By Tom Meyers in New York—

Like many of our readers, I’m heading to Paris this summer. And like other procrastinators, I haven’t booked my flight yet.

I’ve been holding off because airfares to Europe from the US continue to slide — even for summer travel. However, my trip is now just weeks away, so the time has come to whip out the plastic and book it.

Flying the OpenSkies

Imagine my happy surprise this morning when I logged into Gmail and saw this Google advertisement displayed at the top of the page: (Gotta love that creepy, targeted advertising!)

The ad states: “Openskies 1st anniversary - flyopenskies.com/NYC_Paris - Special business class offers NYC Paris roundtrip for only $550.”

This wording seems unambiguous enough. OpenSkies, the business class-only airline that flies between New York, Paris, and Amsterdam, is celebrating their first anniversary by offering New York to Paris roundtrip flights, in business class, for $550.

The offer seemed remarkable, although not inconceivable. After all, the Guardian reported yesterday that British Airways, which operates OpenSkies, is considering selling off or shutting down the airline. Perhaps this was some sort of promotion intended to fill up their planes.

The rest of the story…

When you click through, however, you discover…

Wait a second: The “$550 roundtrip” immediately becomes a “$550* o/w based on a r/t purchase”? How can that happen?

To be sure, I tested their rates with my dates (July 20 - August 3). A $550 cheapo seat was available for the outgoing flight, although the return seat was a hefty $1,930. If I returned a day earlier, however, I could score a $662 seat (and yes, another $550 return seat would be available if I pushed back my return date several days). In the end, that “$550 flight” turned out to cost $1,328.

Calling OpenSkies…

Thinking that I had perhaps misread, or at least misinterpreted, the ad, I called OpenSkies to discuss the matter.

I explained to the friendly reservation agent that I was calling because I had seen an advertisement for a “New York to Paris roundtrip for $550.” His response:

“That’s right. Let me have a look. (clicking) I think that’s per sector. Hmmmm. (more clicking) Not really for a return flight, is it?” Nope. “Yeah, it’s $550 one-way based on a return basis. That’s what it says here.”

Here, being on their website. “But what about this ad you’re running?” I asked.

“It’s unfortunately not correct. I haven’t seen the ad myself. But it’s based on a return purchase.”

What to do?

We’re left wondering what to think. Was this a simple instance of clumsy wording? Had I misread the ad? Are there $550 roundtrips somehow available on the carrier (unbeknownst to their reservation agent)? Or worse, was this deliberate “truth-stretching”?

In any case, this Cheapo thinks that OpenSkies should stop running the ad.

Ironically, I think that their one-way $550 sale is actually quite interesting. They should simply inject their ad with accuracy by making one simple switch: “Special business class offers NYC Paris only $550 o/w”.

Granted, I probably wouldn’t have clicked. But at least I wouldn’t feel duped.

What do you think?

Do you find this ad misleading? Should we know better as consumers and just ignore “too good to be true” offers? Did we misunderstand the ad in the first place? Let us know in the comments section below!

Update: A final laugh

To top it all off (literally!), when we took this post live at 1 PM EST, a familiar advertisement ran at the top of the page…

The irony is soooo “2.0.”

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Dublin's Liffey Boardwalk.

By Sarah Silbert—

When we cracked open the June 2009 issue of Budget Travel magazine, we were happy to see a great “Trip Coach” article on Dublin. Writing to Trip Coach, Shana asks what she and her partner should do on a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Irish capital.

Budget Travel provides many good tips on where to eat, what to see, and what not to see (we appreciate that the magazine recommends skipping the Book of Kells in favor of exploring the grounds of Trinity College—there’s no need to spend extra Euros for a rushed, crowded experience, especially when there are plenty of free museums to enjoy in this town).

Here are some of the highlights from the article “Dublin on the Fly”:

Irish Pubs, People-Watching, and Day Trips

BT suggests hitting up the literary crowd’s favorite people-watching mecca, Metro Café, and the quintessential Irish pubs Library Bar and Neary’s. We especially like that they throw in some picks for vegetarian travelers, including the amazing-looking Café Fresh.

We also love that the magazine endorses a quick trip out of town. “Trip Coach” recommends a day trip to Howth, where you can soak in the picturesque cliffs and St. George’s Channel. “Trip Coach” also mentions Sandycove and Dalkey, cute seaside towns that are perfect for enjoying a cozy pint while looking out at the ocean. (We recommend day trips to Enniskerry and Newgrange in our Dublin city guide).
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A trip to Dublin isn’t complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse brewery, so we’ll be sure to follow BT’s advice and take the tour (tickets cost €15 and include a beer tasting plus a free pint) next time we’re in town.

