Internet offers deals and ‘steals’ for travelers

By Jon Moffett

YOUNGSTOWN — The Internet has caused havoc for many industries that rely on consumer relations.

But the travel industry is not one of them.

“We’re finding that a lot of people are coming back to travel agents,” said Joelene Longfield, manager of Travel Dimensions in Boardman. “It’s a great tool for research, but a lot of people have gotten burnt on the Internet. There are a lot of travel sites out there, and you don’t know who is running them.”

Travel experts agree, however, there are many deals to be had.

“You’re not even getting deals,” said Kathy Pahaninsh, a romance- travel consultant with Executive Tour and Travel in Poland. “You’re getting steals.”

Using the Internet, one “steal” revealed a trip for two to sunny Florida for four nights for roughly $300. Don’t believe it? Check this out:

- First, visit slickdeals.net, a Web site where people post great deals they have come across. There is a special for a four-night stay in Orlando, which can be found simply by searching for the city name, which is linked to Orbitz.com.

- At Orbitz.com, under the main menu, click the hotel button. Search for Orlando and book your trip for May 11-15 (more on that later). Before you move forward, click to expand your search options. Now enter the promotional code provided by slickdeals.net, which is “4ODWR75,” a coupon for $75 off a four-night night stay. Orbitz will provide a listing of hotels to choose from but select the “lowest price” tab below the listing.

- Select the Americas Best Value Inn and Suites/Maingate Kissimmee, a modest two-star hotel that has mixed customer reviews — you can read the reviews at tripadvisor.com. One room, four nights for a cool $48.52, taxes included.

- So the hotel is taken care of, but what about getting there? Allegiant Air has been advertising a special from Youngstown to the Orlando-area’s Sanford International Airport from May 11-15 for $110.20 per person round-trip. Enter the information, including the May 4-8 departure/arrival dates, and select your flight. The Web site will advise you to look into a hotel package, but you have that covered. The next page will offer all kinds of keepsake and package offers. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click to continue.

- Enter passenger information, which includes names, birthdates and genders.

- The airline will automatically enroll passengers in its priority boarding and seating offers. Click next to the passenger’s name to change the setting to a general seat, indicated by a yellow arrow. A pair of seats on both flights will cost $220.40, including taxes.

So, a trip for two to Florida is $268.92, which will leave money for food, souvenirs and activities. The biggest expense will be approximately $200 for a rental car as the hotel is about 45 minutes from the airport.

It’s important to jump on these deals quickly. By waiting, you could end up spending more than is necessary.

SEE ALSO: Driven to deals.