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8 Websites That Will Change the Way You Book Travel

These tools are what the pros use to stretch their miles, find flight deals, and have the best air travel experiences possible..

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Websites and mobile apps help travelers compare deals, find cheap flights, book hotel rooms, and maximize miles.

Photo by Keith Chan/Unsplash.com

For many travelers, planning a journey is a simple matter of point and click—but there are some amazing booking sites and online tools you may not know about that belong in your travel arsenal. These eight websites can change the way you find price drops, reserve hotel rooms, and book flights at the lowest fares .

1. ITA Matrix

When booking air travel, there are lots of websites that scour the interwebs to find the lowest fares. Many, however, have extremely limited search results, which is why the comprehensive ITA Matrix airfare search comes in handy. The software pairs a wide variety of airlines, classes of service, and even neighboring airports together to show you the lowest fares within the date ranges you’ve entered. Similar to a Kayak.com search, you cannot book travel directly from the site. But ITA Matrix 3.0 is now powered entirely by Google technology, so once you’ve determined the best flight deal, the website directs you to Google Flights when it’s time to book.

2. Lounge Buddy

Lounge Buddy and its corresponding mobile app helps travelers find lounges in airports around the world. The app has a full selection of more than 420 airport clubs and lounges. Each listing includes information about the lounge’s amenities, operating hours, and location, plus user photos and reviews. If you don’t have elite status or lounge membership, don’t fret: The app lets you purchase select airport lounge passes directly through its network on the day of travel or up to two months in advance. The best part of the app is that it is fully functional even when your phone is in airplane mode, giving you lounge options to choose from before you land.

3. Where to Credit

Many domestic airlines have altered frequent flier programs to award miles based on ticket cost rather than distance flown. If you are not interested in elite status (plus the free upgrades and fee waivers that come with it), Where to Credit allows you to maximize your miles through an airline partner’s rewards program rather than with the airline you’re flying. It does this by comparing how many award miles you’ll get with each airline rewards program in an alliance and directing you toward the airline partner with which you’ll maximize the most miles. It’s important to review other airlines’ redemption charts to make sure they don’t impose too many surcharges when making a reservation, but crediting to a foreign program could be the ticket to faster free flights in a world of less-generous North American programs.

4. Expert Flyer

A treasure trove of information, Expert Flyer is a huge resource for frequent fliers, but it is not for novice users. For those schooled in fare codes, this is a great way to see which flights have award availability for free flights or upgrades. Fancy that exit row window? The site, which charges a $5 monthly subscription fee to access most of its basic capabilities, shows full seat map availability and allows you to set alerts for specific seats or even award space so that you’re the first to know when it becomes available. Not all airlines are included, but this one site can take the sting out of booking award tickets.

5. Evreward

If you’re a smart online shopper who also likes to earn miles and points, Evreward is your new best friend. Buyers type in the name of the online store they are interested in, and the site provides names of all the airline, hotel, credit card, and cash back portals that participate in perks and rewards programs—plus how much they will award you when you shop. This website will help beef up your mileage balances so that when it comes time to book your next award flight, you will have more than enough miles to do so.

6. Award Maximizer

With a simple interface, this Travel Codex search engine essentially allows you to search multiple airline award offerings at once. First, you enter the airport codes for the origin and destination of your upcoming journey. The website then pulls up award prices from 14 different airlines to match your trip and shares any booking or fuel surcharges so that you can choose the cheapest flight option. The results page also displays icons next to loyalty programs that represent transfer partners—such as Starwood Preferred Guest, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Amex Membership Rewards—and provides links that help you book a ticket.

7. Flight Aware

Among the many airline websites out there, Flight Aware does a great job of allowing you to track flights around the world in real time by simply inputting information about an operator, airport, or even specific aircraft type. This website, which can also be used via a mobile tracker app , is particularly valuable if you want to see where your aircraft is coming from or learn about an anticipated delay.

8. The Flight Deal

Want to find the greatest airfare deals—and sometimes even mistake fares—before all of the other travelers planning upcoming adventures? Try The Flight Deal , which posts multiple travel deals daily, including details on how to book the cheapest flights within the United States. The site tells you how many miles you would earn in a given airline’s mileage program and includes sample dates of travel, plus any restrictions that come with the fare deal. It also outlines hotel rooms and car rental services and allows you to compare prices so you can save money.

This article originally appeared online in 2016; it was updated in October 2018 to include current information.

>>Next: The Addictive Cheap Flights Newsletter You Need to Subscribe to Right Now

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How To Plan a Trip: Clark’s Best Travel Tips To Save Money

Most of us have to book travel at some point or another, whether it’s for work, to visit family and friends or just to get away from it all on vacation.

Money expert Clark Howard , a former travel agent himself, has spent decades perfecting the art of planning and booking trips. In this article, we’ll share his secrets and show you how to use all of the available tools to make travel plans that suit your needs at the lowest possible price.

Booking Travel the Clark Howard Wa y

How to plan a trip, how to book flights, how to find a hotel or other lodging.

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How To Book Bus or Rail Tickets

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When To Buy Travel Insurance

• Travel the Clark Howard Way

The very first thing you need to do is to make a plan. It can be as simple or as involved as you want it to be. Some people love to fly by the seat of their pants and do minimal planning, while others like to have every minute of an itinerary accounted for before they leave the house.

No matter which type of traveler you are, there are some basic steps you’ll need to take if you want to travel on a budget:

• Select your destination: In some cases, your destination will be selected for you, and there will be no decision to make. Other times, you might have some days off from work and decide you want to scratch a place off your bucket list. Or, if you’re like Clark, you might just wait for a deal to come along and let the destination pick you .
• Figure out your trip length: If you have only a few days off, this might already be decided for you. But if you have some flexibility in your schedule, being fluid with the number of days in your trip could be the key to saving money on travel expenses. And your destination can play into this part of the decision-making. For example, you might be able to do everything you want to do in a smaller city in a day or two, but taking in everything important to you in New York City might take a week or more.
• Research your destination: If you’re going somewhere for the first time, you’ll want to get the lay of the land. Figuring out what you want to accomplish on your trip can help you decide exactly where you want to stay and how you intend to get around. The research process can also help you start figuring out approximate costs of things (lodging, transportation, attractions and meals) so that you can make sure you stay within your budget.
• Know the rules: Policies and procedures can change frequently and quickly. It’s crucial to ensure you have all documents (like a driver’s license, passport and any other required information) before leaving home. Lori Silverman from Team Clark’s Consumer Action Center recommends checking Travel.State.Gov for the latest information on your destination. And also remember to check the latest health-related regulations for your destination at the CDC website .

Once you’ve got the planning part down, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to get to where you’re going. If your destination isn’t within easy driving distance or you simply don’t want to drive, an airline flight is probably going to be your best option.

Booking flights has come a long way since the days when you had to call a travel agent or the airline itself to buy tickets. Now, there are literally thousands of places to turn to book a flight. So how do you find the best price?

Conventional wisdom has held for a while that there is a “perfect” day of the week to book air travel. With the advent of dynamic pricing , that has changed. According to Team Clark’s travel expert, Clara Bosonetto, “Technology has marched on from the days of manually loading new prices. Airfares are now updated constantly and automatically using complex algorithms.”

But it’s still important to have a strategy. Flexibility is the key to landing a great deal. When you have firm travel plans, start gathering airline quotes several weeks in advance , but resist making a purchase until you’ve learned the fare patterns to your destination or until an excellent deal comes along.

We’ve found that the most robust flight search engine is Google Flights .

“Google Flights should be the first website to visit to search domestic and international airfares before you jump over to a specific airline to book a flight,” according to travel expert Clara Bosonetto. “With its many filters, it’s the best site to use when you must fly on a specific airline, must have a nonstop flight, you have a multiple city trip (flying into one city and out of another) or you want to book one-way travel.”

