Nothing says Love like Maui

I keep telling my husband that if he really loved me, we would spend Valentine's Day in Maui. Lucky for me (or him), Dallas-based travel agency, Tiki Trips is booking a fabulous trip to Maui next February. I've personally used this travel agency before and they do an amazing job handling every detail for you. The trip is February 11-17, 2010 and includes the following:
round-trip non-stop airfare from DFW to Maui
6 nights at Westin Maui
Daily Breakfast
Private Cruise for the Tiki Trips group
Private Luau for the Tiki Trips group
Airport Transfers

The total cost is $1899 per person with a $300 deposit due by October 23 and the balance due December 11. If this sounds expensive to you, then I suggest you check out direct airfare and hotel prices separately- you won't find it this low.

This agency frequently books group travel from Dallas to destinations all over the world. It's a great way to take advantage of the great deals travel agencies can offer when they sell in large volume. Don't be freaked out by the word "group"- it's usually 50-100 people with plenty of folks doing their own thing. Your only obligation is to show up at the airport.

For more info, swing by the Tiki Trips office Uptown on McKinney Ave; call 214-999-1009; or check out http://www.tikitrips.com

Ask for Dena and tell her the TripGirl blog sent you!

Say No to Spray Tans!

Everyone seems to be so worried about the state of the economy and healthcare reform. I have more important things on my mind this fall, like how I will maintain my tan. After hours of research, I think I may have found the solution- Mexico!
Occidental Grand Xcaret is an all-inclusive Mediterranean style resort located along the Riviera Maya coast and is adjacent to the pristine eco-archaelogical Xcaret Park. The property is kid-friendly and offers 11 restaurants, a fitness center, and beach butlers.

The price from Dallas is $449 per person and includes: round-trip airfare, 6 nights at the resort, all meals, drinks, and non-motorized watersports. This deal is good for departures through December 20 and is available until it sells out. Contact Jenny Phillips at www.travelbyjen.com or call 1-800-603-3178 for further details and booking instructions.

AirTran's Fare Wars

AirTran Airways is competing with Southwest with fare reductions from DFW to cities nationwide. The sale ends September 17 and is good for travel through January 27, 2010. Try to book travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday for best available fares and remember that a 10-day advanced purchase is required. Oh, and let's not forget those tricky black-out dates- if you are needing to travel on 11/25, 11/28-30, or 12/18-1/4, then you are outta luck with this sale.

Check out these (each way) fares I found from DFW:

Hotlanta (that's Atlanta for you "oldies"): $89
Boston: $84
Atlantic City: $94
Branson: $99
Cancun: $79
Chicago (Midway): $107
Ft. Lauderdale: $99
Miami: $109
NYC (LaGuardia): $109
Orlando: $69
Philly: $94
Sarasota: $99
Tampa: $99
West Palm Beach: $79

If you are comparing fares between AirTran and Southwest, keep in mind a few differences between the two airlines. AirTran allows you to reserve a specific seat for $5 per person, or free 24-hours before the flight. This can be a useful option if you are flying on a full plane and don't want to be separated from your party. We all know that Southwest doesn't have an assigned seating option, but you can travel with a pet, avoid checked baggage fees, and the chaos of DFW International. AirTran currently has no checked baggage fees, but will implement the $15 first bag fee for bookings after November 12.(Boo!)
I've flown with both airlines without complaint, but flying out of Love Field is so quick and easy that I might pay a little extra for it.

Get Your Ski On Through March 2010

I don't like cold weather, but I may have to hit the slopes with these great fares from Frontier Airlines! You must book by September 15, but the prices are good for travel through March 10, 2010! Check out off-peak days for the best prices, which means avoid flying on Friday and Sunday if you can.

Don't these prices from DFW just make you wanna get out your cute ski clothes??

