Good Deals, But it Will Cost You to Find Them
Written: Oct 31 '00 (Updated May 16 '05)
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Bestfares.com is the brainchild of Tom Parsons, author of the book "Insider Travel Secrets", and primary contributor to Bestfares magazine. This website offers the traveler information on all sorts of travel- related areas, like airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, rail, and even a link to weather conditions and ski reports.
Features of this Site:
This travel website is full of information to accomodate all of your travel needs. However, much of data can only be accessed if you are a member. Becoming a member will cost you $60 per year, which includes a 12 month subscription to Bestfares magazine, and access to all of the members-only areas of the website. In the site, it says that the cost of the magazine subscription is $60 per year, which includes "free" access to the website. Of course, this is a sales gimmick, because no magazine would cost $60 for a twelve month subscription! The cost is really to pay for the travel services.
If you don't want to spend $60, you can still use certain features in this site. Next to each deal, you will find either a "free" symbol, or a "VIP" symbol, indicating whether or not you have to be a member to access the information. Also, you can sign up to receive free e-mail updates on the hot deals of the month, without paying any money.
There is extensive information to be found in this site. A good portion of it is simply links to other sites, like airlines, or hotel websites, to setup reservations. There is a lot of information provided.
What's Wrong With This Service?:
The biggest problem that I have with bestfares.com is the fact that you have to pay for the service. With so many other travel- related websites out there in cyberland, it seems silly to pay extra for travel information.
Another thing that could use some improvement is the layout of the site. Certain areas are not easy to navigate and can frustrate the surfer. For example, there is a regular feature called "Top 25 Hidden Deals", that comes out each month. If you click this selection, it takes you to another screen where it lists the 25 deals of the month, but it doesn't allow you to click on the deal, for more information. Instead, it just shows a story number. You then have to then go to a news list, and look up the story number.
Another bad point is the lack of any search features. At the very least, there should be an option to enter a departure city and arrival city, and then get a listing of flight options and arrival/departure times. But there is nothing like this. All the site has is list after list of deals, and you have to click on the deal to find more specific information.
I haven't yet interacted with the service personnel, but I know that they do offer support via e-mail or by phone. Please note that the support line is only available during the day. It's not a 24 hour service.
Closing Thoughts:
Bestfares.com is a so- so travel service. I recommend using the free e-mail feature, to get updates on special travel deals. You might get lucky and find an offer so good that it justifies paying the $60 membership fee. Other than that, I wouldn't waste my time with this site. You should have no problem finding what you need with a travel service that doesn't cost extra money.
Be Sure to Click the Links Below to Read More Reviews on Other Travel Web Sites:
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Travelnow.com
Cheaptravel.com
Hotel Discount.com
Hotwire.com
America’s Vacation Center
Expedia.com Flights
Expedia.com Hotels
Expedia.com Cruises
Travelocity.com Flights
Travelocity.com Hotels
Priceline.com Flights
Priceline.com Hotels
Vacations To Go
Vacationspot.com
Flycheap.com
LowestFare.com
Mytravelco.com
Placestostay.com
Orbitz.com
Cheaptickets.com
Recommended:
No
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