Since I travel frequently across the U.S., I’ve come to appreciate breaking my trips down into a few simple steps: first deciding where to go, then arranging flights, hotels, and local transportation, and finally setting aside time for truly worthwhile experiences.
For me, one of the conveniences of Orbitz is that I can handle many of these travel arrangements on a single platform. Whenever I start planning a trip within the U.S., I first consider what the journey requires, and then select the best options based on my budget and itinerary.
I Start With Flights and Let the Destination Take Shape
When I plan a trip in the U.S., the first thing I usually look at is flights.The distances between American cities can be huge. Whether I am flying from Los Angeles to New York, traveling from Chicago to Miami, or heading to Florida for a beach vacation, I usually start by searching for flights on Orbitz.
I personally like looking at different dates and departure times before making a decision. This gives me more flexibility to adjust my itinerary around my vacation schedule.
For example, when I plan a trip to New York, I usually start by searching for round-trip flights and comparing different departure times. When I am traveling on a budget, I would rather spend a little extra time comparing options than book too quickly and later realize that the schedule does not really work for me.
Hotels Are One of the Most Important Parts of My Trip
Once I arrive at my destination, my hotel can have a huge impact on the rhythm of my entire trip.I used to choose hotels mainly based on price. Over time, however, I realized that location, room facilities, breakfast, and Wi-Fi can be just as important.
Now, when I use Orbitz to look for hotels, I choose based on the way I plan to travel.If I am visiting New York, I usually look for a hotel in a convenient location that makes exploring the city easier. If I am going to Florida for a beach vacation, I pay more attention to resort-style hotels and how close they are to the beach.
Orbitz offers hotel booking options across the U.S., and some eligible hotels may offer member prices or other benefits.I especially like thinking about my hotel location together with my daily itinerary. That way, once I arrive in an unfamiliar city, I do not have to spend too much time wondering where to stay or how to get around. I can spend more of my time actually enjoying the trip.
When I Road Trip, I Usually Arrange a Rental Car Too
If my destination is better suited to driving, I usually include a rental car in my overall travel plan.For example, when I take a road trip through the western U.S., I like connecting several cities and natural attractions along the way.
Public transportation does not always work well for this type of itinerary, so I check rental car options on Orbitz and consider the pickup location together with my hotel arrangements.For me, the biggest benefit of renting a car is not simply having a vehicle. It gives me more freedom during the trip.
I can leave early in the morning, change my route at the last minute, or stop somewhere interesting without being completely dependent on fixed transportation schedules.
When I am road-tripping in the U.S., I especially enjoy being able to pull over for photos, stop for a meal, or explore a small town that I happen to discover along the way. To me, that sense of freedom is one of the most enjoyable parts of traveling around America.
I Also Like to Plan the Experiences I Really Want
I used to have a simple approach to travel: once my flight and hotel were booked, I felt like the trip was already planned.Then I would arrive at my destination and realize that there were still plenty of activities I needed to research.
Now I like checking out Things to do on Orbitz before I leave.If I am visiting a coastal destination, I might look for water activities in advance. If I am visiting cities such as New York or Los Angeles, I usually look for local attractions and city experiences.
I have found that planning one or two activities I am genuinely excited about can make me look forward to the trip even more.At the same time, I do not like filling every minute of my itinerary. I prefer to plan a few important activities in advance and leave some free time so I can discover interesting places along the way.
When I Want a Simpler Trip, I Consider Vacation Packages
Sometimes I simply do not want to arrange everything separately.For shorter vacations in particular, I like checking Orbitz Vacation Packages and comparing options that combine flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.
In the past, I would book flights and hotels separately and constantly switch between different websites to compare everything. Now, if a package happens to fit my schedule and budget, I will add it to my list of options.
I think this approach works especially well for a long weekend or a short beach vacation.For me, travel planning should not become exhausting. If I can take care of the major arrangements ahead of time, I can spend more energy enjoying the actual journey.
I Also Keep an Eye on Orbucks
As someone who travels frequently, I also pay attention to travel rewards.Orbitz Rewards is one of the features I like to keep in mind. Eligible hotels, flights, vacation packages, and activities can earn Orbucks, and eligible hotel bookings can also allow me to use Orbucks toward the cost of a stay.
My approach is pretty simple. If I am already planning a trip, I will naturally check whether I can earn rewards along the way. I do not change my entire travel plan just to earn rewards.For me, it feels more like an extra little benefit that comes with planning a trip I was already going to take.
How I Plan a U.S. Trip Now
If I were planning a U.S. vacation today, I would usually start by using Orbitz to search for round-trip flights and decide on my travel dates. Once I have my flights figured out, I choose a hotel based on my destination and the way I plan to travel. If the route is suitable for driving, I also look at rental car options and consider how they fit into my overall itinerary.
Next, I check what activities and experiences are worth arranging in advance. I like having a few key experiences planned before I arrive, but I also try not to fill every moment of my trip. Finally, I review my flights, hotel, rental car, and activities together to make sure everything fits comfortably within my budget.
For me, the most comfortable way to travel is not to schedule every minute of the day. I prefer to take care of the parts that could cause problems ahead of time and then leave enough room for genuine experiences. I want to have a plan, but I also want the freedom to change it when I discover somewhere interesting or simply feel like taking a slower day.
So now, whenever I start planning my next trip around the United States, I often begin by opening Orbitz and building my journey step by step, starting with the flight. After all, for me, an exciting U.S. vacation does not begin when I board the plane. It begins the moment I start planning the journey.