Booking a trip to Oahu, Hawaii through Orbitz - should I add features to my package?

Question

I'm booking a week-long trip in October through Orbitz and before I check out they pop up a bunch of features (Luau's, helicopter rides, transportation, etc). Is it more convenient (and cheaper) to add them along to my reservation or just purchase when I get to Hawaii?

Answer 1

Often you can get the same deals (or better) when you get here. Don't think you have to be stuck with a package because you it's easier. If you know how to research and are a good deal hunter, you can often find the same trips, shows, and rides at low prices.

I would wait until you get here to decide what you want to do. There are often more than one company that offer what you're looking for and they are all competing with each other for your money. I would suggest you pick up the tourist books in the airport when you arrive. They often have some great coupons in there for free/reduced items.

Good luck and happy travels!

Answer 2

If you want a helicopter ride you might want to book it prior to your trip. I was there last month and heard from many people that they were unable to book one because they'd been booked up in advance. I ate at a restaurant that was across from a helicopter tour place, and for several hours straight I watched helicopters leave the field full of people, one right after the other, no empty seats, so I'm guessing that's the story at this time of year, anyway. Same story on the Big Island as well.

As for luaus, they are all over the place and I don't suggest booking one in advance as you might be locked into a time or place that might not fit your mood or plan at the time. We stayed at Turtle Bay (north shore) and they had a luau on Friday night (staffed by people from the Polynesian Cultural Center); we walked right up to the venu on site and bought tickets 5 minutes before it started. And during our trip, I never met anyone who wasn't able to go to a luau because it was sold out. Polynesian Cultural Center on the north shore has luaus all the time; no problem booking at the last minute.

For transportation I think you'll want to rent a car; search internet for best deal. Not sure how long you'll be staying but you get a much better rate if you book a week at a time. At first I booked four days, then we extended our trip one day, and when I added the extra day to our car rental the total rate actually went down!

Answer 3

Orbitz sucks *ss. Try booking direct with someone like Hawaiian Airlines or United. Go to Sidestep.com to compare airfares for a cheap flight. If you're going to Honolulu, Oahu to Waikiki try looking into the Ohana hotel chain. I stayed at the Ohana Maile Sky Court about two blocks from the beach and right across from the park. Clean and inexpensive. Once you're there, you have a million opportunities to book whatever you want to do. Ground transportation, look up Budget or Enterprise and book the smallest car you can get. Usually, they will upgrade you for free when you get there if they have spare cars sitting around. I got a Mustang convertable for a week at the same price I booked for the economy car. But, it doesn't really matter if they don't. You can drive around the whole island in about 4-5 hours anyways. There is a Costco or two there and food/restuarants are cheaper the further away you get from the beach. October is a great time to go because all the summer tourists have left and you can get better deals. Have fun!

Answer 4

For the most part you can get the same deals when you get here. Your right it's more convenient to book in advance, especially if you like every second scheduled. I would suggest you pick up the tourist books in the airport when you arrive (there's a whole wall of them.) They have some great coupons in there for free/reduced items.
For good back ground try www.hawaii.com.
Book a car before you leave Especially if your going to an out island..
Certain times in a year a major convention will schedule for hawaii. They usually book everything in sight. During that time the chopper tours will be full.