- What are the differences between a review, a story or tip, and a trip journal?
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A review is an evaluation of what you liked or disliked about a hotel, thing to do, or restaurant, while a story or tip relates a unique travel anecdote or your hard-won tips for preparing, getting around, and more.
A journal is a collection of reviews, stories and tips, and photos about a trip or destination. For instance, you could create a journal about a recent family vacation to Mexico, the best restaurants in your hometown, or activities in a city to which you travel frequently.
- Do I have to log in to create journals and to share reviews and photos?
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Yes. If you’re not already logged in when you begin to create a journal or review, or when you begin to upload photos, you’ll be prompted to log in or register in order to submit them. Don’t worry—we’ll hang onto your work while you’re logging in or registering and it will be submitted automatically as soon as you’re done.
- How do I create a journal?
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Just click "Write Reviews" and then select "Create a Trip Journal." If you’re logged in, you can also scroll over your member name to select "Trips" and then "Create a New Trip Journal." Once you've created a journal, you can expand it by adding new or existing reviews, stories, and photos.
If you’re logged in and want to create a journal from an existing trip plan, simply click the "Trip Journal" tab of your plan and fill in the required fields. That's it!
- How do I access the journals, reviews, and stories I’ve created?
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First, be sure you're logged into IgoUgo. Then scroll over your member name at the top of the page to browse your list of trips, reviews, stories, and more. You can also access these things from your profile page.
- How do I add my own review of a business?
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If you're reading reviews of a business you've visited and would like to add your own review, simply click on "Write a Review" near the top of the page, beneath the business' contact information. You can also click on the "Write Reviews" button at any time to write your own reviews.
- How do I delete items from a journal?
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On your trip listing page, choose "Edit" under the journal containing the item you'd like to delete. Scroll over the title of the item you're deleting and click on the trash icon to the right. When asked, "Are you sure you want to remove this item from this journal?," click OK. The review will disappear from this journal but will still be viewable as a stand-alone review.
- How do I rearrange items within a journal?
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Simply scroll over the item you'd like to move; when you see an arrow icon, click and drag the item or review as far up or down as you would like.
- When should I choose the Stories and Tips category for a review?
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You should use the Stories and Tips category for reviews that don’t quite fit into any other category. For example, if you’d like to write about the best ways to avoid Disney lines, explain how to arrange a homestay with a Maya family, or relate an entertaining personal travel anecdote, you should choose the Stories and Tips category.
- What should I include in my reviews?
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The best reviews balance practical information with personal impressions, detailed descriptions, helpful suggestions, and high-quality photos. Above all, they contain information that is useful to IgoUgo members and readers who are planning their own trips. Take a look at our Submission Guidelines for a more complete rundown of what criteria reviews should meet.
- Can I include content from other websites in my reviews?
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IgoUgo has a strict policy against using content from another source; all reviews found to violate this policy will be deleted immediately. If you want to include a short excerpt from another source, it must be surrounded by quotation marks and properly credited to its author. Repeat violators of this policy are subject to account deactivation.
Related: Other Issues
- Can I save a review and revisit it later?
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No; you must complete and submit your review. If you’re not ready to submit it, please save your review in another program to avoid losing your work and return when your review is complete.
- What happens after I submit a review?
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The review will appear on the site for anyone to see. It will also be sent to IgoUgo editors, who read and approve all incoming reviews. If an editor assigns the review a Best of IgoUgo rating, GO Points will be awarded to your account accordingly. See our GO Points Guidelines for more information about what you can earn.
- How do I add photos to a review?
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You can add as many photos as you’d like to any IgoUgo review. (Please note that this does not include journal descriptions.) If you’re writing a new review, you will have the opportunity to add photos before submitting it; if you’re looking at your list of existing reviews, or at your list of reviews within an existing journal, click "Edit" and then "Upload a new photo" or "Add existing photos from your gallery."
- Can I edit a review?
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You may edit any of your reviews at any time. When looking at your list of stand-alone reviews or reviews within a journal, click "Edit" near the one you’d like to change, and, when you’re done making changes, click "Save Your Changes." To edit a journal description, simply click on the "Edit" icon under your journal’s title.
- Can I delete a journal or review?
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Absolutely. You may remove a review from a journal by following the steps above. To delete a journal or review from your account entirely, go to your own trip or review listing page and click "Delete" by the item you wish to remove.
- How does a review receive a Best of IgoUgo rating and icon?
