OMG!

I haven't entered in this thing since August.. and NOT ONE person has said a word to me. All my adoring fans have forsaken me!

Jen and I are off this week to Nashville by way of Indianapolis. Given the recent fun on the airlines and I'm sure the resulting increase in security.. driving is the way to go. Every time I fly.. I think 'why am I doing this? this is NOT fun." And while the drive to Nashville is about 8 hours or so.. I prefer it.

Rule #1 - the time between Christmas and the New Year is easily the best time of year to travel for fun. Simply, there is NO business travel this week and hotels are going begging. We got a 3.5 star hotel in Indy for the ridiculously low rate of $37.50.... thirty seven bucks.. roughly the cost of a round of drinks at a decent bar. The drive is pretty long to Nashville so we thought if we left Tuesday night and stayed in Indy we'd have more of a day to spend in "Music City" .

We are then going to Nashville where I found a Sheraton for $50/night!!!! Out by the airport. Rule #2 no business air travel makes for great rates out by an airport. Not so much in the downtown where touristy people might be hanging.

Thanks Priceline! for Nashville and thanks Hotwire! for Indy. This little trip points out how to use the two best sites online. For Indy.. we really wanted to be on the southwest side of the city to avoid 'rush hour' as we motored south toward Louisville. So I was as concerned about the area, than I was just price driven. I'd been following a 3.5 star hotel oh Hotwire for $46 for a week and I didn't think it would be going up... when it dropped to $37.50 I jumped on it.

For Nashville.. I just wanted to see how cheap I could get a hotel. With plenty of time on my hands between when I bid and when we left.. I made what I thought was an incredibly low bid. I was pleasantly surprised when they accepted my bid.

USA Today had an article a while back about how all of LAS VEGAS in on sale.. the best deal there was an all you could drink (wine or beer) buffet for $22! I'm sure it's still up somewhere on their site. if you like to travel and you like to do it cheaply.. right now is the time to go...anywhere (except Florida)

The best ways to Travel Decent ; Priceline and Hotwire

My friend, Greg, is the guy who really set me straight about Traveling Decent.  He was an 'early adopter' of Priceline.  

Most of the people I tell about Priceline and it's even better twin, Hotwire freak out about not knowing the hotel or where it's gonna be located. 

For the uninitiated, Priceline allows you to bid on an unknown hotel.  You know how many stars the property has (more about stars later) & where the hotel is located. 

For example, I love Chicago.. I love the River North area and the Mag Mile also.  I'm not a fan of the Loop at night.. there just isn't that much to do down there.  So I'm happy to bid on a 3 star (Holiday Inn is a 3 star) or higher hotel in either of my two favorite areas.    I don't mind having an unknown hotel because if I've never stayed there before.. it gives me a chance to check out another micro neighborhood. 

You have to give Priceline your credit card in advance and 'bid' on a property.  If you submit a bid and they accept it.. BOOM.. they hit your credit card for the amount right then and afterward.. you learn of your hotel.   I like the suspense, truthfully. 

If  you get 'turned down' for a bid.. you have to change something about the bid, besides the price.. if you've bid  3 stars and up for $60  (I've gotten 4 stars for $60)   then you have to drop your star level to 2.5 or change your area. 

Or.. you have to wait a certain period of time, before you can bid again.  However, recently, Priceline has taken to suggesting you jack your bid up a pre-determined amount and they will allow you a new bid.  

I watch those ads with Captain Kirk and like him.. I want to bid low.  So I generally say 'screw that'. 

I go to Hotwire, Priceline's benevolent cousin instead.  At Hotwire, they give you the number of stars and the location.. and the price.. you accept that deal by giving them your credit card (which goes BOOM again!)  and then you find out the hotel. 

That removes the joy of the bidding like a real man but the results are instant.. and that's good too. 

I managed to get the Drake in Chicago right after New Years this year for  $101 with taxes and fees.. one of the best deals I've ever gotten on a hotel.   An incredible hotel... couldn't have been more pleased.. with a view of Lake Shore Drive. 

And almost as good.. maybe better.. after Michigan State beat Kansas in the NCAA Regional  Semi- Finals  I was able to land the Spartan hotel in downtown Indy  for $55 for the Saturday night before the Sunday game vs. Louisville.  Not only was the location superb.. but we easily got that room for $100 less than others who stayed there. 

MSU beats Louisville... everyone wins.