Oct 04, 2003 05:58 AM
5394 Views
(Updated Oct 04, 2003 05:58 AM)
Trip.com (website http: https://trip.com) offers the likes of flight reservations, car rentals, hotel reservations services and vacation packages. It is a US-based site which started operations in the Autumn of 1996 and is, in essence, oriented in its geographical coverage to North America.
This web site is exceedingly easy to navigate and the home page is well laid-out and basically simple to follow. The search function for flights enables you to search by departing and arriving destinations, to specify departure dates and times and return date and times. The list of hotels covered in the accommodation section is formidable: and you are able to search for hotels by city; address; and zip code. Similarly the car rental section encompass many of the major car rental firms. Most of the tour packages seem to be geared mainly to US residents: among deals offered were Visit Disney for only US$ 329, Cancun getaway for US$ 524, Enjoy Paradise Island for US$ 565, Golden Gate Views for US$ 216 and Hit the clubs and the beach in Miami, 3 nights for US$ 374.
An interesting section is entitled Destination Guides. Here the surfer who has a destination in mind can get good tips on what to do and see when they get there. There is also a so-called Personalised Search where you can match your interests to destinations that Trip.com identify as just right for you.
Another section is devoted to Vacation Rentals. This allows you to search thousands of first-class resorts which provide vacation rentals with all the comforts of home. However, the main problem is that the database is restricted to the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
There is also a Flight Tracker which enables you to track the status of any commercial, airborne flight; however, again this is limited to North America. A flight can be tracked by both flight number and airline.
Trip.com also has a Travel Resources search in which you can find maps, travel directions, weather conditions and a considerable volume of destination information.
This travel reference site is undeniably useful for US residents and for travellers planning a vacation in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean. If your travel preferences are outside of this region, then this web site is likely to be of very peripheral interest. Its plus points include its ease of navigation, good search facilities and its very interesting travel resources section.
