Expedia or Direct Booking?

[moonstone]

having to shop for the clothes I'd need

We've only been on 4 Caribbean cruises (all with different companies to see which we liked best) and the most dressed up I ever got was a flower print cotton elastic waist skirt that I made, paired with one of 3 plain t-shirts the same colours as in the skirt. Add a nice chunky costume jewelry necklace or scarf and you're done. I even wore my Birkenstock sandals. That did me for 3 dinners. Another dinner I wore navy capris with a nice dressy tank top. Hubby wore Kaki slacks and golf shirts (with sandals) to dinners. There is no need to dress up at all on most ships these days. When 2 of our cruses had formal nights we went to the main dining room for a 5pm dinner in or casual clothes and nobody looked twice at us.

We would rather take a cruise than go to an all inclusive (done 2 of them) but timeshare stays are definitely our favorite.


~Diane

 

[Jan M.]

So now my brother texted me and said he found flights on American with decent connecting times out of Manchester.

I don’t know if I can deal with all this again.

Seems like this might be a sign it's meant to be.

Would flying out of Manchester be a lot less complicated in regards to the additional arrangements and less expensive in regards to the associated costs than flying out of Boston?

BTW even if you book a rental car through BJ'S, Sam's or Costco, you can still use the price tracker feature on www.autoslash.com to see if they can get you an even lower price.

If you need a hotel I've gotten good prices on Priceline express deals. If you Google Priceline promo codes there's always something for a percentage off the express deals.

If you do decide to come to Florida you might as well stay a little longer. You really ought to post in last minute rentals, check on Redweek and eBay, etc. to see if anyone has anything in St. Augustine since there are several timeshares there. You could even call one of the resorts to see if they have something. We just stayed at The Beach Club at St. Augustine (904-471-2626) again in December. St. Augustine is an interesting historical area. Plus it's only 45-50 minutes from Jacksonville. There's also the Legacy Vacation Resort in Palm Coast but it's not as close to Jacksonville. We haven't stayed at it but it's one I've considered and OP seem to like.

 

[heitmullerj02]

AARP uses Expedia and I have been using them for car rentals, cheaper than Costco every time. The cheaper flights will be Boston to Orlando, then the drive is about 2 hrs but not hard. My Dad lived in palm Coast for a few years so I would do Disney and drive up for the day to visit. The Legacy resort is older but spacious.

 

[silentg]

Ask your brother to help in booking. To be close to him Legacy at Palm Coast would be best since it’s in the city he lives. Hope it works out for you.

 

[montygz]

My advice is to always book direct. You can use the various online tools to shop, but when it is time to book, go to the company you will be a customer of.

If something goes wrong or an issue comes up, when you book directly through a hotel, airline or rental company it is much easier to get a resolution to your problem.

There is no "middle man" like Expedia that has to be dealt with that can serve as a roadblock to a resolution.

 

[WinniWoman]

Seems like this might be a sign it's meant to be.

Would flying out of Manchester be a lot less complicated in regards to the additional arrangements and less expensive in regards to the associated costs than flying out of Boston?

BTW even if you book a rental car through BJ'S, Sam's or Costco, you can still use the price tracker feature on www.autoslash.com to see if they can get you an even lower price.

If you need a hotel I've gotten good prices on Priceline express deals. If you Google Priceline promo codes there's always something for a percentage off the express deals.

If you do decide to come to Florida you might as well stay a little longer. You really ought to post in last minute rentals, check on Redweek and eBay, etc. to see if anyone has anything in St. Augustine since there are several timeshares there. You could even call one of the resorts to see if they have something. We just stayed at The Beach Club at St. Augustine (904-471-2626) again in December. St. Augustine is an interesting historical area. Plus it's only 45-50 minutes from Jacksonville. There's also the Legacy Vacation Resort in Palm Coast but it's not as close to Jacksonville. We haven't stayed at it but it's one I've considered and OP seem to like.

Yes- thanks. Have thought of all of this. And yes- Manchester is where we wanted to fly out of but the flights stink. Except for that one flight schedule my brother mentioned that is just about taken.

So the other day when I cancelled everything per his suggestion (I mean- I never told him this was going to cost like $5000 when all was said and done- just to go to Florida for a week! But he figured it out on his own. And I was going to do it despite it bothering me), my brother said to just take a day to think about it more and then revisit it. He was concerned if we don't visit this time we never will and he's probably right about that. Said he would call me yesterday- didn't want us to spend a lot of money. Again said we can stay with them and we wouldn't need a car. I said maybe we would do that then- just go for like 5 days total- 2 being travel days and stay with him. But then he never called yesterday.

