I gave a talk to a handful of people recently and gave them these as sites to be aware of.
Organizing sites:
Trip It: Organizes
your flight, hotel, and transportation into single trip itineraries. An App is
also available. This is probably the
current industry leader for organization.
Mileage
Manager: This site does charge a nominal fee to keep track of all the mileage
and discount programs. But worth it for
those who travel a lot, particularly if you book your own.
Travel news and blogs
http://elliott.org/: This
is a GREAT site. If you run into a customer service issue/scam, this guy will
go to bat for you and help you fight. There is an e-newsletter you can sign up
for too.
http://www.travelindustrywire.com/:
Subscribe to their free weekly e-letter to keep up on travel industry news.
Budget Travel:
Though mainly designed for vacationers, they have an e-letter that has really
useful information.
http://www.johnnyjet.com/:
I like this site because it has fun things and helpful tips.
The
Air Travel Rights You Aren't Aware of (and How to Get Them): An article to
bookmark with helpful links, particularly if you need to file a complaint.
Airports
Travelnerd.com: Terminal maps, fee calculator, parking and
ground transportation info, rates, and coupons,
Smart Layover: http://smartlayover.com/ If you get stuck, this site (and app) tell
you where to find a spot to nap, gate info, layover details, and day-use
hotels.
Gate Guru: http://gateguruapp.com/
This app has detailed info on more than
200 airports and will tell you where to go and what is near your gate, help
with layovers, etc.
Air Booking
Yapta.com: Connected to Kayak, this site lets you search
flights and track the ones you like before or after you book. You get an email
when a fare drops. Some airlines refund fare drops in the form of credits; I
collect money easily because of this site.
If you use a travel booking software, you can use Fare IQ.
Kayak: Basically Yapta
with a fare predictor and a few other features Yapta doesn’t have.
Bing.com/travel: I’m not a huge fan but I will often check
their fare predictor.
Hipmunk: I don’t LOVE
this site but it is a favorite with many.
Hotels
Tingo.com: Hotel-booking
site that automatically refunds price drops.
The Suitest: One to
keep an eye, it still has a way to go in usability but a great way to find if
you are getting a good deal on a room and particularly helpful when you are
looking for a particular type of room, i.e. suites.
Google.com/hotelfinder:
Works so nicely with Google maps, though I often just plug a meeting address
into Google.com/maps and then do a search nearby.
Car Rental
AutoSlash.com: Finds
the best discount code and applies it
Avis
Business: The best business program I work with. Works with all
size companies, in most situations other employees can drive without signing on
or paying fees, and always an upgrade coupon for any length of rental. And you
can book with a preferred driver number for others (unlike Hertz which requires
you to have their password).
Food and Beverage Guidelines
Per diem
rates: The US General Services Administration sets guidelines for food and
beverage allowances by region/city. Very helpful if you are operating on a per
diem basis for travelers or simply want to set a ceiling for allowable
expenses.
Travel Coordinator Education programs
The Travel
Institute: Low cost certification with online education. A caveat: a friend who has traveled for years and started her own travel agency says she hasn't been impressed with the knowledge of those who seek certification from online programs.
Social Conscience
ECPAT-USA:
I’m a huge fan of ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) and have
spoken with Carol Smolenski, President. Support those in the travel industry
who have established protocols for dealing with the travesty of child
prostitution and trafficking. Marriott and Disney have refused to sign this
code. Hilton, Delta, Carlson and Wyndham are huge supporters.