When you search your itinerary, Google Flights will show you options for your selected dates and let you know if the prices are higher, lower or about average for your route. The site also lets you explore fares on alternate dates with its calendar and price graph features.

Once you’ve selected a flight, the site will show you the total cost of your ticket and what’s included with that fare. You’ll also see options for upgraded tickets (if available) and what paying more will get you. If checked bags are not included in your fare, the site will let you know what that will cost you.

When you’re ready to book, Google Flights will send you directly to the airline’s website to complete your transaction.

The site will also let you track prices, which can potentially help you save big on airfare. When you toggle the “Track Prices” button (you must be signed in to your Google account), Google will send you alerts if the price on your selected route changes. It is important to note that fares on Southwest Airlines do not appear on Google Flights.

See our full guide to using Google Flights here.

When it comes to planning where you stay during your trip, there are a lot of options. The increasing popularity of Airbnb and other private accommodation booking services means more choices for travelers.

Still, some people prefer to stay in a hotel when they travel, and Clark has a three-step process for booking a great hotel room on a budget.

1. Book a Refundable Room

“If I’m flying somewhere — you usually book your airfare pretty well in advance — I also book a hotel room at the same time,” Clark says. “I book the best deal I can find for where I’m going but always a refundable room.”

Doing this leaves you the option to cancel the room if you find a better deal in the days leading up to your trip.

2. Search for Better Deals Before Your Trip

That’s where the next step comes in: really doing the research to find the best deal.

“I already know I have a room if I need it,” Clark says. “But I want a deal! So what I do is heavily concentrate on Hotwire and Priceline , two sources where you don’t know where you’re staying until you book nonrefundable.”

Clark understands that some people might be uncomfortable not knowing the name of their hotel before they book. That’s why we published our guide to finding out which Hotwire or Priceline hotel you’re getting before you book .

As for when you’re likely to find the best deals on those sites, Clark has a strategy: “I’ll check throughout the time period leading up to my travel, but I especially concentrate one week out and less,” he says. “A lot of times, the best deals are the last few days before you travel.”

Clark also checks other hotel booking sources to compare prices to what he finds on Priceline and Hotwire, including:

• Trivago : a handy hotel comparison site for travelers
• Hotels.com : site that offers a price guarantee and often offers discount codes for room bookings
• Roomer : a hotel site that lets you buy beds from motivated sellers who bought nonrefundable rooms

3. Cancel the Original Booking

The last thing you need to do, assuming you’ve found a better deal, is to cancel your original refundable booking.

“Occasionally that room you booked when you booked your airline deal will be the best hotel deal you’ll find,” Clark says. “But if you do it my way, most of the time you’re going to save big bucks.”

See Clark talk about his three-step hotel booking process in the video below.

If you’re looking for a more unique travel experience, Airbnb , VRB O or the vacation rentals offered through major travel sites such as Tripadvisor or Expedia , might be the way to go. This also applies if you need a larger space, prefer to have your own cooking facilities or if you plan to stay for more than a couple of nights in a destination.

You’ll sometimes get a much better deal by renting a home or condo from a private owner. But take care to know the all-in price before you hit that “Reserve Now” button. In a recent podcast , Clark pointed out that more and more vacation rentals are tacking on fees that end up making the total much higher than you’d expect when you look at the nightly rate.

See our guide for how to book the best — and safest — Airbnbs here.

How To Book a Rental Car

So, you’ve taken care of your flight and lodging plans, but you might need some way to get around on your trip. Some destinations are totally walkable. Others have great public transportation. But if you need a car, there is a strategy to booking a cheap rental.

Here are Team Clark’s six steps to getting a great deal on a rental car.

1. Figure Out What Kind of Vehicle You Need

Whether you get a sedan, SUV or van, you need to make sure the vehicle you rent makes sense for you. Important questions to ask yourself include:

• How many people will be traveling?
• How much, if any, luggage will I need to stow?
• Do I need more than two doors to accommodate car seats or special needs?
• Will I need a vehicle that can handle rough terrain?
• Do I care if the vehicle is a basic model, or do I want something more luxurious?

2. Start Your Research With AutoSlash

The first part of your search for a rental car is a secret to a lot of people, but one that Team Clark has found can save you a lot of money: a site called AutoSlash .

One of the great things about AutoSlash is that the site will monitor the vehicle you select and email you if the price on the rental drops between the time you book and the time you pick it up, allowing you to re-book at the lower price. Read our full review of saving money on rental car bookings with AutoSlash here.

3. Check the Other Aggregator Sites

Once you’ve established the lowest price you can get on your desired vehicle through AutoSlash, it’s time to compare prices on the other sites that aggregate rental car rates. Some of the most popular and trustworthy are:

• Travelocity

4. See if You Can Get a Better Deal Directly From the Rental Car Company

Once you’ve established the best deal available between AutoSlash and the major travel booking sites, head directly to the rental agency to see if it can match or beat the price you’ve already found, either on the agency’s website or by calling on the phone.

5. Book the Best Deal

Generally, with car rentals, you’re just reserving the car and not paying upfront. That means you won’t even have to give up a credit card number to lock in your reservation. It also means that, unlike most airline tickets and hotel reservations, you won’t be penalized if you need to cancel or change your reservation later.

6. Check Back a Week Before Your Trip To See if Prices Have Dropped

Finally, since you’re not locked into your reservation with a credit card, you have one more trick up your sleeve, and it’s one of Clark’s favorite travel tips.

“When I book my flight weeks or months before the actual date of travel, I also book my car rental at the same time,”  he says. “Then a week before my travel date, I re-shop the car rental rate. At least 90% of the time, I find that I can book a new car cheaper at the last minute, so I just let my old reservation go.”

READ MORE: 6 Steps To Getting the Best Car Rental Deal

Whether you don’t like flying or you want to enjoy the landscape, you might decide to travel by bus or train. If that’s your plan, here’s how to find the best deals.

Bus Tickets

There are a number of internet resources for booking bus tickets. Go online to the following bus travel sites:

• Wanderu : This transit website and app specialize in affordable bus and train fares (but also offers flights and hotels) in North America and Europe.
• Gotobus.com : This lists ticket prices for bus rides, bus rentals and hotels. The Deals  tab has some of the most affordable bus tickets around.
• CheckMyBus : CheckMyBus is a travel portal that claims it can save you up to 70% on average and offers the most bus routes worldwide.
• Busbud : Busbud is well-regarded for its comprehensive search results and mobile app. The site, which shows routes in more than 63 countries, also has user-submitted travel reviews for every route. If you search online, you may even be able to find a discount code, which could save you up to 20% on selected travel routes.

Read more about how to find cheap bus fares here.

Train Tickets

When it comes to domestic train travel, Amtrak is pretty much your only interstate choice. The rail carrier covers more than 21,000 miles across 46 states.

If you want to purchase train tickets at the lowest possible price, keep these things in mind:

• Look for discount Saver and SmartFares: Saver Fares are usually web-only specials that require the advance purchase of tickets. SmartFares are weekly discounts that are typically used to fill up trains. The tickets are nonrefundable and subject to availability.
• Seek out discounts: Amtrak offers 50% discounts for children , 10% for seniors , 10% for military personnel and their families and 10% for disabled adults and their companions.
• Check out Amtrak’s Deals page: Amtrak’s Deals page often features buy-one-get-one-free specials and special prices on select routes.
• Sign up for the rewards program: Join Amtrak’s Guest Rewards program , and not only will you get deals sent straight to your inbox, but you earn two points per dollar spent on Amtrak. You can redeem those points for upgrades and free travel.
• Look for special offers at RailServe.com : It has an Amtrak coupons section .

Read more about how to save on domestic train tickets here.

For booking international rail travel, it’s hard to beat UK-based International Rail . Bookings can be made for 66,000 point-to-point routes in Europe, including on Eurostar, French TGV, German ICE, InterCity, EuroCity and Spanish high-speed trains. Rail bookings for other regions include Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South Africa.