Then this morning he sends me a text saying he gave it all more thought and the fact is it doesn't make sense given the time and effort and expense to just visit Palm Coast for a few days. Would be better if was part of a longer trip to other parts of Florida but not for just a few days, Said to save my energy and money for our trip to Italy in the fall.

I was on my way into church so I didn't respond. Sigh.......

My thoughts/gut is it is a big hassle to get there (and almost anywhere to fly from here). Driving is out of the question, as we hate driving long distances past like 6-8 hours. Not the types to take a week just to drive to a destination and then back again. Waste of time. As I mentioned I am not interested in visiting Florida as a vacation destination. Been there a few times in the past. Miami, Disneyworld and environs three times, Westin, Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades. Not been to the West coast, nor St Augustine-which again- would be nice to see and to see my aunt there, but that wouldn't take more than a day or so I would think.

As an aside, when my brother and sisterinlaw visited us last April after my surgery they drove from NY- 5 1/2 hours- on a Friday and left on Monday. They stayed in a local hotel since we do not have another bedroom. Up until that time had not seen them in 5 years! And we both lived in NY within and hour and a half driving distance! So there is more to this that I won't get into in terms of them rarely making an effort to be with us sometimes. So there's that. But honestly- this all said- if it were really easy to visit them I would be there in a heartbeat.

A little while ago I had suggested when they are in NY we could drive there, stay in a hotel for a week and visit them and maybe some friends and family we have on Long Island. But he's not sure what they are going to do with the apartment there, which they have been renting for various reasons. But he really wanted us to see their place in Florida.

 

[AnnaS]

Any possibility in the future planning a vacation together? Mutual place you both like/on your bucket list? you won't get to see his place but you will get to see your brother. Just another thought.

 

[WinniWoman]

Any possibility in the future planning a vacation together? Mutual place you both like/on your bucket list? you won't get to see his place but you will get to see your brother. Just another thought.

I really doubt it. They have always been the types to do their own thing, and the point of us visiting, for my brother at least, was also for us to see where they live, their house, etc., but I guess anything is possible. It won't be this year that's for sure, as we have 3 vacations already planned June VT log cabin to get away from BIKE week here, August our local timeshare in the mountains, and October the big Italy trip, and we love where we live in summer after getting through the cold, long winter and early spring so we plan on enjoying the lake- hubby fishing and me swimming and floating and sunning.

Plus anytime they have actually done things with us it was a few days at best. They are very private- more so than us- that's what's funny. They also like to be in control of everything.

Anyway, I called my brother, left a message and he called me back. Said he really thought it would be silly to go through the trouble of going down there for just a few days. He said it would be different if we were spending like 2 weeks maybe touring around Florida or whatever. Total change from his original stance on it.

Not sure why, but it's funny because I thought the same the whole time, so not sure why he only just came to this conclusion now, but I was willing to compromise to get to see him (and my aunt) and make him happy. I do feel a little sad about it but a sense of relief at the same time.

 

[Talent312]

Any possibility in the future planning a vacation together? Mutual place you both like/on your bucket list? you won't get to see his place but you will get to see your brother. Just another thought.

We once took a trip with my brother and his wife to the Abacos.
Just the four of us, I thought, how much trouble could that be?
Ha! His DW took an extra hour prepping for going out, anywhere.
We'd be cooling our heels in the lobby for an hour B4 anything.
That was a one and only.
.

 

[WinniWoman]

We once took a trip with my brother and his wife to the Abacos.
Just the four of us, I thought, how much trouble could that be?
Ha! His DW took an extra hour prepping for going out, anywhere.
We'd be cooling our heels in the lobby for an hour B4 anything.
That was a one and only.
.

Oh I get it.

I was never crazy about the idea of vacationing with other people. Maybe because my husband and I are basically from small immediate families and we only had one child. My brother also only has one child.

I just have one sibling- my brother. My husband had two older sisters who passed away fairly young- one in her 50’s and the other in her early 60’s. His mother died when he was 16.

We were the odd balls who moved to the secluded woods while everyone else lived in the city and suburbs. Even when we were young if we visited friends in the city we would not stay in their homes overnight. No matter the time we would head on home to sleep in our own beds and wake up in our own home.They thought we were nuts.

Again - a couple of days is ok- but not a week or more. We like to be on our own schedule more or less. We don’t want to always feel we have to do something we don’t want to do or when we don’t want to do it. And sometimes you end up spending way more money when you are away with other people. It gets old fast.

 

[AnnaS]

I had one vacation with a party and said never again (three women/my daughter and one other daughter/husbands stayed home). Vacations come up with some other people but no intentions of planning a trip with them.

When I was single, I had (still do/just not near me now) a great friend. We talked about getting an apartment together (we knew we never would). We did everything at home. Concerts, theatre, dinners, beach day, etc. One day we planned a trip together. Day one into the trip..........I was ready to run!!!!

