your trip. Whether it’s hitting Myrtle Beach State Park to enjoy the pristine beach, window shopping in a historic community, or playing a quick game of miniature golf -- Myrtle Beach is the miniature golf capital of the world -- there are plenty of options to have fun on a budget. Plus, all attractions are within driving distance of each other, so getting to different places of interest is a breeze. With vacation rentals, there is no need to feel guilty about taking the annual family vacation. Consider a rental property in the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina to get the most for your dollar. For more information, visit http://sandra.parklanevideo.com


Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

VIP Membership with Park Lane Vacation Club for FREE?



For a limited time, You have the opportunity to become a VIP Member of Park Lane vacation Club for FREE.

Really and for true!
Take your family on exotic vacations with incredible , mind blowing savings! Stretch your Travel dollar like never before. Ninety percent of our Club Member destinations aren't available to the general public.

Unlimited Vacations, Full service for all of your travel needs,airfare, cruising,car rental,greens fees, dining discounts,resorts, Hotels, manors,Villas, even castles and more, are yours as a Member of park Lane Vacation Club.

Remember to ask me how it can be yours FREE !

Tuesday, March 3, 2009


Traveling? How to Save on Your Hotel Bill
(ARA) – Whether you’re heading for a late-winter escape or you're planning ahead for spring break with the kids, traveling remains a popular activity despite the challenging economy. If you're on a budget, you don't have to give up your vacation plans, you just need to know how to travel smart.

"One of the key ways to find the right property within your budget is to look at the overall value of the stay, not just the nightly rate," says Scott Booker, chief hotel expert and guest advocate for hotels.com. “A hotel offering complimentary breakfast, for instance, could save a family of four around $40 per day. Properties are also rewarding guests with discounts for longer stays, dining coupons, and other features to attract more guests.”

You can find the right property within your budget by doing some simple research. Here are Booker's top tips for the value-minded traveler:

* Book early.
As soon as you decide on the property you want, book it. During peak travel seasons, such as over holidays and school breaks, properties can fill up quickly. Check to see if the site offers a price match guarantee, so that if a price drops you can get the lower rate.

* Have deals come to you.
Subscribe to travel newsletters and know when to check sites for new promotions. Being the first to know gives you a huge advantage at scooping up good deals. For example, Fridays are a great day to check hotels.com since new deals are loaded on Thursday nights. They also send out an e-newsletter on Tuesdays featuring some of the best promotions.

* Look out for hidden fees.
Properties can charge for a variety of different services that may give guests an unwelcome surprise. These can include extra person charges, resort fees, fitness center usage fees and pricey change or cancellation fees. Be sure you know what these charges are before you book -- and if you're uncertain about anything always ask for clarification.

* Consider a condo.
Families and groups may find vacation rentals a better option, since they offer many of the comforts of home -- multiple bedrooms, common areas and a kitchen. Condos and specialty lodging can provide a better value for a group versus the cost of multiple hotel rooms. Plus, guests can bring, prepare and store food, which means spending less time and money at restaurants.

* Think about location.
A great rate isn’t a good deal if you spend too much time or money trying to get to where you really want to be. Location can easily offset a bargain price, so make sure the property is convenient to your main activities for the trip -- whether it’s the slopes, grandma’s house or the city center.

* Look carefully at reviews.
In the current environment, travelers accustomed to booking four-star hotels are now looking more closely at two and three star properties to save money. But because they are not very familiar with these properties, people can be anxious about booking them. Guest reviews offer great insight on what the property will be like once you’re there and help you decide if you’ll receive the same level of comfort as a hotel with a higher star rating. Also be sure to read reviews from people who have actually stayed at the property. You need to know you’re reading honest comments from people who have recently been there.

* Talk with a live person.
There are so many choices available online that it’s easy to spend a lot of time searching -- which can lead to confusion and missed bargains. If you are having trouble deciding on a property, it might be advantageous to talk with a live person.


http://sandra.parklanevideo.com


"At hotels.com you can call a specialist to ask questions and book a property for no extra charge," says Booker. "We understand that every traveler is different, and that the same property isn’t right for every trip. Asking questions and reviewing all of your options can help you find the best hotel so you can truly enjoy your vacation.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

By Invitation, The Park Lane Vacation Club Experience





We are a private Members only Vacation Club offering a one stop shop and
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the very best offerings on all Travel related products.
We provide members with Travel related services and products and destinations at wholesale instead of
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Travel where you want
When you want
and how you want

Park Lane Vacation Club affords you the inside track on the Worlds most exclusive destinations.
Our Members will enjoy travel at true wholesale pricing on all of their travel needs, while never comprimising
on choice or service! Pricing even travel Agents would envy
on destinations not available to the General Public.Ninety percent of our global accomodations are not
available to the Public.As an invited Member, you can choose from European, manors,Chateauxs, private residences,
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Choose from Hotels, resorts, all inclusive resorts and time-shares, yet we are not selling time shares.

Find out how you can become a Member in Park Lane Vacation Club, This is your Invitation:

Enjoy unmatched savings
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Let me share with you our Invitation only exclusive Vacation Club.An indescribable value! Much ,much less than
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Sign in for the full Tour and Special Offerings

http://sandra.parklanevideo.com



==================
Sandra Forrester-Limon
FPT Associate
+1 (925) 252-0246

sandra@fptvideo.com


Twitter http://twitter.com/Sandrachick
=======================

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Plan to go to Mardi Gras next year







I spent a month in New Orleans one year. I never wanted leave! Unfortunately I missed Mardi Gras. Lets not miss it next year!

Here are some pictures from this year. Some of which feature Chef Duff of Charmed City Cakes. Those cakes a truly amazing!







Remember......here's a way to go all over the world wholesale on this blog, hint hint!




http://www.charmcitycakes.com