How To Book a Cruise

During an episode of his podcast early this year , Clark warned about booking a cruise in 2022 because of still-changing conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He cited the fact that, depending on COVID restrictions, some ports on your cruise might not allow passengers to disembark. He also pointed out that COVID protocols on some ships can make for a less than optimal cruising experience.

As the pandemic waxes and wanes, so does the availability of cruises and deals. “Now you have to do a lot more picking and choosing,” Clark says, adding that before you can find a good cruise deal, you need to make a couple of adjustments regarding your mindset and travel plans.

“You have to adjust to today’s reality and adjust  how you book  with the flexibility of the ship you go on, and particularly  when you sail to get the best deal,” he says.

It is important to check on current guidelines from the CDC and the policies of individual cruise lines before you book.

Keeping in mind all those caveats, Clark has three primary rules to follow when it comes to booking cruises.

1. Let the Calendar Save You Money

“There are certain cycles through the year when cruise lines have trouble filling all their cabins, and that’s when you steal the great deals,” he says.

So when is typically the best time to book?

“After Thanksgiving but before Christmas kicks off is a bargain time for any kind of travel — and cruises are right in the midst of that,” he says.

Comparison shopping will give you a better understanding of what prices should look like at certain times of the year.

One of Team Clark’s favorite sites for finding last-minute cruise deals is  VacationstoGo.com . (Note: We do not recommend that you book on this site , but it’s a good place to do research.) If you want to compare prices from multiple travel agencies, CruiseCompete.com can also be a good source.

2. Don’t Let Cruise Brand Loyalty Cost You More

Some people are really loyal to cruise line brands, but that can absolutely kill your budget.

Clark’s advice is when planning your trip, venture away from what you know and explore other companies and what they’re about: “Look at things like experimenting with cruise lines you’re not that familiar with.”

Clark does offer this one caution though: “Never book a deal on a cruise just because it’s a deal. You need to really be comfortable that that ship is going to fit your lifestyle, the things that you’re interested in.”

The price won’t matter much if you find yourself on a cruise ship that doesn’t mesh with your expectations. Do the research.

3. Read the Reviews

You should try to get a balanced view of the cruise lines and particular ships you’re interested in, so it’s best to read some reviews.

Clark recommends a site where you can take a deep dive into cruise ship specs as well as deals and booking tips.

“I’d love for you to spend time on CruiseCritic.com , reading about a ship before you book on that ship,” he says. “Additionally, you can look closely at the various individual cabins to make sure you don’t get in a cabin that’s going to be a problem because it’s in a noisy area of the ship, for example.”

Another really helpful tip is to ask family, friends and coworkers if they have any recommendations. And travel agents who specialize in cruises sometimes have the inside scoop on particular ships and itineraries.

Now more than ever, it is important to consider purchasing travel insurance because of the still-changing travel conditions related to COVID-19. There are many different types of travel policies available, but there are two types we recommend that will likely cover most of your needs.

The best policy is one that allows you to cancel for any reason. It happens to be called Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, and Clark says it’s great because it can you get at least most of your money back no matter why you decide not to make the trip.

Even before the pandemic, Clark recommended getting CFAR insurance for these four types of travel:

• Embarking on a cruise
• Booking a tour as part of your trip
• Traveling on an itinerary that requires prepayment of thousands of dollars
• Purchasing a trip that is non-refundable

“If you book a tour or you book a cruise — those two in particular — if you’re going to lose all your money regardless of why you can’t come, then you need to get insurance,” Clark says.

Clark recommends that you comparison shop for travel insurance that suits your needs at InsureMyTrip . It’s an aggregator site that helps you analyze all of the different choices available.

In addition to a CFAR policy, you may also want to consider travel medical insurance.

“The thing with international travel, which almost nobody knows until it’s a big problem, is that your health insurance usually doesn’t cover you outside the United States,” says Clark.

Read our full article on travel medical insurance here .

Travel the Clark Howard Way: Let the Destination Pick You

Over the years, Clark has used a trip-planning strategy that has allowed him to visit 49 states and almost every corner of the globe without spending a lot of money. His secret is surprisingly simple.

“My #1 rule of travel is buy the deal first and then figure out why you want to go there. By following that simple rule, I’ve been able to visit every continent except Antarctica and every state except North Dakota. And I’ve done it all on a dime.”

In order to accomplish this, Clark does three things that you can do, too.

1. Don’t Pick a Destination

How do you figure out where the deals are? Kayak Explore is a tool that lets you find great airfare deals that fit your budget.

You simply select how much you’re willing to pay and available destinations in your price range pop up on a world map. You can drill down further by season and month of travel.

2. Sign Up for Cheap Flight Services

Another way to approach the question of how to travel on the cheap is to sign up for any of a variety of cheap flight services. Clark likes and subscribes to all three of these to get the early word about the best airfare sales:

• Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights )
• Dollar Flight Club

Going and Dollar Flight Club both operate on a freemium model. You can use a basic version of their services for free, but you have to pay to upgrade in order to access a more robust version of the service. Clark says the upgrade is worth it if you really love to travel.

3. Set Up Fare Alerts

Not everybody can be flexible and let the deal drive their travel plans all the time. If you have a place you know you need to go — maybe a wedding or a family reunion — your best bet is to set up fare alerts.

Fare alerts will let you know when the price on a particular route drops and by how much. This kind of pricing perspective can save you a lot of money.

“They’ll be able to give you historical averages, telling you this fare is lower than normal by X number of dollars,” Clark says.

Try setting up fare alerts on both Google Flights and Kayak to ensure you find the best deal.

Read more about how Clark Howard books travel here.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have Clark’s advice for planning and booking a trip on a budget, you should be ready to pack your bags.

We know the process can be intimidating, especially when you’re going somewhere you’ve never been before. In fact, there are times when we recommend you consult a travel agent for help .

But for the majority of cases, if you follow the steps outlined above, you’ll be on your way to your next adventure without breaking the bank.

All set to go? Find your next vacation destination at a great price over on Clark Deals!

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I’m a passionate traveler . I’ve been living abroad for the last ten years and have traveled extensively around the world with my family. I’ve always created our own itineraries and started sharing some tips and tricks with others. Soon I found myself helping friends and friends of friends with their travel plans. The positive feedbac k I got from all of them made me turn my passion into a business.

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Travel Your Way – (Ebook)

AUD $ 15.99

Click here for Paperback  |  Audiobook

Travel is the opposite of prejudice; it is curiosity, openness, and connection. Now, when our world is in flux, travel matters more than ever. How we travel has changed, but why we travel has not. With barriers and restrictions coming and going at a dizzying rate, now is the time to learn how to make the most out of whatever travel opportunities we are able to seize.

With the right techniques and attitude, travel can open our eyes to new cultures and dispel stereotypes. It can force us out of our comfort zone. However, the benefits travel can unlock – increased understanding of the world, greater courage, better connection between cultures – don’t come automatically. Truly experiencing foreign cultures is something we need to work at.

From advice on how to accurately understand new places to practical tips on meeting with locals, overcoming the language barrier, and asking the right questions , Travel Your Way shows you how to discover the world on your own terms. The result is a more rewarding journey and a greater sense of connection to everywhere you go, whether you’re on a business trip, or backpacking across the globe.

Learn how to make the most of every place you go by seeing the world with open, curious eyes, plan with excitement for future journeys, and reflect with greater appreciation on the travels you have experienced so far.

“A serious-minded and thoughtful engagement with some of the joys and contradictions that travel brings to light, illustrated by rich vignettes from the author’s own adventures on the road. An engaging, articulate and enjoyable guide

Nick Hunt, author of   Walking the Woods and the Water , Where the Wild Winds Are and Outlandish .”

SPECIFICATIONS eBook | 232 pages

• Published Reviews

Additional information

Nathan James Thomas founded Intrepid Times in 2014 as a vehicle for sharing stories from the road and as an excuse to meet and interview his favourite writers.

