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PROFILE 
"The Man Least Likely to Give Up a Travel Buck"
Who is this man called the "godfather of budget travel and deals," the "king
of cheap airfares" and the "seer of the skies"? By Tom Parsons' own
admission, he is nothing more than a regular traveler who wants to save
money and help others save. And that he does. Other people collect stamps or
precious objects. Parsons collects cheap airfares and discount travel rates,
then he tells everyone about them.
Parsons got his start as a discount travel hound in the late 1970s when he
was a traveling corporate executive. He noticed the wide variance in travel
fares, even on the same airline flight. Using his natural
analytical abilities and some good old sleuthing, Parsons unearthed some
breakthrough methods to save dramatically on airfares. Then (of course) he
began to tell his co-workers about it. In just fourteen months, Parsons
single-handedly reduced the corporation's total travel budget from $2.5
million to $800,000. He was honored with a plaque at the annual meeting and
given the title, "The Man Least Likely to Give Up a Buck." That moniker is
even more accurate today.
Parsons now appears on over 100 radio and television talk shows each month,
dispensing his knowledge of hidden travel deals and fare secrets to
audiences of shows ranging from NBC's The Today Show, ABC's Good Morning
America and The Oprah Winfrey Show to nationally syndicated radio such as
Bloomberg Business Radio and the AP Radio Network. While his days are
packed, Parsons is still likely to be found chatting with the receptionists
and cameramen along the way, giving them advice on an upcoming trip. His
interviews have the same popular appeal, lighting up phone lines with every
visit.
Since 1983, Parsons has become the Ralph Nader of the air. He has
established a reputation as the traveler's friend and confidant, someone the
average consumer can trust to be fair and honest and always on the consumer'
s side. His goal is to inform the general public about the truth in the
travel industry. And always, his mission is about saving money.
Parsons is the definitive answer to the age-old question uppermost in most
travelers' minds: "How can I save money on my style of travel?"
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TOM'S ANSWERS
HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
30 trips a year. I used to travel
more, but with advanced technology and satellites I can now do most of my TV
interviews from Dallas.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
With credit cards, telephone miles and air miles, over 500,000 per year
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
because of my elite status, 90% of the time I use upgrades and fly First Class
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
Southwest Airlines because they offer cheap airfares,
Midwest Express because of their Business Class seats, even in coach and Jet
Blue because they offer free Direct TV and great airfares.
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
The bigger the better - I still love the 747
FAVORITE HOTEL?
Embassy Suites because of the extra space
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Anything Free - from Happy Hours to Free Breakfast
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
Tampa
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
none
FAVORITE CITY?
Clearwater, Florida - The Sand Key area
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Cafe Pacific in Dallas and Pappas Brothers Steak House
AISLE OR WINDOW?
aisle
ETICKET OR PAPER?
paper
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
use both if you want to fly cheap
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
Bestfares.com and Johnnyjet.com (of course)
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
my wife
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
my laptop computer, my cell phone and lots of sunscreen
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
check out the quick fare finder at bestfares.com
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