Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Do research before choosing vacation rentals

Do research before choosing vacation rentals

Do research before choosing vacation rentals

Posted: 12 May 2010 12:53 AM PDT

Planning your summer vacation? Vacation rentals can be a great way to save money when traveling on a tight budget and many travelers are foregoing the mint on the pillow experience for more reasonable and less cushy accommodations. The Better Business Bureau advises vacationers to do their research before booking rentals because sometimes the properties are not as advertised.

In a tough economy, a vacation rental is one way to save if you're willing to forgo some of the luxuries. According to a summer 2009 survey by TripAdvisor.com, 43 percent of respondents said that they were planning to stay at a vacation rental in the coming 12 months.

Many travelers have shaved hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their vacation costs by renting a house or condo instead of paying for a hotel or resort. A vacation rental can seem riskier than booking a hotel, but if you do your research and pay attention to the fine print, it can be a safe way to save money.

There are many different websites that travelers can turn to for finding a vacation rental. Some companies specialize in connecting renters and vacationers — and take a cut for their efforts — while other sites cut out the middleman and potentially some consumer protections such as money-back guarantees.

The BBB offers the following advice to travelers looking to save money with a vacation rental:

n Start Planning Now. Rental properties in popular locations get snatched up quickly so start your search early before all of the best properties are booked.

n Do your Homework and Start With Trust. If you plan on enlisting the help of a business, such as a third-party Web site or professional service, to connect you with a renter, always check them out with BBB first at www.bbb.org.

n Manage your expectations. A home rental is not a hotel so you can't necessarily expect the same level of professionalism, cleanliness or modernization. Some companies will guarantee that the property meets your expectations. If a guarantee isn't being offered, consider travel insurance.

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