Here are some tips for capitalizing on the best vacation and travel deals out there now:

Go For the Dream Vacation
If you have been dreaming of Paris and other other international destinations as your dream getaway, now is the time to take advantage of the reasonable prices for such travel. For instance, there are luxury African safari trips priced two-for-one. The bigger the trip, potentially the better the deal. Shop around and see where you can go that you once never thought possible.

Check Out the Conversion Rates
The US dollar is gaining more strength so traveling abroad can get you even more of a deal. Travelers can do much more on the same amount of money they might have had to spend last year around this time. Before making a final decision about where you want to go, check out the currency of some interesting countries like Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Iceland. You can get a whole lot more for a whole lot less in some really great locations.

Be Flexible
Look around at some areas of the world that have been hit hard in the tourism department. If you can keep an open mind and be flexible about the dates you can travel, you can really find a deal of a lifetime. Experts suggest you start your search with a list of places you are interested in visiting. Take that list and see which location offers you the best deal for travel.

Get Into Negotiations
Even when you nail down the details of your trip, you can still save even more cash if you are willing to ask some questions and get a negotiation going. Ask the hotel manager what extras they can thrown in for your family for their regular prices, such as free kid’s meals or tickets to local attractions.

Go Ahead and Use Your Rewards
If you have credit cards that offer rewards miles or if you have a deal with the airline for frequent flier miles, now is the time to cash them in. Airlines are looking to fill seats and so they have become more flexible about letting you exhaust your miles when you want to do it – not when they dictate the time.

While we are struggling with just surviving paycheck to paycheck, there are many ways and benefits to planning a getaway. Your frugal ways can serve you well when you make a proactive attempt to keep finding the best deals for every aspect of your luxury vacation, even if that cruise cost 60% less than it did last year.

The Recession is Opening the Doors to Big Vacation Savings was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Create Your Vacay Budget
Just like with your personal finances, it is important to set your money limits before you even start exploring where you want to go on a trip. Be sure to account for everything in your budget, such as airfares, gas, hotels, food, entertainment, activities, souveneirs, and the unexpected surprises that may spring up.

Cement Your Airfare
If your flying for your trip, start looking at rates now ad book early to get the best deals and sae the most money. Websites like kayak.com can help you narrow down the best deals in airfare and travel times. Yapta.com will alert you when the airfare drops and for $15, the website will help your fight for  a refund if you have already played for your flight.

Bargain Rooms
When you are on vacation, the chances are good that, unless you are on your honeymoon, your hotel space will be used mostly for changing, bathing, and sleeping – so why spend a ton of cash for luxury digs when you never plan to be there? Visit hotels.com or tripadvisor.com to find low cost lodging and real-life reviews from those who have stayed before you.

Rental Cars
For the best rates on rented vehicles, at your destination, plan to rent from a location outside of the airport, perhaps find one near your hotel. Check out hotwire.com for the deals and the information. You can generally save a lot of cash if you shop around.

Insure Yourself
If your trip costs more that several hundred dollars, you might want to consider travel insurance to protract you. In the event of an illness, disaster, or even if the airline loses your bags, you will be protected. Insuremytrip.com can give you the lowdown on different coverage and prices.

Seek Professional Assistance
If our trip planning is not so simple, do not hesitate to consult with a travel agent. Their experience and accessibility to exclusive deals can save you way more money than you would spend on their services fees, which generally run between $50-$200.

Vacations should be a source of relaxation and fun. Getting into debt over a trip that is supposed to relieve stress, will only add to it. Planning ahead and shopping for deals can allow you to afford a vacation. If you want to even make it easier on yourself, start saving in advance so that when the time comes to go away, you’ll have the necessary cash to pay for your vacation and leave debt behind you.

More Vacation for Less Money was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

“We all look forward to that last trip to the beach or to a final summer visit to see friends or relatives,” Roger Dow, Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) president and CEO says. “But what most of us don’t know is that the benefits of our summer travel will stay with us long after we’ve returned home.”

Dow cited decades of research on how individuals and families benefit from traveling in the areas of health, education, career success, relationship-building and creativity.

“The evidence is overwhelming that when you take a trip, the benefits are everywhere,” Dow said. “Despite the fact that Americans get less vacation time than in any country in the industrialized world, because of the personal benefits gained, we can’t afford not to travel.”

Among the findings of various studies* conducted during the past few decades:

-Travelers rate their overall health one full point higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) while on vacation. They also get three times more deep sleep after their vacation and sleep almost 20 minutes longer after their vacation.

-An annual vacation can cut a person’s risk of heart attack by 50 percent.

-Women who take more vacations are more satisfied with their marriages.

-More than half of employed Americans say they come back feeling reconnected with their family after vacation (53%).

