Lodging

Here are some of the most popular travel websites. Until ShopWiki becomes master of travel, go check these out to plan all your trips.

• Hotels -- A comprehensive hotel search, anywhere you'd want to go.
• Orbitz -- A great place to find your hotel and other travel accommodations.
• Perfect Hotels --Search for and to book hotels and other travel accommodations worldwide.
• TravelPost -- A blog/rating Web site with lots of reviews.
• Their ratings scale is not intuitive, but there is a long and complicated explanation in their FAQ.
• Travelocity -- Some clarification about what AAA and Yahoo scores for hotels.
• Vacation Rentals -- A guide to all kinds of vacation rentals all over the world.
• ViaMagazine -- Story about hotel rating systems.
• Keep in mind that Via is a publication of AAA.

Tips for Booking Hotels Online

There are numerous sites to use for searching for lodging, but it often happens that you find a deal you think is too good to be true. Like with everything, chances are that it is. In order to safeguard yourself and keep your plans from fizzling there are some things that you should be sure to do when booking lodging online.

Price and Quality The first thing that you should be worried about is what the room actually costs.

• The rates should be clearly stated. You should also know which currency is being used. Are the rates per person or per room, night, or for the entire stay? Is there a minimum occupancy?
• Find out about all the extra fees, including surcharges, taxes, gratuities, online booking fees, and any other service fees that you expect that you might need to use. What is included in this price?
• If there are amenities on site will you be charged an extra fee to use them? Is breakfast included in the total price? If so, what kind of breakfast is it? Continental style or cooked to order?
• What are you paying for, exactly? Sites that have user ratings and reviews can give you a better idea of what you are really getting into. Examine pictures closely and make certain that you are getting the right bed set up (twins, doubles, queens, or a king). Sometimes what you see is not what you get so you should always double check.
• Do you know where the hotel is located? This should be very clear to you. You should also have a good idea of what it will take to get to the hotel location. Is it near public transport? Is there ample and secure parking? Do they offer shuttle services to and from the airport? How far is it from the airport and the city center?

Reservation Details Always read the fine print and save copies of everything.

• Is the booking in real time? Or must you call a day later to confirm the booking? Is your reservation guaranteed? How long is the reservation guaranteed for in the case that you show up late?
• Once you make a reservation with your credit card, how much will be charged to the credit card? Will this sum be credited towards the final payment? Must you make a deposit? What happens to the deposit if you don't show up?
• Will you be billed if you don't show up? How far in advance must you cancel to get a refund for your money or to not be charged for a night's stay?
• Will it be easy to change, review, or cancel your reservation? What are the policies for doing so?

Special Needs

• Is the hotel able to offer the amenities and services you need?
• Is there a pool, gym, spa, restaurant, laundry services, Internet, room service, curfew, security guards or cameras, valet parking, wheelchair accessibility?