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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

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Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

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Should I Use a Travel Agent? Our Travel Expert Says It Makes All the Difference.

The new age of travel agents know how to find deals, book off-the-beaten path adventures, and get you out of any jam. Especially if you know who to use.

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I’ve always thought that planning my own trips was the most cost-effective way, but I’ve been hearing more about travel agents making a comeback and saving their clients a lot of money. What kinds of outdoor trips should I turn to a travel agent for, and are there any who specialize in working with adventurers like me?

Technically, I’m a professional traveler. As a journalist, it’s my job to research and connect with locals to get beneath the surface of a destination. So I have never really used travel agents. What could they plan better than I could?

A lot, it turns out. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many travel specialists, and I consider them magicians. My big aha moment happened two winters ago on a trip to Iceland . A massive storm shut down internal flights for a day, causing me to miss my return flight to the U.S. Normally, I would have spent frustrating hours on hold with the airline. But because I’d paid $65 to have Ana Gloria Garcia, an air-support specialist at the travel agency EmbarkBeyond, find and book the most affordable and convenient flight option for me, she handled the rebookings while I soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

During the pandemic, agents became advocates helping travelers get refunds on canceled flights and trips. As travel has come roaring back, an agent’s superpower is now their access to the best hotel rooms, most in-the-know guides, free amenities, and more, says Cory Hagopian, senior vice president of sales and partnerships for Virtuoso , a global network of travel agencies.

And they’re attracting a young clientele. According to a recent industry survey , 38 percent of millennials and Gen Zers are opting to use travel agents as opposed to booking on their own trips. That number is far greater than Gen Xers and baby boomers, of whom only 12 and 2 percent respectively use agents.

What Do I Gain from Using a Travel Agent?

I recently had a friend tell me she spent close to 40 hours researching a family trip online. She probably could have gleaned the same intel from an hourlong conversation with a travel adviser. Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks for things you might not have considered, says Erika Richter, a spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Their firsthand knowledge, vast network, and on-the-ground connections all combine to provide a unique perspective for crafting the perfect itinerary for you.

Most travel advisers specialize in certain regions and countries and travel to them frequently, so they have up-to-date intel on not only the best safari camps but the perfect tent to book for the most incredible views and the best local restaurants you won’t find on Tripadvisor. They want their client’s trips to go well to keep them coming back, so it’s in their interest to have sussed out hotels and itineraries before they send you out into the world.

Nicole Forster, 29, considers herself a savvy traveler. She’s been to 20-plus countries and enjoys destination research. But when it came to planning her honeymoon in Africa, she felt overwhelmed, so she reached out to Danielle Meyer at Coastline Travel Advisors , which specializes in bespoke itineraries. “Originally, I wanted to go to South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Madagascar,” Forster recalls. “Danielle convinced me that if we wanted to relax, we should stay in South Africa and save the other countries for separate trips.”

Over five phone conversations and multiple emails, they crafted a 15-night itinerary that included Cape Town, the winelands, the Cape Peninsula, and a safari at the Thornybush Game Reserve. Forster established her budget early in the process, and Meyer sent her a variety of lodge options to choose from.

“I initially wanted to start with the safari, but she pointed out that we’d be jet-lagged and would need to wake at sunrise for game drives,” says Forster. “The safari was our highlight, so it was a perfect way to end the trip.”

Not only did Meyer book all of the flights, hotels, and transfers, but she created a detailed, day-by-day trip app for the couple that included useful information like check-in times at hotels and how much to tip guides .

Agents also act as advocates. If something goes wrong during your travels, they’re on call 24/7 to handle it. When Forster left the battery and charger for her camera at a hotel, Meyer arranged for an on-the-ground contact to go to a camera store and buy new ones that would be delivered to her hotel the next day.

The cost for the honeymoon planning: $150 per person. “I wouldn’t use a planner for a trip to Hawaii ,” Forster says, “but if I ever took a big trip like this again, I’d 100 percent work with an expert.”  

When to Consider Using a Travel Agent

For savvy trip planners, the best time to use a travel agent is for complicated international travel. It can save you hours of planning and peace of mind that if anything goes wrong in your chosen far-flung destination, there’s someone a What’sApp message away to handle it.

Domestically, I’d consider using a travel agent when planning a multi-week national park trip or multi-island trip in Hawaii. They will save you time, guarantee you get the best guides, and help you land reservations at always-booked lodges and hotels.

