I just received my BIG loyalty cum Visa prepaid card from Tune group of Airasia today! I registered myself online as one of the BIG Shot (member) only 6 days ago which means they are quite efficient. Check out my previous post on the BIG card from Airasia for more information. I can now start to earn points for my free Airasia tickets. Hooray! This is how it looks…

Nothing to shout about, just a credit card sized plastic card with normal red and white colour scheme and a huge BIG wording in front. Having a smart chip and Visa logo means I can use it as a Visa prepaid card to shop. The good news is whatever you spend using this card, you will earn 1 BIGGIE (point) for each RM1 spent! For each RM500 (USD160) spent, you will be able to redeem a flight ticket to Siam Reap! I was too late to miss 1400 BIGGIES from my flight to Europe and Japan recently, which could have earned me a round trip to Guangzhou!

Having said that, there is a very steep curve in BIGGIES required for Airasia X flights. Read why I said so here.

Apply your card now and start collecting your BIGGIES. Who knows? You could have earned a free flight with Airasia by the time you realise it. Just make sure you quote your BIG Shots number each time you buy your Airasia tickets online. Happy flying!   – Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel guide

You book your flights, sit back and think ‘wow, I just spent an awful lot’, and that is before your holiday has even started.

The true price of a holiday only reveals itself afterwards when you are sat back in the cold UK with sunburn asking what went wrong and how you ended up spending so much. After all, it was only one or two meals out, that unexpected trip to the wildlife resort, snorkelling and hiring a kayak to entertain the kids.

The long and the short of it is that holidays cost. However, with careful planning and following the top tips (outlined below), they don’t need to bankrupt you.

1. Plan Ahead
   Probably the most obvious piece of advice, however planning ahead really does save you money because flights and hotels are cheaper. If you book well in advance you will be surprised by the amazing deals you can bag. easyJet Holidays in Turkey are notoriously good value if you get in there quick; so if you are ever bored on a cold winter’s day why not look toward the summer and all the incredible holidays you could take.
2. Pack Light
   Packing light is always a good idea because it means you can avoid paying extra charges for excess baggage. If you are going away for seven days it is recommended you pack a small bag; people always bring too much luggage when they go away. Another advantage to packing light is that you will find your hotel room is a lot less cluttered.
3. Eating Out on a Budget
   The most expensive thing on holiday is often food and drink, with drinks particularly costly if you get a bit carried away at the bar. Yes, holidays are the time to indulge but not at the cost of your savings account. Try to strike a balance; eat out on some nights and go self-catered for the rest. Some all-inclusive deals will undoubtedly save you money, especially if drinks are included too.
4. Be OK Doing Nothing
   Pricey excursions can add up so make sure your holiday is balanced. Some time can be spent poolside or beachside with a cocktail or drink in hand and a good book, while other days can be spent getting out and about.
5. Read Reviews and Shop Around
   Often the best tips about saving money are given by seasoned travellers who know the pitfalls in certain countries, so read up well before you travel. Also, don’t just go with the first company you find, search for competitive deals.
6. Get Friendly with a Local
   If you know a local well they can tell you the best places to go on the cheap and how to avoid hidden charges. If you get really friendly local they might even take you around themselves; a great way to see any city is with a native of the region.
7. Avoid Tourist Spots
   Places that tourists hang out in will always be more expensive without a doubt, so avoid overly populated bars and similar outlets if you can.
8. Look out for Hidden Costs
   In some countries, if they put bread on the table and you eat it they charge you for it. Whereas if you go elsewhere, bread is complementary; different cultural rules apply. The best thing to do is find out about hidden costs before you travel and make sure you are not struck by any nasty surprises.
9. Get a Guide Book
   This is the best way to see a rundown of cheap eateries and bargain places to stay, so get an up-to-date guide book as soon as you can.
10. Bagging a Cheap Flight
    If you want cheap holidays 2011 is the year to find them with tonnes of cheap flight deals to be found online.

Get looking for your perfect break in the sun and if you follow all the advice outlined above you will be sure to enjoy a great holiday without spending too much money. – Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel blog

HolidayExtras.co.uk is a bit like the cherry on the top of your holiday cake. Once you’ve got the destination and flights sorted you can add a few extras to ease yourself from home to holiday, whether it’s a cosy night in one of the Heathrow airport hotels or getting the VIP treatment on departure day. It’s a convenient way to improve your holiday and if you book early you can get an even better deal.