-Three out of four executives believe that vacations are necessary for them to prevent burnout (78%) or that vacations improve their personal job performance (75%).

-Travelers experience a 25% increase in performance on vigilance tests after returning from vacation – travelers 45 or older show a 50% increase in performance.

-Two out of three executives believe that vacations improve their creativity (68%).

There are some who intend to not have Labor Day be the end of 2008 travels.

TripAdvisor® just released the results of its annual fall travel survey revealing that 82 percent of U.S. respondents plan to travel for leisure this autumn, up from 70 percent who said they took pleasure trips last fall. Twenty-six percent of U.S. respondents said they will travel more this autumn than last, while 49 percent intend to travel the same amount as one year ago. Nearly 60 percent percent of travelers said they plan to fly this autumn for their leisure travel, while close to 50 percent plan to drive.

According to the TripAdvisor survey results, 31 percent of U.S. respondents are planning to travel on Labor Day weekend, nearly equal to the 30 percent who said they traveled the same timeframe in 2007. Those who are traveling Labor Day weekend are doing so via automobile (67%) compared to just over a quarter (26%) of people who plan to fly.

In comparison, AAA projects a slight decrease of 0.9 percent in the number of Americans traveling during the Labor Day holiday weekend, representing the first decline in Labor Day travel since 2006. However, even with a slight predicted decrease nearly 34.38 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend.

“More travelers concerned about the economy, gasoline prices and rising airfares are opting to travel by train, bus, motorcycle and cruise ship to their holiday weekend destinations,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “This trend points to a desire on the part of the American public to seek alternatives to flying and driving to enjoy the traditional end of summer vacation.”

According to the AAA report, more than 83 percent of all holiday travelers expect to travel by automobile to their destinations over Labor Day, which represents a higher percentage than the TripAdvisor survey revealed.

The national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $3.69 per gallon as reported by AAA, but this is already changing by the minute with the approach of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna in the Atlantic.

*Studies referenced through www.tia.org by clicking here.

Photo Credit: The Weather Channel

NOTE: Storm names and conditions were accurate at time of publishing on August 29, 2008.

Official End of Summer Vacations was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

On a recent trip to Islamorada, my husband opted for the turquoise waters of the flats with a fly rod and spinning outfit.  He was in pursuit of the elusive bonefish and permit or more truthfully “anything” that he could trick into taking the offering.  Trophy tarpon, bonefish, permit and shark are often the reward for the patient and persistent.  Research on the species you will chase is key to the success of any fishing trip and a professional guide is an added bonus that supports your chances for victory. During our fishing outing, we came across several tarpon and our guide gave my eager husband a fly fishing lesson. Now, this took patience and skill.

Professional guides versed in the local waters and habits of these prize catches are abundant from Key Largo to Key West.  Islamorada is touted as the sportfishing capital of the world and is conveniently located about midway in the chain of islands.  From here you will find both large off-shore sport fishing boats as well as small flats skiffs that are polled along by guides for the element of surprise. Trip times vary from a couple of hours to half and full days of fishing and prices vary on these variables.  A full day allows for time to take in the sights of the keys and with a little luck your sought after target. 

What would complete a day on the water more that a fantastic sunset, swaying palms, soft melodies and a cold concoction?  The Keys are lined with small tropical watering holes serving up the latest cool drinks and island cuisine.  A top recommendation at almost any dining location in the Keys is the famous Florida grouper.  The Tiki bar at Holiday Isle is one such hotspot after a day of diving or fishing, known as the birthplace of the frozen rumrunner cocktail.  Fisherman can often be seen here telling the old one that got away stories over cool libations.  Live entertainment bands play a variety of Reggae and Jimmy Buffett tunes that further put people in the vacation, island mode.

The Keys are an amazing destination for any fisherman seeking saltwater adventure and the best part is, it is right here in the good ol’ USA. 

Catching the ‘Big’ One in the Florida Keys was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Roger Dow, Travel Industry Association’s president and CEO says, “The evidence is overwhelming that when you take a trip, the benefits are everywhere. Despite the fact that Americans get less vacation time than in any country in the industrialized world, because of the personal benefits gained, we can’t afford not to travel.”

A 2008 Expedia survey reveals that nearly one-third of employed Americans are vacation deprived. This translates to an average of three vacation days earned being left on the table, or in essence giving back more than 460 million vacation days in 2008, as stated in the survey.

Expedia’s survey findings conclude that Americans do value vacations despite not taking advantage of well-earned time off. To illustrate, 39 percent of the survey respondents claim to feel more productive and better about their job upon returning from vacation and 52 percent state they feel rested, rejuvenated and reconnected to their personal life.

