Traveler's Blog

RENTalo has teamed up with Campaigner, a leading Email Service Provider (ESP), in order to optimize its email marketing practices and ensure the best possible open and click rates on its opted-in database of travelers, currently at 1.3 million email addresses.
In March 9th of 2012, we launched our latest newsletter publication series called Special Offers -- See example.

"We plan to re-confirm all our opted-in emails periodically in order to improve our email marketing effectiveness." says Alfredo Purrinos, President & Founder of RENTalo.com.

Since 2003, RENTalo.com has been refining its email marketing practices to comply to anti-spam laws as well as other "ESP-specific" rules and best-practices.  All our travelers emails have been opted-in and verified (e.g. double opted-in).  We have invested a lot of resources over the years in the creation or distribution of our newsletters and email publications.  We send 1-2 newsletters a month with relevant content, especially designed for travel and vacation planners.

For more details, read article:
Email Marketing Boost for Sponsor Listings

Back in September of 2010, Rentalo held a sweepstakes to raffle a Massage Mouse.  Below is a photo of Virg, the Rentalo traveler who won the sweepstakes, and recently sent us the photo below when he received the gift from Rentalo.

Congratulations Virg! Enjoy your Massage Mouse!

When posting a Wanted Ad in Rentalo, it is important to know the following:

Filling up the inquiry form - There are required fields and optional fields. It is recommended to fill out as much information as possible. The more information you can provide us, the better the quality of the offers you will receive from our property managers.  Below is part 1 & 2 in the wanted ad inquiry form (click on image to expand).

What happens next - Below is a step by step explanation of what goes on upon submitting a wanted ad or destination inquiry:

1) Email Verification - If this is the first time you are using Rentalo, we will need to verify your email address. This is a simple process, all you need to do is click the verification link we send to your email.

2) Matching of inquiry criteria to available inventory - Next, Rentalo's engine matches your inquiry criteria* to the available inventory in the destination of your choice.

3) Generating Offers - At this time, Rentalo starts generating offers. There are 2 type of offers:

a) Auto Offers - Automatic offers are those that Rentalo can generate instantly on selected inventory that provide us the availability information and rates.  

b) Manual Offers - Rentalo also sends inquiry alerts to the property managers of the inventory that matched your inquiry criteria.  Property managers with availability in their properties will contact you directly (via email or by phone) or send you an offer via Rentalo's new messaging platform.

* What is my inquiry criteria? Inquiry items such as travel dates, number of people in the party, budget, pets, and special needs are matched to our property listings.  For example, travel dates are matched with the availability calendar of each property that can accommodate your request. Budget is matched with the rates, and so on. 

Booking requests - If you receive an offer you like, at any time you can click on the "Request Booking" button to let the property manager know that you want to reserve the property as soon as possible. Rentalo is monitoring these 'booking requests' to make sure our property managers reply in a timely matter.

Communicating with property managers - Rentalo now has a new messaging platform that offers multilingual support.  This platform is a great tool for communicating with property managers for negotiating deals, getting answers to your questions about the property or the location, or simply building your trust with the property manager. Below is a screenshot of our messaging platform for travelers (click on image to expand).

What if I don't receive any offers that match my specific lodging needs?
At Rentalo, we recently launched a personalized lodging finder service to assist travelers in finding places to stay that meet their specific lodging needs.  Please refer to our Lodging Finder PRO service for more details.

For more than 10 years RENTalo has been assisting travelers, trip planners and travel agents in finding places to stay.  We have received several reviews from travelers who have used our free destination inquiry services.  However, according to our traveler surveys there is a significant percent of travelers (up to 30% in some destinations) who could use some extra help in finding lodging.  For this reason, we are launching our Lodging Finder PRO service.

