11 seconds ago 2009-12-04T06:00:03-08:00
Business travelers — especially the majority of you who are booking your own travel — tend to be sophisticated bargain shoppers. Here's a tool that may help get the most out of all your loyalty program memberships. It's called DealMine.com, and it basically aggregates discounts so you can compare the best discount or reward on a car, hotel or airline.
Some companies offer more discounts than others. For instance, a search for Hertz yields 20 links to deals. One offers a 10-to-25 percent discount on a Hertz rental for members of BJ's Wholesale Club. Another offers a free upgrade to Visa users. Yet another takes 20 percent off a luxury rental for AAA members.
What I like about this deal locator, compared to others, is that it's really simple and doesn't seem to require much research or time. You can punch in one word and just get a list. Most of the Big Six airlines, major car rental companies and hoteliers contribute deal information to the site. You can also punch in a category, like electronics, and all the deals related to, say, iPod, will pop up.
In a bid to attract the mobile business traveler, DealMine last week launched a wireless version of the Web site that lets on-the-go consumers get in on deals even if they didn't have coupon codes when they booked their travel.
"Say a business traveler made a reservation, or someone made it for them and maybe they didn't apply their discount. They get to the point of sale and they can do it then,'' says Scott Cherkin, founder and CEO. (Think cancelled or delayed flights and unplanned car and hotel reservations.)
How do you use your loyalty program points? Write to: Barbara Correa at bboydstoncorrea@yahoo.com