But Don’t Forget the Freebies…

We’d love to throw in our own Cheapo cents and remind readers that the city is teeming with free activities. We’ve written about free admission to the Irish Parliament, the Dublin Castle, and even the Dublin National Gallery. But there are many other Cheapo-friendly ways to spend a day in the city.

Don’t forget Dublin’s literary roots! There are plenty of unique little bookshops perfect for browsing or camping out over a copy of Ulysses for the afternoon. We especially like Cathach Books, which boasts a collection of rare Irish works, and The Secret Book and Record Store (because there’s nothing better than picking up an obscure, old-time record when you’re visiting a new city).

When the weather in Dublin is nice, take in the city surroundings with a nice walk along the river. Dublin’s Liffey Boardwalk is great for a scenic stroll. The boardwalk served as a commercial wharf before the O’Connell Bridge was built in 1795. Now, it’s a perfect spot for admiring the Liffey River. If you walk along the river’s left bank, the boardwalk will eventually bring you out near the Christ Church Cathedral in the city center.

Have any other Cheapo Dublin suggestions? Let us know by posting a comment below!

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Recently Twitter, the micro-blogging service and current “it” brand of the web, turned 3 years old. Yet, while most three-year olds we know spend their time observing others and imitating their parents, Twitter is busy trying to create a new communication platform (and vocabulary) for the web.

Twittering from a Paris restaurant. Photo by Kmeron.

Twitter for budget travelers? 

So what does this mean for you, the budget traveler? Should you care? Do you really need to know about “tweets,” DMs and “followers”? Do you really want to introduce yet another social network into your daily routine?

Well, here is a primer to help answer a few of these questions and provide a proper introduction to Twitter… Cheapo-style!

The basics: what is Twitter?

Twitter allows members to send and read short messages (”tweets”) between themselves and other users. These tweets are text-based, frequently contain links to articles on other websites, and are limited to only 140 characters in length.

Twitterers are able to post tweets as frequently (or infrequently) as they like and on any subject they wish. As you might guess, there is a vast variety of subjects being tweeted.

Want to know if your cousin Larry just burned his coffee? No prob. Want to ask President Obama a question about the economy? Go for it. Interested in telling NBA great Shaquille O’Neal what to order at Dairy Queen and read other “random acts of Shaqness”? The list is endless.

Hmm… kind of sounds like Facebook’s status updates, right?

Well, sort of. One of the main differences is that anyone can “follow” someone else on Twitter without being approved by that person. However, you can only send direct messages (”DMs”) to Twitterers who are also following you. Get it?

Tweets for budget travelers

After an initial period of Twitter apprehension, we gave it a try and have to admit it: we’re hooked.

We’ve learned about last-minute travel offers from other Twitterers, had rapid-fire Tweets with several of our business partners in Europe and travel industry bloggers, and benefited from reading articles and posts that we otherwise would have missed.

Some tricks we’ve learned along the way include:

—Follow travel writers: If you have specific travel columnists, travel bloggers or other travel personalities you enjoy reading, look them up on Twitter. Most have a “Twitter presence” and reading their Tweets can add a fun, new dimension to what you read from them elsewhere.

—Only follow those who truly interest you: There’s a “beginner’s instinct” to build your list of followers by rapidly following others, but what’s the point? Twitter is most helpful and useful when you genuinely look forward to reading the Tweets being sent your way.

—Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask a question or request travel advice. We recently were looking for a budget hotel in Los Angeles and posted a Tweet asking for suggestions, and within minutes several Twitterers provided helpful recommendations. Tweet-o-rific!

—Share the love: Similarly, be on the lookout for Tweets where you can add helpful feedback or offer advice. It’s a two-way “Twitter Street,” and since we joined we’ve enjoyed the sense of community that builds over time from others in our network.

—Get airline info: Follow your preferred airlines for updates and offers for last minute deals.

—Stay in touch: Twittering makes it easy for the folks back home to follow your adventures abroad. Of course, you run the risk of overdoing it. But your followers may appreciate the chance to travel with you. Also, Twittering on the road permits you to ask your followers for rapid-fire advice on, say, a restaurant in Madrid.