At RENTalo, we are always striving to provide the best quality of services to our travelers.  We understand how important it is for travelers to have choices when booking a place to stay.  Our Lodging Finder PRO Service is designed to assist travelers in getting qualified offers that meet their specific needs.  We will back up our service with a 100% satisfactory guarantee, which means that travelers will receive one or more qualified offers that match their specific lodging needs, or we will refund their $40 service fee, no questions asked!

Additionally, we will register the traveler's bookings for our worry-free $5,000 lodging guarantee; a fraud-free protection that give travelers the extra peace of mind when renting for the first time from a property owner or vacation rental business who they have never done business with in the past.

Save browsing hours searching for a place to stay! get started

Rentalo’s inventory property owners consist of local travel experts that can give you valuable advice when planning a family vacation or holiday getaway.   Rentalo’s free destination inquiry is an award-winning inquiry service that has helped millions of travelers find a place to stay in close to 15,000 cities worldwide.

Unlike other directories out there, at Rentalo we believe in providing the best tools to assist travelers in choosing where to stay.  We understand that hotels may be a better option for certain people, for certain trips, or specific circumstances. For others, vacation homes may bring greater value, and B&Bs can offer great lodging experiences.  So why not ask the experts and allow them to help you decide where to stay?  Rentalo's award-winning destination inquiry is a great tool to do so; it's fast and free!

All you need to do is pick your favorite inquiry option below to submit your inquiry and use the message text box (also called comments or remarks) to ask any specific questions or advice you may need to make your stay memorable. 

Browse using any PC or Apple computer – Visit http://rentalo.com, type the name of your destination, and when you find it, use the form on top to "Inquire on Multiple Properties".  Within minutes you will start receiving offers from highly motivated property owners, innkeepers, and hotels.  You may also use this destination inquiry form.

Browse using any mobile’s browser on your phone – Visit http://m.rentalo.com,  type the name of your destination, and when you find it, use the form on top to "Inquire on Multiple Properties". Within minutes you will start receiving offers from highly motivated property owners, innkeepers, and hotels.

Download Rentalo Mobile App to your iPhone, Droid or Backberry phone  - Visit our RENTalo Mobile page  at http://rentalo.com/docs/mobnile.html to download your favorite appl.  Upon installing it, open it and use the 'Submit Inquiry' option to  inquire on multiple properties in your favorite destination.

EZ BookMe is an intuitive, multi-lingual, message-based online booking facility designed by RENTalo to facilitate online transactions among travel planners and property owners.  

Below are some of the key features that make EZ BookMe a great choice for online travel planners:

Messaging-Based Communication

 - EZ BookMe streamlines the booking process via an intuitive and friendly messaging service that allows travelers and owners to easily communicate back and forth prior to booking.

Multiple Language Support 
-  Communicate with owners in multiple languages by sending inquiries, or answering messages from owners using Rentalo's new messaging system.  EZ BookME uses Google Language Translation API that supports over 50 languages (see list of supported languages).

Secure Payments 
- Book online securely via credit cards or PayPal.  Most credit cards accepted including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Up to $5,000 Lodging Protection
- All reservations automatically receive the value-added of a $5,000 anti-fraud lodging protection; a guarantee designed to protect travelers booking a property via RENTalo from possible scams or frauds.

Travelers pay a 10% booking service fee as stated in the booking service agreement.  

- To learn more about EZ BookMe, please see EZ BookME faqs 

- Read EZ BookME press release and watch intro video 

Have you ever worried about what would happen if something goes wrong with your booking? It is not a secret that most vacation rental owners and managers are some of the most honest and friendly people you will ever do business with.  That said, as in any industry, you may have an unexpected surprise and something may not go as smooth as planned. Last year, the Federal Trade Commission reported 18,836 fraud incidents involving travel, vacations and timeshare.  Even travel experts have fallen victim to scammers who ussually offer an "incredible" deal for a vacation rental.