It has since grown into a popular home for travel writing with heart, attracting hundreds of contributors and thousands of readers from around the world. Nathan’s own travel writing has been published in places like Roads and Kingdoms, Outpost Magazine, and New Zealand Memories , and his work as a ghostwriter has been featured in  Forbes,  the Huffington Post , and the Harvard Business Review .

Originally from New Zealand, Nathan lived in China for two years and is currently based in Eastern Europe.

He is the editor of the travel writing compilation Fearless Footsteps , also published by Exisle.

How we travel has changed; why we travel has not. Travel is curiosity, openness, and connection. In this thought-provoking guide, wanderers, dreamers and nomads are challenged to enhance their understanding of the world by exploring it on their own terms. With practical advice on getting off the tourist trail, connecting with locals, and understanding a place by asking the right questions, readers are given the tools to overcome barriers and restrictions and bring the world together.

NZ Booklovers

Nathan invites us to rediscover the world on our own terms. He is redefining the travel guide genre by not looking at where to travel, but how to travel.  Ultimately, Nathan has written the book he wished was written when he first set out on a solo journey as a 17 year old. If you’re considering backpacking, long term travel, annual leave or travelling for work Nathan shows how to make the most of every  place we visit.  Learn how to move beyond your comfort zone, overcome language barriers, connect with locals and understand the real story of the places you visit.

“Travel, now more than ever, deserves to be done well.”

Australian Women’s Weekly 

“Examines how to get more front the time you spend as a stranger in strange lands”. Click here to read”  Click here to view

Let’s Find Out (Science Teachers Association of Victoria) “offers sound advice to the prospective traveller.”

“This pandemic-proof edition of  Travel Your Way  is one for our tricky times, “with barriers and restrictions coming and going at a dizzying rate”. Thomas outlines steps you can take to enhance your travels and get more out of those trips you are able to make. We need to take travel seriously again. In this age of inequality and divide, look on it as a calling and a mission, which could help heal and connect. “True travel requires us to be humble. You cannot travel without first making yourself vulnerable.”

“It looks like we had to experience the loss of travel to understand how much we really need it!”

Craig Storti, author of  Why Travel Matters and The Hunt for Mount Everest “Travel Your Way has something for everyone: great first-person stories, thoughtful reflections on the meaning and impact of travel, and practical advice on how to get the most out of your journey. It doesn’t preach—hence the title—but life lessons abound in these pages nonetheless.”

The Senior Newspaper “From advice on how to accurately understand new places, to practical tips on meeting with locals, overcoming the language barrier and asking the right questions, Thomas shows you how to discover the world on your own terms. The result is a more rewarding journey and a greater sense of connection to everywhere you go.” Click here to read

School Days Magazine

“If you are thinking of travel from a cultural perspective and getting to know a country in-depth there are some good tips and advice.”

Food &Travel.com

“The author challenges readers to many aspects of travel: thinking deeply, empathising with locals, accepting differences more readily, and much more.” Click here to read

Nick Hunt, author of   Walking the Woods and the Water , Where the Wild Winds Are and Outlandish .” “A serious-minded and thoughtful engagement with some of the joys and contradictions that travel brings to light, illustrated by rich vignettes from the author’s own adventures on the road. An engaging, articulate and enjoyable guide

Carmel McMurdo Audsley, Good Reads “Reading this book makes you want to cherish the wonderful experience that travel is, and plan to get the most out of every destination. If you want to be a true traveler rather than just a tourist, you will find some great advice in this book. The influence of social media means that so many people travel to be seen, rather than to connect. If you are focused on yourself, you can miss the whole experience. Perhaps it will not be the selfies you took, but the people you met and experiences you had, that you will always remember. A book written from experience, with practical tips for your next adventure.”

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Going by Train

The complete new zealand railways story.

Railways played a pivotal part in the development of New Zealand’s economy, towns and cities, and helped shape a distinctive culture. This is a comprehensive account of our railways story, from the earliest days of the colony, through rail’s growth and golden days, slow decline and recent resurgence. Fully illustrated, and written in a very readable style, rail fans and general readers alike will enjoy its wide-ranging topics, generous illustrations, anecdotes and personal accounts.

SPECIFICATIONS : 9781775593553 |Cover & Jacket | 260 x 183 mm / 10.25 x 7.25 inches | 312 Pages | Colour

Trial of Strength

Adventures and misadventures on the wild and remote subantarctic islands

The subantarctic islands circle the lower part of the globe below New Zealand, Australia, Africa and South America in the ‘Roaring Forties’ and ‘Furious Fifties’ latitudes. They are filled with unique plants and wildlife, constantly buffeted by lashing rain and furious gales, and have a rich and fascinating human history. Trial of Strength tells the compelling stories of these islands and will leave you with an appreciation for the tenacity of the human race and the forbidding forces of nature.

SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 260 x 186 mm / 10.25 x 7.25 Inches  | Colour | 264 Pages

A Life of Extremes

Also available in Audiobook  |  eBook

The Life and Times of a Polar Filmmaker

Max Quinn’s filmmaking career has taken him to the ends of the earth, from his native New Zealand to Alaska; Antarctica to the Arctic. A Life of Extremes is a personal account of his work, featuring vibrant text and stunning images that illustrate 20 years of adventures in polar climates. Learn, from behind the camera, about the natural history and wildlife of our world. Leave the tourist trail behind with this unique insight into life in the immensely beautiful, most extreme places on earth.

Specifications: Cover & Jacket | 260 x 186mm / 10.25 x 7.25in

Discover more about Max Quinn Here

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Book business travel your way with travel booking software 

The age of centralised travel booking is here. And it's not just about getting from point A to B – it's about embracing tech that's as ambitious as your business. ​​Whether you're the mastermind behind the scenes or the jetsetter on the move, online booking travel solutions are the hidden weapon in your arsenal. 

Get ready to unleash efficiency, save precious money, and own the travel arena like a true boss. 

What is corporate travel booking software? 

Let’s start with the basics. 

At its core, corporate travel booking software is used to book business trips, manage upcoming trips, and track and report on previous trips. It’s a one-stop solution for the entire corporate travel process – from booking flights and arranging itineraries to recording expenses and tracking travelers on the move. 

To sum it up, travel booking software brings all your corporate travel needs and tools under one digital roof, making the booking journey more efficient, organized, and cost-effective. 

The benefits of corporate travel booking software

Think of it this way: if Batman was a travel manager, an online booking tool (OBT) would be his virtual Alfred.  

Businesses mainly use OBTs to simplify purchasing decisions, centralize records of travel spend, and control corporate travel budgets. There are a lot of other reasons, but those are the big three. 

The old way of booking: Employees may read your company travel policy on a PDF or some internal drive before using any booking engines to plan their trip. Then, once they’ve paid out of their own pocket, they go through a long, arduous process to get reimbursed for who-knows-what rate. That’s not just tedious; it's a full-blown time sink. And when it comes to your business, time is a precious commodity. 

The modern way to book: Employees book for themselves using corporate travel booking software that is already integrated with your corporate travel policy. This means the platform blocks out-of-policy trips or flags them for your approval. And the best part: this software has company payment built-in, reducing the need for a reimbursement process. 

So, what do companies actually use to book travel?  

When booking travel, there are three routes a business can take: 

•   Travel Management Company (TMC): These wizards behind the curtain orchestrate your entire travel experience. They're like the behind-the-scenes heroes ensuring every detail is in place. 
• Online Booking Tool (OBT): For the modern road warrior, OBTs are like the compass that guides your journey. They let you take charge of your bookings, offering a wide range of options. 
• A little bit of both: Usually, businesses prefer the best of both worlds. They harness the power of TMCs (or travel agent booking systems) for complex trips and use OBTs for more straightforward bookings. 

Corporate travel booking made better

Brace yourself because a travel booking platform is about to redefine your booking game. Here’s how:

1. Flights 

Travel isn’t one-size-fits-all, so stop treating it that way! With a travel booking platform like Melon, employees can access a wide range of flight options from multiple airlines all on one digital playground. 

