Initially plastic surgery procedures were limited to facial and body reconstruction caused by accidents, trauma, illness or birth defects.

As people began to see the purely cosmetic possibilities, many surgeons expanded their services to include facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), breast augmentation and liposuction.

Plastic Surgery Or Cosmetic Surgery?

It's important to know the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery, especially if you're planning on having your insurance company foot the bill for your procedure.

Cosmetic surgery is performed solely to improve a person's outward physical appearance and self-esteem by correcting naturally occuring conditions that the patient is unhappy with. Cosmetic surgery may be performed by either a Plastic Surgeon or a Cosmetic Surgeon.

Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by health insurance.

Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct or reduce the effects of congenital defects, accidental trauma injury, infections, tumors, and other health-related conditions.

It's primary purpose is rarely to simply improve appearance except for extreme cases involving major facial or bodily damage resulting from automobile accidents, etc. Plastic Surgery may only be performed by a Plastic Surgeon.

Insurance And The Reason

In most cases insurance does pay for plastic surgery although there are some cases where your claim may be reduced or denied completely. That's why it is always important to coordinate the planned procedure with your health insurance provider BEFORE you get the procedure.

Often times the difference between whether or not your insurance company will cover the bill is the REASON for the procedure. If, for example, you are having your nose reshaped because you're unhappy with your profile — no deal. You're on your own.

However, get that same nose job because your doctor has diagnosed a chronic breathing problem that results in the potentially dangerous condition known as “Sleep Apnea” and you could end up with a new nose courtesy of your health insurance provider!

If you are planning to visit a Plastic Surgeon, keep the following items in mind:

Your plastic surgeon should be “Board Certified” by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

If your doctor will be using anesthesia then make sure that only a licensed Anesthesiologist administers the medicine and make sure that the facility where the procedure is being performed is accredited by at least one of the following organizations:

• American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities(AAAASF)
• Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

Although making sure that all of these certifications are present is no guarantee of a trouble-free experience , NOT having these certifications means that both the doctor performing plastic surgery, as well as the people who run the facility, have a serious lack of regard for your health and well being!

You should NEVER use an uncertified plastic surgeon or uncertified plastic surgery facility. The risk is simply not worth it!

Check out Michael's free research libraries:

Plastic Surgery:

http://www.bodyfaq.com/plastic-surgery-library

Acne:

http://www.bodyfaq.com/Acne-Library

Laser Hair Removal:

http://www.about-hair-removal.com/Laser-Library

You can look for discount airfares for Las Vegas on the Internet. What you will find is a list of user-friendly websites with a search field to help you narrow down your search by entering the location from where you will be taking off and your departure date. They will then find the cheapest flight possible for you. You can also perform a search by airports. For example, if you are flying from London you will be given a list of popular London airports like Heathrow, and Gatwick etc. Clicking on one of the airports will take you to a page where all flights are listed from that place to Las Vegas. You can also search for cheap flights for Christmas, New Year and Easter. Since these are peak holiday seasons many sites have special discount deals for these dates. You can even book way in advance, like four to six months before the flight to get cheaper airfare.

The deals and packages offered by these websites include not only the plane ticket, but also your hotel accommodation expenses and the activities you will be taking part in while you are in Las Vegas. You can select from a number of shows and events listed on these websites to see which package suits you the best. Also try to locate a cheap package that includes car rental facility as well. This way you won?t have any difficulty in arriving to your destination anywhere in Las Vegas once you are there. These packages are usually very cheap as compared to individual charges of all these activities. You will also be given an opportunity to select the kind of food you would want to have in Las Vegas. Planning a trip to Las Vegas is nearly as eventful as actually arriving there and being a part of all that.

You can save up to 75% on your overall expenses when you choose to buy one of these combo packages. PriceLine is a popular online consolidator website where you can go to search for a cheap flight to Las Vegas given your preferences. Expedia and Travelocity are equally popular for providing cheap airfare to travelers wishing to go to Las Vegas for a vacation. Going to Las Vegas will be a lifetime experience for you and your family, so don?t plan it haphazardly. Keep in mind all your needs and requirements and then choose a deal online that will not only provide you with all that you want, but will also save you a lot of money to spend on other activities.

George has published a variety of fascinating articles about airfares & travel on a shoestring budget. Check out his las vegas airfare website that the airlines DO NOT want you to see. Stop the big airline companies from fleecing you of your hard earned money, and discover online airfares to wherever your imagination takes you!

