And on and on we go looking for more ways to save you money. Our latest trick? The Hotwire Hotel Rate Report. Published monthly, it will feature the top 10 U.S. and Canadian cities with the largest reductions in hotel price. Since you know Hotwire rates are already low-low, you can only imagine the muscles your traveling dollars will gain. Wow, this IS big news!

How do we compile this report? We look at a wide range of the top markets, compare pricing trends from the previous year, and factor in month-by-month price fluctuations. Then we highlight the destinations that have the biggest hotel price drops each month. You could say we're watching your money for you.

Hot this month are popular, warm-weather destinations (go figure). Las Vegas and Orlando have come down the most in price since this time last year. But even can't-miss cities like New York City are seeing price drops. And not surprisingly, the U.S. story remains the same in the bigger Canadian cities -- some of the best discounts are to be had now. Treat yourself to more vacation with your savings.

In case you're new to this blog and don't know, we work closely with brand-name hotels in top destinations to help fill unsold rooms, so customers get them at prices lower than any other travel site. Guaranteed*. And the Hotel Rate Report is only the newest way we helps customers find the best hotel deals.

If you think you can't save money in NYC, you’re thinking like it’s 2007! We sent our resident deal lover (let’s call her Hotwire Jennifer, or "HJ") to NYC (check out our airfare deals to NYC) and told her to keep a diary of where she ate and what she did for fun. How did it go? Here's what she said.

FRIDAY

6 p.m. - Arrived at my hotel (check out our NYC hotel deals) and soaked up the bright lights at Times Square. Decided to take in a show ... bought discounted Broadway tickets at the TKTS booth on Duffy Square. Before curtain, split an enormous (yet famous) pastrami sandwich with a friend at Carnegie Deli. That place is a hoot.

11.30 p.m. - Went downtown and heard some jazz at Arthur's Tavern in Greenwich Village (57 Grove Street). Found it kind of sleepy so I went to the dancing place Element at 225 E. Houston Street. There was no cover for ladies and an open bar from 11pm-midnight that night!

SATURDAY

9 a.m. - Made breakfast lunch with an egg sandwich at Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop, an authentic New York luncheonette at 174 Fifth Avenue. Then I strolled over to Union Square and the Farmers' Market to check out homemade cheese and purple carrots. Ate so many samples I was too full to eat lunch.

2 p.m. - Worked off all that food by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot. (Don't feel bad for me ... loved the panoramic views of Manhattan and the East River.) Craved a little culture ... went to the Dumbo Arts Center at 30 Washington Street in Brooklyn. (Rather drive to Brooklyn? Check out our rental car deals.) Rode the L train back to Manhattan.

10 p.m. - Ended the day at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater at 307 West 26th Street, where many famous comedians got their start. Really funny show. I wonder which one of those people on stage will be famous first ... and will I remember I knew them when?

So there you have it. Great deals on airfares, hotels, and cars on Hotwire are just the beginning. Even after you arrive, you can still have a blast. Give it a shot.

What if we said you could have a great hotel room for a lot less than you thought? Well, we are saying that. Here are three ways you can navigate these trying times and get a hotel stay you crave. Think of it -- cleaning service, free toiletries you can keep, and, if you're lucky, the bed that's better than the one at home. Sounds good to us, too. Read on:

Go all-inclusive. Food and drink during your trip can spiral out of control. Factor in the activities and entertainment and you could end up paying twice what you planned. Get your budget under control by wrapping it all up with your hotel stay. You can find an all-inclusive to fit just about any budget. The lowest prices can usually be found in the Dominican Republic, where deals on 5-star, all-inclusive resorts on the beach have cropped up across Mexico and the Caribbean. Travel Ticker has many all-inclusive deals right now; take a look.

Keep an eye on exchange rates. The dollar (now strong again, thank goodness) recently experienced an all-time high against the Mexican peso and the English pound -- in fact, the UK is 20% more affordable than it was a year ago. Lock in a good exchange rate by prepaying, of course ... like you do here on Hotwire (what a lucky coincidence). Check out our deals on Mexico and London hotels.

Package it. Buying hotel, airfare, and car rental together from a third-party travel site like Hotwire is really the way to go (and we aren't just saying that) because you can often get a better-quality stay (for example, more stars in your hotel or a bigger car) for what you would have paid had you purchased everything separately. And often, it's the higher-star hotels offering the biggest discounts. Try to go for the whole/flight/hotel/car deal; as a rule, the more you buy, the more you save. Check out our 4-star packages.

Our economic outlook may go up and down, but one thing hasn't changed: people like you like to stay in hotels and try out other cities now and again. What has changed? We need to get more prudent in the spending department. And with Hotwire, you can do just that.

Most of us think "national park" and think spring and summer. But some of our very best parks are open 12 months a year and have no or small winter crowds? We scoped out Yellowstone, Port Angeles, and Yosemite -- all open year-round and all with great deals nearby. Imagine saving money and headache. Sounds good to us, too. Here's what we found ...

Yellowstone: Yellowstone gets a mere five percent of the three million annual guests during the winter. Enter from the North Entrance (the only year-round entrance) and visit Mammoth Hot Springs. Popular winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife tours in a snow coach or snowmobile. All warming huts, except Old Faithful, are open 24 hours a day. The Junior Ranger Program, designed for children from 5-12 years old and their families, is great wintertime fun. Participants attend a program led by a park ranger, make a record of geyser and hot spring activity, and hike, ski, or snowshoe a trail. And hey, we have deal on hotels near Yellowstone.

Port Angeles, Washington: What's so different about Port Angeles? Here, you can hike and bike year-round. Sure, you probably need rain gear and a coat, but summer sports can be enjoyed just about any time. Winter sports can be had as long as there is snow (about 3-6 months). Find cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, downhill skiing, and tubing here. Park rangers offer guided walks Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Mondays at 2 p.m. And yes, we have deals near Port Angeles.

Yosemite National Park: A few hours east of San Francisco, Yosemite is one of the nation's most accessible parks year-round. In winter, you'll enjoy ranger-led walks, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, and hiking (no snowmobiling, though). Inside the valley, you can hike, watch herds of deer, and check out the winter light over Yosemite's vast granite peaks. In or near California? Now that gas prices are reasonable again, consider renting a car and driving in. Check out our deals on rentals cars. Park entry is $20 per car.

So if nature calls, consider a more rustic landscape. And with the great deals to be had right now, affording your next great vacation is a walk in the park.

Have you become fanatical about unplugging appliances? How about driving less and walking/biking more? If so, it looks like you've gone green. And you're probably always looking for a new way to help the environment. Well, you can add booking travel with Hotwire to your list. On January 23, we're going to make it easy for you to reduce your carbon footprint by adding a carbon-offset purchase option when you book travel. What's more, these carbon offsets (through TerraPass) are at a special price. We are the only travel company offering this deal, and with it, we hope to promote responsible travel and help preserve our environment.

How does our new carbon-offset program work? Once you make a Hotwire booking, we'll give you a chance to purchase carbon offsets through TerraPass. Simply click "Go Green" on your booking confirmation page. Normally it costs $12 to offset two weeks of a hotel stay, one week of driving, or one domestic flight (or $48 to offset an international flight). With this new program, Hotwire will chip in 50% on every carbon-offset purchase. The final price to you will be just $6 or $24. TerraPass will use the funds to support clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

You know us for our great deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals. But we want you to know we take the environment as seriously as you do. By funding emission reductions, we can make offsetting the ecological impact of travel easy and less expensive for travelers like you. So when you look for an eco-friendly trip, look to the travel company that offers peace of mind at a good price. Look to us.

What's the most happening city in the land? Where you see the movers and shakers of our country meeting on city steps or eating lunch in the park? Where you can learn more in one day at a free museum than you can just about anywhere else? That's right -- it's Washington, D.C., and it's on everyone's mind now. You may not have inauguration tickets, but there are tons of reasons to go after the confetti has settled and our 44th president gets down to business.