—Get organized: For those who become hooked, consider using a Twitter “client” such as TweetDeck. These websites help manage your Twitter account, create individual groups, and make Twittering feel more organized and less manic.

A Few notable travel twitterers

twitter.com/eurocheapo - Surprise!
twitter.com/budtravel - The editors of BudgetTravel.com
twitter.com/jenleo - Updates from the LA Times travel blog editor
twitter.com/wendyperrin - Conde Nast Traveler’s very own Wendy Perrin
twitter.com/soultravelers3 - Updates from a family of three traveling the world
twitter.com/SEKeener - Follow Cheapo-friend and co-founder of BootsnAll.com, Sean Keener, while he travels throughout Australia
twitter.com/samdaams - Pithy updates from Sam Daams, the co-founder of Travellerspoint.com

Do you Tweet?

Do you have recommendations for using Twitter? Are there other travel Twitterers you enjoy following? Do you agree that Twitter can be helpful, or do you find it a waste of time?

Tell us in the comments below!

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Cellphone use in Bavaria. Photo by Jason MacArthur.

By MATT KEPNES

When I travel, I look for affordable ways to stay in touch with my friends and update my family back home. Thanks to the Internet, it’s much easier to stay in touch now than it was in the past, and the cost of doing so has plummeted.

For those who are looking to save a dime but stay in touch, here are a few suggestions and tips to consider.

Staying in touch: The basics

It’s no secret that one of the easiest way to touch base is via email. But if you don’t want to pay excessive roaming fees for your Blackberry or iPhone, and prefer not to lug your personal laptop around when you travel, what do you do?

First of all, scrap plans to use hotel-owned Internet terminals or pay-per-minute internet access cards (unless they’re free of course). Instead, head to an Internet cafe. These cafes have spread like crazy around the Continent and make it quick and cheap to access email accounts, check in on social networking sites (like Facebook and MySpace), and update Twitter.

Other Web Options

However, sometimes “quickie” web cafe visits are not enough, especially on longer trips. Sending e-mails and messages to your family and friends is wonderful, but you’ll probably also want to actually speak with them. A great solution is the Internet phone service Skype. Skype lets you call other Skype users around the world for free.

All you need to make a Skype call is an Internet connection and a headset. You then “dial” another Sype user, like you would on an instant messenger, and once the connection is made you can speak for as long as you like–for nothing. For a small fee you can also place a call to a land-line or mobile phone.

Using Mobile Phones Abroad

The obvious downside to Skype is that you’re reliant upon an Internet connection to make the call. One way to solve that problem is by using a mobile phone.

Mobile phones, of course, not only let you keep in touch with those back home but also help you connect with people you meet on the road. They also allow you to call hostels and hotels from the road, check on museum hours, and in emergencies, call for help. Yet, cell phones are never the cheapest option.

For Americans, one complicating factor is that most mobile phones run on a network that isn’t accessible in Europe and, furthermore, most American phones can’t be “unlocked,” allowing you to swap out SIM cards. Thus, you can’t simply buy a new SIM card for your phone abroad. You’ll have to either rent or buy a new phone when you arrive, or, if your phone does work in Europe, pay additional fees for foreign coverage (either an incremental monthly fee or an expensive per-minute fee).

Fortunately for non-Americans, it’s much easier. Most foreign phones can have their SIM cards replaced with cards purchased at convenience stores (and sometimes right on the street!). The cards come with their own phone number and rechargeable minutes.

One Other Consideration

Thanks to technology, it’s easier and more affordable then ever to stay connected while traveling. At the same time, you should at least consider staying “unconnected” while traveling through Europe. After all, will your mobile phone be a helpful tool or just a distraction?

What do you think?

Do you stay connected when traveling? Do you take your mobile phone? Rent a phone abroad? Chat in Internet cafes? Tell us below!

About the author: Matt Kepnes is a twenty-something vagabond who has been on the road regularly since 2005 and produces NomadicMatt.com and How-To-Travel-The-World.com.

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It sure feels like the travel blogging community has officially shaken off the winter doldrums and is back in the saddle. Our RSS readers are stacked full of interesting, quirky, and occassionally weird travel tales from around the globe.

So without any further ado, here are a few of our favorites to start off your weekend:

Looking for cheap but delicious souvenirs for your foodie friends back home? BudgetTravel.com’s post on food gifts from Paris had our mouths watering from the start. Mmmm… cheeeeeeeese…

Speaking of Paris, has anyone tried to rent a Velib bike but been declined because you’re using an American credit card? If so, don’t fret, for the NY Times Travel Q & A blog has the answer. Hint: keep trying.