Auberge Du Vieux-Port is situated at the center of Old Montreal, and faces Montreal?s Old Port and the St-Lawrence River. It is close to the museums, boutiques, art galleries etc. The hotel is actually a historical building going as far back as 1882. The bedrooms have hardwood floors, stone and brick walls and massive beams. 15 rooms of the hotel face the waterfront. Most rooms are equipped with whirlpool tubs. The rooms are non-smoking. The rooftop terrace is an ideal place for special occasions.

Hotel Place d Armes is the first boutique hotel in Old Montreal. Opened in 2000, the hotel has 44 opulent rooms and 4 mezzanine suites. The hotel is close to the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Old Port and the Montreal Convention Center. Hotel Place d Armes? decor has both classical and modern elements. The complex woodwork gives the rooms a warm feel. The guest rooms are complete with facilities like high-speed Internet access, a CD player, an electronic safety deposit box etc. Most bathrooms have double jacuzzis, equipped with fashionable Fruits and Passion bath amenities. Hotel guests are offered a complimentary continental breakfast and evening cheese cocktail and wine in the hotel?s lobby. Other facilities include valet parking, room service, massages etc.

Other hotels in Old Montreal include Holiday Inn Select Montreal Center-Ville Marmelade Hotel-Suites Le Faubourg Hotel XIXE Siecle and Conciergerie Guest House.

Montreal Hotels provides detailed information on Montreal Hotels, Downtown Montreal Hotels, Old Montreal Hotels, Montreal Luxury Hotels and more. Montreal Hotels is affiliated with Cheap Los Angeles Hotels.

Italy is not only world automobile hub but it is also famous for fashion, food and its architectural styles. It is also associated with the holy place Vatican. People from all around the world visit Vatican and Italy and Italy has a lot of more to show the world and therefore a good tourist destination. Italy hotels for sale are offered to the people and are therefore a good investment opportunities for many of us. The hotels in coastal cities or around the holy place are in much demand and the expected demand for these hotels will also grow in feature.

The currency of Italy is Euro and you can buy a small hotel in Italy from a few thousand euros onward, however depending on the location and the size of the hotel the rates will vary. The investment in Italy hotels offered on sale will provide higher return on your investment if you have purchased a right hotel at the right location. The demand for hotels is higher in certain area as people visit these places more often.

It is very easy to search a hotel in Italy as you find many Italy hotels for sale are advertised properly either at web or local papers. You can also contact to the real estate agents in any of your preferred destination and can find detailed information. You can also look for detailed information about these hotels in online information provided on the hotel owner?s websites. The information gathered through website or real estate agent is preliminary information and you need to look into more details of the hotels and you should ask for a visit to the hotel offered for sale.

Once you make up your mind to purchase a Italy hotel offered for sale, it is necessary for you to bargain the price as most of the time the normal cost will be far less than the listed price. A good bargainer can bring down the cost. In Italy many good hotels are for sale and purchasing a hotel at the right location will be an added advantage as you can expect a very high return on your investment from it.

… Was this Hotel Investment Article Helpful? Learn More About Hotel investments, Hotels For Sale and the Ins and Outs Of Hotel Brokerage. Smart Hotels Buyers - Buy Hotels From http://www.smarthotelbuyers.com

The obvious answer is to seek out professional news organizations to publish your work and pay you for your efforts. However, for those just starting out on a freelance writing career, this is not always practical.

It takes time to build up contacts in the publishing industry. You need to show editors that you can write news according to acceptable news writing standards as well as having a body of work they can refer to.

One way is to start your own online newsletter with stories about what is happening in your area. Remember John Boy and his own newspaper in ?The Waltons??

Simply register a website and start posting news articles on a regular basis. What constitutes news would be entirely up to you. You could limit it to family affairs (Eldest son grounded for a week after breaking curfew), your neighborhood (Dog owners urged to clean up after their pets) or expand it to the wider area.

Of course, the bigger the issue, the more credence it would have with the professional journalists you are trying to impress.

The main thing is to get into the practice of writing news and going through the process of delivering news on a regular basis. You could update it daily, weekly or even monthly. Here are four items you could consider as regular sections in your news website.

Lead story ? this is the main story of the day, week or month. It is equivalent to the front-page lead of a major newspaper, except the news is to do with your area. It may be a big gathering, a political event, a crime or somebody from your neighborhood performing a major feat.

Briefs columns ? this is a popular feature of all magazines and online news outlets. These are columns with clever titles containing several short articles that can draw a loyal following. It could be gossip, tips, brief news, humor, diary or anything that is interesting and can be sustained in every issue.