Dream Trips Delivered

Jessica Cook and her husband both work in the travel industry. Decision fatigued, they handed their honeymoon logistics over to the team at Askari Travel , an agency that specializes in South Africa. Their original plan was also an African safari, but just as they were about to put a deposit down, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus made headlines. Worried about getting stuck abroad, they reached out to Askari’s founder, Muriel Truter, who is from Zimbabwe, and upon her advice, changed their focus to South America.

Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks of things you might not even have considered.

Truter suggested they stick to Colombia rather than country-hop. Cook supplied a budget and a wish list: 12 days, no more than three destinations, a barefoot-luxe feel, and adventures like horseback riding and mountain biking. The rest was a surprise that Askari pretty much nailed, with the exception of one hotel.

“Everything felt so authentic, but this one hotel on Barú island felt really fabricated and was full of American tourists,” recalls Cook. She immediately messaged the Askari team, saying, “Hey, this place really isn’t our vibe,” and within an hour they were on a water taxi headed to Blue Apple, a B Corp hotel—and an Outside pick for tropical adventures —on Tierra Bomba island. “It was honestly the best trip we’ve ever taken,” she says.

Are Travel Agents Expensive?

It depends. Cost varies. Some travel agencies won’t charge any fee, as they receive a commission from the bookings, while some high-end agencies will charge pricey annual membership fees for their services. Still others charge nominal “professional” fees starting at $150. Fees often fluctuate based on the length and intricacy of a trip and how far out you do the planning (6 to 12 months is recommended). You may occasionally come across agents who charge a percentage of the total trip price or hourly rates.

Basic travel enquiries are generally free. In 2016, Leah Smith, founder of Tafari Travel , opened an old-school brick-and-mortar location in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood so her services would feel less intimidating to first-time users. “With our retail-office location, we’ve become part of the community, and both clients and non-clients are welcome to pop in and ask whatever questions they may have, no charge,” she says.

Matt Lindsay, founder of the surf-guiding and travel company LuxSurf Travel , builds relationships with resorts and property owners to get discounted rates that he can then pass on to guests.

Dominic Allan, the founder of Real Latin America , specializes in travel to Belize and Nicaragua and caters to independent travelers who are happy to book their own flights and hotels but are seeking his local intel. Allan’s three-tier pricing structure starts at $300 for up to three hours of phone calls, during which he might weigh in on where to eat (or not to), the best room to request in a certain lodge, or whether you really need a guide to hike.

Value Versus Savings

If you’re just looking for deals and steals, you might not be ready to work with a travel adviser, says Richter of the ASTA. “Anything you invest in with a travel adviser comes back to you in the form of amenities, customer service, peace of mind, better access to unique experiences, and handcrafted itineraries,” she says. “You could save money by cutting your own hair, too, but most people go to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Agents work with preferred partners who can guarantee perks for clients, such as free upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and resort credits. Those add-ons often translate into savings, says Justin Huxter, cofounder of the UK-based Cartology Travel . “We had a client go to Maui for a week, and because of our partnership with the resort, breakfast was included,” he says. When breakfast costs $120 for two, that’s a savings of $840.”

Some of the Best Travel Agents in the Adventure World

Some of my go-to resources for finding a person to work with include travel expert Wendy Perrin’s annual Wow List of tried and trusted agents, the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s adviser network , and the ASTA’s advisor directory .

In addition to the agents mentioned throughout this story, others I highly recommend for adventurous travelers include:

• Dan Achber of Trufflepig , for Africa and the Middle East
• Miguel Cunant of Sri Lanka in Style
• Javier Echecopar of Journey Costa Rica
• Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino , for Southeast Asia
• Elizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary Journeys , for Africa
• Kleon Howe of the Art of Travel , for French Polynesia
• Jay Johnson of Coastline Travel , for Hawaii and California
• Antonello Losito of Southern Visions Travel , for Puglia, Italy
• Rabia Malik of Fora Travel , for general worldwide travel
• Robyn Mark of Mayamaya Travel , for Africa, the Alps, Patagonia, and Japan
• Marisol Mosquera of Aracari , for Peru and Bolivia
• Zach Rabinor of Journey Mexico
• Raluca Spiac of Beyond Dracula , for Romania

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy is now a believer in using a travel agent. Thanks to their expertise and connections, she’s avoided dozens of trip catastrophes. 

