Hidden airline fees part #2

Hidden airline Fees part #2

Written by Marie Glodt Travel to Maui

This is a continuation from the blog I posted last week of the hidden airline fees.

Today I want to address the change fee policies. We all know it costs the airlines very little to make changes to your reservation once ticketed. But that doesn’t mean it cost you that amount!

Change fees vary depending on the airlines and the type of ticket you are on.

Are you traveling on an international ticket? Then expect to pay $100 on Alaska airlines (the least expensive). Or up to $250.00 on American, Continental, Delta or United airlines. This fee is per person.

If you are traveling domestically the lowest change fee is $50.00. Most airlines seem to be charging in the $100-150 price range.

Your fee to change flight to same the destination on the day of departure ranges from $0.00 on Alaskan airlines, to $150-200.00 on Hawaiian airlines.

On my next hidden fee blog I will address baggage fees! Look for this blog in about 2 weeks.

I am going to be taking some time off to do a “staycation” here on Maui. I will be writing a brief blog about that as well in the near future. Stay tuned.

Travel to Maui www.traveltomaui.net

Honeymoons and destination wedding travel in Hawaii

Planning your honeymoon vacation or destination wedding travel should be fun!

Working with a locally based travel professional assures you the quality vacation you are looking for without the stress and time involved while trying to arrange things on your own.


Choosing your wedding consultant is the first step toward the wedding of your dreams. It is important to choose a coordinator that shares your vision of the wedding and can make that vision into a reality. Your wedding consultant should have an excellent reputation with both vendors and past clients, unique ideas and creativity to share. Looking for a travel professional with these same qualifications will make your romantic honeymoon "the vacation of a life time!”

Booking early allows you to lock-in the best promotional prices, as well as travel schedule that work best for you.

The most important step is to search for a travel professional that specializes in your desired destination! This means a travel agency who has taken the time to personally inspect local resorts, hotels, condominiums, and luxury villas with the needs of their clients in mind. Another benefit would be the local contacts with the property management where you will be staying. While we can never promise an upgrade based on our relationship with the property, we do promise they will note your reservation as a V.I.P. and that never hurts!

It is advisable that you plan at least six to twelve months prior to your honeymoon or destination wedding vacation. This allows your guests ample time to arrange their travel reservations and coordinate with your plans. It is customary for guests to pay their own travel costs for destination weddings, but many couples provide transportation for the wedding party, or host a special event for their guests other than the wedding itself.

It is important to take a few moments and detail what your “dream honeymoon or destination wedding travel” would entail. Are you an adventure traveler or looking for the laid back feeling of a tropical island getaway?
What about a 7-10 day cruise to the finest ports of call?

If you have a big wedding planned, try and schedule a day of relaxation before jetting off to your exotic honeymoon. This will help insure that you will arrive refreshed and ready to appreciate your “romantic holiday.”

While considering your travel plans, keep in mind the time of the year you will be traveling! For example, if you are having a summer wedding in the United States it will be winter in New Zealand and Australia.
Hawaii and Tahiti are among the top honeymoon and destination wedding locations. They also provide a wide range of resorts and activities. Some of the most popular activities or options would include; a luau, snorkel trip, a scenic helicopter flight over lush green valleys and cascading waterfalls, swimming with dolphins, a romantic dinner for two on the beach, or breakfast brought by canoe to your over the water bungalow.

When making travel arrangements with your travel specialist you will begin by working on air, room and transportation. As planning progresses further along, you can then discuss other possible reservation options such as activities, romance packages, honeymoon registry, dining reservations, “local” travel tips, etc.

For more information please contact Travel to Maui at: www.traveltomaui.net
http://traveltomaui.wordpress.com
https://twitter.com/traveltomaui
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-glodt/12/656/69a
http://cid-e1b1158e316e6dd1.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E1B1158E316E6DD1!179.entry
http://www.bridaltweet.com/profiles/blogs/honeymoon-packages-and

http://www.ceremonymagazine.com/losangeles.html#

Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu

Aloha from the sunny shores of Maui, Hawaii!
I just spent the last couple of days on the neighbor island of Oahu. While I was in Waikiki and Honolulu I was checking out hotels and great places to eat and shop.

