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Infinity pool at Las Ventanas El Paraiso, a resort in Los Cabos Mexico

Fast Getaways (103)
Straight from the mouths of experienced travel agents and industry experts, here's what you need to know before you travel. Get the details on upgrades and frequent flyer programs, timeshares and booking your trip from experts such as frugal travel author Joel Widzer and Tim Winship, the founder of frequentflier.com.

Upgrading and Frequent Flyer Programs

When redeeming frequent flyer miles: Book your trip 11 months in advance or 2 weeks in advance, when award seats are most readily available. Travel off-season or to less popular destinations. Use your miles for a ticket valued at $500 or more.: Book your trip 11 months in advance or 2 weeks in advance, when award seats are most readily available.
Travel off-season or to less popular destinations.
Use your miles for a ticket valued at $500 or more.; Travel off-season or to less popular destinations.
Use your miles for a ticket valued at $500 or more.; Use your miles for a ticket valued at $500 or more.

When upgrading: Be loyal to one airline, and you will often receive a complimentary upgrade without using your air miles. Call hotels and airlines directly for lowest rates that may not be advertised. Before using miles to get an upgrade, just ASK. If you paid full fare for a ticket, you should be able to get a complimentary upgrade.: Be loyal to one airline, and you will often receive a complimentary upgrade without using your air miles.
Call hotels and airlines directly for lowest rates that may not be advertised.
Before using miles to get an upgrade, just ASK. If you paid full fare for a ticket, you should be able to get a complimentary upgrade.; Call hotels and airlines directly for lowest rates that may not be advertised.
Before using miles to get an upgrade, just ASK. If you paid full fare for a ticket, you should be able to get a complimentary upgrade.; Before using miles to get an upgrade, just ASK. If you paid full fare for a ticket, you should be able to get a complimentary upgrade.

Resources

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
1700 Ocean Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-6700
www.loewshotels.com
Contact: Dave Romano 310-576-3106

The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel
by Joel Widzer

Tim Winship, founder
www.frequentflier.com
Premier site for frequent flier information and advice

Timeshares

Timeshares are not an investment. Don't get into them for financial benefit.
Timeshares are no longer just for condominiums. Five- star hotels offer resort time shares as well.
The increased flexibility in timeshares now allows for a variety of options, including a variety of locations, the ability to split your time for shorter vacations rather than one whole week, and a "fixed or floating" deed — the ability to take the same week each year, or a varying time during a particular season.

Resources

Mario Collura
TRI-West Timeshare
800-423-6377
310-823-7552
www.triwest-timeshare.com

Airline Auctions

For discount fares, consider travel auction websites, but only if you're a flexible planner.
Some auctions reveal the airline and others don't.
Remember that you'll pay a service charge and airline taxes in addition to your bid.
The airlines will recognize your ticket as a bulk fare, so don't count on any upgrades or complimentary perks.

Travel agent vs. the Internet

Travel agent: personal attention to detail, help with fine print and buying power for a good rate.
Internet: convenient, offers deals not available elsewhere and gives you complete control over your itinerary.

Resources

PNR Travel
333 S. Hope St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213-621-4495
www.pnrtravel.com

Expedia.com
www.expedia.com
Online travel reservations