Ever wish you didn’t drink that $7.50 bottle of Evian from your hotel mini-bar? HotelChatter’s “Hotel Room Confessions” series has a few suggestions for side-stepping the bill. (Yes, we know many Cheapos out there are scoffing at the very THOUGHT of a hotel room with a mini-bar!)

Perceptive Travel’s post on the ‘wichcraft sandwich kiosk in New York’s Bryant Park has us already dreaming about lunchtime. Too bad it’s so cold out, otherwise we’d walk on up to try it out!

For our fellow bloggers out there, we recommend this post from British pal Alex Bainbridge on “the case for and against gimmicks on travel websites.” Go Alex!

Over at USA Today’s Hotel Hotsheet blog, there’s a call for nominations for favorite hotel bathrooms as part of an annual competition. This brings to mind several shared restroom in hostels we’ve visited that will most certainly not make the list.

…and lastly, next Thursday, Feb 26th we’re hosting a “Farewell Winter” party at our office in New York. Send us an email if you’re interested in joining us, but hurry because space is limited!

Happy weekend, Cheapos!

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Recently launched: MAPMagazine, an online publication that devotes itself to Madrid’s Anglophone expats and visitors. The magazine, which feels to us like a cross between the NYT and Facebook, is a useful compendium of news and calendar items. There are lists of free (and cheap) things to do, restaurant reviews, and coverage of the capital’s nightlife scene.

We’re impressed by the breadth of material covered and by the absence of snarky expat snivel. You know what we’re talking about. So if you’re hankering for it, go elsewhere.

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Photo by David Dee

If they can be pressed into diamonds, ashes are a girl’s best friend.

A 19-year old German woman wanted to have her father’s ashes pressed into a synthetic diamond, but Wiesbaden district courts ruled against her Tuesday in favor of her grandmother. (She hates me. She’s always hated me.)

The court heard the daughter of the deceased express a wish to send the ashes to Switzerland to be turned into a “memorial” diamond. “However, she could not provide sufficient evidence to prove her father wanted to be pressed into a diamond,” the court in western Germany said, according to Reuters. (He totally did so tell me that he wanted to be turned into a diamond!)

The diamond making process subjects ashes to intense heat to produce graphite which is then pressed to produce a raw crystal that is then polished and cut into a synthetic diamond. Check it out.

(It’s, like, so unfair. Those ashes are mine, I tell you. MINE!)

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Lonely Planet today announced the launch of their new travel video community site, lonelyplanet.tv. The site features a combination of user-generated travel videos and original programming from Lonely Planet TV.

We’re into the site’s clean interface and interested (if unsurprised) by the YouTube-inspired functionality that allows travelers to view, share, and rate posted videos. We like the way the site integrates Google Maps to identify where the video was shot. We found a few gorgeous clips, including this one taken from the summit of Mera Peak in Nepal.

With this new site launch, Lonely Planet does a cannonball into the pool of video social networking sites occupied by Travelistic and a handful of others. Welcome to the party, LP!

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Photograph by jj_mac

When it comes to strange European news, Berlin is hot this week. The latest episode? Berliners looked on as a 91-year-old man got stuck to his roof while recoating it with bitumen.

After the nonagenarian slipped, neighbors called the fire department. At first, observing youngsters assumed that, due to the man’s age, he was trying to commit suicide. One witness said he looked “like a beetle on its back.”

As a matter of fact, kiddo, the man in question was simply trying to spruce up his surroundings.

C’mon, peeps, can’t an on old timer put a roof over his head without the attention of local authorities and the international press? Back in the old days, a man could slip and fall in peace. Put that verdammt camera away before I box your ears with it!

Unfortunately, it appears ageism is an epidemic that knows no boundaries.

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We’ve been enjoying the Guardian Unlimited’s Been There site-within-a-site. Been There is a series of reader-generated tips, suggestions, and travel guides.

The site’s “tips we like” section is particularly interesting. Some “tips” are very simple descriptions that might have been ripped from Wikipedia, containing little in the way of insight. The tips we like are short and sweet—little bits of information about bars, neighborhoods, museums, and local drinking habits, to name a few.

Tips are categorized logically, with eating, accommodation, bar, and budget categories the most popular.

Our verdict: nothing beats a source you can trust—be that a guidebook, an expert, or a friend—but gosh can you learn a lot from your fellow travelers.

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