If you are planning to rent a vacation house or a condo directly from an individual or online agency, always book your reservation via a reputable website that offers anti-scam guarantee or insurance policy.  For example, Rentalo offers a $5,000 "Worry-Free Lodging Guarantee".  This guarantee offers scam-free protection to any traveler who wants to book any property listed in Rentalo,  learn more.  Also, if you need additional protection for any of your vacation expenses, please refer to vacation rental travel insurance page.  This insurance plan will protect all pre-paid and non-refundable travel expenses (airfare, lodging, cruise, car rental, tours, etc) in case your travel plans don't go as expected.

Rentalo is continually working to prevent travel-related fraud. Consumer information and tips for avoiding travel fraud can be found on FTC.gov.  Below are some important consumer tips to avoid travel fraud (Source: ftc.gov):

- Be wary of "great deals" and low-priced offers. Few legitimate businesses can afford to give away products and services of real value or substantially undercut other companies' prices;
- Don't be pressured into buying. A good offer today will be a good offer tomorrow. Legitimate businesses don't expect you to make snap decisions;
- Ask detailed questions. Find out exactly what the price covers and what it doesn't. Be sure to ask about additional charges, as well;
- If you do decide to buy, get all information about the trip in writing. Once you receive the written information, make sure it reflects what you were told over the phone and the terms you agreed to;
- Don't give your credit card number or bank information over the phone unless you know the company with whom you are working;
- Be aware that when you place your business card or name into a drawing for a free vacation, you may be added to a telemarketing call-out list;
- Know that your personal information also can be collected via the Internet when you are visiting travel-related sites seeking deals on trips or airfare;
- Don't send money by messenger or overnight mail. Some "scam artists" may ask you to send them money immediately. If you pay with cash or check, as opposed to using a credit card, you lose your right to dispute any potential fraudulent charges under the Fair Credit Billing Act; and
- When in doubt, say "no." If you have any doubts about the trustworthiness of a company, trust your instincts. It's less risky to turn down the offer and hang up the phone.

Also read:

Now that school is over, let the fun and adventure begin by planning an affordable family vacation that can expand your view of this world and its people.  Below, we are pleased to share with you some incredible lodging deals from some amazing places around the world.  Just pick one and see the world!

United States

Phoenix, Arizona -- Stay for $40 per night in the beautiful Oasis resort, or find more deals in Arizona including Lake Havasu and Tucson.

Lake Tahoe, California -- Stay for $160 per night in a luxury vacation home in South Lake Tahoe.  Find more great lodging deals in California, including top vacation destinations such as Big Bear Lake, Palm Springs, Santa Cruz, Saulito, and San Diego.

Vail, Colorado -- Enjoy the summer time from $160 per night in this top vacation destination in Colorado.  Also check other top deals in Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, and Winter Park.

Florida -- From Key West to Panama City Beach, and from Daytona Beach to Siesta Key, you can find outstanding deals in several beautiful beach destinations in Florida.  Check out more than 100 special offers in Florida with up to 80% discounts. 

Hawaii Islands --  Travel west to enjoy nature and surfing in many popular spots around the islands including Kauai, Princeville-Kauai, and Maui.  Take advantage of last minute cancellations on top resorts and beach houses for around $100 per night. 

Discover great deals in other top vacation spots in the US, click here. 

Europe

Rome, Italy -- Plan a 30-day stay in Rome and pay as little as EUR$21 per night by booking this apartment in Rome.

French Riviera, France -- Book this fantastic villa in Villaneuve Loubet overlooking the sea and Cap d’Antibes for as little as EUR$100 per person,  6 people occupancy.

Find more lodging deals in Europe.

Canada

Mount Tremblant, Quebec -- Bring you whole family to experience your stay in a luxury log cabin for only $215 per night with a 35% discount available during the summer.  Sleeps up to 8 people.

See more summer specials in Kelowna, Whistler, Muskoka, Wasaga Beach and more, click here.

Mexico

Playa del Carmen -- Escape to Mexico and enjoy the warm and non-stop fun of the Mexican culture in this gorgeous beach condo in Playa del Carmen with spectacular views for just $140 per night.