1. Price – Nobody wants to spend more than they have to whether it’s on suncream or Heathrow airport parking. If you pay for your parking at the gate it could cost up to £20 a day but pre-book with HolidayExtras.co.uk and it could be as low as £7.10 a day, and with their Best Price Guarantee you know you’re getting the lowest price around. The great thing about pre-booking is that the earlier you book the less you could pay. It’s simple, prices are based on availability so the fewer bookings a hotel has the less they charge so get in early and you’ll get an amazing bargain for fantastic services.
2. Convenience – You probably don’t leave the booking of your flights and that amazing Spanish villa until the last minute, so why not do the same with your extras. If you chose the early flight to maximise your tanning time, or you live a long way from the airport then, when you book your main package book yourself into a Heathrow airport hotel too. Don’t leave it until you arrive to find somewhere to stay or leave the car. It makes sense to do it all at the same time and pre-booking gets you the best bargains.
3. Peace of Mind – If you’re driving to the airport then pre-booking is essential. Not only will you get the lowest prices and your pick of parking locations but you can be happy in the knowledge that everything will be organised. There’s no chance of turning up to find a car park full, or being stung by a higher charge than you’d anticipated. By pre-booking your Heathrow airport parking with HolidayExtras.com you can clearly see all the pricing options, the location of the site and you know there will be a space waiting especially for you. What’s more, you can make the most of the Traffic Assistant upgrade that’ll help you glide past any jams and on towards your holiday in record time.

So do a little bit of research on the internet when you are booking your holiday to make sure you get the best prices and save as much money as possible for your holiday. – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo blog

Guest post by Paige Green

When a country or city hosts a popular international sporting event, it presents a great opportunity to go to the games and explore a new destination.  For sports fanatics, it’s the perfect combination – a good dosage of sporting games combined with the possibility for travel and a holiday! Sporting events also draw people from a wide variety of places and the host city or country usually goes to great lengths to ensure a vibrant and bustling atmosphere, great facilities and accommodation and a number of added attractions. When you visit a city that’s hosting a popular sporting event – you’re sure to see it at its best!

If you’re looking to combine your next holiday with a sporting event, here are a few upcoming events to choose from. Start planning now and you’ll secure the best deals and holiday packages around.

1. London. 2012 Olympic Games. The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad, are scheduled to take place in London, United Kingdom, from 27 July to 12 August 2012. This will be the third time that London will host the modern Olympics, and in preparation the city has invested in large-scale venue, infrastructure and public transport improvements. The capital of England is sure shine during this event, and for those who would like to attend, England’s proximity to Europe means it is a great time to have that European holiday or explore more of the British Isles.  If you’re interested in attending the 2010 Olympics, London flights are available from a number of destinations worldwide.
2. New Zealand. Rugby World Cup 2011. New Zealand is the host country for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The event is scheduled to be played over seven weekends from the weekend starting 10 September and culminating the weekend starting 22 October 2011. The games will be played in 12 host cities, with the final being held in Auckland at Eden Park. New Zealand has a lot to offer visitors. With its pristine natural environment and title as the ‘adventure capital of the world’, a trip to the World Cup won’t be complete without scheduling time to explore New Zealand’s mountains, river, gorges, and cities! Get a cheap flight to New Zealand before they sell out, and you’ll be able to explore the country while you’re amongst all the rugby action.
3. Brazil. Soccer World Cup 2014. The five time winners of the Soccer World Cup – Brazil – will host the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2014. The tournament will be held in 12 Brazilian cities, with the final game in Rio de Janeiro. The event is scheduled to take place between June and July in 2014. With its passion for soccer and life, Brazil is sure to put on a spectacle for the event. If you’re interested in attending, then why not explore other areas of South America as well?

Sporting events present great travel opportunities. Not only can you be a spectator at the world’s biggest sporting events, but you can take the opportunity to see and explore the host destination and nearby areas.

What sporting event will you turn into a holiday?

Great news for budget travelers! Visit Air Asia website today to grab another round of nearly zero airfare today! Yes. No kidding. Following the last round of zero fare promotion on last 18th May 2010,  Air Asia is pushing out a subsequent air ticket sale started from today until this Sunday (10th August – 15th August 2010).

Instead of giving away Free tickets, they are charging a minimal price of RM1.00++ per ticket per trip this time round!

The actual flying time for the promotional tickets would be next year between 1st April to 11th August 2011. Again.

Bear in mind that the RM1 airfares is still subject to seats availability and the flight popularity. Once the allocated RM1 seats are taken up for certain flight, the airfares would be jacked up in stages. This is common practice for most of the budget airlines of this world. The thing is, how many seats allocated for RM1 fare are unknown to me.

The sad news for me, there aren’t any Air Asia X flights included in this promotion. As my next year travel plan during that period is traveling to either Australia or Eastern Europe, which are both operated by Air Asia X! I have to watch out again for the next round of promotion then…

For those who are planning to travel to all other destinations operated by Air Asia, visit their website now! Don’t wait until weekend as most of the RM1 seats would definitely be taken up! As you know me by now, I love to travel overseas with AirAsia. They are cheapest, most transparent and flexible. If you’re thinking of to travel to places that I flew with Air Asia, such as Phuket, Bali or London, check them out now! – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo blog