OPAL Online Travel Guide: The Mouse Pad Traveler

November 2005

Attractions of Online Travel Planning

Online travel planning can be very convenient.

It satisfies the need to hunt for bargains

There is no need to drive, park, and walk.

Travel planning websites are always open.

Comparing prices is easy.

Prices can be very low.

Sales taxes can be low or non-existent.

Dangers of Online Travel Planning

Credit Card Theft and other forms of financial misdealings

Identity Theft

Misuse of Cookies

Misuse of Information You Voluntarily Supply

Prices That Do Not Compete with Travel Agencies

Unacceptable policies regarding cancellations, refunds, etc.

Basic Precautionary Measures

Before undertaking any financial transaction online, look for the closed padlock icon within your browser as an indication that you are connected to a secure website.

Also, a web address beginning with https indicates that the online retailer is using the Secure Socket Layer, which encrypts data you send to them.

Look for the VeriSign logo on the retailer’s website. This means that this online retailer has agreed to the security terms of VeriSign to provide a safe online commercial transaction.

Also look for the TRUSTe emblem. This means that the online retailer agrees to industry wide principles of protecting the privacy of online shoppers.

Do not respond to unsolicited email messages from online travel companies, even if the email appears to have come from a company you know and trust. Also, never open or download any attached files to unsolicited email messages.

Never supply your Social Security Number, birth date, or mother’s maiden name to an online travel company.

Many online travel companies will give you the option to provide credit card information and other sensitive information over the phone, rather than over the Internet.

Look for a phone number and mailing address, even if you intend to complete online the entire process of purchasing travel tickets or accommodations.

Does the online travel company provide a printable order confirmation?

Will you receive automatic updates if travel schedules and/or costs change?

Does the company have a privacy policy? If so, does it clearly state what they will do (and will not do) with information you provide to them?

Are detailed specifications for the travel product you are buying available online?

Use a credit card with a buyer protection policy. Do not use a debit card to make online purchases. Some people use a separate credit card just for their online purchases, to try to isolate any problems or misuse that may arise.

Check your credit card and bank statements carefully.

Online Travel Services

Orbitz

http://www.orbitz.com/

Orbitz started out as a multi-airline database for booking flights, but it has evolved to include hotel reservations, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages.

Expedia

http://www.expedia.com/daily

The sections of their website cover flights, hotels, cars, vacations, cruises, activities, deals & destinations, maps, and corporate travel.

Travelocity

http://www.travelocity.com/

The sections of their website cover flights, hotels, cars/rails, vacation packages, cruises, and last minute packages.

Airline Tickets

Southwest

http://www.southwest.com/

AirTran

http://www.airtran.com/

Midwest Airlines

http://www.midwestairlines.com/

JetBlue Airways

http://www.jetblue.com/

Rail Tickets

Amtrak

http://www.amtrak.com/

Hotels and Resorts

Hotels.com

http://www.hotels.com/

Discount Travel

Priceline

http://www.priceline.com/

The main sections of their website include flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, cruises, and tours & attractions.

Travel Guides, City Guides and Tourism Websites

Fodors

http://www.fodors.com/

Frommers

http://www.frommers.com/

Lonely Planet

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

Rough Guides

http://www.roughguides.com/

Convention and Visitor Bureaus

Chamber of Commerce websites

Maps and Satellite Images

Mapquest

http://www.mapquest.com/

You also can get driving directions from one location to another.

Google Maps

http://maps.google.com/

Includes both maps and satellite images, which can be combined.

Google Earth

http://earth.google.com/

Software must be downloaded and installed, but the software is free. Requires Windows 2000 or XP.