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American Morning

Suggestions for Labor Day Weekend Travel

Aired August 26, 2002 - 09:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The unofficial final weekend of summer just days away. That means millions will hit the road, or got to beaches, cities, mountains and more. In fact, 32.7 million Americans plan to travel this weekend. That is down from last year, 27.5 will be driving, nearly 4 million will take to the skies, and that is actually lower, too.
Perhaps you haven't decided what you want to do. That's OK. Help is on the way. Nilou Motamed from "Travel & Leisure" magazine is here for your travel rescue.

Nilou, good morning.

NILOU MOTAMED, "TRAVEL & LEISURE" MAGAZINE: Nilou, good morning. Thanks for being with us.

First of all, taking a story from last week. This Delta, Continental, Northwest Alliance, what does this going to mean to me. Is a good deal ahead, or more higher prices?

MOTAMED: You know what, it really is an alliance in name. What they are doing is doing a marketing thing, because U.S. Airways, and United just did the same thing. And they want to basically improve their chances of making maximum money by getting rid of some of their redundant routes, which doesn't mean that there might be chances that you might not find a flight, but you'll have three carriers to get to there instead of one.

KAGAN: So for now, that sounds more like a business story instead of a consumer travel story?

MOTAMED: Exactly.

KAGAN: Let's talk travel. A lot of people don't have their plans yet. You say there are still some deals out there. Don't be discouraged that here it is Monday, the week before, and you have no idea where you want to go.

MOTAMED: This is actually the perfect time to find deals, because the airlines are going to be scrambling to fill seats, because there is a little bit of a drop in demand, so you might actually find great deals. If you're bored (ph) looking on the Web and not finding anything, this might be the week to do it.

KAGAN: Let's look at some specific deals. Seattle, Washington, fantastic city. MOTAMED: Seattle, Washington is a great city, and it's a great time to be there. I mean, we've been getting so much hot weather everywhere. They have beautiful weather, and you can go outdoors, and go hiking, and kayaking and go to the Orcas (ph) Islands. It's just beautiful there. You can get there from Boston for around $200.

KAGAN: I saw that. I couldn't believe it -- $200 round trip?

MOTAMED: It is incredible.

KAGAN: Where do you find that?

MOTAMED: You can on Orbitz, which is very much a Web site that consolidates all of the Web sites, and you can go on all of the airlines. You can go on there, and you can pick up places to go.

KAGAN: Now, one thing you want to be careful when you go on those, you don't want to make 12 stops if you're just going for the weekend.

MOTAMED: No, no, no. absolutely. You should make sure exactly what the deal is that you're getting. Sometime a good deal is too good to be true.

KAGAN: Exactly. You also saying, don't think inside of the country, think outside the country, perhaps Mexico.

MOTAMED: I am going to Mexico for Labor Day.

KAGAN: You are?

MOTAMED: Yes, absolutely. I think Mexico is a great place to go, and so is the Caribbean, because it's off-season.

KAGAN: Look at this deal up on the screen. Three nights in Puerto Vallarta $240.

MOTAMED: Eighty-dollars a night to stay...

KAGAN: Does that include airfare?

MOTAMED: No, that is just for a hotel. It is a western hotel in Puerto Vallarta, $240. You really can't beat that.

KAGAN: Where do you find that deal?

MOTAMED: On the Western (ph) Web site.

KAGAN: Do they have deals for perhaps other places as well?

MOTAMED: Yes, they are having just a discounted -- this is a great time of year to travel, because people are just trying to get rid of their inventory.

KAGAN: Finally, I was pleased to see that I am right where I should be. New York City is a great time to be here. MOTAMED: It is absolutely a great time to be in New York. I mean, the weather is finally getting better. The U.S. Open is going to be here. If you are a tennis fan...

KAGAN: I plan to get out there, right.

MOTAMED: And there are great hotel deals. You can find hotel deals for as little as $139 at some of the hippest hotels in towns, maybe the Hudson Hotel or the Mansfield. You can't beat that.

KAGAN: My hotel is paid for and the say, but I got to work for a living, Bill and I. I want to thank you for your tips. Have a great Labor Day in Mexico.

Nilou Motamed from "Travel & Leisure" magazine.

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