The Practical Nomad Guide to the Online Travel Marketplace

by Hasbrouck, Edward

• ISBN13: 9781566912501
• ISBN10: 1566912504
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-03-07
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing

Summary

-- Helps travelers plan and book their trip on the Internet, providing the guidance they need to successfully navigate the Web's virtual library of travel information

-- Teaches travelers how to find the best deals online and how to spot false advertising and scams

-- Highlights the do's and don'ts of Internet travel planning

-- Advises travelers on how they can use the Internet while they're traveling

-- More information on using the Web for online travel planning is found at practicalnomad.com

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
Travel and the Internet	1	(2)
Who Is This Book For?	3	(4)
What This Book Is	4	(1)
What This Book Isn't	5	(2)
Internet Travel Planning and Research: ``A User's Guide to the Virtual Travel Library''	7	(90)
>>Key Advice About Internet Travel Planning and Research	8
Introduction: What's on the Internet for Travelers?	7	(3)
The Good	7	(2)
The Bad	9	(1)
What the Internet Is and Isn't	10	(3)
More than the World Wide Web	10	(1)
A Communications Medium, Not a Source	10	(1)
Too Much of a Good Thing	11	(2)
How to Find the Travel Information You Want on the Internet	13	(27)
Offline Internet Search Tools	13	(1)
Web Directories	14	(3)
Keyword Search Engines	17	(8)
Finding Internet Information That Has Moved or Changed	25	(4)
Usenet Newsgroups	29	(8)
Beyond the World Wide Web and Usenet Newsgroups: Other Internet Tools	37	(3)
How to Evaluate Internet Travel Information	40	(14)
Sources of Travel Information on the Internet	41	(3)
Verifying Authorship of Postings	44	(2)
``Cui Bono?'' Who Benefits?	46	(1)
Credibility and Relevance of Travel Advice	47	(6)
The Internet Research Process	53	(1)
What Kinds of Travel Research Are Best Done on the Internet?	54	(43)
Background Information From and About Destinations	55	(6)
Special-Interest Travel	61	(2)
Details	63	(1)
Time-Sensitive Information	64	(1)
International Information	65	(14)
Health Information	79	(2)
Personal Advice, Experiences, and Recommendations	81	(3)
Local Transportation Information	84	(4)
Online Brochures	88	(1)
Shopping For Travel Books, Gear, and Equipment	88	(2)
Locating Print and Other Offline Resources	90	(1)
Advanced Topic: Finding the Source of a Web Page	90	(7)
Internet Travel Shopping: ``A Buyer's Guide to the Virtual Travel Bazaar''	97	(114)
>>Key Advice About Internet Travel Reservations and Purchasing	98
Buying Airline Tickets on the Internet	97	(83)
Advice For the Do-It-Yourself Travel Agent	97	(4)
Travel School	101	(2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Airline Tickets Online	103	(10)
Strategies For Buying Different Types of Tickets Online	113	(5)
Automated Published-Fare Internet Travel Agencies	118	(9)
Automated Online Consolidator Ticket Agencies	127	(6)
Student and Youth Fare Specialists	133	(3)
Online Ticket Purchases Directly From Airlines	136	(6)
Sources for Flights From Outside the United States and Canada	142	(7)
Human Travel Agents, Via E-Mail	149	(1)
Advanced Topic: How Airline Pricing, Reservations, and Ticketing Work	150	(30)
Arranging Ground Transportation Online	180	(8)
Renting Cars	180	(2)
Buying Train Tickets and Passes	182	(3)
Local Public and Mass Transportation	185	(3)
Reserving Accommodations	188	(19)
Hotels, Motels, and Resorts	189	(9)
Hostels	198	(4)
Campgrounds and RV Parks	202	(1)
Vacation Rentals	203	(1)
Home and Hospitality Exchanges	204	(3)
Booking Other Travel Services Online	207	(4)
Consumer Protection, Privacy, and Security: ``Safe Surfing and Shopping''	211	(95)
>>Key Advice About Consumer Protection, Privacy, and Security	214
Privacy and Internet Travel Arrangements	212	(27)
Why Privacy Self-Protection Matters	213	(6)
Web Site and Travel Company Privacy Policies	219	(1)
Online Travel Records and Your Privacy	219	(2)
Techniques of Internet Privacy Invasion	221	(8)
How to Protect Your Privacy	229	(9)
Privacy Complaints and Enforcement	238	(1)
Security and Credit Card Numbers	239	(15)
Secure Browsers and Web Sites	240	(4)
Comparing Internet and Offline Transactions	244	(2)
Responsibility For Unauthorized Charges	246	(1)
Web Site Registrations	247	(3)
Protect Your Cookies and Passwords	250	(4)
Consumer Protection Law and Online Commerce	254	(13)
Regulate the Internet? Not	254	(4)
Applicable Consumer Protection Laws	258	(9)
Protecting Yourself Against Fraud and Scams	267	(8)
What to Look For Before You Buy	267	(5)
Pay By Credit Card	272	(1)
Keep Records	273	(1)
Limit Your Consent to ``Electronic Signatures''	274	(1)
What to Do When Things Go Wrong	275	(31)
To Whom Should You Complain?	275	(1)
Appealing to Airlines and Other Suppliers	276	(1)
Industry Self-Regulation Organizations	277	(8)
Credit Card Chargebacks	285	(8)
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance	293	(2)
Complaints to Government Enforcement Organizations	295	(6)
Going to Court	301	(5)
Using the Internet While Traveling: ``Advice For Road Warriors and Road Warrior Wannabes''	306	(67)
>>Key Advice About Using the Internet While Traveling	308	(1)
Cybercafes and Public-Access Internet Terminal	309	(13)
Cybercafes	311	(4)
Hostels	315	(1)
Libraries	316	(2)
Computer Stores	318	(1)
Copy Shops	318	(1)
Hotels	319	(1)
Convention Centers	319	(1)
Airports	320	(1)
Truck Stops	321	(1)
Colleges and Universities	321	(1)
Your Friends and Hosts	322	(1)
Bringing a Computer With You	322	(25)
Types of Internet Access Devices	322	(9)
Compatibility and Connectivity	331	(14)
Laptop Theft, Breakage, and Insurance	345	(2)
Accessing, Exchanging, and Backing Up Your Data	347	(9)
Personal Web Pages	347	(1)
E-mail	348	(1)
FTP Sites	349	(1)
Internet File Storage Services	350	(1)
Remote Access and Remote Control Software	351	(3)
Floppy Disks	354	(1)
Zip Disks	355	(1)
Portable Zip Drives	355	(1)
CDs (CD-R or CD-RW)	355	(1)
E-mail on the Road	356	(17)
Leave Your E-mail Until You Get Home	357	(1)
Vacation Messages	358	(2)
Web-Based E-mail Services	360	(1)
Mail Services Especially For Travelers	361	(1)
Accessing Your Home Mailbox	361	(10)
Voice Access to E-Mail	371	(2)
Internet References	373	(21)
About This Book and the Practical Nomad Web Site	373	(1)
Internet Research Tools and Sources	374	(2)
Internet Travel Planning and Research	376	(3)
Online International Travel Information	379	(5)
Internet Travel Shopping	384	(3)
Consumer Protection, Privacy, and Security	387	(3)
Using the Internet While Traveling	390	(2)
Internet Software	392	(1)
The Practical Nomad	393	(1)
Glossary	394	(22)
Index	416	(20)
Acknowledgments	436	(2)
About the Author	438