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For additional information and a free quote for my travel planning services, please contact me at lady [at] aladyinlondon [dot] com .

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the story start

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Introduction

We are Travel Lady Vacations…

As a child, my fathers job required us to move about every 1-2 years in the United states. Then we began our journey visiting many countries around the world and ultimately living in New Delhi, India for 7 years. I was the daughter of a diplomat. I was blessed with the opportunity to travel the world. It is a small world but there is so much to see. The more I travel, the more I wanted to see & do.

The last year I lived in India, my now husband Erik was assigned to the US Embassy for three months. That is where we met and ultimately became friends. Almost a year after Erik left New Delhi, I returned to the US to attend college. It was then that we reached out and began really dating. That was 40 years ago and our travel adventures have taken us together to many places and still our list is long. We are just your average Harlequin Romance !

I have been a Travel Agent now for 29 years and I specialize in cruising & groups. I often tell people that I am glad there is no 12 Step program for cruising, for I am addicted! I have only been cruising since 1995 and have taken 26 cruises so far.  It took Erik a little longer to get the cruise bug but he is hooked now. Besides leisure travel I have also been an accomplished Corporate Travel Consultant to many Forbes 500 companies. I started this company in 2007 and Erik became my partner in 2015.

The special skills that Erik brings to our partnership are many, some back office but also his travel over the years. He can tell people about the wonders of Hawaii due to his many trips there. He lived in Anchorage, Alaska for a short time on an assignment for his company at the time. His work required him to travel all over the world and the United States. He was bitten by the travel bug when he began learning to fly and ultimately became a private piolet. One of his many skills to his attention to details of every trip. He will and does make sure every detail & need, is taken care of for every client. 

We’d be happy to answer any and all questions you may have about travel or share stories about your own cruise & land vacations. It would also be our honor to assist you in planning your next vacation. Be it for a relaxing get-a-way, a family reunion, a Girls-Get-Away or any special celebration.

Travel is personal and we want to help you find the perfect vacation for you!  

We now have readers from all 50 states in America and people from 61 countries around the world. So come explore with us all our tales of travel, all the new travel products to try or learn about all the changes going on in the world of travel as well.

Terry Jones

The Cruise Lady

I highlight cruise specials, like theme cruises and quick information about destinations.

I also have a section dedicated to first time cruisers, I post contests to enter for free cruises and so much more.

Is there something you’d like to see information about? Call or email me.

Vacation Specialist

Our love of travel is one of the similarities we have had from the very beginning and will stay with us for all of our lives together.

So enjoy our tales from our travels, and if you need help with travel, I’m here to help you with all of your travel needs.

Taylor Sailor

Beary Unique Cruiser

Taylor Sailor was adopted from Build-A-Bear, to become Erik & Terry’s beary unique cruise specialist in August 2007. He has his very own passport and is ready to cruise with any and all of clients. Instead of an ordinary old passport stamp for Taylor Sailor, Terry asks our customers to fill out his passport with all his adventures while he has been out of the office.

Taylor Sailor is highlighted on Terry’s travel blog at blog.travelladycruises.com and has his very own website www.WhereIsTaylorSailor.com  where all his stories and pictures are to be enjoyed.

So come follow all his adventures, as he cruises the world and shares all his stories! Maybe your story will be shared with the world on his website.

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Experienced, travel lady vacations, read stories of our adventures around the world here., travel shop, call us toll-free 1 877-800-2789, local calls 703-793-9386, see us on facebook, share this:.

Texas mother sent text to ex-husband saying, 'Say goodbye to your son' before killing boy

Bexar county sheriff javier salazar detailed the timeline of events that led to savannah kriger killing her 3-year-old son kaden and herself in march..

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to reach someone with  the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline . They're available 24 hours a day and provide services in multiple languages

Before a Texas mother killed her 3-year-old son and herself, she recorded a 21-second video seated at the drainage ditch where their bodies were found and sent a text message to her ex-husband saying," Say goodbye to your son," police said.

Bexar County sheriff's deputies discovered Savannah Samantha Kriger's and her son Kaiden's bodies on March 19 in a ditch near Tom Slick Park in San Antonio. At the time of the discovery, Kriger was considered the only suspect.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar  confirmed during a news conference on May 1 that Kriger's manner of death was deemed a suicide, and Kaiden's death was ruled a homicide. The sheriff then reconstructed the timeline of events leading up to the murder-suicide.

