My Digital Travel for Seniors

by Rich, Jason R.

• ISBN13: 9780789757951
• ISBN10: 0789757958
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2016-11-30
• Publisher: Que Publishing

Summary

My Digital Travel for Seniors

 

Easy, clear, readable, and focused on what you want to do.

Step-by-step instructions for the tasks you care about most

Large, full-color, close-up photos show you exactly what to do

Common-sense help whenever you run into problems

Tips and notes to help you along the way

Take advantage of proven strategies that make travel more affordable, less stressful, and easier to manage with the use of technology that’s readily available to you.

·         Learn how to use the discounts you’re entitled to from AARP, AAA, and other organizations when booking any type of travel using your Internet-connected computer, smartphone, or tablet.

·         Find and book the lowest airfares using popular travel-related websites and mobile apps.

·         Book the best possible accommodations, at the lowest available prices.

·         Learn tips for saving money when renting a car, plus how to use other ground transportation options whenever you travel.

·         Find and book vacation packages, travel bundles, or all-inclusive vacations without overpaying.

·         Book and plan cruise vacations and discounted shore excursions using your computer or mobile device.

·         Find low-cost options to accessing the Internet and making calls while traveling abroad, without paying overpriced international roaming charges.

 

BONUS ONLINE CHAPTER!

Access Chapter 15, “Sharing Your Vacation Experiences,” at quepublishing.com/title/9780789757951.

 

Author Biography

Jason R. Rich (www.jasonrich.com) is an accomplished author, journalist, and photographer, as well as an avid world traveler. Some of his recently published books include My Digital Photography for Seniors, My Digital Entertainment for Seniors, and iPad and iPhone Tips and Tricks, Fifth and Sixth Editions (all from Que Publishing).

Jason’s photographic work (www.jasonrich.photography) appears with his articles published in major daily newspapers, national magazines, and online, as well as in his various books. He also works with professional actors, models, and recording artists to develop their portfolios and take their headshots. Jason also pursues opportunities in travel and animal photography.

Through his work as an enrichment lecturer, he often offers workshops and classes about digital photography, the Internet, and consumer technology aboard cruise ships operated by Celebrity Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises Lines, and Royal Caribbean, as well as through adult education programs in the New England area. Please follow Jason R. Rich on Twitter (@JasonRich7) and Instagram (@JasonRich7).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Using Technology for Planning Travel