We do have a few couples/families we take vacations with - we have for years/have a great time. Know each others style/routine. We do things together and separately.

We also vacation with my immediate family (kids/grandchildren/their in-laws) and we still do some together and some separate.

We go alone half the time. I don't talk anyone into a vacation. I don't want to be responsible for their good time. I go somewhere, you want to come? Great. But I don't want to be glued to you (this happened with my brother and his family on two trips many years ago/we had a great time /but not used to having someone who wants to do everything together

We have family and friends who have a second home - Florida. We are always invited to stay. We will get a hotel. Thank you. A night or two would have to be for some crazy reason/not planned/change of plans, etc. - just an overnight stop.

Mary-Ann it should not be this stressful to plan a trip/vacation. If you both want it to happen, without going crazy and spending a ton of money for a few days, it will happen some day. This is a family visit more than a vacation. Still important though and how important is it to both of you? Wishing you both the best - always nice to really catch up with family face to face (unless they just want to show off their place (I have one of those here too ).

(that gat a bit long).

 

[Cornell]

This is a family visit more than a vacation.

Was just here to say this. Perhaps the thinking should be "I'm going to visit family".

 

[WinniWoman]

Was just here to say this. Perhaps the thinking should be "I'm going to visit family".

That was mine all along. Visit family and go home. Unfortunately not so easy I guess.

 

[dougp26364]

So my brother has been begging me to visit him in Florida (Palm Coast). He wants us to stay with him but if we were to do that I wouldn't want to do it more than a few days. Company can overstay their welcome and we also like our privacy, despite what he says. With doing that we also would not be renting a car because he would pick us up at the airport, etc.

I haven't booked a vacation that involved flying on my own for a while (used a travel agent last time). I searched airfare and wow- just crazy to go from NH to Fla. So then I got to thinking we might as well stay for a week if we are going to do this. I went on Expedia and they have good package deals- hotel, flight and car. Easy to book, etc. Alternately when I go on the airlines website to just book the flights it is very expensive.

I am worried that booking a package with Expedia could be a problem in terms of any flight problems and we all now how often that happens these days.

Last time I ever used a third party for flights- Travelocity for a trip to Scotland (ages ago) - it was a nightmare with a cancelled flight that I had booked way ahead of time.

Any opinions on this greatly appreciated. I hate flying as it is. Thanks!

I have not read through all the response but will offer my opinion.

Anytime I have the option to book direct, I book direct. I haven't had a lot of issues but, when I have had them, I was always better off handling them on my own than through an online TA like Expedia or Orbitz. It's easier to make changes if necessary and be certain they're done correctly. It's easier to resolve an issue directly rather than through a third party. Most importantly, I like having control of the situation vs a phone jockey who may or may not be good at their job.

A personal TA would not bother me so long as I felt confident in their ability and so long as I was throwing enough business their way I felt like a valued customer. A personal TA needs to maintain their reputation if they want referral business. Unfortunately, large corporation have all but destroyed the local TA business by offering rates so low it's difficult to make a profit or even keep the lights on.

 

[jp10558]

A personal TA would not bother me so long as I felt confident in their ability and so long as I was throwing enough business their way I felt like a valued customer. A personal TA needs to maintain their reputation if they want referral business. Unfortunately, large corporation have all but destroyed the local TA business by offering rates so low it's difficult to make a profit or even keep the lights on.

Yea, with the hassle we had trying to plan out our trip to Ireland and England last November, we were seriously considering a TA, we even sort of know of one through an acquaintance of my Moms. But then we figured it just would HAVE to cost a bunch of money. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just can't see how they could even come close to parity with us just clicking through the internet sites.

 

[WinniWoman]

Yea, with the hassle we had trying to plan out our trip to Ireland and England last November, we were seriously considering a TA, we even sort of know of one through an acquaintance of my Moms. But then we figured it just would HAVE to cost a bunch of money. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just can't see how they could even come close to parity with us just clicking through the internet sites.

I was very happy to use a long time local TA for our tour last year to South Dakota- even though I actually picked out the tour I wanted myself before calling her.

She was invaluable for her suggestions and points about things I didn’t think of. So we are using her for our trip to Italy as well.

Again- I chose the tour I wanted and then went to her to set things up. As it gets closer we will meet with her again to set up airfare and some other things. Less stressful and time consuming.

For something like Florida I figured I could handle it, but I did consider even calling her for that. Maybe I should have- I don’t know.

 

[WinniWoman]

Just read 2 Jet Blue airplanes collided at Logan Airport. Glad cancelled my jet blue flights out of Logan for April.

Have I mentioned how I hate to fly?

 

[PigsDad]

Just read 2 Jet Blue airplanes collided at Logan Airport. Glad cancelled my jet blue flights out of Logan for April.