What's new in D.C.: For starters, check out the brand-new visitor's center and the recently re-opened National Museum of American History. D.C.'s newest museum is the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. There, you'll learn about the history of crime, the consequences, crime fighting, CSI experience and a lot more with interactive exhibits. Or how about a spy tour? On a Spy City Tour, you'll see more than 25 of Washington's most notable espionage sites used by some of the nation's infamous spies. Don't forget to book your D.C. hotel -- we've got some great deals after Inauguration Day.

What's old-but-still-good in D.C.: You'd be hard-pressed to find so many interesting things to do for free anywhere else. Admission to national monuments, the Smithsonian's many world-class (and interactive!) museums, and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park are all free. Other ideas: visiting Arlington National Cemetery to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns or watching history being made by sitting in on a groundbreaking Supreme Court ruling.

Getting to and around D.C.: Luckily, many of the local attractions are within walking distance of each other. For longer trips, consider getting one- and seven-day unlimited passes for the Metrobus/Metrorail. Save a bit more on your flight by flying into Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) airport, roughly an hour's ride by Amtrak rail or by public transportation to D.C.'s Union Station.

So after you’re done waving your flag and throwing your confetti, consider a trip to D.C. You'll be in the thick of the action as President Obama kicks off the hardest job in the land AND have tons of fun on the cheap.

As 2008 draws to a close, we pause to reflect on the roller coaster 2008 has been. Talk about confusing. Our economy went from good to shaky, gas prices went from an-arm-and-a-leg expensive to cheap, and home prices went from soaring to sane. But now it's time to look ahead. What's in store for us travel-wise in the coming year? Here are our top 5 predictions.

1. Your destinations will be more exotic: the Department of Commerce Office of Travel reported the 10 most-visited destinations by U.S. residents in 2007 were Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Jamaica, China, and Spain. But popular means expensive, so we predict you'll want to visit similar, lesser-known cities and get more for your money. Consider Birmingham instead of London, England; or Buenos Aires, Argentina, instead of Barcelona, Spain.

2. You'll travel closer to home: evolving out of the 2008 "staycation" trend will likely be the "nearcation" -- going to the closer, similar alternative in order to save money. Consider visiting Montreal (or even New Orleans) instead of Paris or Latin America instead of Jamaica.

3. You'll expect a lot more out of your vacation dollars: Value-oriented vacations, such as all-inclusive resorts and cruises (most lines are expanding their offerings by the day), are becoming more common. As a result, you'll spend more time comparison shopping the multitude of discounted room rates and value-added perks like free nights, upgrades, and breakfast (don't forget to stop by Travel Ticker often for great all-inclusive deals with lots of extras). In Vegas, you'll see an upsurge of gambling and spa credits.

4. You'll drive more: for those of you who are weary of the airplane food and bare feet at the airport, here's good news -- gas hasn't been this cheap in four years. So if you feel like driving there instead of flying, go for it. A gallon of gas averaged $1.65 in mid-December, down from more than $4 a gallon in July. Sites like gasbuddy.com can help you calculate exactly how much that jaunt is going to cost you. Don't forget, Hotwire has great rates on rental cars all over the country right now.

5. You're in tune with the environment: not only did national park visits rise exponentially at the end of 2008, environmentally-friendly hotels and resorts also grew in popularity. You'll be more inclined to green your hotel experience just like you probably already do at home. Now more than ever, it's all the rage to ask your hotel front desk for every-other-day maid service. And you'll likely use less energy in your room by unplugging electronics.

You made it. It's finally safe to come out from your hiding place and look around. The New Year brings the clean slate we've been waiting for. What better way to celebrate than with a change of scenery? Let's get up and go, shall we? Happy New Year!

If your holiday vacation planning got lost in the seasonal mix, never fear. We understand that with everything else you've got going on this month, planning a fun trip can feel like just another thing to cross off your never-ending to-do list. Don't you wish Santa could just hand you a vacation in your price range?

You're in luck. We're here to guarantee that you'll have a very merry holiday with a few recommendations for wonderful last-minute trips that are also easy on the wallet. So pour yourself some eggnog and take a break to look through these deals that will make even Scrooge smile. Here's the rundown on spots filled with both holiday cheer and big bargains (notice how much free stuff there is in these top cities!):

You can experience L.A. on foot at the annual Griffith Park Holiday Light Festival in Los Angeles, CA, (3.5-star hotel, $63). You'll be able to enjoy a mile-long route of beautiful light displays through Griffith Park without having to share the road with cars. See lavish light displays in the form of palm trees, surfers riding a wave, and even dinosaurs. Who doesn't love Christmas lights and music? Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, this must-see free attraction is open from 5 to 10 every evening.

If music is your thing, you need to check out the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (4-star hotel, $99) in Austin, TX. Each year, from Dec. 12 to 24, local musicians and artisans flaunt their wares. Shop unique gifts, sample delicious food, and listen to great live music. And if you stay downtown, you can't miss Austin's Zilker Tree -- the lighting of the tree kicks off the holiday season in Austin. It stands 155 feet tall and is strung with 3500 multi-colored lights.

Just setting foot in exciting New York City, NY (3-star hotel, $116) will set your holiday spirits afire. We love the lavish window displays along Fifth Avenue, as well as the twinkling lights all over the tree at Rockefeller Center. Too cold to stand outside? Get to the Metropolitan Museum's Annual Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche. A favorite of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world, a vivid 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene adorns the candlelit spruce.

This is what they call a "hat trick" in the sports arena -- for the third year in a row, Hotwire.com™ was honored with J.D. Power and Associates' highest ranking for customer satisfaction among independent travel websites. J.D. Power and Associates' awards are based solely on responses from consumers who have used the products and services being rated -- that means you really made your voices heard.

Our "threepeat" shows that our other awards aren't just a coincidence; we're in the business of bringing you the lowest prices from the world's most highly respected travel brands, and we're here to stay. We are committed to bringing you more deeply discounted travel rates, especially in these times of economic hardship.

We're always on the lookout for fresh hotel, rental car, and airfare deals not available anywhere else. So whether you're searching for a last-minute or planned trip, a rental car or a whole vacation package, we'll keep you plugged into the best travel specials at extraordinary savings. We thank you for putting your travel faith in us. Look for even more ways to save on future trips with our unbeatable low prices in the new year.

Hotwire received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2006-2008 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction StudiesSM. 2008 study based on 7,667responses from consumers who booked airline, hotel or rental car reservations through one of seven major independent travel Web sites. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed May 2007 - October 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

Go ahead and admit it. You love Hawaii. It's the place where you can explore tucked-away gardens, glistening waterfalls and wild rivers all in one place. Where you'll never get too hot or too cold as you bask and turn on the white, gold, black -- or even green -- beach as a soft rain falls. You try other places like Mexico, Florida, or even Bali, but none come close.

The good news is prices to Hawaii have dropped. The bad news (bad for them) is that it's because for a while, Hawaii just couldn't catch a break. Over the years, Hawaii developed a reputation for being expensive. Then the Asian financial crisis of the 1990's and September 11th happened. And then recently, Hawaii lost two of their airlines serving the West Coast and two cruise ships. Things seemed downright bleak in August when state figures unveiled tourism was down almost 20%. People sat up and took notice.

Hawaii's Tourism Authority wants you to know not only is Hawaii affordable, it also offers a lot of value. In fact, they recently kicked off a $4.5 million campaign to lure travelers like you during the rest of 2008. That means new Hawaii deals, incentives, and packages. A vacation package is hundreds of dollars less this year compared to last year. Some hotels are even offering a complimentary extra night or breakfast, and more businesses are offering two-for-one deals on activities.

Hawaiian deals are showing up on Travel Ticker. Here's one from Pleasant Holidays. You get a flight from San Francisco and 3 nights at the Aqua Waikiki Beachside hotel from $349*. A flight and 3 nights at the beachfront Ka'anapali Ocean Inn starts at $399*. On Hotwire, we found a 3.5-star room in Ka'anapali for just $119 and a 4-star in Wailea for $186.

We aren't kidding ... book now!

From amongst the wreckage of the latest news rises a happy note. The price of oil is, thankfully, falling. That, combined with the dollar growing bigger and stronger against the euro and the British pound, makes Europe look positively bargain-like compared to last summer. Could you really be headed across the pond for puddle-jumping prices? All signs point to yes.

