Offer Your Best Travel Tips in the Comments by 10am Eastern Saturday morning to Win.
Some of y’all will remember that I hosted an online forum about technology and travel that was sponsored by National Car Rental coinciding with the launch of their new mobile app.
I rent regularly from National and had been looking forward to the introduction of a mobile app (finally!) and the folks participating in the chat were friends and travel heroes.
I like the products I like, I share the reasons why here, and I don’t want there to be confusion over my motives — if I benefit personally from a referral link I always say so in the post, I frequently try to arrange to give any miles I may earn from referrals back to you in the form of bigger bonuses (some companies are receptive to this, others are not) and I prefer to do giveaways rather than take freebies myself.
There was modest compensation for participating in the National forum, and I already gave away half the amount here on the blog. I split it up into more than one giveaway largely because I didn’t want to have to do tax reporting!
I want your best travel tips in the comments.
- You may enter as many times as you like, but each entry should be a bona fide travel tip. I will compile the best tips in a subsequent post.
- I will select two winners, largely at random but to be eligible to win the entry must be (in my sole judgment) a genuine tip.
- Two prizes of (2) $100 Visa Gift cards each will be awarded.
You have a great chance of winning because internet traffic drops like a rock on Friday evenings, second slowest only behind Saturday evenings.
So.. what are your best travel tips? They can be anything from ways to improve the odds of getting an airline upgrade, a hotel suite upgrade, clearing airport security quickly, the best place to eat at a given airport, anything at all.
I love to learn from this community of readers, and love to be able to share your knowledge back with everyone else. I look forward to reading your submissions, and of course to selecting two winners!
- You can join the 30,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. Don’t miss out!
Collect points in multiple programs and alliances to increase flexibility in booking trips.
Always have a separate bag of toeiletries packed and ready. Saves a lot of time each time you travel knowing you have one less thing to worry about
When booking a hotel room, mention its your anniversary and 9 times out of 10, you’ll get some benefit. Whether its a room upgrade or bottle of wine or something else. And chances are, the date is close enough to something that you should be celebrating
If a staff member does something nice for you or goes out of their to help you, send an email to the management. Customer service isn’t an easy job and an often thankless one. It doesn’t take long to send a note of appreciation and it could result in an Employee of the Month or some sort of recognition for them.
Roll your clothes to avoid wrinkles and save space.
Don’t forget to charge all your batteries the night before including phone, camera, laptop, iPad, etc. the worst is showing up at the airport with one of them dying, especially the camera. #BeenThereDoneThat
One more…where ever your travel takes you, remember you’re a visitor. Ie…don’t complain about “the locals on the beach”. It belongs to them, not you.
Read the local paper.There are lots of interesting events:wine tasting,gallery opening,farmers markets,etc.
Always remember to make use if stop-overs, open jaws, and free one-ways when planning your award travel.
Try to remember to pack a change of clothes in your carry-on bag; you never know when you’ll need it.
Be friendly to your fellow travelers out there, and you may just be amazed the great people you will meet. Safe and affordable travels, everyone!
In addition to traveling with universal power adaptors, I carry two 3-outlet plugs and a 12-foot extension cord. Very helpful to yourself and others!
Check those displays of pamphlets or business cards when you travel. We’ve found several discounts on admissions and food. Also, search your phone for discounts wherever you go. Even ask the ticket agent or cashier if they know of any discounts currently offered. I usually save a few or several dollars for almost no effort…and it adds up!
Always check the AAA rate for any hotel stay and compare it to any other offers or available rates. The rate is almost always refundable and eligible for points earning. The minimal cost of annual membership is easily made back in just a couple nights.
Staying at the Sheraton but wish you were at the Westin? Call on the morning of your arrival and ask the front desk manager for the best rate. Depending on your existing reservation you might have same Day cancellation or if you are moving within the same group (spg) will wave cancellation fees. This might get you the room you want at a nicer hotel but for a much lower rate in order to fill empty
Rooms. I moved from the fourt points to the Westin last week! Can’t hurt to ask.
USAirways and American release their premium seats 30 minutes before a flight – don’t ask for an upgrade, just ask to be moved closer to the front of the plane – you will likely get the extra legroom seat if it’s available!
When roughing it for an adventure (eg Hiking the Inca trail) utilize your points for a stay in a nice hotel at the end of the trip. Allows for a positive finish regardless of inconveniences along the way.
Make sure to let your bank and credit card companies know you are traveling or they may block your ATM and credit cards when you try to use them abroadd.