Savannah Kriger 'damaged various items' in ex-husband's home, sheriff says

Kriger and Kaiden were reported missing on March 18 after the 32-year-old mother was last seen leaving her job early to pick up her son from daycare for a doctor's appointment, according to the sheriff's office. Salazar said Kriger left her parking garage around 12:49 p.m. on the day of her disappearance and traveled in her 2023 Lincoln Aviator 7.9 miles to her ex-husband's house.

When Kriger entered her ex-husband's home, Salazar said she "damaged various items," including personal clothing, furniture and other miscellaneous things like towels. While Kriger was inside the house, her ex-husband was "at his place of employment, which is an auto dealership," the sheriff said.

Savannah Kriger shot wedding portraits, sheriff says

Kriger would leave her ex-husband's home at 1:57 p.m. and return to her residence, according to Salazar. Sheriff's deputies who entered Kriger's home the following day for a welfare check noticed wedding dresses laid out and two wedding portraits with bullet holes in them on a bed, Salazar said.

"We believe that she fired two shots into her wedding portraits," the sheriff said. "It should be noted that the shell casings found in the residence... match the shell casings found at the crime scene."

Savannah Kriger sent final text message to ex-husband

After shooting the wedding portraits, Kriger left her home around 2:18 p.m. and arrived at Kaiden's daycare at 2:32 p.m., Salazar said. Surveillance video shows Kriger checking Kaden out of the daycare and loading him into the rear passenger seat of the Lincoln Aviator, the sheriff added.

Kriger left the daycare at 2:46 p.m. and she made a FaceTime call to her ex-husband. The ex-husband uses another phone to record the call, which catches Kriger saying, "You don't have anything to go home to now... and you won't have anything at all at the end of the day," Salazar said.

The Lincoln Aviator then traveled 7.9 miles to Tom Slick Park, and as Kriger and Kaiden arrived, her ex-husband called 911 to report "criminal mischief," according to Salazar. Kriger attempted to FaceTime her ex-husband again at 3:19 p.m., and when he did not answer, she sent her final text message to him which said, "Say goodbye to your son," the sheriff said.

'It's pretty obvious what's about to happen'

Once Kriger's ex-husband didn't answer another FaceTime call at 3:21 p.m., she recorded a 21-second video showing her and Kaiden sitting at the drainage ditch where their bodies were found, Salazar said. In the video, Kriger tells Kaiden to say "goodbye to daddy," apologizes to her son for "daddy not being there" and then kisses him, the sheriff added.

"There's nothing graphic about the video, except for the fact that now knowing what we know about what happened in the moments thereafter," according to Salazar. "It's pretty obvious what's about to happen in the video."

San Antonio police met Kriger's ex-husband at his home at 3:37 p.m. to take the criminal mischief report, which led to authorities conducting an unsuccessful search on March 18, Salazar said. The next day, Kriger's and Kaiden's bodies were found at the park during daylight, the sheriff continued.

Savannah Kriger legally bought gun from friend, sheriff says

A gun was also found at the crime scene, which Salazar said Kriger legally bought from a friend who had purchased the firearm from a sporting goods store.

"It was a legal gun," according to the sheriff. "It was hers."

Salazar said he doesn't think this tragedy could have been prevented because the sheriff's office didn't get called into the search until around 7 p.m., and he believes Kriger and Kaiden had already been dead for "several hours."

"To those that are hesitant to call for a welfare check, I don't think there's any reason that you should ever be hesitant," the sheriff said. "... In an abundance of caution, always call. That's what we're there for. We would rather you call and it'd be nothing and we find out everything is OK versus not calling and then wishing for the rest of your life that you had called."

Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]

‌‌‌ See the latest guidance from Financial Services on the University Financial Action Plan.

• Business Offices News

New Travel Authorization and Booking Tool Breakdown

The new Travel Authorization Request and Booking tool officially launches on Monday, May 13, 2024 ! Travelers and Business offices will have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with these new tools before the current Travel Authorization Request is decommissioned on Friday, May 31, 2024.  