Puerto Vallarta -- Stay in a beachfront luxury condo for only $145 per night, or check many other value offers in Vallarta.

Check out many other attractive lodging offers in Mexico.

Caribbean

Montego Bay, Jamaica -- Wow! Check out the Horizon Villa for just $80 per night. 

Or find other great deals in other top Caribbean spots such as Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, St John, and St Barthelemy, click here.

Central America

Tamarindo, Costa Rica -- Search through this extensive inventory of lodging options in this famous surfing beach in Costa Rica.

To find out the latest deals and discounts, bookmark this page.

 

With the end of the school year approaching, many parents and children are feeling stressed and tired.  A great reward for your family and yourself would be taking a fun and relaxing vacation this summer. Recently, CNN has published several articles related to vacations under a series called “No-vacation nation”.  Although most of these articles focused on why vacations are good for the mind and soul of the US workers, they also include great tips and recommendations for vacation planners.

For example, the article called “Perils of the family vacation”, also titled “Coping with the heaven, hell, and humor of family travel” is excellent reading for families going on vacation with kids and teenagers. Following up on some of these helpful planning tips could make a huge difference on your ability to enjoy a vacation when traveling with small kids or teens. 

Another very useful article is the one called “Vacation tips on how to truly unplug” – which is recommended for those that are wired 24x7 and have a hard time “unplugging” themselves from electronics and day-to-day activities while on vacation.

Most experts agree that the best way to relax your mind is to take a vacation.  When planning a vacation getaway, those planning a vacation need to think about these 3 essential items in their vacation planning checklists (not necessary in this order): 

Vacation Planning Essential Checklist:

[    ] What place to visit – There are so many beautiful places to visit out there.   We suggest you get together with your family or friends and make a list of the top 5 or 10 places you would like to visit.  Also, write down the main reason why you would like to visit each place. Once you have narrowed it down to the top 2 or 3, you can toss a coin or vote.

[    ] How to get there and move around – Once you have decided on the place you would like to visit this summer, then decide the best transportation method to get there.  You can fly, rent a car, or drive your own vehicle.  

[    ] Where to stay – You can stay in a hotel room, a vacation home, or a bed and breakfast.  No matter where you decide to stay, at RENTalo, you can inquire for free on nearly 15,000 destinations worldwide and receive offers from a broad range of vacation lodging options.

TIP: Some people prefer to stay with relatives or friends to save some money.  Something to consider is that staying with a relative or friend may mean losing your own privacy, and/or could make other people uncomfortable. 

We hope you enjoy your summer vacation! Rentalo Team

Refererences:
-CNN’s No-Vacation Nation Series Index:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/05/26/no.vacation.tech/

RENTaloVacation Lodgings is a new travel app now available in iTunes for download to iPhones, iPods, and iPads.

This friendly iTunes app makes it easy for leisure and business travel planners to search,  inquire, and compare deals on hotels, vacation rentals, and bed  and breakfasts.

Mobile users can easily view listing’s descriptions,  photos, amenities, nearby attractions, and location maps.  Mobile users  can also ‘Submit Inquiry’ feature to broadcast  destination-based inquiries and received offers directly from listing  owners that meet their lodging needs.

RENTalo Mobile App is compatible with iPhones, iPod touch, and iPads, and requires Apple iOS 3.0or later. For more details about this app, please click here.

DOWNLOAD APP

What Next? Rentalo is also releasing its application in the Google's Droid Market in the upcoming weeks, so please stay tuned!.

What about travelers using other mobile phones? All other mobile users with internet browsing capability can take advantage of all RENTtalo's app features via Rentalo's website for mobiles at http://m.rentalo.com (compatible for iPhones, Droids, and Backberry phones).

Go Mobile & Start Planning Your Next Vacation Today!

Also read: RentALO Reaches Travelers with iTunes Appl, iPhones & More!