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An editor awards the most helpful reviews Best of IgoUgo status. Take a look at our GO Points Guidelines for an overview of our rating system and its rewards. If you have questions about one of your specific reviews or photos, feel free to email us.
- How are reviews sorted on the site?
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Hotel, Restaurant, Things To Do, and Nightlife reviews are automatically sorted by "Most Recent," based on the dates reviews were submitted. You may also sort reviews by "Positive" (highest to lowest member rating for the place or activity reviewed); "Negative" (lowest to highest member rating for the place or activity reviewed); and "Most Useful" (with any Best of IgoUgo picks appearing first).
- Can I flag inappropriate content I find on the site?
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Yes; if you find a journal, review, or photo that violates IgoUgo's User Agreement or is generally offensive, please let us know by clicking its "Flag" icon, and an editor will review it and take appropriate action. Please note that you must describe why you are submitting a red flag in the field provided.
- Can I submit my reviews to travel publications?
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Per our User Agreement, by registering and submitting content to IgoUgo, members agree that they will not submit IgoUgo journals or reviews to any publication without prior written consent from IgoUgo, which may be requested by sending us an email. See our Submission Guidelines for more information.
- Does IgoUgo share or sell its member-submitted content?
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We may share travel journals and reviews with partner travel communities, but your registration information will never be shared or sold.
- How do I upload photos?
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You can always click “Write Reviews" and then “Share Photos" to get started. As prompted, choose the photos you’d like to upload and then add locations, titles, and optional descriptions. Alternately, you can click “Upload Photos” on any business page or photo page as you peruse the site!
- How do I access my photos?
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After logging in, access your photo gallery by scrolling over your member name and then clicking "Photos" at the top of the page. You can also access your gallery from your profile page.
- What are the best dimensions and resolution for photos, and are there any file-size requirements?
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The ideal minimum dimensions for photos are 474 pixels high or wide, and the ideal resolution is 72 dpi. If you’re using IgoUgo’s primary photo uploader, you can upload up to 50 photos at a time, each between 10 KB and 10 MB. If you’re using our basic, 10-photo uploader, file sizes should range from 10KB to 2MB.
- How many photos can I upload?
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There is no limit to the number of photos you can upload to your personal IgoUgo photo gallery, nor is there a limit to the number of photos you can attach to a review.
- What happens after I upload a photo?
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Your photo will appear on the site for anyone to see. It will also be sent to IgoUgo editors, who view and approve all incoming photos. If an editor assigns the photo a Best of IgoUgo rating, GO Points will be awarded to your account accordingly. Please note that your photo will not be eligible for GO Points until you assign it a location and title. See our GO Points Guidelines for more information about what you can earn.
- Can I attach the same photo to more than one review?
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To avoid confusion and maximize the usefulness of all reviews, we strongly encourage members to attach each photo to only one review.
- Can I send photos to friends?
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Of course! Click on the photo you'd like to send and then click "Email Photo" below the photo.
- Is it acceptable to use professional photos or photos from other websites in my journals?
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Please submit only your original photos; it’s okay if they’re of professional quality! Any photo determined to have been taken from another source will be promptly and permanently removed. See our User Agreement and Submission Guidelines for more information.
Related: Other Issues
- What are GO Points?
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The rewards program at IgoUgo is based on accumulating GO Points. There is a variety of ways to earn them—see our GO Points Guidelines for more details. When you earn enough GO Points, you can redeem them for great rewards like gift certificates and frequent-flyer miles.
- How do I earn GO Points?
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You’ll earn GO Points every time you contribute a journal, review, or photo that receives a Best of IgoUgo rating from an editor. You’ll also earn points just for registering and beginning to share your travels, plus you’ll receive a point bonus every time you share a review or story with at least one photo attached. View our GO Points Guidelines for details.
- How do I redeem GO Points for rewards?
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Each IgoUgo reward is pictured with the number of GO Points required underneath it. When you have earned enough GO Points to redeem a certain reward, click on the reward you would like and fill out the redemption form below it. Rewards are generally processed within 5 to 10 business days.
- Where can I see the GO Points I’ve earned in more detail?
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When logged into IgoUgo, you’ll see your current GO Point total in your personal menu bar at the top of the page. By clicking on that number, you’ll be taken to your GO Points Summary, which breaks down the GO Points you’ve accumulated and redeemed in detail.