Profiles ? this could also be a regular feature in your news website. You could choose anyone you would like to interview for each issue. It could be the local headmaster, the police chief or area sports star. Human-interest stories are always popular and profiles of ordinary people will enhance your website.

Opinion ? you could have one or more strong opinion columns. You could write it yourself or invite someone of relative influence to give his or her views on issues affecting your area.

Your news website could be as serious or as fun as you want it to be. Its main function, though, is to help you practice your news writing skills, which involves a standard formula that all journalists use. This is important when you learn how to write like a journalist because editors expect proper news writing structure when they accept articles. You never know, one of your stories, if it is big or interesting enough, could be picked up by one of the major daily newspapers.

Nazvi Careem is an experienced journalist, writer and writing coach who has written for newspapers, magazines and global news agencies such as Reuters, Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. To download a free chapter from his book on news writing secrets, check out his website dedicated to news writing.

I recommend starting with the site actually surrounding the city. If you've never been on the New York ferry then you have to take the ferry ride and see the Statue Of Liberty. If you've only seen it in photos then you truly have no idea how magnificent it really is. As you approach it is one of the most breathtaking sites in existence. I still remember my first ferry ride at age 7 and seeing the lovely lady for the first time. It is an experience I will never forget.

And there is Ellis Island. From 1892 to 1924 12 million immigrants entered New York through Ellis Island. You can also see Ellis Island from the same ferry ride.

Working your way into the mainland, no vacation is complete without seeing the Empire State Building, which is now the tallest building in New York with the tragic destruction of the World Trade Center. The building was completed in 1931 and since that time over 110 million people have made their way to the top. Last year's total was over 3.5 million people alone. From the top of the building you can see the entire city of New York and beyond. It is truly a magnificent view.

From this point you can just about turn in any direction and run into a historical landmark. There are so many places to go in Manhattan that you can't really see them all, even in a week. So continuing on from The Empire State Building I would next go to see The United Nations. The UN was established in 1945 and has been attempting to keep world peace ever since. Not an easy job. I was there once. I will never forget it.

No trip to New York would be complete without a trip to Broadway and 7th avenue where you can literally see theaters lined up side by side. Anyone who can't find entertainment on Broadway is simply blind or not looking. I suggest you check your pulse.

While on the subject of entertainment you'd be crazy not to visit Radio City Music Hall, which was built in 1932, if for no other reason than to see the Rockettes. Let me tell you, they DO have the greatest legs on this planet. If I could afford it I'd see them every night.

For the best in dining and shopping you better take a trip down to Chinatown, which is inhabited by 150,000 Chinese people in just 2 square miles. This is the largest Chinese population in the Western hemisphere.

The heart of the financial district is the New York Stock Exchange. Seeing them ring the opening bell on TV is nothing like watching them do it in person. The entire world literally watches the New York Stock Exchange to know how the world of finance is doing. Talk about power.

Then of course is Rockefeller Center with it's legendary Christmas tree. Obviously you want to go there around Christmas and New Years. There is also great shopping in Rockefeller Center. This place alone can be a whole tour.

Finally the last must see place is the World Trade Center Memorial. Talk about getting all choked up. This is one monument I wish was never made necessary. What happened there was simply unspeakable but the work that went into honoring the memory of those who died that day is truly inspiring.

After that, if you have time, go and take the tour through NBC studios to see how shows are made. Then go to Lincoln Center and watch an opera. Take a walk through Central Park, just not at night. And if you want the best deli in the world you MUST go to Deli City in mid town Manhattan.

Honestly, there is way too much in New York to see to list here. My suggestion is if after seeing all of the above you have some time left, go find a tour agency. They'll let you know if there is anything you missed that you should see.

Yes, New York truly IS the greatest city in the world.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to New York Vacation

There are homebuilders providing customized services for the homes. They attempt to create high quality, unique homes that have lasting value and appeal. Homeowners recognize the vast possibilities custom home design provides. It includes a home that is livable, comfortable, unique, and matches their expectations. Generally, custom homes are not expensive as people presume them to be. The homes' features are specified according to the desires of homeowners. People looking for homes can purchase them when advertised for sale.

Las Vegas real estate dealings are growing at a very fast rate. There are many real estate agents that can help people from purchasing or renting homes. Some of the rented homes are fully furnished and have additional facilities, such as swimming pools, pantry, and garage. There are online sites that provide detailed information on real estate properties. They include rental homes or houses, apartments, and condos. People, who are new to the city, benefit from these sites. Landlords also gain simultaneously without putting much effort to rent their apartments.