Don’t Be Afraid of Technology

What You Need to Get Started

    Find, Download, and Install a Mobile App

    Working with a Desktop or Notebook Computer

Putting Travel Technology to Work

    Travel-Related Websites, Online Services, and Mobile Apps

Using Technology to Become Your Own Travel Agent

Chapter 2 Researching Travel Opportunities

Making the Important Decisions

    Using Your Devices to Conduct Pre-Trip Research

    Digital Editions of Travel Magazines

    Interactive Travel Guides

    Popular Online Travel Services and Websites

    Websites Operated by Individual Departments of Tourism

    Map Apps on Your Smartphone or Tablet

Using AARP Travel to Conduct Research

    Use AARP Travel to Choose a Destination

Using the Travelzoo Website and Mobile App

    Use the Travelzoo Website

    Use the Travelzoo Mobile App

Getting Advice from Fellow Travelers

    Use TripAdvisor on Your Computer

    Use the TripAdvisor App

Chapter 3 Getting to Know Some Popular Travel Tools

Before You Book a Trip

Airbnb

    Use the Airbnb Website or Mobile App

Booking.com

    Use the Booking.com Service

Cruise Ship Mate

Expedia

FlightTrack 5

Hotels.com

Hotwire

Kayak

Priceline

    Use Priceline to Make a Booking

Travelocity

TripIt

Trivago.com

Chapter 4 Using Travel Provider Websites and Mobile Apps

Airline Websites and Mobile Apps

    Finding and Making an Airline Reservation

    Check In for Your Flight and Create Boarding Passes

    Managing Your Itinerary from an Airline’s Website

Accommodation Websites and Mobile Apps

    Make a Reservation Using a Hotel’s Website

Using a Rental Car Company’s Website or Mobile App

Chapter 5 Finding and Booking the Best Airfares

Calculating Added Costs Associated with Air Travel

    Understanding Baggage Allowances

    Minimizing Your Packing

Determining the Type of Airline Ticket You Want

    Choosing Your Travel Class

    Choosing Your Flight

Five Tips for Finding the Lowest Possible Airfares

    Research the “Discount” Airlines Separately

    Check Three or More Services

    Look for Package Deals or Travel Bundles

    Set Up Free Price Alerts and Take Advantage of Price Match Guarantees

Additional Considerations for International Travel

    Applying For or Renewing Your U.S. Passport

    Understanding Travel Visas and Travel Warnings

Chapter 6 Finding Ground Transportation

Considerations for Selecting a Rental Car Company

Planning for Extra Charges

Finding and Renting a Car

    Use a Travel Service’s Website

    Using a Specific Rental Car Company Website

Tips for Saving Money on Rental Cars

    Avoid Unnecessary Upgrades

    Choose the Right Type of Insurance Coverage

    Select the Correct Pick-Up and Drop-Off Dates and Times

    Take Advantage of Discounts

Understanding Your Rental Car Insurance Options

Exploring Ground Transportation Alternatives

Navigating Using Your Mobile Device

    Using Maps and Google Maps

    The Maps Apps Offer Multiple Viewing Perspectives

    Use the iOS 9 Edition of the Maps App

    Use the iOS 10.1 Edition of the Maps App

    Use the Google Maps App

Chapter 7 Finding and Booking Accommodations

Define Your Accommodation Wants, Needs, and Budget

    Considering the Extra Fees

    Understanding Payment Terms

    Understanding the Accommodation Ratings

    Using the Reviews

    Selecting the Right Location

    Choosing Amenities

Understanding Vacation Home Rentals

    Considering Renting a Timeshare Unit

Considering B&Bs

Finding and Booking Traditional Hotel or Motel Accommodations

    Find and Book Accommodations

Chapter 8 Finding and Booking a Cruise

Getting to Know the Popular Cruise Lines

Understanding Cruise Pricing

Doing Research

    Use CruiseCritic.com

Shopping for a Cruise

    Use Travelocity.com

    Use RoyalCaribbean.com

Mobile Apps That Enhance Your Cruise Experience

    The Ship Mate Mobile App

    Apps for Shore Excursions

    Apps for Cruise Lines

Chapter 9 Finding All-Inclusive Vacations and Vacation Package Deals

Understanding the Drawbacks of All-Inclusive Vacations and Travel Packages

Finding and Booking All-Inclusive Vacations

    Use Expedia to Book an All-Inclusive Vacation

Finding and Booking Vacation Packages

    Vacation Packages Through Airlines

    Find a Vacation Package Using Kayak

Creating Your Own Travel Bundles

    Use AARP Travel

Chapter 10 Mobile Apps to Use at Your Destination

Where You’ll Find These Apps

Apps to Help You Get Where You’re Going

    Airline, Hotel, and Rental Car Company Apps

    Navigation Apps

Finding Restaurants and Making Dining Reservations

    Use the Yelp! App

    Use the OpenTable App

Using Food Delivery Apps

Locating Attractions, Stores, Businesses, or Services

More Ways to Use Your Mobile Device While Traveling

    Apps That Save You Money

    Use the AAA Mobile App to Save Money

    Use the AARP Member Advantages App to Save Money

Chapter 11 Online Travel Discounts By Association

AARP Travel-Related Resources Beyond AARP Travel

    Get Recommendations from AARP and Expedia

Finding Discounts Offered to AAA Members

    Use the AAA Website to Find Discounts

Discovering City-Specific Discounts

    Use Groupon and Living Social to Find Discounts

Getting Perks from Your Credit Card

    Find Travel-Related Discounts Offered By AmEx

Chapter 12 Finding and Purchasing Travel Insurance

When You Travel, Things Can Go Wrong, So Be Prepared!

    Travel Insurance Coverage

Shopping for Travel Insurance

    Purchase Travel Insurance Online

Filing a Claim Online

Chapter 13 Services for Managing Travel Itineraries

Mobile Apps for Managing Your Travel Itineraries

    Drift

    Excursion

    FlightTrack 5

    Sygic Travel: Trip Planner

    Trip Boss Travel Manager

    TripCase

Travel Itinerary Management Options for Your Computer

    Travefy

    TripIt

Ways to Meet Fellow Solo Travelers

Chapter 14 Connecting Your Computer, Smartphone, or Tablet While Traveling

Cellular Data Versus Wi-Fi from Your Mobile Device

Ways to Avoid International Roaming Charges

    International Roaming

    Prepaid Sim Chips

    Wi-Fi Options for Making and Receiving Calls

    Wi-Fi Hotspots

Taking Advantage of a Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot

    Create a Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot Using Your iPhone or iPad

    Create a Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot Using Your Android Device

    Purchase a Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot Device

Glossary

ONLINE ONLY: Chapter 15 Chronicle and Share Your Experiences

 

9780789757951    TOC    11/1/2016