This year I couldn't make it to Mexico at the regular time, over Christmas and New Years.  I had a substantial deposit at the place near Los Muertos Beach that I've been going back to for a few years. My cancellation or more appropriately, my deferment was late, quite admittedly. 

After just a little bit of email discussion, we reached an agreement that none of my deposit would be lost if they could rent out the suite.  Of course, at Christmas peak that would not be a problem.

This post is just to thank Juan Manual at Alba Jr Suites in Puerto Vallarta publicly for their excellent customer service and recognizing the value of potential lifetime customer and lifetime referrals.  See you again soon!

This from a recent Bottom Line Secrets newsletter

Buy package deals that combine airfare with a hotel stay. Two of the best sources: Go-today.com (www.go-today.com) and Gate 1 Travel (www.gate1travel.com). Go-today.com recently offered airfare to London plus six nights in a medium-quality hotel for $749, per person, double occupancy. Also: Virgin Vacations (www.virgin-vacations.com).

Stay in an apartment. Apartments, owned either by companies in the lodging business or by individuals, often save you 50% to 60% over hotels of comparable quality.

Web sites that list vacation rentals include Sublet.com (www.sublet.com)... Vacation Rentals (www.vacationrentals.com)... ESLWorldwide (www.eslworldwide.com)... The Right Vacation Rental (www.therightvacationrental.com)... Interhome (www.interhome.com)... Vacation Rental by Owner (www.vrbo.com)... At Home Abroad (www.athomeabroadinc.com).

Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed Pauline Frommer, creator of Pauline Frommer Guidebooks, guides designed to help vacationers save money on trips in the US and to Europe and other destinations, www.frommers.com/pauline. She is the daughter of the legendary travel expert Arthur Frommer.