The Internet helps people get an easy access to accurate and detailed property information. It helps them to make quick renting decisions, which favors their budget. The sites provide the contact number of the agents that enable people, to get relevant information and plan a comfortable stay in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Homes provides detailed information on Las Vegas Homes, Las Vegas Home Sales, Las Vegas New Homes, Las Vegas Home Builders and more. Las Vegas Homes is affiliated with Las Vegas Travel Deals.

Q. I made a reservation for a hotel in Amorgos Island Greece form a list of Amorgos hotels or Amorgos Island hotels, a travel agent or an internet site suggested to me. After getting there? surprise!! the hotel did not meet the standards I was supposed to get?per example, no swimming pool, no private WC and no tennis courts. Is the Amorgos hotel owner or Greek hotel owner responsible? A.= No. The responsibility is entirely the organizer?s and/or the travel agency?s, that is to say the tourist agent, from which the customer bought the organized travel package this is even for the services that are not produced or provided by the organizer and or travel agent directly, but by other collaborating enterprises (example, hotels, organized excursions, transportation services, etc). Therefore, BEWARE when reserving a Amorgos hotel from an internet site.

Q. What is the procedure to reserve a room or an apartment in one of the Amorgos hotels or in the Amorgos Island hotels in general?

A. = Customers should communicate with the owner or management of Amorgos hotels or Amorgos Island hotels and make their reservation request by phone or fax or email or by telegraph.

Q. What is the procedure to make sure that a request has been accepted?

A. = Within 3 days in general, owners or management of the Amorgos hotels or Amorgos Island hotels who are interested in your reservation should send you an answer to let you know if they accept the reservation for renting any of their rooms or apartments requested by the customers. Owners should answer in writing or by telegraph or email or by fax stating that they accept the reservation requested by the clients.

Q. I made an inquiry about a couple of reservations I need for hotels in Amorgos Island Greece. What is a fair deposit one should pay for reservations in Amorgos hotels or in Amorgos Island hotels in general?

A. = The owners of Amorgos hotels or Amorgos Island hotels can ask an advance of up to 25% of the total of price of the stay for all the days reserved. The deposit though should not be inferior to the rent of one day. The reservation is considered complete with the payment of the deposit that was determined and with the written acceptance of the reservation by the hotel owner.

Q. I made couple of reservations for different hotels in Amorgos Island Greece. Can I cancel the reservations I made for any or some of the Amorgos hotels or generally Amorgos Island hotels?

A. = When one reserves rooms or apartments part of a complex of any Amorgos hotels or Amorgos Island hotels to be used for a predetermined time period and the rooms are used for part of the period, the customer has to compensate the Amorgos hotel owner with half the price that was agreed for the period that was not used by the customer.

Q. What if the customer informs in writing at least 21 days before the reservation dates that he has changed his plans?

A. = If the customer informs in writing the owner of any Amorgos hotels at least 21 days before the reservation dates, then the customer is exempted to pay a compensation. The owner of any Amorgos hotels is obliged to return the deposit that was collected.

Q. Should we understand that any reservation can be cancelled 21 days prior to the time of arrival and the customers are legible for full refund?

A. = Yes, this is correct.

Q. I stayed overnight in a hotel in Amorgos Island Greece. I really liked this place and don?t want to leave this hotel which is cheaper than the other Amorgos hotels or generally Amorgos Island hotels. Do I have to leave?

A. = The renting of Amorgos rooms or Amorgos apartments part of a Amorgos Island hotel complex is considered to be for one day only, unless otherwise agreed between hotel owner and customer.

Q. Concerning hotels in Amorgos Island Greece or Amorgos Island hotels, at what time does one have to leave Amorgos hotels or generally Amorgos Island hotels so that extra charges don?t occur?

A. = In the case that the Amorgos hotel owner or the customer wants to dissolve the lease agreement, the customer is obliged to vacate the Amorgos rooms or Amorgos apartments not later than 12 o?clock noon. By staying in the rooms or apartments beyond 12 o?clock noon and not later than 18:00 o?clock, the customer is obliged to pay half the rent. If the customer stays in the premises after 18:00 o?clock, he is obliged to pay the rent for the whole day. If the customer denies paying the rent, then the owner has the right to remove the customers? luggage and/ or belongings from the rooms or apartments?the customer has to go away as well.

Q. I made a couple of reservations for Amorgos hotels in Greece. I will be arriving late in some of them. Do I have to pay for the whole day for renting these Amorgos hotels or generally Amorgos Island hotels?

