Using DVC in California

[JimMIA]

My point about using a comparison website (such as http://www.hipmunk.com/ or http://www.kayak.com/) is that it's a great way to get an overview of which airlines provide nonstop and connecting service between two locations, travel times, and price ranges.

Right, that's what we do. And with airlines, I will often find a cheap fare, but in reading the details it turns out to be two stops with long layovers at both stops. That's the reason the flight is priced so low.

BUT...when I go to the airline site, I find that same fare with NO stops or better scheduling.

The other thing I've learned with rental cars is to compare car-to-car, not by category.

A particular model of car may be an "economy" car with one company, but a "midsize" car (with a higher price) at a competitor. Most sites give you the option of displaying the car models, and that's a helpful tool.