And more choice means bigger savings. This "mix and match" approach allows travelers to curate their journey by finding cost-efficient flight options that meet their individual needs and preferences. That’s not just booking – it's business brilliance soaring sky-high. 

2. Accommodation 

Travel booking systems don't just stop at flights. It’s here to revolutionize your hotel game, too. Your company's got its favorites, and guess what? Your travelers are rewarded for choosing them. 

Companies can leverage booking software to incentivize employees to use preferred partner hotels by offering loyalty points and perks they can use toward personal travel. This helps drive hotel adoption and ensures that employees stay in accommodations that align with company standards. 

3. Car hires 

Touchdown in a new city? An OBT won’t leave you stranded. 

Say goodbye to airport shuttle nightmares. Employees can choose from preferred partners and corporate car hire sites, making the rental process efficient and compliant with company guidelines. 

No more waiting in long queues at the counter only to find out they’re sold out. Your chariot awaits, pre-booked, and ready for business. 

Beyond Booking: 5 ways an OBT can boost your travel program 

A travel management platform can (and will) completely change the way you book – but that’s not all it can do. Here are five ways your organization’s corporate travel program will benefit from travel management software:   

1. Secure, centralized data

Say goodbye to paper trails and stacks of receipts, and hello to streamlined expense management. One of the main benefits of utilizing a travel booking platform for business? It gathers all records and organizes all of your employees' expenses while traveling. 

Think of it this way: by storing your travel data in one centralized location, you can swiftly and easily identify patterns in employee spending habits. So if something strays from the norm (for instance, a traveler getting double-charged for a hotel room), it sticks out like a sore thumb. This allows you to immediately fix the issue and save your overall budget for travel and expenses. 

2. More savings, easier workflows

Most companies have complicated approval processes with ambiguous touchpoints. And if an employee needs to travel internationally? That’s an even longer process that requires even more approvals. 

But with business travel booking software, you can set up a multi-layered approval system based on employee position, domestic or international trip type, and duration. After you set the approval system, all the trip requests will automatically move to the chosen approvers. Plus, travel platforms keep everyone in the loop in real time, so approvals don't hit snags. 

3. Reporting made easy

Your business is unique, and it deserves reports that resonate with its rhythm. With a travel booking platform like Melon, reporting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Use Melon as a tool for real-time decision-making based on booking behavior and travel data.  

You want insights that dance to your business's melody, right? Well, Melon delivers. 

With a robust selection of pre-built and customizable travel reports, you can respond swiftly to the ever-changing landscape. So when it's time to shine before stakeholders, you're armed with insights that truly matter. 

4. Ease of use for travelers 

Imagine this: your employees have the power to steer their own travel ship, charting their course whenever they please. Corporate travel booking tools make this fantasy a reality by offering various policy-compliant options for booking trips. And by picking an OBT with a functional travel app, it's a seamless transition from desktop to pocket. 

Plans change. That's just life. With a user-friendly online travel tool, changing your travel arrangements is simple. Use the Melon live chat that connects you to an expert in minutes.  

It's about seizing control and making travel work for you while keeping your travel documents and details in one spot.  

Say goodbye to scattered bookings and hello to streamlined empowerment. 

5. Keep traveler safety at the forefront 

In the world of business travel, safety isn't just a checkbox; it's a commitment. 

This new generation of road warriors employees prioritizes safety. They seek better travel risk management and updates in real-time during all the stages of their business trip. As an employer, you have to go above and beyond the duty of care to make sure your travelers are safe. 

A technologically forward travel booking system can help you take traveler safety to the next level. Look for features like real-time risk alerts to employees and live-tracking traveler locations to offer immediate emergency support. 

You like it? We got it 

At Corporate Traveller, we’re all about making business travel easier. That’s why we made Melon. 

Melon gives you all your travel needs corporate travel platform . That’s one sign-in, one dashboard, and one place to book travel.  

Want to see reports? Done.  

Manage your spending? Easy.  

Our corporate travel technology keeps track of every traveler’s preferences for a seamless experience every time you book. 

The comprehensive guide to travel management software

Elevating business travel with data-driven analytics

One dashboard a world of business travel reporting

The 5 pillars of travel risk management software

9 business travel apps for road warriors

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Travel Your Way Paperback – March 26, 2015

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With so many travel opportunities and choices available on the Internet today, wading through it all can be a daunting task. Travel Your Way sorts through online travel companies, service providers, agents, and tour operators for you so you can create a travel plan that meets your unique needs, interests, and budget.

With half a century of business consulting and a lifetime of travel experience behind him, author Robert W. Bauer provides a structured approach to travel planning, preparation, and problem solving that lets you depart with confidence and enjoy your trip to the utmost.

Learn how to ask the right questions, set priorities, and deal with the inevitable problems that arise. Packed with useful information, tips, and tricks, Travel Your Way offers handy checklists, numerous online resources, and real-life examples that illuminate key learning points that will help you find your own path to fulfilling experiences.

• Print length 211 pages
• Language English
• Publication date March 26, 2015
• Dimensions 6 x 0.48 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 0986147613
• ISBN-13 978-0986147616
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the author.

Robert W. Bauer is a retired business consultant with more than fifty years of experience. During his career, he worked with more than two hundred organizations in the United States and overseas, helping improve their planning, decision-making, and problem-solving skills-all of which have proven useful in travel planning, preparation, and execution.

When they're not traveling, Bauer and his wife, Sandy, who contributed significantly to this book, split their time between Michigan and Great Exuma Island, Bahamas.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ PhotoWorld360, LLC (March 26, 2015)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 211 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0986147613
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0986147616
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.48 x 9 inches
• #10,565 in General Travel Reference

About the author

Robert w. bauer.

Bob Bauer’s career in consulting in the U.S. and overseas has spanned over 50 years and he worked with more than 200 organizations, including many of the largest in the world, before he retired. His expertise includes organization diagnosis, planning and design, problem-solving and decision-making practices, management counseling and much more.

In addition to his consulting activities, he was Chairman of the Board of Guest Services, Inc., co-founder of the Customer Loyalty Institute (acquired by Aon Corporation), and Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Research on Human Behavior.

Early in his career he was with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche) and was a certified public accountant (CPA).

Throughout his career he has written extensively; his articles have been published in many professional forums including Industry Week and the American Management Association. He is the co-author of The Question Book, The Question Book Goes Interactive, and The Team Effectiveness Survey Workbook. His most recent book, Travel Your Way, is now available at Amazon.com.

Bob received his A.B. degree from Dartmouth College, and his M.B.A. from Amos Tuck Business School (Dartmouth College).

Bob has accumulated over 3 million air miles during business and pleasure travels. When not traveling, he and his wife split their time between Michigan and Great Exuma Island, Bahamas.

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11 Mistakes Travelers Often Make When Booking Cruises, According to Travel Advisors

B ooking a cruise may seem straightforward enough—pick a location, find a ship, pay your deposit and start packing. But, in reality, it can be one of the most confusing travel experiences to navigate on your own.

From selecting a cabin to getting a good deal, there’s a lot to consider when planning out your dream vacation on the water. These are some of the biggest mistakes travelers often make when booking cruises on their own—and how a travel advisor can help.

Thinking All Cruises Are the Same

Big ships versus small ships. River, ocean or expedition. Luxurious or laid-back. Educational or just for fun. These days, there’s a cruise for just about everyone under the sun—and then some.

But a big mistake travelers often make is assuming that all cruises are the same, says Michele Lindsay, the owner and lead travel advisor at Blue Pointe Travel . This often leads to a major mismatch: If you’re looking for a calm, relaxing vacation and you end up on a cruise with a party-like atmosphere, you’ll probably be pretty unhappy. 

