AboutStephen Tanenbaum Expertise FREE GLOBAL & DOMESTIC TRAVEL which always beats discount travel. In
recent years we have enjoyed free travel to such destinations as Africa,
Israel, Australia, Brazil, France, New Zealand, Hawaii, England, Greece,
Alaska and our lower 48. Other budget travel areas include such as air
brokers, rebate travel agencies, renting a Paris/Barcelona apartments for as little as $65/night (depending on length of stay and size of apt.), sightseeing and general TIPS on travel related comfort, safey/convenience and day to day SAVINGS.
Since we travel Free 95% of the time I DO NOT OFFER ADVICE ON CHEAPEST, LOWEST PRICED AND/OR LAST MINUTE AIRLINE FARES. Such deals are best found by diligent Google research & reading the N.Y. and/or L.A. Sunday best in the U.S. Travel
sections. FREE airline deals may NOT be available to non-U.S. residents.
Experience Past/Present clients Hired by Sunnyland Tours to do a 10 minute promo film of their Crocodile Nile river cruise ship in Egypt, by VW Tours to do a ten minute promo video of their MS Vampolov cruise ship sailing on Lake Baikal in Irkutsk, Siberia and by Citadel Press to write two (Vacations & Cruising) travel guides.
Partial Travel BIO: England, Scotland, Paris-Lyon-Provence, Greek Islands, Egypt, Petra, Isreal, China, Hong Kong, Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai), Cruises including Rio to San Diego (32 days $2,089 each), Maui, Moorea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Spain and Alaska, Canada et al.
Question Hi Stephen,
I'm trying to surprise my wife with a trip to Maui - I already have a place to stay but am trying to find cheap flights. I'm planning the trip in November. I've seen prices in the $400's but the travel dates for that price is from now - end of april. Right now, if i book the airfare, the price is $800 - 1000. In your experience / knowledge, do you think the airfare will go down, if so when?? Any other recommendations???
Thanks,
Tom
Answer Hi Tom:
Congrats on a marvelous idea. You wife should be thrilled to receive such a surprise gift. We have been Maui taxpayers for many years meaning that some time ago we purchased two studio apartments in Kahana, just north of Kaanapali. We've visited 30+ times and can answer any Maui questions down the road. For now, here is a Maui Blog Magazine I put online about a year ago. Also, my most recent Maui video.
On the very big ‘plus side’ you have time on your side. No last minute efforts here and that can only work in your favor. When you said 'other' suggestions....yes....my specialty is FREE travel. We visited Maui in Oct. '08 then flew Maui to NYC and back to SF...all FREE flights. We encourage all our readers to likewise fly FREE. Nothing beats FREE travel. Let me point you in that direction:
First is the LINK for our FREE travel newsletter. Be sure to check out the the text in the column to the right of the video (click ‘more'). The text has LINKS to our FIVE latest newsletters and an article I wrote on FREE global travel. Or simply use the following LINK to our newsletter’s Promo video.
BONUS INFO: Our current late Winter 2009 CTN newsletter publishes in one week. Given the timing of your reply I am happy to give you access to the newsletter right now so you are the very first person to read it! I shall be doing one further 'read' through so excuse any remaining errors. You will note the update on FREE travel offers. Here is the LINK:
The far and away best Free travel promo has been run for at least the past two years by Citibank. By obtaining just two of the available credit cards (cards are Free of annual fee the first year) you could obtain 50,000 bonus miles ALL 100% FREE. If your wife does the same then you each will have 50,000 miles more than enough for two FREE RT Maui tickets. It would be best to apply for both personal and business cards. They will be approved and arrive quickly.
Read my newsletters and Free travel article which explain how ANYONE can instantly qualify for SMALL BUSINESS CARDS even those who do not currently have a small business.
You must still make $750 in purchases on each card and then 4-8 weeks to receive the 50,000 miles. THEN,,,,,, you can book FREE flights. This can take 3-5 months soooo there may yet be time crunch...all easy yet time consuming steps and then you must make that call to learn if there are FREE seats available. The later one calls the less seats are available. We always book ASAP once we have decided on a trip.
IF you are flexible....can wait till all is done, ready and can change the weeks or even move the trip to a later month you should be able to do both flights FREE and MORE.
SECOND PROMO: I just found the newest United Airlines Promo page which page is copyrighted 2009 indicating the offer is CURRENT.
While United is not our favorite airline this is still a serious give-a-way promo. Here is the LINK:
Unlike the awesome Citibank promo United’s is NOT FREE meaning United does not waive fees for its card for the first year. Keeping in mind that the next best thing to Free is CHEAP this promo should be given serious consideration.
If you can snag both Mileage Plus and Mileage Plus Gold Visa cards you will get 50,000 miles at the cost of $145 for both cards and enough for a RT ticket to Maui.
Be sure to read my free travel article, especially my discussion of triangulating meaning American does not advertise this but will IF YOU SIMPLY REQUEST AT TIME OF BOOKING:
Give you a second free flight (free stop over) any where in the U.S. before you return home.
Ex. We flew to Maui then to NYC and then home to SF...all FREE flights
Ex. We flew to Maui then to Buffalo NY for a several weeks visit to Niagara, Montreal and Toronto, and then home.
Europe example: We fly in May FREE to BArcelons, the FREE to Paris (American gives you a second free flight anywhere in Europe) and then a FREE flight to NYC (American also give you a FREE stopover when incoming from Europe at any USA Gateway city (NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Dallas).
About low cost tickets....we do really fly free so my best advice would be to do internet research and maybe Google for a free companion ticket deal. Hope to see you as a subscriber to future FREE CTN newsletters.