Albuquerque: $94 (easy drive to Angel Fire or Taos)
Aspen: $94
Colorado Springs: $94
Denver: $94
Durango: $94
Fargo: $94
Rapid City, SD: $94
Billings: $99
Boise: $99
Bozeman: $99

I Heart Southwest

Today is the start of Southwest Airlines "Click and Save Sale". Here's the need to know information:
1. You must purchase by 11:59 pm PST on September 10 (so the Dallas procrastinators have lucked out with a couple hours to spare!)
2. Travel is valid EVERY DAY of the week from September 22- December 17
3. Black out dates November 24- December 1 (of course no deals for Thanksgiving!)

With that boring stuff out of the way, take a look at some of these great deals from Dallas Love Field:

• To Albuquerque for as low as $104 one-way
• To Amarillo for as low as $49 one-way
• To Austin for as low as $49 one-way
• To Baltimore for as low as $99 one-way
• To Birmingham for as low as $84 one-way
• To Boston for as low as $114 one-way
• To Burbank for as low as $147 one-way
• To Chicago for as low as $114 one-way
• To Cleveland for as low as $147 one-way
• To Columbus for as low as $109 one-way
• To Corpus Christi for as low as $79 one-way
• To Denver for as low as $101 one-way
• To Detroit for as low as $139 one-way
• To El Paso for as low as $92 one-way
• To Ft. Lauderdale for as low as $129 one-way
• To Harlingen for as low as $96 one-way
• To Houston for as low as $49 one-way
• To Indianapolis for as low as $109 one-way
• To Jackson for as low as $81 one-way
• To Jacksonville for as low as $119 one-way
• To Kansas City for as low as $49 one-way
• To Little Rock for as low as $49 one-way
• To Los Angeles for as low as $124 one-way
• To Louisville for as low as $133 one-way
• To Lubbock for as low as $49 one-way
• To Manchester for as low as $122 one-way
• To Midland/Odessa for as low as $49 one-way
• To Milwaukee for as low as $111 one-way
• To Minneapolis/St. Paul for as low as $69 one-way
• To Nashville for as low as $121 one-way
• To New York for as low as $124 one-way
• To Norfolk for as low as $139 one-way
• To Oakland for as low as $124 one-way
• To Oklahoma City for as low as $49 one-way
• To Omaha for as low as $79 one-way
• To Ontario for as low as $147 one-way
• To Orange County for as low as $99 one-way
• To Philadelphia for as low as $124 one-way
• To Phoenix for as low as $122 one-way
• To Raleigh/Durham for as low as $124 one-way
• To Salt Lake City for as low as $134 one-way
• To San Antonio for as low as $49 one-way
• To San Diego for as low as $124 one-way
• To San Francisco for as low as $124 one-way
• To San Jose for as low as $139 one-way
• To Seattle/Tacoma for as low as $109 one-way
• To St. Louis for as low as $49 one-way
• To Tampa Bay for as low as $89 one-way
• To Tucson for as low as $139 one-way
• To Tulsa for as low as $49 one-way
• To Washington for as low as $124 one-way
• To West Palm Beach for as low as $84 one-way

Hotels.com Sale

Hotels.com has a sale of up to 50% off for travel now through October 19. Here are a sampling of some of the great deals: Las Vegas Hilton $50 Ambiance Villas Cancun $53 Ambassador Hotel, New Orleans $55 Scottsdale Villa Mirage $76 Washington Court Hotel D.C. $99 Villas de Santa Fe $110 Hotel Adagio, San Francisco $123 Grand Hyatt San Antonio $ 164 On the Ave Hotel, NYC $219 Check out over 2,000 properties featured in this sale in over 100 destinations. Reservations must be made directly through hotels.com by October 12.

United Airlines Sale Ends Sept 7th!

United Airlines "Autumn Adventure Sale" began earlier this week and includes great flight deals from Dallas to cities throughout the U.S. and Canada into December. Act fast because this sale ends September 7th!

Sample each way fares from DFW: (based on r/t purchase)

Buffalo: $70
San Francisco $109
Denver $82
Los Angeles $109