A travel advisor can help you choose the perfect cruise, based on your likes and dislikes, as well as your goals for each specific trip. During her discovery calls with clients, for instance, Lindsay likes to ask about their food preferences, what kinds of activities and entertainment they enjoy, who they’ll be traveling with and how they’d like to spend their time on vacation.

“Cruise lines each have their own distinct personality,” she says. “Rushing to book a cabin on a cruise line based on an Instagram reel without doing your due diligence first could land you on a ship where it's not your ideal fit.”

Putting Too Much—or Too Little—Emphasis on the Ship

Travelers also often end up putting too much or too little emphasis on the ship. The vessel’s amenities are absolutely important to the overall cruise experience, but it all really boils down to the itinerary. During excursion-heavy trips, you may not have any free time to explore the ship, whereas on longer journeys with more sea days, the opposite is true. 

“Families often make this mistake, in particular, when they are searching for that bucket-list cruise to Alaska or the Mediterranean,” says Lindsay. “They prioritize a kid-friendly ship over time in port, or they don’t realize that on a seven-day Mediterranean cruise, there might only be one day at sea, so the ship's amenities—like water slides —may not be as important as they would be on a winter getaway to the Bahamas or the Caribbean.”  

On the flip side, some travelers get so excited about where a ship is taking them that they forget how much there is to do onboard, says Lori Stephens, founder and chief executive officer of Sojourney Travel . The key is talking with your travel advisor to understand the ins and outs of your particular trip.

“While the destinations of a cruise are undoubtedly highlights, they are far from the entirety of the trip,” says Stephens. “It is essential to look at your cruise app to see what activities are offered on board so that you can plan accordingly.” 

Overpacking For The Trip

And speaking of planning, travelers also have a tendency to bring way too many clothes for the journey, Stephens says. She recommends taking advantage of onboard laundry rooms or laundering services to help keep packing to a minimum.

“Consider repurposing dress pants for multiple nights, reusing swimsuits and cover-ups and limiting shoes to a few pairs that can be used with various outfits,” she says. 

Also, remember: Your airline has a weight limit for suitcases, and the more space you leave empty, the more souvenirs you can bring home, adds Windy Dockum , an independent agent for Love of the Magic Vacations.

“Cruisers always feel the need to take all these clothes with them on this trip but, in reality, they’re only going to wear half of them,” says Dockum.

Showing Up the Day of the Cruise

Another big misstep? Arriving in the embarkation city the same day the ship departs. Even a small mishap—a flight delay, a traffic jam, car troubles or some other hiccup—can throw off your entire timeline, meaning the ship might just leave without you on it.

Stephens recommends arriving well ahead of boarding time, if possible. Coming a day or two early also gives travelers a chance to adjust to new time zones if necessary, and spend some time exploring the embarkation destination.

“It is always important to expect the unexpected when planning for a cruise,” she says. “Choosing to arrive early gives you a lazy start to your first cruise day, allowing for a slow and stress-free wake-up and an excellent local restaurant for breakfast—ask your travel advisor for recommendations.”

Not Taking Advantage of In-App Offerings

As soon as you put down your deposit, download the cruise line’s mobile app on your phone. Check it regularly for in-app discounts on excursions, drink packages and WiFi, says Stephens. This is an easy, money-saving step that many travelers simply overlook.

The app can also help you in other ways, such as making dinner reservations or checking out the onboard entertainment lineup. Some cruise lines will even allow you to pre-book shows and kids’ club reservations.

“Utilizing a cruise line’s app ensures that you can customize your sailing to your liking and get first pick at excursions and activities with limited availability—all while securing discounts for booking in advance,” says Stephens.

Assuming That Booking Last-Minute Will Get You The Best Deal

Many clients assume that waiting until the last minute to book a cruise will get them the best possible deal. Not so, says Jesse Morris, owner of We Book Travel LLC , an independent agency in the Avoya Travel Network.

“This may have been true at one point, but cruise lines have made inventory management into a science and it is extremely rare in the post-Covid world to see big price drops anymore,” he says. “The best time to book is as early as possible to ensure you get the cabin you want and the lowest possible price.”

Many cruise lines also offer price-drop protections, so if affordability is your top priority, consider booking with one of those lines, he adds.

Not Buying Travel Insurance

New and seasoned cruisers alike often opt-out of travel insurance , but Dockum says this is a big mistake. Hopefully, you won’t need it—but if you do, you’ll be glad to have it.

“Anything can happen while on vacation and it’s best to be prepared,” she says. “Travel insurance can cover things like lost luggage, missed connections and more serious problems like medical issues that could require medical evacuation.” 

Overplanning Your Vacation

Reviewing shore excursions and onboard entertainment options can make you feel like a kid in a candy store. But many travelers have a tendency to overplan, says Dockum, which leaves little room for spontaneity or time to actually relax.

“Many cruisers try to do all the things and it’s just not possible,” she says. “Don't overdo it, or you’ll end up needing a vacation from your vacation. Take some downtime—you can’t do everything. 

Waiting Too Long to Book Excursions

That said, if there are certain excursions you have your heart set on, don’t wait until the last minute to book them, says Dockum.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve heard, ‘But it’s sold out?’” she says. “You booked a once-in -a-lifetime trip, don’t miss out on that once-in-a-lifetime excursion. Book excursions as soon as you can—that way, you get what you want at the time you want.”

Misunderstanding ‘Guaranteed’ Rooms

If you’re cruising on a budget, you might be tempted to book what’s known as a “guaranteed” room to save a little extra cash. These staterooms are typically cheaper because the cruise line will assign you one randomly based on availability—you don’t get to pick your own.

But not all cabins are created equal—and you might end up in a part of the ship that ruins your vacation, says Dockum. 

“If you are a light sleeper, you could be placed above a nightclub or dining room and hear noise all night long,” she says. “If you are susceptible to motion sickness, you could be placed in the forward or aft of the ship where you will feel the most movement. It’s best to spend the extra money and pick your cabin location.”

In addition, the name of these staterooms is misleading, because you’re not really guaranteed anything. If the cruise line oversells a voyage, they might have to bump passengers—and guaranteed rooms are some of the first to get the boot, says Stephens.

“No one wants to have to cancel plans at the last minute,” she says. “Go ahead and get an assigned stateroom at the time of booking. It's not worth the savings, many times, and it's better to be safe than sorry.”

On top of all that, ultra-low fare categories often don’t include onboard credits, drink packages or other add-ons. If you want any of these perks, you may actually end up spending more than if you’d booked another rate category that, on the surface, seems more expensive. Your travel advisor can help you do the math and ensure you’re getting everything you want out of your cruise experience at the best price.

“Travel advisors are experts in navigating the promotion mazes and can help clients determine what will get them the most for their money,” says Morris. “We can help clients avoid taking a dream vacation to nightmare scenario easily.”

Waiting Too Long to Book Your Next Cruise

Cruising is wildly popular right now and, even with new ships coming online all the time, there’s still a finite number of berths available, says Lindsay. If you wait too long to book your next trip, you may have to make some compromises.

“Everybody wants that perfect mid-ship balcony, but if you wait too long to book, you may be left with an interior cabin without any views—or, speaking from experience, so far forward that your cabin shakes every time the anchors are dropped,” she says.

If there’s a specific ship you can’t wait to experience or a particular cabin category that’s ideal for your group, get a jump start on booking ASAP. Connecting cabins, in particular, tend to sell out quickly, says Lindsay, so if you’re traveling as a family and you know you’ll need multiple staterooms together, then don’t wait.

“I encourage my clients to look ahead a year or two for school breaks and holidays, as those are the most popular times to sail,” she adds. “Booking early also means that my clients benefit from group space pricing and incentives that are typically available six to 10 months out from sailing.”

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A millennial Lyft driver who used the gig to explore all 50 states explains his strategies for maximizing earnings and tips

• Kreskin J. Torres, a Lyft driver, has traveled across all 50 states, documenting his dining experiences.
• Torres is working on a book, an app called Rideshare Foodies, and is organizing a national potluck.
• He said gig driving is just temporary and has helped him achieve his larger goals.