When oil prices fall, so does the price of jet fuel. So many major airlines are reducing some of the fuel surcharges between the United States and Europe, according to our latest findings. You could save up to 15% or more on the cost of a Europe flight. You might have heard it doesn't apply to all tickets. That's correct -- it applies to flights that require a Saturday-night stay. You guessed it -- tickets bought by vacationers and leisure travelers like you. And we're saying, "Well, thank goodness."

And the dollar is getting stronger against the euro (who said there's no silver lining to the economic downturn?). Recession fears and possible interest-rate cuts knocked the dollar way up against the euro and the British pound last Friday (the pound has since recovered a bit). It's now clear the dollar has emerged as a winner during this entire hullabaloo -- borrowers bought up dollars to repay loans they owe in dollars. But what does that mean for you? It means that you can get more euros for your dollars when you travel -- and buy good and services in -- Europe.

Our Travel Ticker site (check us out if you haven't) is now featuring Lufthansa's fare sale from major cities nationwide to 50 cities in Europe starting at a low $248 each way, among others. How about a hotel? Hotwire has a 3.5-star in London for only $79 a night, and a 4-star in Paris for $123.

Travelers, are you ready for Big Ben and the BBC? The Mona Lisa and the Métro again? It's time ... and not a moment too soon.

It's the same thing every year. You throw a bag of candy into a bowl and secretly hope no one rings the bell so you can eat it yourself. Or you go to a Halloween party where everyone is either dressed up as the latest news or movie darling or something in a really short skirt.

Make this the year you shake things up. Halloween falls on a Friday this year -- that means you get to travel. So why not get scared out of your wits at one of these quintessential Halloween experiences? Here is a rundown of the country's best:

The 13th Gate in Baton Rouge, LA, (3-star hotel, $89) has been rated #1 in the country by HauntWorld Magazine. This incredibly detailed freakfest has top-notch special effects that earned it nods for overall creep-out factor. You can expect to see a 13-room exhibit designed to look like an old, abandoned insane asylum and an extensive sewer system based loosely on the movie "It." Just writing this is scary!

Shocktoberfest in Reading, PA, (3-star hotel, $69) is located off Highway 422 and, according to HauntedAmericantours.com, is currently the third-best haunted house in the U.S. Some of their featured spooky stuff includes Toxic Asylum 3D Extreme (a haunted mental hospital with toxic ghosts aglow), Club Shock, and the BioHazard Hayride. Ticket prices range from $10-$38, depending on how many exhibits and rides you want.

Also in Pennsylvania, the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride in Glen Mills (3.5-star hotel in Wilmington, $69) is a no-holds-barred, action-packed haunted house not intended for children under 8 or people with heart conditions. Yes, it's THAT scary. Described as "the scariest hayride on the East Coast," the Haunted Hayride made HauntWorld Magazine's and USA Today's top 5 haunted attractions in the U.S. For 25 terrifying minutes, you'll roll through the deep, dark, haunted forest tricked out with all-new stage sets, computer-crafted animation, and best of all, over 45 ghouls, goblins, and witches.

Shipwreck at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA (3-star hotel, just $47) is the annual Halloween terror party aboard the famed ship. But this house is more than just a haunted house -- they also have dancing and bands. Get petrified in one of the 6 mazes, all located throughout the 12 Haunted Decks and on the adjacent Deadly Docks. Prefer something a bit tamer? The all-new Sinister Stage Show is a gloomy variety show that keeps visitors coming back. Top off the night with dancing in the Boiler Club Room.

So put down the candy bowl, and instead, let a haunted house scare your pants off. Step through the darkness as the cobwebs brush your face. Ghosts will startle you and witches will grab you in cold, dark corners. Grab a deal and go, already.

If you're lucky enough to get Columbus Day off (or have a little vacation time coming), we've got a tip for you. A Sunday-night stay could run you 50% less than a Saturday-night stay. And we just so happen to have fantastic deals on hotels all over the country. Whether you're looking for bit of history with your vacation, a hint of the gamble, classic fun, or some international mystery, we've got great ideas.

Fun and history abound in Philadelphia. How about a 4-star hotel for just $89? Visit the city's most famous attractions -- Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. But museums are not the only thing there is to do in Philly. You could go dancing at a South Street club in Center City. And shoppers will rejoice -- there are boutiques on Passyunk Avenue that are sure to hold you folks for a while.

Get lucky in Las Vegas or Atlantic City; they are both great destinations any time of the year –- and not just for gambling. We've got a 4-star hotel in Las Vegas for $83 and one in Atlantic City for $99. October is lovely in the desert; the heat has let up, and the nights are a touch cool. Many top shows are going on right now. Atlantic City has a lot to offer our East Coast friends -- much of it family-friendly. See marine mammals and more on an ocean cruise. How about rides and snacks? Steel Pier, Atlantic City's theme park with free admission, offers over 24 rides, games, and a custom-made, double-decker carousel.

New Orleans and Orlando, FL, are two classic choices. And now that the hurricanes are gone, they are both hot vacation contenders. Find a 4-star hotel in New Orleans for just $59. Can you see yourself strolling through Jackson Square with the scent of beignets from nearby Cafe du Monde in the air? We can. But if you're looking for a theme-park experience, we've got it in Orlando with a 4.5-star hotel for $89 ... what a steal! The sweltering heat is over, and Universal Studios and Downtown Disney will be both comfortable and fun (don't forget to buy your park tickets online for the best prices).

Take things international and get that "looks-like-Europe-but-doesn't-spend-like-it" experience in Montreal, where you can get a 4-star hotel for $93. Great in the fall, Montreal's art village, Little Italy, and Chinatown are the heart and soul of the city. If you've got to have the real Europe, we can help out there, too, with a 4-star hotel in London's Kensington for just $92. The science museum in South Kensington shouldn't be missed. Drop by Kensington Palace, the castle intended as the royal family's private getaway -- the Princess Diana exhibit is a must-see for fans.

So get clicking and book a 3-day weekend for the Columbus Day holiday. You've got a world to explore.

Renting a car simplifies travel. Your friends and relatives don't have to circle the airport's no-parking zone while you gather your luggage. A car with a GPS navigation system is better at finding the way than you with your map. And renting is pretty easy -- you book online, and after your plane lands, you troop down to the agency and pick up your car.

But then came the staycation phenomenon. The road trip became the vacation of choice – for obvious reasons. People clamored for cars -- and they still are. Some folks want a little relief from pump prices and crave an economy-sized car. Others want to road trip in a big model that can hold a party. The problem? The great rental car deals on Hotwire were only available at airports. But airports don't factor into staycation scenarios, so something had to change. That something was us.

We built in more convenience.

Now, you can pick up a rental car booked on Hotwire most anywhere. If you begin a Hotwire rental car search by entering an address, our results will still show cars at the airport -- but you’ll also see cars that are 1, 2, 5, and 10 miles from your address. Bottom line, now you can choose where to pick up your car. And we’ll also show you how to get there. It’s fast, easy, and lots more convenient than going all the way out to the airport.

You want the lowest prices on travel. And you use Hotwire because it's our #1 goal to find you the best deal. So when you’re looking to book, you always head our way first. You search. Check prices. You could book right away because we told you that 4-star hotel in Oahu is a deal. But we understand if you don't feel like taking our word for it. After all, we can tell you it's the best deal out there until the cows come home. But now, we can prove it.

We recently introduced a new feature that lets you compare our prices with other sites. It shows you what the competition is charging for what you're looking for. Just a button click is all it takes. After you view our rates, you can check out what other travel sites are offering by clicking the corresponding check box at the top of the screen. The rates will appear in separate windows for easy viewing. Compare all the rates side by side on your screen. And make that important purchase decision only after the homework is done.

This new feature makes it easy for you to research the going rates quickly and easily with almost no legwork. And since the competitor rates you see are on their sites, you can book with them right then (The name of the game is finding the best price, and if the other guys offer it, you shall have it.) Now, you'll know full well you got the best deal. No sinking feelings. No regrets. We always say we offer the best price. Now, we can back it up.