Oahu offers world class luxury while still retaining the Polynesian flavor at value prices!

Fun things to do in Oahu(waikiki)
Visit Pearl Harbor http://www.nps.gov/valr/
Honolulu zoo http://twitter.com/HonoluluZoo
Waikiki Aquarium http://twitter.com/WaikikiAquarium
Polynesian Cultural Center http://twitter.com/polynesia
Ghost tours http://twitter.com/OahuGhostTours
Shangrila (Doris Duke estate) http://www.shangrilahawaii.org
Rent a car and drive out to the north shore to check out the waves!
Bishop Museum http://www.bishopmuseum.org/
Take a tour of the Iolani Place http://www.iolanipalace.org/
Pet a dolphin http://www.dolphinquest.org/index.php?aID=0

Great places to eat in Waikiki/Honolulu:
Food Court at Ala Moana Shopping center
Roys http://www.roysrestaurant.com/
Cheesecake Factory http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/
Dukes
Red Lion
Big City Diner http://twitter.com/BigCityDiner
Yard House Waikiki http://www.yardhouse.com/

Here are a few of the hotels I visited and/or stayed at during my stay in Waikiki:

Aqua Hotels http://twitter.com/aquahotels
Hyatt Waikiki http://twitter.com/HyattWaikiki
Marriott Waikiki http://twitter.com/MarriottWaikiki
Sheraton Waikiki
Royal Hawaiian

If you have any questions or if you are interested in a travel package to Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai or the island of Hawaii please contact us at Travel to Maui
www.traveltomaui.net
We are a Hawaiian based travel agency.

Maui Brewers Festival

The 1st annual Maui Brewers Festival was held on Saturday May 30, 2009 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC).

Maui showed off her perfect weather on Saturday. Light tradewinds, lots of sun and around 85 for most of the day.

The highlights of the day would be the great music, wonderful food and samples of beers from Hawaii and around the world.

If you are interested in attending the Maui Brewers Festival in 2010 please contact Travel to Maui
www.traveltomaui.net

Travel to Maui June 2009 top events

Looking for something fun to do on Maui in June? The top 2 events would be the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival (6/11-6/14) and the Wailea Film Festival (6/17-6/21).


The Kapalua Wine & Food Festival is being held 6/11-6/14 in Kapalua, Hawaii. The theme this year is "Carnival."

The Grand Tasting will be on 6/12/09. This event is located at the Ritz Carlton Maui. The hours are 6 pm-9 pm. It will feature 160 different wines with food tastings ranging from: red beans and rice, fish, shrimp boil, beef, hominy cakes, sausage jambalaya, and more.

Kapalua Seafood Festival will be on 6/14 also at the Ritz Carlton. With 120 different wines and 13 of the finest restaurants on Maui.
Including:
I'O/Pacific'O Restaurants
Pineapple Grill
The Plantation House Restaurant
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Roy's Restaurant Maui
Wolfgang Puck's "Spago"
The Banyan Tree
Kai Sushi Bar
Capische
Lahaina Grill
MCC - Culinary Academy
Son'z at Swan Court
Maui Merriman's Kapalua

For tickets or travel reservations please contact Travel to Maui at: http://www.traveltomaui.net/

The Wailea Film Festival is being held 6/17-6/21/09. Tickets and event times will be available online starting on 6/1/09. http://www.mauifilmfestival.com/

Maui Brewers Festival

Only 12 more days until Maui Brewers Festival at the Maui Arts& Cultural Center (MACC).

Saturday May 30, 2009 2:30-6:30pm Maui, Hawaii
Beer, keepsake commemorative mug, and great food and music.

You must be at least 21 years old to attend this event!

Buy your tickets early and save!
For tickets contact http://www.mauiarts.org/

For travel packages please contact Travel to Maui http://www.traveltomaui.net

Maui Brewers Festival

Maui Brewers Festival 5/30/09. Music, food and of course lots of beer. For tickets to the event contac: http://www.mauiarts.org/
For details on travel packages please contact: www.traveltomaui.net