Kreskin J. Torres, 35, has eaten his way through all 50 states — including Alaska and Hawaii. His ticket to doing so? Driving for Uber and Lyft .

The Army veteran and Baltimore native has documented his dining on his blog Rideshare Foodie . After seven years, he's learned the most profitable times of day to drive, the best locations to find riders in each city and the optimal strategies for maximizing tips .

"You just got to work smarter, not harder," Torres said. "From my experience, I've been in every state, so I know how every city works now."

At the same time, he's been able to pursue his foodie passions. Torres is now working on a book called "Taste of the States," his recommendations app called Rideshare Foodies, and planning a series of events to honor dishes from various states and their history.

While driving for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft can be a flexible way to earn money for people like Torres who have more than one hustle, it can also be a recipe for burnout. Among the dozens of drivers Business Insider has spoken with over the past few months, many are already dreaming of what's next — starting a business or finding new modes of employment .

And that's Torres' main career advice for those considering it. After all, he's not planning to do the job forever, as he hopes to transition away, though it helped him jump-start new paths for his future.

"Do not make this the end all be all," Torres said, noting how Uber and Lyft have threatened to pull out of Minneapolis. "When it started, it was advertised as a gig, a side hustle."

Traveling the country as a gig driver

As a veteran, he said this job has been relatively stress-free and helpful for not feeling lonely, a similar sentiment he's heard from veterans with PTSD.

"I enjoy meeting and connecting with different people and getting to see different places," Torres said.

He decided to spend his next few years on the road using driving to fund his adventures and to meet locals who could point him to the best restaurants and experiences.

"The great thing is you get to learn about different cities and how everything operates," Torres said.

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He moved to San Antonio , though he works mainly around the more-profitable Austin area, and has explored the South and Southeast.

While he doesn't make much money from his blog, he said driving has allowed him to try everything from Navajo tacos in Arizona to biscuits in chocolate gravy in Arkansas to huckleberry swirls in Montana. Driving has led him to some of his favorite restaurants like I693 Red Zone Grill in Jackson, Mississippi; Strawberry's BBQ in Holcomb, Missouri; and Rice & Roll by Xing Xing in Wichita.

Learning the most profitable places and times to drive

Torres noticed he would get more profitable rides driving around suburbs, airports, and sports stadiums, locations coveted by drivers as they get more tips and sometimes elevated fares.

He learned New Year's will always be profitable , though rides slow down around February before picking up in mid-March. It's led him to be more methodical about the types of rides to take, as well as planning when to save more of his earnings and when to splurge a little on food and travel.

"After seven years, I'm a lot more experienced. It depends on the time of the season, so I usually can do a lot more business in college towns," Torres said. "I would visit a city, see what they're known for, a little history behind it."

Torres was making enough to comfortably travel the country, though he's always been careful since he said passengers are sometimes confused by his out-of-state license plate. He also faced a permanent deactivation from Uber last year over a dispute over the color of his car.

He doesn't have a wife or kids, nor does he have an apartment, as he mainly lives out of his car to save money. He acknowledges that growing competition on the road and lower earnings could put a greater dent in savings for people with families or permanent residences.

Torres has transitioned to driving full-time for Lyft , and he typically is online for 12 hours a day but only actively drives five to six hours in between waiting around airports.

He said he's increasingly put himself in his passengers' shoes to determine the best places and times to drive — he likely won't put in the effort to drive during rain, and he's more likely to do later trips around concert venues or bars.

To continue supporting his travels, he said he sometimes does airport rides at 3 or 4 a.m., as well as rides between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. during the morning rush. He also said being online around noon is fruitful for corporate workers, while 3 p.m. is right when schools let out. He usually tries not to drive around evening rush hours but sometimes resumes later at night.

He also devotes more time to driving between Wednesday and Sunday, when rides are more frequent, whether for "whiskey Wednesdays" or Friday afternoon happy hours. This is also when he can best network with passengers and hear their stories, as he said he occasionally gets to drive famous people.

Torres said drivers should consider this a short-term opportunity while working toward long-term goals. As he eases off the app, he has his eyes set on more international travel in the coming months. He's also investing more time in his food app, a local recommendation tool that functions like a Facebook group in which people ask questions about, for example, the best bartender in the area or where to go for particular dishes. It has launched on Android and set to be released on Apple by the summer.

"The most positivity that you can get out of it, do whatever you can and get the most out of it," Torres said. "The next few months will probably be my last time doing this because I'm focusing on other things, so I always had a plan for the things I was going to do."

Are you a ride-hailing driver who's struggling to pay bills or has had recent success? Have you recently pivoted to a new career from driving? Reach out to  [email protected] .

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Read Your Way Through Accra

Bus stations. Traffic stops. Beaches. There’s no telling where you’ll find the next story in Accra, Ghana’s capital. Peace Adzo Medie shares some of her favorites.

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By Peace Adzo Medie

Read Your Way Around the World is a series exploring the globe through books.

Accra is rich with stories, some of them only a few words long — Still Hustling; Work Hard and Dream Big; Short Ways Are Dangerous — and written in bold letters on the rear windows of tro tros, the ubiquitous minibuses that ferry residents and visitors around the city. These mantras are meant to represent the people who own the buses. But they also tell of life in Accra, and what it takes to make it in this vibrant city.

Accra, Ghana’s capital, is in the southern part of the country and borders the Atlantic Ocean. For centuries, its coastline has served as an entry point for people both from neighboring countries and from farther away. Ghanaian writers have found rich material in the city, the home of the Ga people. And writers from other African countries and the diaspora, such as Wole Soyinka and Maya Angelou, have called Accra home, even if only for a short time.

Though much of Accra’s creative activity has taken place in centers like the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, interest in stories and books permeates the city.

Merchants selling books line many thoroughfares. There is a good chance that, when you stop at a major traffic light, a bookseller, wares in hand, will come to your window and try to get you to buy at least one. Even bus stations can be a treasure trove. One of my favorite activities as a teenager was shopping for books at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, a busy bus station in the heart of the city, where volumes are neatly arranged in stalls or on canvas spread out on the ground. And when I didn’t have enough money for a book, Accra still came through for me: I could always read and imagine the stories behind the one-liners on the buses idling nearby.

What should I read before I pack my bags?

Nii Ayikwei Parkes’s “ Tail of the Blue Bird ” brings the city to life. This slim novel is set in Accra and Sonokrom, a small village. Kayo, a forensic pathologist working in Accra, has been forced by a high-ranking police officer to investigate a sinister discovery in the village.

The novel’s lyrical prose and rich dialogue, which incorporates Ghanaian words and phrases, make it delightful to read. Through Kayo’s work, outings with friends and encounters with the police, we see different aspects of life in Accra, while his time in Sonokrom and interactions with the village’s intriguing inhabitants offer a glimpse of how people outside the center relate to the city.

If you prefer nonfiction, Ato Quayson’s “ Oxford Street, Accra: City Life and the Itineraries of Transnationalism ” offers an excellent introduction to the city. It takes the reader on a journey through Accra’s history, showing its evolution from a fishing village to a port town during British colonial rule, to a vibrant metropolis that draws in people from around the country and the world. With Oxford Street, a bustling commercial corridor, as a starting point, Quayson evokes the sights and sounds of the city with keen attention to how people interact with each other and their surroundings. Forays into the salsa and gym scenes underline the transnational dimensions of life in Accra.

What books or authors should I bring along with me?

Accra is at the heart of Yepoka Yeebo’s “ Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World .” This work of nonfiction is a wild ride about one of the boldest scams of the 1970s and ‘80s, carried out by John Ackah Blay-Miezah, a charismatic Ghanaian. Blay-Miezah promised huge returns to thousands of investors from around the world, tied to a bogus trust fund allegedly set up by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president. While Blay-Miezah targeted victims across the world, his dealings with government officials and other businesspeople in Accra facilitated his scam and, ultimately, contributed to its end. The book is a meticulously researched and riveting account of politics and money in post-independence Ghana.