Dust off that dictionary. Find that weird-looking plug thing for your razor. Dig out the names and addresses of your overseas relatives. A miracle has happened, folks. Finally, finally, we're seeing prices drop on what most Americans hold dearest -- that European vacation.

Our best deal right now is in Paris, France (everyone's favorite city) -- it's for a 4-star hotel near the Eiffel Tower for $139. And yes, that’s in Dollars, not Euros. This neighborhood is prime -- you can enjoy a walk to the Rodin Museum, The Musée d'Orsay and Marmottan. And of course, le tour d’Eiffel! You'll also be close to the military museum of the Invalides and its impressive dome. Like antiques or know someone who does? Between Quai Voltaire and Rue de l'Universite, dozens of antique dealers entice you into their shops on the Carré Rive Gauche. All that plus a 4-star stay -- wow. Don't pass that up.

Maybe you're longing for the tapas and siestas of Barcelona, Spain. You're in luck. We have a Barcelona deal for both a 4- and a 4.5-star hotel for -- sitting down? -- just over $100 a night. Imagine a swanky Spain stay for so little money! Staying downtown? Good for you! It really hops at night, so it would be great to be close to your bed. And only a 10-minute walk from the port end of La Rambla -- you're going to love staying downtown. Lastly, we have a 4-star hotel in Les Corts - Sants. That's a great location too, with multiple Metro lines and a ton of buses to get you to that happening downtown we were just talking about (did we mention the Metro in Barcelona is fantastic?)

Need a little London in your life? We can help with a -- get this -- 5-star London deal in Soho for only $199 a night. This is right where you want to be if you're looking for an big-city neighborhood with atmosphere and character to spare. The dining and bar scene is extremely diverse, with tons of cafes, theaters, nightlife, restaurants, and sassy shops lining the tiny streets. Restaurant options cover pretty much every culture, taste, and budget. This is the London neighborhood with the most buzz, so don't miss it.

We are so pleased to dash your dreams of a European vacation -- pleased because we just made 'em a reality, of course. So start packing. And bust out the beret!

Back in 1978, the airline industry was deregulated, and double-digit fares were like the air we breathe. But those champagne days cost us: many airlines went out of business or merged with others. And we sure are feeling it now. Here's the really scary part ... even with the jaw-dropping fares of late, this year the airlines may still lose big because of unsteady fuel prices. So what does that mean for you? Surcharges on everything from luggage to a glass of tap water. So here are a few tips that can help you save.

Beverages: ah, the snack-and-beverage cart that troops down the aisle and bangs into everyone's legs. You didn't mind because you were about to get a frosty beverage over ice absolutely free. Think again. On many airlines, a soda will now cost at least a dollar. One popular airline makes the basic water bottle a whopping $2. Another currently offers a $5 snack box (Tip: bring an empty vessel through security, fill it at the closest fountain before you board, and pack your own snack from home). Amount a family of 4 saves: $4 a round+.

Entertainment: so you're finally settled in your seat. All you want is to hit the pillow and shut it all out with headphones. It may cost: a certain Canadian airline charges $2 for a pillow and blanket. A super-popular airline offers free headphones (an upgrade is $2), and now charges $7 for a pillow. Some airlines are discontinuing in-flight entertainment entirely, so don't forget that iPod if you want to get through a long flight in an aircraft cabin. (Tip: bring your own headphones -- iPod headphones fit in the holes just fine.) Amount a family of 4 saves: varies.

Checked baggage: so you've managed to stuff it all in one bag to escape checked-bag fees. We hate to break it to you, Mr. Bursting-at-the-seams-bag (nice undies), but it must be a certain size and weight. And if it weights more than the limit -- usually 50 pounds -- you could pay $50. Some people ship their luggage, which is only a good idea if it's less than the fee. What if there's one bag at 48 pounds and one at 51 pounds? Do they average them out? Not usually. (Tip: weigh your bags on a bathroom scale, and then get on the Internet and look up local shipping charges to your destination. Determine what would be the cheapest way to get them there. The fee might be worth it.) Amount a family of 4 saves: $200+

Using award miles: want to redeem some miles? Great. Some airlines let you book up to the day of travel with no fee. Others will charge you if you don't give ample notice. You could pay up to $75. And one airline charges $100 if you book 6 days or fewer before departure. Ouch. Fees abound if you book by telephone or change your booking after your reward ticket was confirmed. And how's this for tricky -- redeeming miles is often only possible by phone, so then you have to pay the customer-service fee, too. (Tip: have your travel dates handy and check the airline's web site regarding their reward travel policy. Modify dates or switch carriers if you have to.) Amount a family of 4 saves: $100+

Pretend this is your shield as you burst through the airport gates, luggage in hand, laughing in the face of fees. And remember to have fun, save money -- and don’t blame the airlines. They’re trying their best to offer you conveniences and get you to your destination safely and on time It’s your choice whether you pay for those conveniences – or not.

With over 11 million travelers devouring our weekly newsletter and clamoring for more, we knew we needed another way to get the word out. So on July 21, amidst a flurry of activity, we did something drastic. Something that changed Hotwire -- forever.

But let's back up a bit, shall we?

The year was 2006. That's when we learned customers love hearing about interesting travel destinations and great deals -- even if they were last minute. In response, we created Travel Ticker, a bimonthly newsletter sent to travelers like you based on where you live. What makes this newsletter unique is our team of travel experts that talks with more than 10,000 travel companies and handpicks 30 or so of the very best deals every week including special limited-time offers, small hotels that don't usually sell online, and even exotic locations on the down-low.

We stepped up the newsletter to one a week. But soon, even a weekly newsletter wasn't enough. So we rallied, ordered a lot of takeout Chinese, and produced something that does exactly what makes our newsletter so great -- told travelers about super deals -- except it was a full-size, categorized, and searchable site with the most-clicked deal at eye-level on the landing page. That's travel-ticker.com

travel-ticker.com gives you more than the newsletter (we still send out a weekly newsletter, BTW). First off, there are a lot more awesome deals categorized by real-world situations like Ways to Go (flights, hotels, cruises, packages, and cars), Places to Go (by destinations), and Reasons to Go (Sun, Quick Getaway, Resort and Spa, etc). Search for exactly what you want using the search field at the bottom of the page. And because it's a site, and our travel expert team is constantly on the hunt for more deals, we update often with what you want. You also get expert commentary by Barbara Messing, our lead travel expert, on certain travel deals are so great, and recommendations on what to do once you're there. Best of all, the deals most people click move to the very center of the landing page. The most popular deal will be right in front of you always.

So check out travel-ticker.com. And get blown away!

Last month, American Airlines, US Airways, and United Airlines began charging $15 for the first bag you check. And most other U.S. airlines (Alaska, American, Continental, Northwest, and Delta) have begun charging $25 for bag #2. We know: as if flying these days isn’t hard enough. So here it is ... if you're avoiding extra costs, fit everything for your trip in your one carry on bag you're allowed. Bag sizes requirement varies, but generally, bags shouldn't exceed 45 linear inches (length + width + height) or weigh more than 40 pounds. How do you fit a lot of clothing, or naturally-big things -- like bulky sweaters -- in a tiny space? Take it from us: smart packing requires a little creativity.

Choose clothing carefully. Here are a few tiny wardrobe-planning tips we picked up. Think easy matching. The majority colors should be blue, black, khaki, denim, and white. Three easy-to-match shirts with three easy-to-match pants make nine whole outfits! Ladies: easy-to-pack jewelry and scarves can change up an outfit. Remember, for dress up, dark blue jeans with non-tennis shoes (pumps for ladies, and lace-up oxfords for men) work everywhere but very-fancy restaurants. Add a jacket if in doubt. Wear one pair of running shoes and pack one nice pair like pumps or oxfords. A word on fabrics: natural fabrics are heavy and wrinkle easily. If you need natural fibers, choose cotton and wool pants. Synthetic knit shirts and skirts are popular, look nice, and they tend not to wrinkle. Consider a blazer jacket over a thin sweater -- you'll look great and have more room in your bag.

