Ho Ho Holiday Travel Tips from Hotels.com

DALLAS, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- December is the busiest travel month of the year with hotel bookings reaching the highest numbers annually. This translates to more travelers hitting the road, the rails and the friendly skies. Although families won't be able to avoid crowds and long lines, traveling with kids during the hectic holiday season doesn't need to be a stress-filled experience. The team at hotels.com, along with travel smart expert and hotels.com blogger Nicole Hockin, suggests some tips for families to help make the journey with ease this holiday season. The first practical suggestion for families who will fly is to save the wrapping paper until landing.

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"If you are flying to your destination, do NOT put wrapped gifts in your carry-on luggage," says Nicole Hockin, "You run the risk of having them unwrapped at the TSA checkpoint. Wrap them at your destination or have them shipped."

The next six tips from the hotels.com expert team explain how to take the entire yuletide season on the road, props included:

1. Let the kids pick the restaurant – No matter how young the kids are, let each member of the family make a trip decision. Parents can provide options for the kids to choose from, but this allows the entire family to have an opinion on the trip's activities.
2. Don't forget the details – As easy as it is to become swept away by merry excitement, it is important to research the little things prior to departure. Hotels.com reminds travelers to check the weather, airline advisories, the TSA website and for overseas trips – the embassy. This allows travelers to be prepared in advance for any situation that might strike.
3. There's no place like home – A string or two of lights, a menorah, some tinseled garland and maybe even a little tree can morph a sterile hotel room into a home-away-from-home. Pack decorations in your suitcase or ship pre-trip.  Stockings and ornaments to hang, that favorite classic movie, and cookies from Santa might just be the extra touch the room needs to ring in the holidays with decorative style.
4. Detailed hotel search – Want to bring Fido along for the family holiday? The hotels.com website allows users to search based on price, pet-friendliness, amenities and proximity to local events/attractions, among other distinct details.
5. Peak travel means airline fees – Holiday surcharges range from $10-$30 each way for travel on peak travel days, especially if the trip has not been booked yet.  Beware of luggage fees and bag restrictions. Different airlines have different rules in terms of how many bags are allowed and how much they will charge.
6. Expect the unexpected – Whether you are driving or flying during the holidays, you want to keep a few things handy as unexpected weather, events and more travelers on the roads can sometimes wreak havoc with timetables. Extra diapers, baby wipes (which have a thousand uses), any necessary medicines for adults and children, change of clothes, snacks, phone and MP3 chargers, and surprise goodies such as activity books or cards when the "are we there yet?" starts, are all things that should be packed in a carry-on, not in a suitcase.

For those still looking for hotels this holiday season, hotels.com is offering a holiday deals sale providing additional savings for the holiday adventure. Deals include up to 30% off two, three and four star hotels.

"A cozy hotel that feels like home on a major holiday is the ultimate comfort," says Taylor L. Cole, APR, director of public relations for hotels.com. "If you want to plan that celebratory feel ahead of time, feel free to call one of our customer care agents for ideas on hotels to make your holiday travel time a festive experience. They can arrange an exceptional festive experience. And keep in mind that a hotel concierge is a great resource at your destination to help you create that magical feel for the entire family."

Finally, as hectic as traveling may become, remember the real reason for the journey, and keep the holiday joy in mind.

Says Nicole Hockin, "Remember, if you are traveling with kids – embrace it! Travel is an amazing gift for a child. Even if it's a quick flight to grandma's house, take the time to make it a fun family adventure."

About Hotels.com

Hotels.com® is a leading provider of lodging worldwide, offering more than 130,000 properties in over 60 countries from national chain hotels and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts. Hotels.com is the smarter way to book travel by offering  welcomerewards®, an industry leading loyalty rewards program; the real opinions of other travelers captured in over 1.5 million Guest Reviews and;  a Price Match Guarantee, so that those booking with hotels.com can be assured they are getting the best deal, either online or by speaking directly to a travel expert at 1-800-2-HOTELS 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit hotels.com. Hotels.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE). Please visit the Hotels.com Travel Smart Blog for consumer and business travel information. Follow us on Twitter via www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hotelsdotcom and take a VirtualVacation at www.virtualvacay.com. Detailed Hotel Price Index data is available at: http://www.hotel-price-index.com, Hotels.com, A Smarter Way to Book™.

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