A. = The predetermined day of arrival is calculated entirely as for the rent, not taking into consideration the time of arrival. So if you arrive say 1:00 am or at any time, you will have to pay for the whole day. The day of departure is not calculated, unless the customer does not vacate the room. He should vacate the room not later than 12 o?clock noon.

Q. After making a reservation from a list of Amorgos hotels in Amorgos Island Greece,surprise!!…There was a mix-up? The owner of one of the Amorgos hotels informs me that I don?t have a place to stay at the specific Amorgos hotel or Amorgos Island hotel? What are my rights?

A. =. The Amorgos hotel owner owes to have the rooms or apartments which are part of a Amorgos Island hotel complex, and which the customer reserved either by means of some type of writing, telegraph, fax, or email or with a contract.

Q. What happens if the owner of one of the Amorgos hotels does not have the accommodation which is reserved?

A.= Oufff!!! Just too bad? for the owner?who is obliged to ensure the customer?s stay in an other Amorgos Island hotel of same at least class, in the same city, with the same comforts and conditions as those that are advertised for his own Amorgos hotel.

Q. Will the transportation be arranged from one hotel to another one?

A. = Yes. The owner of the Amorgos hotels OWES to pay the expenses of transport plusThe difference in price?(if any)?that may exist between his own hotel and the other one.

Q. Is it always possible to find an alternative solution?

A. = Well?in a case of impossibility, the owner is obliged to refund the customer.

Q. Refund??? How much???

A.= Refund means to refund the total of price of the stay for the WHOLE period.

Q. Could it happen that an owner would accept a reservation for more people that?his hotel can accommodate?

A.= It is prohibited for the owner of any Amorgos Island hotels to accept a reservation from a group where more beds are needed that the ones the hotel is licensed for.

Q. What if an owner still takes a chance and does accept such a reservation?

A.= If an owner accepts such a reservation , a DEMOTION of the hotel category to an inferior class may take place?( for ONE YEAR)?

Q. After getting to the hotel which I reserved from a list of Amorgos hotels in Greece, I found a better and cheaper hotel on my way?something in the same area . Should I pay for the rest of my reservation with first Amorgos hotel?

A.= In theory, the customer musts :

a) accept the Amorgos room or Amorgos apartment that was reserved by himselfor by his representative?unless this is not what he reserved.

b) keep the Amorgos apartment or room to the end of the reservation period that was agreed?otherwise, the customer is obliged to compensate the owner.

Q. Explain what ?compensate? means.

A.= In this case, to compensate the owner means to pay him the sum equal to half the rent of all the rest of the days that were reserved where the daily rent is the agreed pricefor an overnight stay. This compensation may also take effect in the case where the customer did not arrive at the Amorgos Island hotel at the predetermined date of arrival.

Q. Could there be exceptions for exceptional cases?

A.= Yes…in extreme cases such as acts of God per example earth quakes etc. Those extremes cases need concrete evidence. The lease agreement between Amorgos Hotel owner and customer is considered fair and powerful provided that there is relative documentation or evidence, example a written reservation or/and a written confirmation.

Q. Could Amorgos hotel owner cancel the lease before the agreed time period?

A.= The Amorgos hotel owner doesn?t have the right to cancel the lease before the agreed time period if a room is leased for a certain time.

Q. Unless special circumstances???

A.= All rules may have exceptions? The owner has the right to cancel the lease inany circumstances such as:

a) if the customer violates the hotel regulations

b) if a customer has a disease or illness that is contagious or is suffering from other illness or disease that mat cause nuisance to the remaining customers of the hotel

c) if the customer violates the common manners.

This article is designed to help customer who have questions about Amorgos hotels, or hotels in Amorgos or Amorgos Island hotels or hotel apartments and rooms. If you think there is something fishy about your reservation you can contact, E.O.T the Greek organization of tourism or the tourist police in Amorgos Island Greece.

by S Pappas greekinfo@gmail.com

Rooms Apartments in Athens Greece Athensrooms.
Free Greek travel information traveling in Athens Greece Greek Info.
Apartments in Athens Greece Self catering.

Whether the rooms are meant for single or double occupancy, they are extremely spacious. The ambience is superior to any of the lower-ranking hotels. Yes, it is an exorbitant expenditure considering that one mainly uses the hotel facility to spend the night, as during the day you?ll be sightseeing in New York City.