“The research is clear, despite leaving vacation days unused, Americans believe in the restorative power of taking time off,” said Paul Brown, president, Expedia.com.

TIA issued a report in April 2008 titled “The Benefits are Everywhere” which cited a variety of studies’ findings including:

• An annual vacation can cut a person’s risk of heart attack by 50 percent.
• More than half of employed Americans say they come back feeling reconnected with their family after vacation (53%).
• Three out of four executives believe that vacations are necessary for them to prevent burnout (78%) or that vacations improve their personal job performance (75%).
• Travelers experience a 25% increase in performance on vigilance tests after returning from vacation – travelers 45 or older show a 50% increase in performance.
• Two out of three executives believe that vacations improve their creativity (68%).
• Women who take more vacations are more satisfied with their marriages.
• Even the anticipation of vacation travel generates an increase in positive feelings about one’s life as a whole, family, economic situation, and health. 

“According to one study, overwork costs employers about $150 billion a year stress-related absences,” Dow said. “There are 78 countries where the right to annual vacations of a minimum duration is prescribed by law. Some even have penalties for deferring the vacation.”

What prevents you from taking a vacation? Or do you always use all of your earned days annually?

Vacation Deprived Americans Recognize Benefits was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

1. When you are ready to purchase a ticket, shop online. Start first by comparing ticket prices of competing sellers before selecting a fare.

2. Find the lowest prices through other sources but before you buy, check out the airline’s website directly. Often the airlines offer additional discounts on tickets purchased online. Plus, you will save more money by not having to pay a booking fee for the tickets.

3. While in some instances time flexibility is not an option but for the times when you can travel without a tight schedule, you can often find the best bargains. Be willing to fly out or arrive in more than one airport on a time and date that affords the best deal. Off-peak hours and days are usually the best times to get a reduced ticket rate.

4. Be sure to double check taxes and fees when booking a flight. Sometimes advertisement prices do not factor in the additional cost of taxes and other fees.

5. Shop early to save money. Buying tickets in advance often gets airline fares at a lower rate than closer to the flight date.

6. Enroll in online airline websites that send out email alerts to keep you posted on airline deals and cheap tickets.

7. Research frequent flier programs available through the airlines that allow you to earn free tickets for each time you travel.

8. Utilize credit cards that offer reward programs directly related to travel. For each eligible purchase, the credit card can earn free points toward airline tickets, upgrades, and even potentially free travel. Make sure you can pay your balance off in full each month to protect your credit and help you in earning points faster.

Many consumers may automatically assume that all traveling by air is no longer affordable before even doing the research. There are many ways to save with a little time and some online investigation to compare prices. Also, don’t forget to compare the other costs associated with travel flexibility. For instance, flying into an airport that may not be as convenient as the more expensive alternative, may also require additional costs in car rentals and other expenses that should be factored in for an accurate comparison.

8 Ways to Save Your Money Buying Airline Tickets was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The idea began when several entrepreneurs started seeking out savings plans that operated similarly to the 529 College Savings Plan. In theory, the small amount of money taken from each paycheck to save for the kids college education, eventually added up to quite a nice sum of cash. Using that same theory, Smartypig.com was created as a way to save money for vacations, special occasions, or even a nice big screen television.

Once registered on Smartypig, users can set up an account and establish goals for which they are saving. The account is free to set up and use. You provide information about the item or event you are saving for, how much it costs, how much you can afford to spend, and your target date to have all of the money. Smartypig will recommend how much money you should deposit and you conveniently set up an automatic deduction from your bank account. There is a minimum opening deposit of $25 required and a minimum savings goal of $250.  In addition to the money you deposit, Smartypig also enables you to allow your friends and family to help you meet your money goal. Each money transfer will cost a small fee. You can invite them or visitors can search for your account by entering your email address and easily contribute to your account.

The money collected in the Smartypig account will continue to add up and collect interest until your savings goal has met at which time you can opt to retrieve your money via a Smartypig MasterCard or by selecting a gift card from one of many participating retailers. The retailers may also offer bonus incentives towards the item for which you are saving.

Smartypig has a lot of the same terms as a bank account and is still carefully monitored to protect against national security concerns and other illegal money practices. When registering, you will need to be a US Citizen and over the age of 18 (unless you open an account with a parent). You will be asked to provide several forms of identification including your drivers license number, social security number, current and previous address information, email address, date of birth, and phone number.

Smartypig appears to be a one-of-a-kind savings plan for consumers who are looking to avoid credit card debt and instead, use cash savings to make purchases, afford vacations, or any item they are looking to get. It may be a new kind of incentive for people to start saving money towards fun things instead of just for paying bills.

For more information, visit http://www.smartypig.com/.

WEBSITE REVIEW: SMARTYPIG.COM was created by and is property of American Consumer News.