Tweets from Friday's Bonus #TNI - Personal Travel

Travelers got a treat on Friday - there was a bonus #TNI sponsored by @HiltonHHonors and @Citibank! The chat also welcomed it's first celebrity guest, @BillRancic, and six lucky tweeps won Hilton HHonors stays! Read on for great money-saving travel tips and stories from around the world.

Q1: How much money do you spend on an average vacation? Tips for saving on hotels and flights?     

• About 1000 on a wk vacation,depends where i go. Tips r to join rewards programs LizTicona
• Hard to say since there so many different types of vacations. We definitely take advantage of HHonors deals! marbleoc
• i estimate i spend maybe $1500-$2000 all together on average. tip: shop around shop around #solotravel jonk
• . Shopping around for deals on flights so I can splurge on meals & accommodation. Budget = 60% transportation, 40% rest   travel_version
  

All inclusives are a great way to stay on budget - Los Cabos, Mexico

Q2: What are your best tips for traveling with kids? Our guest @BillRancic could use some as he prepares for fatherhood!    

• find hotels that have nearby attractions or activities on property MeganMc19906
•  They are little sponges, let them soak in the world and forgive if they get over-excited or over-tired ZipSetAndrea
• about $1000 per week. Be flexible, and be open to different dates of travel, etc mselizann
• Involve kids heavily in planning process both before & during. Instill "ownership" of trip. DonNadeau

Q3: Do you shop before vacation or while at your destination? Favorite spot to spend?    

• I like to be prepared, so I shop before. Take 1 less stress away from the trip starburstt
• I like to pick something up at each vacation spot I go. Nice reminder of the trip! pumpkin_pie76
• Shopping in the destination is part of the fun. Better to buy 1 great souvenir (jacket, dress) than several useless things. ditchcity
  

Harrod's in London

Q4: What special perks make your vacations most memorable?    

• Quality time away from WORK. PERKS Great service, great food, & meeting wonderful people along the way. LifebyCynthia
• Truly, I love the details. Amenities. Turndown service. Great views. Airport transfers... butterflydiary
• views are always a great memory, i like to walk in my room and see beauty not a brick wall GeeEmm
• i love when the towels are fluffy, the bed is comfy, and the wifi is free! xxkimhcxx
• Upgrades are super sweet. I'm a new(ish) @HiltonHHonors member. TravelSweeps
  

Q5: If cost wasn’t an issue, where would you book a last minute summer vacation & with what perks?

•  a great perk there would be a room with a balcony that overlooks the Great Barrier Reef. starburstt
• A trip down to Australia and New Zealand with a stop in Bora Bora on the way there (or back, not picky!) ^MY FareBuzz
• To #Kenya to watch the Masai Migration... F&B, flights and internal transportation included. Sounds divine. dlcuratolo

The Four Seasons in Chang Mai has an elephant camp - a pretty cool perk!

Q6. What’s your favorite souvenir you’ve ever brought back for a friend/family member? From where?

• A handmade teddy bear made from alpaca (SUPER soft) for my son, from Peru 1Dad1Kid
• Bottle of Genghis Khan vodka which is distilled from sacred spring Genghis prayed at and wheat fields near his home OTPTravel
• Bought my mom a set of vintage 20's style wine glasses in Arezzo @ their infamous #antiques fair
• always bring my mom a coffee cup from wherever I go :-) dlcuratolo
• My friend is a tea fanatic. I brought her back some incredible smokey tea from Harrod's while in London nycng

Special thanks to Leeabbamonte and flyingwithfish for hosting the conversation!