Arrange your chosen clothing on your bed from largest to smallest items. Begin by laying your jacket in front of you interior face up and open. From there, lay your items in roughly this order:

• skirts, dresses
• long-sleeved shirts
• short-sleeved shirts
• slacks
• sweater, knits
• shorts
• underthings

Now, the folding. Fold the underthings where they are as usual. Next, fold the shorts over the underthings like you're wrapping them like a package with the shorts as paper. Keep going until you're wrapping the largest items over your bundle. Last, ease the bundle into your bag. Unpack as soon as you can. Check out here, here, and here for more easy packing tips.

See? It's possible to dodge fees and still look great on your vacation. So book and get cracking ... and get packing (oh, you saw that joke coming).

With the dollar giving everyone a rough time, and the pressure to be "green," you may be feeling a little powerless over your travel options this summer. What's fun that won't break your bank or your earth? Why not get on your feet and enjoy the earth's beauty at a national park? We've got the Hotwire deals to get you there.

There are can't-miss deals in Vegas right now, so why not add a trip to Zion or Bryce National Park to your Vegas itinerary -- it's only a 3 hour drive. Zion is pretty sophisticated for being over 100 years old. It's got a summer shuttle, so there's no parking or driving worries. And the activities! The Pa'rus Trail offers a paved, car-free bike path along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. And Zion is great for hikers. Hikes can range from a quick jaunt to a daylong excursion. And last, if you want your transportation organic, how about a little horseback riding? Guided trips are available March through October.

Bryce is known for its gorgeous rock formations and its pet-friendliness (check restrictions), and there's tons to do. Learning-lovers can get their fill at the Bryce ranger program; the rangers are dedicated to educating their visitors. After a ranger session, take a wrangler-guided horseback or muleback ride on a 2- or 4-hour trip into the canyon. Stay a while: Bryce Canyon Lodge is really charming, with 114 rooms including lodge suites, motel rooms and cabins. The dining room at Bryce Canyon Lodge is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

What's to see in Seattle? Olympic National Park, for one. And if you visit this year (Only a 2.5 hour drive from Seattle), you'll have a lot of company: 3,691,310 other folks, to be exact. What's different about Olympic from many other parks is the ocean, so the weather's mild. 95% of the park is bona fide wilderness, so think of it as your own private sanctuary. Here's our favorite thing about Olympic: hot springs! The Sol Duc Resort is open from late spring through early fall and offers cabins (some cooking cabins), a dining room, gift shop, a swimming pool, three mineral water pools, and therapeutic massage.

Fly into Modesto or Sacramento and visit Yosemite National Park. It's one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, and is best known for its waterfalls, deep valleys, and ancient giant sequoias. Guided mule rides and both pack and saddle trips are available throughout the spring and summer. Or, rent a bike and take off down the 12-mile path. But if you've ever had a hankering for rock-climbing, now's your chance. Climbers enjoy many challenges, from the sustained crack climbs of the Merced River Canyon, to pinching crystals on the Tuolumne Meadows domes. If you're looking for less activity, the Yosemite rangers offer seven bus tours--one is by moonlight!

So how about a more organic vacation? With great Hotwire deals and all that natural beauty within a stone's throw, there's no reason not to go and marvel at what all the "green" fuss is about!

OK, so you need some great vacation plans. After all, you need to make up for all those times you sat envious while you watched tan coworkers turn off their out-of-office reminders with big smiles on their faces and lots of pictures on their cameras.

But let's be honest. You do need a break. But you don't actually need to go anywhere far to get a good, mind-clearing vacation. What's important is that you get cubicle liberation so you can decompress and relax. You need … a "staycation."

No, we didn't make up that word (we're not that clever). It's defined as "A vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying what home and close to home offers." And you may have heard it before: Consumer Reports, MSNBC, and ABC News are all using the word, albeit a little differently (At Hotwire, we call a drive-only trip a staycation). So what's the draw of a "staycation?" Drive instead of fly, and use the money you would have spent on plane fare for more activities and treats.

Let's look at the numbers. How much can you save on, say, a seven-day vacation vs. a staycation? That depends, but let's assume you're a family of four, and your round-trip airline tickets would be $500 each ($2000). A Hotwire staycation budget won't include the $2000. Stretching that unneeded $2000 over seven days is an extra $285 per day. Give yourself $40 a day for driving, and that leaves you with an extra $245 per day every day of your vacation! With that kind of money, you could stay in a nicer hotel. Eat out at a better restaurant every night. Send the kids to a different movie every day while you hit the spa -- every day! Simply drive instead of fly, and suddenly the vacation you could never afford just became a reality.

Check it out. Live in Dallas? Flying to Cancun for 5 days and staying in a 3-star hotel would be $1850 for two people. Driving to Austin and booking a 4.5-star hotel for 5 days on Hotwire? $950. And what if you lived in Philadelphia? If you were planning on flying to Miami and staying in a 3-star hotel for 5 days, you'd pay about $900. How about driving to Washington DC and staying in a 4-star hotel for $110 a night? And if you live in Los Angeles and were planning on going to Puerto Vallarta, a flight would be $400. Why not drive to Palm Springs and stay in a 4-star hotel for $65 a night? Now that's savings.

Saying no to a vacation? Say yes to a staycation, and take that fancy vacation you deserve. You've earned it.

Gas is approaching $5 a gallon and the Euro is now worth $1.50. That smarts ... a lot.

But before you offer a moment of silence for your summer travel plans, take heart: summer is off-season for warm-weather destinations. That means more empty hotel rooms and rental cars. You guessed it ... there are even better deals on Hotwire to be had.  Here's just a few:

• The thing about Las Vegas (4-star hotels for $60-$70 a night) is there's always something new happening. Bette Midler replaced Celine Dion at Caesars Palace last February. And Planet Hollywood just completed a remodel and is bigger than life and even more impressive. Kitsch fans will love the Liberace museum, now just as showy as the man himself. Definitely worth a look.
• Phoenix (4-star hotels for $60-$70 a night) folk do the heat so well, no wonder everyone's moving there. There's something for everyone: amusement parks, water parks, architecture, shopping, hiking, climbing, fine dining, baseball and just plain hanging out are yours for the taking. Downtown Scottsdale (4-star hotels for $60-$70 a night) is like a desert South Beach these days. There's plenty of late-night revelry and hotel-hopping. And if you golf, well, it's just crazy with golf there, with over 200 golf courses. Put this one in the running.
• Orlando's (4-star hotels for $60-$70 a night) always fun no matter when it is, what with Epcot Center and the Mouse, but have you heard Orlando now hosts some of the most well-known, elite spas in the U.S.? Check out The Ritz-Carleton or Mandara Spa. Say "ahhh."
• Think you can't take the family to Miami Beach (4-star hotels for just over $100) because it's too wild? Nah. The family-friendly Parrot Jungle Island and Miami Children’s Museum are right in the heart of Miami. Art Deco lovers will go crazy over Miami architecture. And when that's all done, don't forget the old standby ... the beach. You can feel the sun already.
• Here's the scoop on San Diego (4-star hotels for less than $125). Since there are many new hotels there, there are empty rooms that could be yours. And San Diego is fun in all directions ... margaritas and sombreros to the south ... a bit of golf to the north end of town at Torrey Pines, and, of course, the beach to the west. Don't miss Wind and Sea beach in La Jolla.

So start putting your liquids in those annoying plastic baggies ... you're going places!

Ah, Hawaii. There's really no substitute. It's the place where you can explore tucked-away gardens, glistening waterfalls, and wild rivers all in one place. Where you'll never get too hot or too cold as you bask and turn on the white, gold, black, or even green beach...even as a soft rain falls. Yes, Hawaii is an ideal vacation for most of us--and that's the problem. Competition has pushed Hawaiian prices over the top over the last few years, putting it out of reach for many.

But we have good news: Hawaii hotel prices on Hotwire are on the low side right now, just before the peak summer season. There are also a few hot Hawaii deals on Travel Ticker. You will definitely sit up and take notice when you look at what's out there.

Getting to and around Hawaii has gotten simpler. You may know about Aloha and ATA's recent demise. But you may not know other air carriers have stepped up and are adding more flights from the mainland US--this is why prices haven’t gone through the roof (see TripStarter). And there's more getting-around options thanks to Hawaii's newest interisland-only airline (Go!) and new Superferry, which can even transport your luggage and car.

