There are many myths about the travel industry. Here's a quick test on some of the biggest misconceptions.
1. True or False - Booking your flight and hotel as individual components is cheaper than booking a vacation package.
False - With the number of online travel agencies, wholesalers and consolidators out there, trying to figure out who offers the best value can be overwhelming. And remember it's important to consider the best value versus the best deal because you really do get what you pay for.
Your great deal may end up being the room that hasn't been renovated in ten years that overlooks a brick wall. Or perhaps your amazingly cheap room might be at a hotel that ends up charging you exorbitant rates for your parking and breakfast or checked bags.
You need to evaluate all of the costs associated with the hotel or airline you are choosing. For the best value consider booking a package. Hotels sell their cheapest rooms to companies willing to bury the rate in the cost of a package, which could include breakfast, parking, attractions passes or other value-ads. For travellers booking both a flight and hotel, vacation packages typically offer the greatest savings
2. True or False - Your hotel key card can be used to steal your identity.
False - A hotel key card never has your personal information, such as your name, photo, or credit card number, attached to it. Even after you’ve checked out of the hotel, nobody can use it to pull any personal data. If you lose your hotel key card during your stay, you’re simply locked out of your room. Immediately notify the front desk so the hotel can provide you with a new one. The card you mis-placed is de-activated and becomes useless.
3. True or False - Booking at the last minute gets you the best deals.
Little of both - More often than not, travellers will pay a premium if they choose to book an airline ticket at the last minute. The age-old advice to book your airfare at least 21-days in advance still holds true, especially with deep airline capacity cuts over the past years. For hotels, price increases for last minute travel is not as common, but travellers shouldn’t expect to save a ton of money by booking a hotel at the last minute either. There are some deals to be had by booking a last minute Pre-Packaged Vacation, but just remember, for special occasion trips, you risk not getting the trip you really want.
4. True or False – Not all five-star hotels are the same quality.
True - Unlike North American hotels, where stars indicate a level of quality, based on the evaluations of a third party some places, like the Middle East for example, the number of stars are often self-proclaimed by marketing folks.
What makes a hotel a seven star hotel? The star rating systems of Caribbean resorts serve to differentiate the services and amenities offered. Additionally, different tour operators use varied criteria for awarding the stars. For example, the difference between a four-star and five-star hotel may be that one has a tennis court while the other does not. So if you are a beach bum who has never picked up a racket, why not save some money and stay at the lower rated property?
5. True or False - the best way to get through customs quickly is to have a Nexus card
True - This bi-national pre-approved customs and immigration pass will help speed you through customs lines going into the US and coming home to Canada. Apply online and once you are initially approved you then go for a personal interview. Set up your application interview appointment at a land border, not the airport. The waiting list at the airport can take a long time whereas land borders can often process you within days.
6. True or False - Tuesdays are the best days to buy airfare.
False - Historically, many airlines released fare sales on Tuesdays, which has led to this best day to buy myth, but the internet age has jolted this pattern. Savvy travellers know that when you fly is far more important than when you buy. Try flexible dates shopping to determine when you can get the very best deal and go mid-day and other off peak business travel hours.
7. True or False - repositioning cruises are the best cruise deal out there.
True - When ships relocate from one part of the world to sail in another it is called a repositioning cruise. The deals can be as much as 70 percent off the cost of a regular cruise. However, be prepared for more days at sea, potentially costly one-way flights and travel to destinations in the shoulder seasons.
8. True or False - Travelling with a group means you don't get an authentic experience.
False - Certain travellers believe that in order for travel to be “authentic”, it must be uncomfortable. It doesn't matter if you arrive in an air conditioned coach or an overnight chicken bus, you’ll still be an outsider in a foreign country no matter how you got there.
The fastest route to an authentic travel experience is to hang out with someone who knows the place. A friend (with a spare bedroom) works well, failing that, you can't go past a good, local guide and that's where group tours excel. They provide local experts that give you a deeper understanding of the culture and destination. Better than any guidebook can provide!