- Can international IgoUgo members redeem GO Points for rewards?
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Country-specific rewards are available to members from several countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. International rewards providers ship from their respective countries. If your country is not represented, you might consider Amazon.com, one of our members’ top reward choices, which offers shipping to a large selection of countries around the world.
- How do I edit or complete my profile?
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After you log in, just click your member name at the top of the page. Then click on the fields you wish to edit and, when you’ve finished, click "Save."
- How do I change my registration information, such as email address, member name, or email preferences?
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After you log in, simply click "Edit Account" or "Edit Email Preferences" on the left-hand side of your profile page (under “Your Account”).
- What is the message center?
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The message center is a place to contact other members privately, without sharing personal information like your email address. It’s also where you will receive invitations to join other members’ Friends Networks.
- How do I access my message center?
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After you log in, scroll over your member name and then click "Messages" at the top of the page, or access your messages from your profile page.
- Can I block members from sending me private messages?
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Yes. If you receive a message from a member with whom you do not want to correspond, simply click “Block This Member” at the bottom of their message. You may unblock members at any time in the “Blocked Members” section of your message center.
- Will a member be notified if I block him or her?
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No. However, a blocked member will receive an error message when trying to add you to his or her Friends Network or send you a private message.
- I’ve received spam in my message center. Whom should I contact?
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Please email us with the name of the member and the text of the message, and we will take appropriate action.
- What is a Friends Network?
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It’s a way to connect with other travelers from all over the world. You’ll see a notification when someone in your network uploads new content, and the members in your Friends Network will likewise be notified when you share your travels.
- How do I invite friends to join my Friends Network?
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There are several ways to invite friends to your network. If you’re looking at an IgoUgo member's profile and would like to invite him or her to join your Friends Network, just click "Add as Friend" on his or her profile page. You can also invite friends who are not yet registered as IgoUgo members by logging in, scrolling over your member name, and clicking "Friends;" you'll see a link to "Send an Invite." Lastly, on the same page, you can use the search bar to search IgoUgo for new friends by member name or hometown.
- Will a member be notified if I reject his or her Friends Network invite?
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No. Your invite will simply be removed from the member’s list of pending Friends Network invites.
- How do I deactivate or delete my account?
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After you log in, go to the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the screen. Select "My Profile" from the drop down menu and request an account deactivation in the comments section, then hit send.
- How can I purchase one of IgoUgo’s travel deals?
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It’s easy: just click on the link provided with each travel deal to visit the sponsored retailer’s website, where you can make your purchase directly from the deal provider.
- How can I get my company’s travel deals listed at IgoUgo?
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Please contact us directly, and one of our travel-deal coordinators will get back to you shortly.
- Whom should I contact with questions about travel-deal details or booking a travel deal?
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Because the deals at IgoUgo are sponsored by travel retailers, all questions regarding specific deals should be directed to the deal provider.
- Do travel deals expire?
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Yes. Deals expire on different days, and many are only available for a limited time, so be sure to check the expiration date for each deal before booking.
- How do I subscribe to IgoUgo's Top Travel Deals weekly newsletter?
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When registering, simply check the box next to "Travel Deals" to subscribe. If you’d like to subscribe after registering, click "Your Stuff" and "Profile” at the top of the page and then choose "Edit Email Preferences" and "Save Changes."
- How do I unsubscribe from IgoUgo's Top Travel Deals weekly newsletter?
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Log in and click "Your Stuff" and "Profile" at the top of the page. Then choose "Edit Email Preferences" and "Save Changes." You can also click "review your email preferences" at the bottom of the next Top Travel Deals newsletter you receive.
- How do I use IgoUgo's rate-comparison tool?
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Use our tool to find customized travel rates; simply enter your parameters for a hotel, flight, package, or rental car and check the boxes next to the websites you'd like to include in your search. Our price-comparison tool will then research thousands of fares at one time on the sites you choose, opening up a new window to display each site’s results. This is not, however, a booking tool; when you find a rate you like, you'll have to book it directly on the site offering it.
- What do I do if the flight-comparison tool does not accept the airport codes I enter?
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When you begin typing your departure and arrival cities, a list of potential airport codes will appear. If the one you need is not included, or if the tool doesn't recognize a code you type, please contact us so we can resolve the issue or add the new airport code.
- Can I search for multi-stop airfares using your flight-comparison tool?
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Our tool currently only searches for round-trip and one-way fares.