So don't forget about Hawaii. And do look for your coconut bra and your sunscreen!

If you're like a lot of people these days, you carefully separate your tin cans and plastic for recycling. You cringe as you watch brown car exhaust head straight for the ozone layer. You've become afflicted with green guilt: that feeling you're destroying your precious earth one plastic bottle at a time. And this new awareness drifts into your travel plans. Instead of imagining the inviting sun and languid surf of a Tahitian vacation, you're instead worrying about what all that burned fuel will do to the environment, or how your hotel might be contaminating local natural beauty.

When flying, consider

• a carbon emissions offset, which allows you to put in money to undo environmental harm. There are many organizations that will do it for less than $100. And even better, you can offset your flight, driving, or energy use --- you decide.
• a trip closer to home. Whether it's a Sun Valley ski trip in December to a Caribbean-style fest in Florida, you don't need to go far to taste new food, culture, or weather. Check out our Travel Value Index or Local trips to see ideas. Or check out our hotel page to see some deals close to home.

When staying on your hotel, you might want to

• call ahead before you check in and ask about their consumption-reducing programs. Examples include energy-efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and showers, and alternative energy sources like solar or wind power.
• keep your showers short. Shut off the water while you're brushing your teeth.
• reuse your sheets and towels. You may need to write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk.
• bring your own toiletries and drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided.
• give your hotel feedback. Give them a thumbs-up for going green. If they aren't, let them know how important it is they do.

When renting a car, how about

• a bike instead of a car? Of course, this only works for small towns and quick jaunts, but you could look into renting a bike during your stay if the weather and the destination are right.

So, we hope we've put you more at ease. The green monster doesn't have to keep you at home. Get mindful. And get going!

You know the saying 'when it rains, it pours?' Well, we're soaking wet with deals over here...and this time, they aren't just in one place. You're going to have a whole slew of options. Self-planned escape or all-inclusive resort...you decide.

Why so many deals? Well, we hate to remind you yet again the economy is slowing. But also, Easter was very early in March this year (usually it's in early April). What that did was pull everybody's spring break into March or earlier. So April, a typically high-travel month, is slow in 2008. Plus, business travel is down--fewer conventions were scheduled because of the, ahem, economy (last time I mention it, promise). This makes for even MORE empty hotel rooms. And this means more deals for you.

We've been deal-hunting. And we found a few markets where the deals should be outstanding. So if you've been hankering to visit any of these destinations, now's your chance to save big:

Atlanta

Austin

Dallas

Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island)

Indianapolis

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Mexico (Los Cabos, Cancun, Puerta Vallarta, Playa del Carmen)

Minneapolis

Orlando

Philadelphia

Phoenix

Puerto Rico

San Diego

San Francisco

Toronto

Another thing: have you had your eye on a fancy resort vacation, but thought it was too spendy? Look again. Typically, Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Vegas are high-priced in April because of popularity and sunshine. They aren't that busy this April, though, so this year may be your year.

Check out all the deals for the markets listed above here.

Ahhh, spring. You can see it in the trees. Smell it in the air. It's light when you leave the office. And there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a little south-of-the-border sun, especially at these prices.

That's right. Mexico is the place to be right now, with exceptional deals just in time for your spring break. And luckily, there are deals country-wide, so whether you're looking for peace or a party, you’re sure to find your bliss. Like in Cancun – a bit of a spring-break go-to, with its resort-rich beaches and happening spots to visit in the evening. Puerto Vallarta and Playa de Carmen are also fantastic destinations, with their velvet-sand beaches and sophisticated nightlife. Be sure to be on the lookout for our all-inclusive deals when you search – these hotels will include meals and beverages in the room rate, saving you even more! If you're looking for a little more intimacy and friendliness in your vacation, try Ixtapa. And Oaxaca is another ideal off-the-beaten-path choice with its colonial charm and mountainous surroundings.

Look what we found in Mexico:

Oaxaca: 4-star hotel, $132

Cancun: 4-star hotel, $96

Puerto Vallarta: 4-star hotel, $85

Check out our Mexico deals page for these and more!

These deals should put a little salsa in your step. So let's get packing!

News about the US economy hasn’t been too rosy lately. It seems like every day things get worse. This might cause you to think about your travel plans more conservatively this year. Perhaps you’re considering taking fewer trips, or spending less on those trips that you do take.

Well, we don't think you have to sacrifice. A slowing economy means less travel. Less travel means emptier hotel rooms across the country. And that means better Hotwire deals and more choices for you. We’re here to help major hotel companies fill rooms that would otherwise go unsold. And now these companies have more to fill, so the pickings have never been better.

This year, we’re seeing some great deals in what is normally considered "high season" for resort markets. $89 a night for a 4.5 star hotel in Cancun. $149 for a 4 star hotel in Aruba. Sure, these deals sell out quickly, but they are many of them. This means you can take a high quality vacation for less right now. It also bodes well for the wall and winter, traditionally "shoulder" or "low season" for places like Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. If they’re having trouble filling up now, the discounts may be even better later this year.

So book now or wait-- your decision. But do take that trip.

The year's still brand new (Happy New Year, again) and when it comes to travel deals right now, the West has won. What's so great about that is from fluffy snow to sparkling beaches, there's just about something for everyone in the West. (And the fruits and veggie you'll eat out there can't be beat either, but that's another story.)

In our last entry, we talked up Las Vegas, where we’re still finding 4-star hotels at prices well below $100 a night through the end of January and into early February. But now the deals seem to be moving like tumbleweed throughout the West Coast. Take a look:

• 4-stars in San Francisco (Union Square) for under $100 and 3-stars starting from $60

• 4-stars in downtown LA for $115 ... and dropping!

• 4-stars in San Diego near Sea World for a touch over $100

Now's a great time to check out Sea World in San Diego. Or how about San Francisco's cable cars? (There's nothing quite like hanging off a crowded cable car looking downhill.) Downtown LA has become a popular residence for many young stars, so be sure to breakfast at a local eatery and keep your eyes open.

But maybe you're not itching for Western adventures. Click here to check out our deals page. Not only is there something for everyone, it's updated constantly, so visit us often. Click on the city you’re interested to see the dates where the advertised price is available, as well as other deals for the next 30 days. Happy trails!

For the second year in a row, Hotwire.com™ was honored with J.D. Power and Associates’ highest ranking for customer satisfaction for booking reservations on an independent travel web site. Officially, J.D. Power and Associates’ awards are based solely on responses from consumers who have used the products and services being rated, such as hotel, airline, or rental car reservations. What that statement really means is that J.D. Power and Associates gave the award … but people like you made it happen.

We’re grateful for the trust you place in us. We appreciate the fact that you rely on us for the lowest prices from the world’s most highly respected travel brands. And we’ll continue to work hard to deliver deeply discounted rates, and so much more --including truly amazing last-minute, local, weekend, and leisure deals in fantastic destinations at extraordinary savings.

So where do we go from here? It's tempting to relax after such an honor, but that’s not our nature. After all, we are Hotwire -- a team of travel experts with a passion for delivering hotel, rental car, and airfare deals not available anywhere else. Look for new and exciting innovations from us as 2008 progresses. We’ll be working hard to make it a “threepeat” in 2009.

2008 promises to be the year of uncertainty. After all, we're deciding who'll be our new President. The price of oil remains unsettled. Subprime loans continue to burden the economy. It’s enough to make you think about rethinking your 2008 travel plans. We're here to say don’t let uncertainty put your plans on hold. Because one thing’s for certain: we'll continue bringing you incredible deals and the latest travel information through 2008 and beyond.

Speaking of the best deals...we were looking around and Las Vegas kept popping up. Have Vegas hotel rates ever been this good? Not that we can remember -- and we've been doing this 7 years! Check out:

• 2 nights in a 3-star South Strip hotel just $45 per night
• 4-star Central Strip hotel just $79 per night
• 3-star downtown hotel just $36 per night

We can't promise you winnings, but there's one thing you can bet on...you'll save a lot on your Vegas stay.