Fictional stories of murder can also be doorways into Accra. In “ Sleep Well My Lady ,” by Kwei Quartey, a female detective’s investigation of a murder offers a glimpse into the lives of the rich and the not-so-rich of the city. In Kobby Ben Ben’s “ No One Dies Yet ,” Accra is the scene of mystery and sex, in a meeting of Ghana and its diaspora.

What books can show me other facets of the city?

There is always something to discover in Accra, even for people who are already familiar with the city. It helps to know the right people, though — or at least the right books.

“ Accra Noir ,” edited by Nana-Ama Danquah, is a collection of 13 stories set throughout pockets of the city. Their characters encounter the kind of sky-high hurdles that a thriving, cutthroat metropolis puts in the way of its residents — unemployment, corruption, abuse of power. And, determined to make it, these characters do not hesitate to adopt creative and extreme methods, often in places that are hidden from view: hotel rooms and bedrooms, dark alleys and a market at night.

Serena Owusua Dankwa’s “ Knowing Women: Same Sex-Intimacy, Gender, and Identity in Postcolonial Ghana ” is also about finding joy when the conditions are unyielding. It is a study of same-sex desire among women and of their relationships, which happen in every part of Ghana, yet aren’t typically visible in the open. The historical discussion of same-sex desire and intimacy in Ghana, and Africa more broadly, is illuminating, and dislodges widely held reductive ideas about the subject. Dankwa’s interviews with women, including female athletes, both in Accra and in a midsize town, reveal a great deal about desire and intimacy and the influences of class and social norms.

If I have no time for day trips, what books should I read instead?

Books of poetry are one way to travel around Ghana. Kofi Anyidoho’s collection “The Place We Call Home” is rhythmic in its treatment of history and the present. Anyidoho is also the editor of a book of poetry by another Ghanaian great, Kofi Awoonor. “The Promise of Hope: New and Selected Poems, 1964-2013” beautifully renders life in Ghana and abroad.

“The Girl Who Can,” by Ama Ata Aidoo, a writer with a towering legacy , is a collection of stories that explores girlhood and womanhood. Aidoo’s novel “Changes: A Love Story” chronicles one woman’s attempts to live and love on her own terms.

For books that take you on journeys into the past, start with Ayi Kwei Armah’s “The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born.” This classic of Ghanaian literature unfolds during the 1960s and follows an unnamed railway clerk determined to stay on the straight and narrow path — unlike others around him. “ The Hundred Wells of Salaga, ” by Ayesha Harruna Attah, is set in the 19th century. In this novel, the trade in enslaved people plays a major role in changing the lives of two young women. Yaa Gyasi’s “ Homegoing ” goes further back, to the 18th century, to narrate the outcomes of one family’s encounters with the West.

What’s a good place to curl up with a book on a day off?

Accra is a city of beaches and, in addition to sunshine and a cool breeze, a few of its waterfronts have the ambience that make for a good reading experience. But I’m partial to green spaces, many of which are beyond the city limits. Aburi, in the Eastern Region, is a short drive outside Accra. Situated on a hill, the town is cool and has several spots where you can curl up with a book while enjoying the lush scenery.

Peace Adzo Medie’s Accra Reading List

“Tail of the Blue Bird,” Nii Ayikwei Parkes

“Oxford Street, Accra: City Life and the Itineraries of Transnationalism,” Ato Quayson

“Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World,” Yepoka Yeebo

“Sleep Well My Lady,” Kwei Quartey

“No One Dies Yet,” Kobby Ben Ben

“Accra Noir,” edited by Nana-Ama Danquah

“Knowing Women: Same Sex-Intimacy, Gender, and Identity in Postcolonial Ghana,” Serena Owusua Dankwa

“The Place We Call Home,” Kofi Anyidoho

“The Promise of Hope: New and Selected Poems, 1964-2013,” Kofi Awoonor (edited by Kofi Anyidoho)

“The Girl Who Can” and “Changes: A Love Story,” Ama Ata Aidoo

“The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born,” Ayi Kwei Armah

“The Hundred Wells of Salaga,” Ayesha Harruna Attah

“ Homegoing ,” Yaa Gyasi

Peace Adzo Medie is author of the novels “ Nightbloom ” and “ His Only Wife ,” which was a Reese’s Book Club pick and one of The Times’s notable books of 2020 . She is a professor at the University of Bristol.

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Southwest cancels nonstop route from Austin to Cozumel. When is your last chance to book?

If you want to travel from Austin to Cozumel, you'd better act fast.

Southwest Airlines announced Thursday that it will cease service to Cozumel International Airport in August, meaning Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will lose yet another nonstop route.

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The change is expected to take effect Aug. 4. The last nonstop flight from the Austin airport to the island in Quintana Roo, Mexico, appears to be at 11:30 a.m. July 27. As of Friday afternoon, tickets for that flight cost $248 to $368.

Southwest's announcement came alongside its 2024 first-quarter financial report, which showed the company endured a net loss of $231 million. The airline is also planning to cancel service to Bellingham International Airport in Washington, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and Syracuse (N.Y.) Hancock International Airport.

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"To improve our financial performance, we have intensified our network optimization efforts to address underperforming markets," Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement. "We are focused on achieving our financial prosperity goals and creating value for our shareholders, while we adjust to changes in our aircraft delivery plans, customer travel patterns and preferences, higher fuel prices and other cost pressures."

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Kristi Noem took the easy way out by killing her dog

• Updated: Apr. 29, 2024, 2:44 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 29, 2024, 2:43 p.m.
• Other Voices

Regarding South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem writing in a new book about killing her untrainable dog and also dispatching a nasty, smelly old goat that chased her kids (” Potential Trump running mate writes about killing her dog ,” April 27): The tough decision Ms. Noem should have made would have been to hire a real, professional trainer (clearly, not her) or rehoming the dog, with full disclosure, to a capable person.

Ms. Noem took the easy way out. The dog paid the price. The goat is another letter, but the moral is the same.

Mary Kay Dessoffy,

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African Diaspora

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will soon travel to Nigeria

Meghan Markle is diving further into her Nigerian heritage in her upcoming trip with Prince Harry.

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The next stop on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s world travels will reportedly be Nigeria. 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are scheduled to visit the country in May, following an invitation from the Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff. While visiting the African country, the couple will participate in native cultural activities and meet with various service members. 

The invitation to visit was reportedly sparked by Harry’s Invictus Games , a sporting event he designed after discovering how “sports could help wounded servicemen and women in their recovery — physically, psychologically and socially.” Considered to be one of the prince’s few remaining ties to the royal family, the games hosted 500 athletes across 21 nations last year in Germany, where Nigeria was cheered on by the duchess herself . Though the 2025 Invictus Games are scheduled to take place in Canada, Nigeria is expressing its interest in hosting a future event. 

“The visit is to consolidate Nigeria’s stronghold at the game and the possibility of hosting the event in later years,” said Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Nigeria’s acting director of defense information in a statement, per People magazine . 

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During last year’s event, the couple grew a special affinity for the Nigerian team . In 2022, after learning that she is 43% Nigerian by taking a genealogy test, Markle revealed her newfound heritage on her award-winning podcast “Archetypes.”

“I’m going to start to dig deeper into all this because anybody that I’ve told, especially Nigerian women, are like, ‘What!’” she shared on the show. 

In light of this discovery, Markle and her husband reportedly spent time with Nigeria’s team at the 2023 Invictus Games, during which the Duchess of Sussex received a new nickname. Like her royal title, her Nigerian name, “Amira Ngozi Lolo,” holds a royal meaning, with “Amira” meaning warrior princess from a legend, “Ngozi” meaning blessed and Lolo meaning “royal wife.” 

“Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she’s of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year,” Prince Harry said in his 2023 opening speech, teasing about which team the Duchess would be rooting for. 

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