However, this is not to say that lower-ranking hotels can?t qualify as being among the best. In fact, many of the prestigious chains of hotels also dabble in the lower-ranking hotel business in order to be able to maintain a client base at all levels. While they cater to the executives at the high-ranking hotels, they are keen to cater to the needs of the common person, too.

The best NYC hotels are determined by a set of professionals who conduct yearly checks on all facilities being provided if they meet up to the expected standards then they are listed in the top recommended list.

To determine which are the best NYC hotels, you should check out sites on the Internet, or go through New York City brochures available at travel agencies. In case you have no prior bookings, then as soon as you arrive at any of the two airports there are counters that help you get a room at one of best hotels.

NYC Hotels provides detailed information on NYC Hotels, Discount NYC Hotels, Boutique NYC Hotels, Best NYC Hotels and more. NYC Hotels is affiliated with Discount New York Hotel.

RA: Why would anyone want to use Priceline?

DN: You'll save a lot of money.

RA: Yes, but who wants to get up in time for a 6:00 a.m. flight? You can't pick your departure times or airline or anything like that.

DN: Well, just use Priceline for air tickets when you're going to Australia or traveling at the last minute. You'll save hundreds of dollars. When you can plan your U.S. travel well in advance, Priceline may not be your best bet.

But always bid on Priceline hotels. That's easy and you don't have to get up at 4:00 a.m.

RA: Sure, but I don't want to stay in some crummy place.

DN: No, no, no. Bid for three or four-star hotels. You pick the quality.

You'll end up at a Hyatt, Hilton, Holiday Inn Crown Plaza, Sheraton, Marriott, or Doubletree-someplace like these.

And, over a few days, you'll save hundreds of dollars.

In fact, I predict you'll save on average at least $100 a night over the prices you get on Expedia, Hotels.com, or similar discount hotel sites. Priceline hotel savings average some 40 percent over these sites.

RA: What about location?

DN: You pick that, too.

In the Orlando area, you have a choice of 11 neighborhoods, in or near San Jose, eight.

RA: So you can't pick a specific hotel, just a general neighborhood?

DN: That's right.

That's why hotels use Priceline to sell excess inventory at prices they don't want their regular customers to find out about.

RA: So would it be correct to assume that if there's a big event going on in the area and hotels are heavily booked, rooms won't be available through Priceline?

DN: Actually not.

Groups can book large blocks of rooms at hotels, then find out not as many are traveling, and release some rooms back to hotels. I once got a Priceline discount at the headquarters hotel of a huge medical convention at the last minute.

Priceline tells you if rooms are available before you bid.

RA: How do I know what to bid?

I have an entire site devoted to that! Go to the Priceline Hotels section of BidOnTravel.com.

RA: Just give me three main tips.

DN: Okay. First, bid on three or four-star hotels. That's where the real savings are.

Second, look up the best prices for the star quality and neighborhood you want on a site like Hotels.com. Knowledge is power, and that way you won't overbid.

Third, find out what Hotwire.com charges.

Hotwire is Priceline's main competitor in the 'you don't find out the name of your hotel until you pay category,' and it's prices are usually a bit higher than Priceline's.

Therefore, bid 10 - 20 percent below Hotwire's price.

See BidonTravel.com, though, if you want to refine this process to maximize your savings.

RA: What if I still overpay?

DN: Priceline has a best price guarantee.

If you book a room on Priceline, and then find a lower price on another website for the same type of room at the same hotel or resort on the same dates, Priceline will refund you the difference. There's some small print, such as “this rate has to be available to the general public and you have to make your claim within 24 hours of booking,” but you really can't lose.

RA: There must be some drawbacks to using Priceline for hotels.

DN: There are.

Most importantly, you'll get no refund if you cancel. You won't be able to change dates.

Also, you'll usually end up with a standard room. At some hotels, these may not be large enough for more than two people.

RA: What about smoking or nonsmoking?

DN: This is never absolutely guaranteed regardless of where you book.

When using Priceline or other online sites, I usually call the hotel directly to make sure it has me on its nonsmoking list. I also try not to show up too late, when the hotel may have run out of certain types of rooms.

RA: Thanks. I'll try bidding next time after reading the tips on your site.<

Rick Archer is President of SearchSummit, a Search Engine Marketing company.

An extensive world traveler, Don Nadeau, president of BidonTravel.com, taught world geography for many years in both Canada and the United States, and developed the first high school level Urban Studies program in the U.S.

Don loves helping people travel “on the cheap,” and frequently uses the advice found in BidonTravel to make his own trips more affordable.