Another thing that's certain: fuel prices are driving airline fares skyward and there isn't anything anyone can do about it (except to buy from an online travel agent that never charges you flight booking fees -- like Hotwire!). Sites charging booking fees typically get an extra $5-$7 dollars out of you for every ticket you buy. That means you'd be spending an extra $36 or so every time your 6-person family flies -- that adds up fast! With gas prices being what they are, extra fees are the last thing you need.

How is all the uncertainty good for you? Just check out Hotwire.com. Because if everyone else is procrastinating on their travel plans, all the airline seats, hotel rooms, and rental cars they aren't buying are yours for less.

CNET recently did a short news clip on travel during the holiday season offering tips and tricks for getting to your destination without breaking the bank. Of course given the weather, crowds, and high fares, getting anywhere during a holiday season is nothing short of a miracle. But deals do exist – if you know how to navigate the system. This news report offers great advice on doing just that. And remember, getting there is half the fun. Thanks for going with us. Click here to watch the video.

Many of you have booked 3- or 4-star hotels on Hotwire (and if you haven’t, you should!), but have you ever considered a 4.5- or 5-star? Like rare, beautiful flowers, they do exist -- and they can be yours for discounts of up to 50% off retail. The catch? These typically smaller, exclusive hotels have fewer empty rooms than 3- and 4-stars and you may not always see them in search results. The trick is knowing where to look …

New Orleans

You may not believe it. I certainly didn’t when I first looked. But we have a 4.5-star in downtown New Orleans for under $75 a night for much of December and January. Sure, New Orleans as a city has had its challenges and the winter months are not peak season, but it’s rare that you get a chance to explore such a beautiful destination with such a rich heritage. And the music and food! All for $75 a night.

Vancouver, BC

Vancouver is a stunning city, and a central point for a memorable driving vacation -- Victoria, Seattle, and Whistler are all just a short hop away. Our 5-star hotels in this market are also standouts -- right in the center of wonderful shopping, dining, and sightseeing. You can’t go wrong, especially with rates between $125 and $150 in December and January … up to 50% off retail.

Boston

Boston is a our strongest “luxury” market if you will, with four deluxe hotels available on Hotwire You’ll find these properties for around $200 a night, up to 40% off retail. Stay in the Quincy Market/Financial District area, and use it (and the T) as your base of operations.

Hawaii

Now we all know that Hawaii does not come cheap. But there are great values to be had. Look on Kauai for a stunning 4.5-star hotel that’s typically 33% off retail and on Maui for one at 25% off. Both often have rooms available for about $250 a night. And remember, while the rest of the country is getting dark, cold, and snowy, Hawaii is still sunny, bright, and warm.

Las Vegas

Last on our list, but certainly not least, is Las Vegas with a nearly brand new 4.5-star hotel west of the Strip for just over $100 for much of December and January. It’s rare to visit Las Vegas and stay in a premier property for such a value price, but Hotwire can help make it happen, leaving more in your pocketbook for great meals, shows, and if you like, taking on Lady Luck!

Remember, hotels are at their emptiest in December, so the rates you see right now are not the rates you’ll see in the Spring. So act now, indulge yourself, and have one last deluxe vacation to end the year.

We weren’t the least bit surprised when the November 18th edition of the New York Times Travel Magazine stated that “Toronto is the new L.A.” After all, at Hotwire, we’ve been “hot” on Toronto for a long time. It’s the 5th largest city in North America and offers the perfect balance of great attractions and great savings.

A truly cosmopolitan city – almost 50% of the population was born outside of Canada – Toronto is easy to visit with the airport only 16 miles from downtown, and it’s safer than every major city in the US. Since 2005, Toronto has undergone a cultural renaissance, with new and expanded offerings in the areas of arts and architecture, a plethora of food and wine shows, cultural festivals, and some of the best street vendor hot dogs you’ll ever taste. A few places that just opened in 2006 include:

• The Ontario Science Centre
• The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (Opera)
• The Gardiner Museum, with its focus on ceramics

Even more is scheduled for 2008, including an expansion of the wonderful Royal Ontario Museum.

Now the deals. This December, you’ll find 4-star hotels from $90 a night, and we have 4.5-star hotels as well (although they’re priced a bit more, starting from $110). This makes a quick visit relatively inexpensive. Find a car for not much more – our rates start at only $11.95 a day.

With amazing restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions, put Toronto on your “must visit” list this December or for 2008. And go with Hotwire to save!

That’s the question this time of year, when, barring the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas, the travel industry is at its slowest. What does “slow” mean to you? Low, low prices at Hotwire.com. From Nov. 26 to December 21, we see truly unbelievable deals across all of our products – flights, hotels, and car rentals. Because demand is always low this time of year, our partners will often provide aggressive rates just before Thanksgiving that extend through the remainder of the year.

Here are some hotel highlights … (best rates are generally mid-week)

• 4-star hotels starting at $65 a night in smaller US cities (like Albuquerque and St. Louis) and suburbs (such as New Brunswick or Fairfax) and $85 a night in downtown areas in larger cities (Chicago, San Francisco, Washington DC, and more).
• A 4-star hotel in the Central Strip in Las Vegas starting at $55 a night
• 3.5-star hotels in NYC (Midtown Central) starting at $149 a night, and 4-star hotels at $239. Be flexible when searching New York – rates vary dramatically day by day.
• 2- and 2.5-star hotels across the country starting at $35 a night

And some on flights …

• Great fares to Las Vegas, starting at $194 from Midway, Atlanta, Boston, and NYC.
• Chicago is hot with rates starting at $134 round trip from Midway to La Guardia. If you’re looking for warmer climes, we have O’Hare to Fort Lauderdale from $190, Midway to Phoenix from $209, and Midway to LA from $239

To see our very best deals tailored to your home airport and to great destinations like those listed above, either login or register, and then visit our Flight deals page.

There’s no better time for that short getaway. Take advantage of the deals and get one more trip in before 2008!

Onward and upward. We’re always looking for ways to make your travel booking experience more rewarding. And these new changes are a giant step in that direction. Read on and find out more about what we’ve done. Then let us know what you think.

For a long time Hotwire was the place to get great deals on airline tickets -- sometimes. You could search and (especially if you were looking last minute) often find discounts of 50% or more off retail prices. But now, Hotwire is the place to buy airline tickets all the time. Why? Because with our recent changes, you’ll always save.

The new Airfare Savings Hub -- new way to search, better way to save.

The Airfare Savings Hub takes the leg work out of your hunt for the lowest price. First, we proactively suggest nearby alternate airports for both departure and arrivals if less expensive tickets are available. Next, we display our heavily discounted tickets (called Hotwire Limited Fares) together with standard retail fares, so that on a single screen you can see all the options. And finally, we make it easy to change your search criterion with a new set of easy to navigate menu options to the side. We’re happy to say that now about a third of our customers are using the alternatives, and that on average these alternatives save them 25% off of their initial search.

Introducing Flexible Date Search.

We launched Flexible Date Search in August, and we’re happy to say a large number of you are using it to find lower prices on airfare. This feature allows you to put in a range of dates that you’re thinking of traveling (say up to 30 days) and a trip length. We’ll return ticket prices, by departure day, in the form of a calendar. You can quickly scan to see when you can get the best price. A few other travel sites do have a feature like this, but try ours and you’ll see why it’s such an improvement.

Welcome our new airline partners.

We recently added flights from ATA, Airtran, and Frontier. More airlines mean more options and better prices for you.

Booking fees? Not at Hotwire.

Many travel sites like Priceline and Travelocity charge a booking fee per ticket. This fee often varies based on the price of the ticket and is typically between $5-15. Last summer we ran a no booking fee promotion and received strong positive feedback. We’ve extended that promotion through 2007.

Search on Hotwire. We’ll help you find the best time to fly, and the best airports to fly from. If we have deeply discounted Hotwire Limited Fares, we’ll tell you, and you can save big. If we don’t, you’ll still get the same retail fares that you’d find on other travel sites, but you won’t pay a booking fee. Any way you look at it, you save.

