by Peter Greenberg
|
| List Price: | $15.95 |
| Amazon Price: | $10.85 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
| You Save: | $5.10 (32%) |
| Average Rating: |  |
| Lowest New Price: | $4.50 |
| Availablitiy: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
|
 |
|
Product Description
Renowned travel authority and NBC Today show travel editor Peter Greenberg shares his insider secrets.
Americans now travel more than ever before. Yet as our traveling has increased, the service we receive from airlines, hotels, and other agencies has deteriorated dramatically. Industry surveys reveal what you already feel: growing dissatisfaction among travelers of every age, income, and education level. We've been abused by the travel experience. Peter Greenberg is here to help. The Travel Detective tells you the things most travel agents can't — or sometimes just won't — tell you. In his characteristic friendly and conversational tone, Greenberg tells how to find the secret walk-up fares that can save air travelers hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on last minutes flights; which coach seats on which planes are better than first class; the secret rule to know to avoid being bumped from a flight, which cruise ship brochures lie; which credit card companies are fastest — and slowest — to come to your aid in a foreign land, or worse, in the U.S.,; which hotels have the best — and the worst — fire and crime safety records, and how you can protect yourself; how to negotiate the best hotel room deal; which hotels have the worst water pressure in their showers (and better yet, how you can get great water pressure, even at those hotels); and much, much more. Accessible and entertaining, The Travel Detective gives you the information and tools you need to make every trip an affordable pleasure.
Amazon.com Review
The good news, according to travel writer Peter Greenberg, is that Americans are traveling more than ever before. The bad news is that we hate the process--the delayed flights, lost suitcases, overhyped cruises, and overpriced hotel rooms. We are a nation of unhappy but addicted travelers, doomed by our own inadequate travel planning and geographical ignorance. Never fear, though, the original savvy traveler has written the guide to end all guides on how to get to your destination and have a good time, too, by beating the airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and rental car agencies at their own games, playing by their own rules. Greenberg is hands down the right man for the job. Here is a guy who, just for laughs, checked in a double porcelain sink as a carry-on, crisscrossed the country on six different airlines over two days to see if the flights would be on time, and tested credit-card company claims of offering global assistance in an emergency by getting stuck in a ghost town in Death Valley. Not only that, he's traveled to 120 of the world's 187 countries. A tourist, says Greenberg, is a victim waiting to happen. The travel world is full of ridiculous and draconian rules, but there are no shortages of ways to finesse them. You just have to know what to avoid and how to ask the right questions. Greenberg explains how to get the cheapest fares, beat the Saturday-night-stay requirement, and the importance of Rule 240. He tells you the truth about frequent-flyer programs, where the secret flights and even secret seats are, and how to avoid being a PAWOB (passenger without bags). He's got tips for traveling with kids and pets, and the truth about the safety of infants flying on laps (as well as that infamous first-class flying pig). Once you've made it to your destination, he'll fill you in on the best time to call to get the lowest hotel rates, the right question to ask to get a room with good water pressure, and how to avoid hotel and rental-car rip-offs. He's even got advice for finding a cruise that lives up to its seductive description. This is one useful, fun, and readable guide. --Lesley Reed
Customers who bought this item also bought
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Disappointed, 2008-03-13
The full title of this book sounds great, but the book fails to deliver. Repetitive, boring, outdated and poorly organized and edited. Look online for up to date travel tips.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Not Great, 2008-01-04
This book is mostly about airlines. I was hoping for it to be more about hotels and how to get good service. I guess I should have found some reviews before buying the book. A lot of the information is older and you can't use now because of the changes made. I just would get this book from the library or the bargain book bin.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Read and save., 2007-10-30
Another of his books that help save money on your travels. Buy the book and enjoy the savings.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Im sure he has much more valuable stories to share..., 2006-03-11
I purchased this book after hearing the author speak at a Travel Show. His talk was both informative and entertaining. I expected his book to be some mix of his travel experiences and best practices the average traveller can apply.
I was quite disappointed. The book seems to be more of a diatribe against the travel industry. I do not work in that industry and I dont travel nearly as much as the author, so perhaps Im giving the travel industry too much leeway, but I dont see the need to write an entire book written in opposition of a mostly hardworking group of people.
Further, the "tips" in this book were either mostly non applicable to the general traveling public or completely common sense. I didnt need to read a book to tell me I should be courteous while traveling or I should shop around for the best fares.
The author was so much more pleasant, charming and informative in person that I hope he writes another book that focuses more on his personal experiences.
2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
 why are there so many angry reviews?, 2006-01-09
I am a frequent traveler who found the book interesting and informative about many seemingly illogical aspects of traveling the airlines. I suspect the angry reviews are from travel industry insiders who object to Greenberg's snarky tone.
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
|
|