Have I mentioned how I hate to fly?

It was the equivalent of a fender bender.

I assume you hate traveling by car even more, since the probability of getting in an accident in an automobile is much, much higher. Otherwise, your hatred is severely misplaced and/or illogical.

Kurt

 

[WinniWoman]

It was the equivalent of a fender bender.

I assume you hate traveling by car even more, since the probability of getting in an accident in an automobile is much, much higher. Otherwise, your hatred is severely misplaced and/or illogical.

Kurt

Well I do know that, but there has been a lot of accidents lately with the airlines, so much so that there have been recent articles written about the concerns the FAA has with safety. Too many planes on the tarmacs, some near misses in flight, bolts not put on, lack of pilots and air traffic controllers, etc. Then you have these wackos on the planes and essentially you are stuck on the plane with them with no way out. I find planes very confining. Then add my fear of heights.

I also hate driving in high traffic areas like cities- yes. That, too.

Everyone has fears of something.

 

[geist1223]

My only fear is that I will out live having a usable and functioning body and brain.

 

[AnnaS]

I hate, hate flying also. I don't let it stop me (well a little). If I did not hate it so much (fear), I would fly to many places that are 5 hours plus just as often as the shorter flights. I will not book connecting flights unless I have no choice (recently Italy/but they now have a direct airline again NEOS to Palermo from NY). They have had direct here and there over the years. I was almost in tears the night before our flight to Italy and the morning of. I have flown to Spain and Italy before (as far as long flights). Just not as often as I would love to.

I book the flight, stress over it a little until it's time to fly. Stress a lot before the flight and then I say to myself, "if something is going to happen, so be it. It's my time".

My oldest son, years ago had no fear of flying/went skydiving, has refused to fly for many years. The last trip where we all flew to Disney, he almost cancelled the night before. He flew, as soon as we landed, he took his seatbelt off and said, I am not flying home. He booked Amtrak back with his then Fiancé (now wife). No honeymoon to Hawaii as planned. They drove to the Keys. Now he drives everywhere and she flies with the kids (meets him at the location). We all hope he will fly again someday.

I will tell you another one if I have not mentioned it before. My daughter and I took a trip with school for a Track and Field trip years ago. We were on the plane with our seat belts buckled. Doors were being closed. My daughter got nervous paying attention to two passengers. She unbuckled her seatbelt and got off the plane. I had to run after her. Everyone was trying to talk to her if she "heard something" (lot going on back then). She almost got the two men kicked off the plane. We could not convince her to get back on. Bye, bye plane with our luggage. I did convince her to get on the next flight.

She has flown since then - thankfully.

I hear you well!!!

 

[Cornell]

It was the equivalent of a fender bender.

I assume you hate traveling by car even more, since the probability of getting in an accident in an automobile is much, much higher. Otherwise, your hatred is severely misplaced and/or illogical.

Kurt

I'm in the middle of figuring out the logistics of getting my college aged daughter moved from point A to point B. Decided no to an 18 hour drive will be shipping her car and flying the people.

When I look in my local media, police reports at the details of bad car accidents (and there are a lot) they usually involve details like: drunk drivers, drivers on drugs, people falling asleep, people with no valid license, people with no insurance, really old people who probably shouldn't be driving, teens who take incredible risks (and also probably shouldn't be driving), etc etc.

Practically all of that is mitigated when flying.

 

[geist1223]

When flying I like to keep my Takeoffs and Landings the same number. I have been flying since I was 6. First flight was Northern California to Oah'u. It was a Prop Plane. Took off in the AM. Landed after Sunset.

 

[Talent312]

My former FIL wanted to take his wife to Italy where he served in WWII. He would tell us war stories and talked about giving tours of Pompeii. But she was too afraid to fly. They never went (both have passed). Such a shame... I've been 4x (twice with my 1st wife).

My (current) wife was in a plane that slid off a runway in a snowstorm. She does not hesitate to fly.
.

 

[clifffaith]

I'm in the middle of figuring out the logistics of getting my college aged daughter moved from point A to point B. Decided no to an 18 hour drive will be shipping her car and flying the people.

When I look in my local media, police reports at the details of bad car accidents (and there are a lot) they usually involve details like: drunk drivers, drivers on drugs, people falling asleep, people with no valid license, people with no insurance, really old people who probably shouldn't be driving, teens who take incredible risks (and also probably shouldn't be driving), etc etc.

Practically all of that is mitigated when flying.

Facebook has taken to offering up dash cam car crashes in between cats being cute and silly dog and horse antics. I am a mess as a front seat passenger on the freeway these days. If we have a freeway trip coming up, for several days I consciously bypass watching nuts and bolts flying everywhere.