The Hotwire hobgoblin has been scouring the country looking for worthy Halloween happenings. He’s also been hard at work shaking down our travel partners, scaring them into offering great deals in cities where celebration is sacred. His endeavors have proved successful in select cities countrywide starting with Orlando, Florida. Ordinarily a sedate city near fantastic beaches, every October it turns into a frightful sight with Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights show. This “Carnival of Carnage” claims to be one of the biggest Halloween events in the country -- you’ve got to see it to believe it! And now, for two more weekends only, you can. Because now we’ve got 3- and 4-star hotel deals in Orlando at over 50% savings. After Halloween Horror Nights, book a car rental and head an hour east to one of the more peaceful beaches. Check out our 3-star hotel deals in Daytona Beach starting at $55. Or 3.5-stars in Melbourne from $75. And all these hotels are on the beach, off the beaten path.

The beach not your idea of a hauntingly great time? Take that rental car on a road trip to Chicago and dress up for Chicagoween. Play ghostly games and see the haunted village at Daley Plaza. Just don’t let the prices scare you off -- we can offer you a 4-star, Magnificent Mile hotel from $110. Then there’s the New York’s Village Halloween Parade, where you’ll join hundreds of puppets, 53 bands, dancers and artists, and thousands of others in costumes of their own creation in the nation’s most wildly creative public participatory event. Where to stay in this horribly expensive city? How about 20% or more off of hotels in Midtown? And if New York’s not scary enough for you, try the Washington D.C. area. The corny corn mazes in Maryland and Virginia, and the House of the Vampyres and Sanctuary of Insanity in Arundel Mills, Maryland are must-sees. Capitol Hill rocks and 3-star hotels in the area start at a mere $90 a night. Or go Deep South to Atlanta and stop by the Netherworld Haunted House -- voted #1 in the country by the well-respected Hauntworld Magazine. Book a Buckhead, 3.5-star hotel for $75. That price is so good it makes me shiver just thinking about it! So travel smart, be safe, celebrate the season, and don’t be afraid to save money.

At Hotwire, we’re all over San Diego. Superb weather, amazing beaches, a resurgent downtown, lots to do for both kids and adults – and just this week we’ve seen rates really take a dive, which means great values for you!

If you’re a 4-star sort of person, we recommend either the downtown or one of the fantastic hotels on the bay. You can book 4-star hotels at over 45% off in the historic Gaslamp district, where you’ll be surrounded by great restaurants, bars, and shopping options. If you like rooms right near the water, try the Sea World – Mission Bay – Shelter Island neighborhood, where we also have a 4-star hotel at 40% off. Not only can you enjoy the numerous well-maintained parks right on the bay, but you’re also just a short drive from Sea World. And since San Diego is such a small city, you’re less than a half hour drive from downtown, the famous San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park, home to 15 major museums.

One of the best kept secrets of the San Diego hotel marketplace is that there are plenty of large, centrally located, well maintained 3-star hotels. Because these hotels are so big, they often have empty rooms, which they provide to Hotwire at super low rates that we pass along to you. In fact, as I do a search now, a 3-star in the Mission Valley – Hotel Circle neighborhood comes up for just under $100 a night.

Our last bit of advice has nothing to do with airfares, hotels, or cars, and has everything to do with attractions. Don’t ever, ever walk up to the gate and pay full-price for an area attraction. There are always discount coupons that you can print out from your home computer for 20% off or more for attractions like Sea World, the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park, and Legoland. Click the links to see a few examples. Altogether (especially if you have a family) these coupons can save you as much as a night or two at a 4-star hotel.

So get out there and take that extra vacation that we know you have stored up (a recent survey by Expedia says that 35% of us don’t use all our vacation days every year!). Want to know more about San Diego? Or about how to save on travel to another destination? Email us at blog@hotwire.com. We want to hear from you!

Heard about Travel Ticker? Allow us to take a few lines to explain why you need to know about this hidden gem – before we dive into this week’s big deals.

Travel Ticker is what separates the amateurs from the pros – the serious deal sleuths from the “just looking.” Travel Ticker has fantastic deals that no one else knows about. It’s your dream trip at a dreamier price … like this amazing package from Gate 1 Travel. Check this out: It’s an 8-day package to Egypt INCLUDING airfare from the west coast for $1,210 per person. And that includes a 3-day Nile cruise, internal flights to Luxor and Aswan, 4-star hotels, and 12 meals! Usually airfare alone from the west coast is at least $1,000.

And there’s more where that came from – maybe not so unbelievable, but great deals nevertheless. Want to go to Vegas? Here’s the deal – and it’s available only on Travel Ticker. Book a room at the new Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, with state-of-the-art video and plasma screens, a spa, dining, shopping, and a nightclub, for just $99 per night. Got Kids? Have the slime of your life in Orlando! Stay in a one-bedroom suite at the Nickelodeon Family Suites, a one-of-a-kind family resort in Orlando, for just $89 per night midweek and $159 on weekends. Upgrade to a 2-bedroom suite for $50 more.

We go anywhere and with prices like these, you can too. Just make sure that before you book a trip, you go to Travel Ticker first. Because when it comes to finding the best travel deals in the world, nobody goes it alone. So take a minute now to sign up for the Travel Ticker weekly newsletter and make it a must read.

It’s finally off-season for European travel – time to take advantage of lower airfares and travel abroad for less. We’re with you. In fact a few weeks ago Europe was one of our most recommended destinations this fall. But low and behold, numbers have a way of changing quickly, and now we’re seeing some data that’s giving us second thoughts. Fact is, the cost of transatlantic travel is on the rise and it’s all in the name of fuel surcharges. Last week we heard from a major European air carrier that it would soon add a surcharge of $150 per round trip. And that’s just the beginning because now other carriers are jumping on the bandwagon.

Why are they doing this now? Because they can. Fuel surcharges are still buried in a tax, so raising these surcharges means they do not have to raise fares. Fuel surcharges range from $75 to $90 per long haul segment, so, $150 - $180 round trip minimum. If there are local sectors involved in the fare (i.e. connection from Germany to Italy), those will carry additional "domestic" fuel surcharges. For Asia, the fuel surcharges are even higher, averaging $100 per direction, but local taxes are lower. This results in the same $300 - $400 tax total as seen in Europe. Latin America also has fuel surcharges averaging at $150 round trip.

Keep in mind – airfare to Europe is still cheap as compared to last summer, but not so much as compared to last year. Fares didn’t drop nearly as much this September as they did last. Check out the TripStarter pages for San Francisco to Paris and New York (JFK) to London Heathrow for examples. So go if you must, just don’t be shocked by the airfares that you’ll find this off season. And make sure not to be taken in by the “teaser” prices – look at the final cost with taxes and fees included.

As always, we want to hear from you. Ping us with your questions and comments. We’re here to help you save money and travel well.

At Hotwire, we’re avid travelers so we love it when the leaves turn red (the color of discount). Why? Because peak travel season ends just after Labor Day, and suddenly there are airline seats, hotel rooms, and car rentals available again. It’s a great time to go somewhere fantastic and save a ton of money.

So here we are to share our tried and true strategy for getting the best deals this Fall:

1. Plan for it. Start browsing different destinations with our TripStarter tool. TripStarter shows you historic prices for both airfare and hotel by month, so you can see when rates are the lowest. Rates are shown just above the weather and events, so you can trade off price, climate and things to do. Take Seattle, for example – sure the rain starts in September, but boy do hotel rates drop. A peak of $225 a night in summer drops to almost $125 just before Thanksgiving.

2. Stay on top of it. Subscribe to Travel Ticker by Hotwire. You’ll receive amazing hand-picked deals every week. For example, this week you'll find the 4-star Westin Maui Resort for just $259 a night.

3. Check out the deals on Hotwire. We update our airfare, hotel, and car rental deals weekly. The deals page is where you’ll find the biggest selection.

4. Be flexible. Don’t put yourself into a box where you’re forced to pay a certain price. Pick a broad range of potential dates. Or if you have set dates, have a range of potential destinations. Shop often. Prices on airfares can change every hour, hotels every day. And if you can, look last minute. At Hotwire we get our best discounts at the very last minute, so you can often get jaw-dropping prices if you’re willing to book only a few days in advance of your trip.

Have a particular place or topic you’re curious about? Email us at blog@hotwire.com.