Best ways to save on travel
Stop by these Web sites en route to your next vacation.
Value airline
Airlines reaped nearly $1.5 billion in baggage and ticket-change fees in the second quarter of 2010. But low-price Southwest has stuck with its fee policy: You can check two bags and book or change your ticket free.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Travel-booking site
Kayak.com scours hundreds of sources for the lowest prices in travel.
Bonus features: You can add bag costs to the fares on your search-results page, and you can view all flight destinations within a price range.
Vacation-rental site
Stay in a vacation rental and get more space and amenities than a hotel room provides for about the same cost. HomeAway.com offers the biggest selection of rental lodgings -- more than 230,000 properties.
Best site to score game and concert tickets
Avoid the shady scalpers with RazorGator.com. The site provides a platform for ticket sellers to connect with buyers, and it houses a massive selection of hard-to-find concert and sports tickets. The “Gator Guarantee” promises that tickets will always be on time, refunded for a canceled event, and replaced or reimbursed if lost in the mail. The service charge, or “connection fee,”is about 18%, which is typical, and shipping runs $17 to $20 extra. Keep in mind that 60% of visitors to ticket-resale sites pay more than face value. To maximize savings, stay flexible on seat location.
Best Twitter feed for flight deals
Sign up at FareCompare.com to receive city-specific tweets when fares drop for flights from your favorite airport to thousands of destinations worldwide.
Best eyeglass e-tailer
Beat the high cost of eyewear in retail stores
Paying full price for designer frames and contending with eyewear stores' "sales" are best avoided by using FramesDirect.com. The e-tailer generally shaves 30% to 50% off retail prices and includes free shipping on most products. FramesDirect has a massive selection of designer frames, from Gucci to Dolce & Gabbana, as well as bargain brands. You can upload a headshot and "try on" styles in a virtual dressing room.
-
13 Answers to Pressing Social Security QuestionsFrom smart claiming strategies for couples to tips on maximizing your monthly check, we have advice that can help you.
-
Keep Tax Collectors at Bay with Muni Bond FundsMunicipal bonds can be good insurance against inflation — and interest is tax-free. But as with all investments, understanding risk is key.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day? Everything We Know So Far, Plus Early DealsAmazon Prime Here are the key Amazon Prime Day dates and details you need to know, plus some of our favorite early deals to shop ahead of the sale.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
-
Retirees, It's Not Too Late to Buy Life Insurancelife insurance Improvements in underwriting have made it easier to qualify for life insurance, which can be a useful estate-planning tool.