The new Travel Authorization Request, which replaces the current process, will display all current and past trips and unused tickets on file. Some of the additional key features include: 

• University employees will have a Travel Profile within the tool and can log in with their University NetID and Password. 
• Pre-established approval routing based on information provided by UAccess Employee and in UAccess Financials. 
• A mobile app that allows users to submit requests, review and approve requests, and collect receipts from the trip for ease of reimbursement. 
• This is a self-service tool for University travelers or the traveler can assign a delegate.
• Accounts Payable will assist with bulk uploads of travelers that require a delegate. 
• Accounts Payable will assist Senior Leadership in assigning an approval delegate.  
• The ability to recall, update, and resubmit travel authorization requests.
• Estimated expenses are provided for approval review based on budget alignment.

The new Booking Tool provides multiple travel options on one screen, in addition to:

• All airline, lodging, and rental car bookings can be reviewed before purchasing. 
• Unused ticket tracking and the ability to transfer unused tickets when utilizing the booking tool. 
• Guest booking availability for candidates, lecturers, and guests of the University. 
• Travel profiles include seat preferences, frequent traveler rewards, passports, and personal preferences to enhance the traveler's experience.

To assist business offices in a successful transition to the new travel process, learning materials are now available in EDGE Learning that break down the new travel request process step-by-step.

The Financial Services Travel website will be refreshed shortly before launch to provide a comprehensive breakdown of University travel that covers the entire process from start to finish with updated information and Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage campus to join us for our open house sessions on:

• May 8, 2024, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• May 13, 2024, from 9-10 a.m.

As well as our office hour sessions on:

• May 13, 2024, from 1-2 p.m .
• May 15, 2024, from 2-3 p.m.
• May 22, 2024, from 2-3 p.m.
• May 29, 2024, from 10-11a.m.
• June 5, 2024, from 10-11 a.m.

Anthony Travel is also providing two sessions with tips and tricks for booking travel on May 22, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m. and May 24, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m.

For questions, or to provide feedback, regarding this new, exciting opportunity, please contact Accounts Payable at [email protected] or 520-621-9097.  

First Lady Jill Biden to visit Portland for private fundraiser Thursday afternoon

• Updated: May. 09, 2024, 4:57 p.m. |
• Published: May. 09, 2024, 8:52 a.m.

First lady Jill Biden attends a luncheon in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in April. She will visit Portland for a few hours on Thursday afternoon to attend a private fundraiser. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

• Sami Edge | The Oregonian/OregonLive

First Lady Jill Biden will visit Portland on Thursday afternoon for a private fundraiser, and her motorcade could snarl traffic.

Portland Police won’t release details about what route she might take, saying to do so could jeopardize her safety.

Biden will arrive at Portland International Airport around 1 p.m. and drive into Portland for a 2 p.m. event. White House officials said. The first lady’s motorcade will head back to the airport starting around 2:30 p.m.

Portland Police won’t confirm whether they’re planning for road closures or delays.

Biden is scheduled to head from Portland to California on Thursday afternoon, then make stops in Arizona on Friday and Saturday.

This post will be updated if additional commuter disruptions are announced.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at [email protected] or (503) 260-3430.

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Pro-palestinian protests outside eurovision competition demand removal of israeli contestant – update, ‘lady in the lake’ sets apple tv+ premiere; reveals first-look image.

By Rosy Cordero

Rosy Cordero

Associate Editor, TV

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A first-look at the upcoming Apple limited series Lady in the Lake has been released (above) and viewers won’t have to wait too long to see the drama. The seven-part series will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, July 19 followed by new episodes every Friday through August 23.

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In addition to Portman and Ingram, Y’lan Noel, Brett Gelman, Byron Bowers, Noah Jupe, Josiah Cross, Mikey Madison and Pruitt Taylor Vince also star.

The series hails from Fifth Season and is produced by Crazyrose and Bad Wolf America. Har’el writes alongside Sheila Wilson, Zach Shields, Vanessa Baden-Kelley, Briana Belser, Nambi E. Kelley, Byron Bowers and Boaz Yakin. She also will direct and exec produces alongside producing partner Christopher Leggett through her new production company, Zusa.

Portman also executive produces alongside producing partner Sophie Mas, Crazyrose principals Nathan Ross and the late Jean-Marc Vallée, along with Julie Gardner for Bad Wolf, Amy J. Kaufman and Layne Eskridge for POV Entertainment, Yakin and Lippman.

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Eurovision song contest crowns winner amid protests & controversy, gina carano hit back at disney’s motion to dismiss suit: “personal political beliefs”.

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