Sign up for as many reward programs as possible with hotel chains and airlines
If you have a rental car reservation make sure to keep checking for coupons and sales. I often have been able to rebook at a lower rate.
Only check a bag if you absolutely have to. You might be surprised why will fit into your carry-on and ‘one personal item.’ You’ll save money, sure, but there’s also the amazing feeling when you’re walking out of the airport while everyone else is staring at an empty baggage belt!
I think I first learned this tip from Rick Steves, and it’s become a mantra for me when packing (I even taught it to my 8 year old nephew): There are two kinds of luggage: Carry on and lost. I’ve traveled for 17 days without checking and avoid it at all costs. Never checking a bag unless absolutely necessary saves an incredible amount of time checking luggage and waiting for it at the carousel, anxiety hoping it shows up, energy moving luggage, and even money on bag fees and bellman and taxi tips. Plus, when you don’t check you can be a much more flexible traveler.
Just for the record: Thomas’ post wasn’t there when I was typing mine (we must’ve been typing at the same time — I didn’t copy him!). But I guess that goes to show what an important tip it is — we should both win! 🙂
Test all the addresses you know you will be visiting in your GPS before you leave. It’s less stressful to discover they are wrong while at home and much easier to just search through recent destinations while away.
When going to foreign countries bring lots of $1 bills.
I used them for tipping instead of using the local currency (and having to go to a ATM machine to replenish the local currency). Never was turned down!
If you do decide to carry-on your bag, make absolutely sure you’re up to date on what is allowed and what is not. The hassle of being stopped because you forgot you packed a slightly-too-large bottle of shampoo more than undercuts any time saved – and if you have to check the bag anyway, you’ve wasted double the time (the time when you were stopped and the time waiting for your bag.)
One last health tip for travel. If you feel yourself getting sick, sore throat, etc. Drink a packet of umcka. I carry it with me at all times. Drinking it hot seems to work best. Since I’m working in the medical field exposed to germs constantly, this knocks out bugs quick.
I pack so that everything fits in one bag with a maximum weight of 25 pounds-then I’m ready for anything.
Don’t pack clothes that require ironing
I found a company online that specializes in travel size items. I travel with small kids and I stock up twice a year on all kinds of travel items, especially food items. These come in so handy while waiting for flights, on the flight, in hotel rooms or condos. They also save me money!
Your phone is a great travel tool. In particular, use the camera to take a photo of your hotel room door — so you won’t forget your room number (never carry the key with the sleeve that has your number on it as it makes thieves’ jobs to easy) — and of your rental car when you pick up and when you drop off.
Make photocopies of your passport. Or scan your passport and email a copy to yourself.
Never check any of the following: your toothbrush, your prescription medications, your deodorant.
Travel during off peak travel times – just went to Paris in September, and the weather was great and attractions seemed much less crowded than mid-summer!
Military personnel can access unused time share inventory for free at afvclub.com. Space “A” weeks in very nice destinations go for as little as $349. And they often have two-for-one specials!
Late check out is a great travel perk, but many times electronic keys are set to expire at check out time and aren’t extended when your check out time is. When you come back to your room after the normal check out time, stop first at the reception desk and have them reset the key to your extended check out time. It saves time and frustration, especially at large resorts with a long walk or hotels with slow elevators.
Use your SPG points for hotel stays as that is the best value for those points
If you have Southwest Rapid Rewards and think you may want to fly, book it. You can cancel for free, or rebook at a lower price in the future if there is a sale.
We take a sharpie with us to mark each persons’ hotel keys. No more arguing about which key is missing!
Take extra dental floss. When traveling in Japan a few years ago I found I needed to line dry some clothes and had nowhere to hang them. Enter dental floss! It’s incredibly strong and comes in it’s own little roll which takes up next to no space in your luggage. Then just toss your clever clothesline after use. MacGyver would be proud!
Noise canceling headphones make a flight more relaxing. You don’t need the most expensive ones – read reviews!
When traveling in China, it is invaluable to have a Discover card handy. It is tied to the local UnionBank card and can be processed as a local credit card. Most local establishments will not accept foreign credit cards.
Not all suitcases are alike – I have a Kenneth Cole carryon and I am amazed at how much I can pack in it
When traveling in the US, make sure to use Restaurant.com (and use a points-earning shopping portal before shopping at Restaurant.com)to check out the restaurant deals in the areas you’ll be visiting. Use Google Maps to locate the restaurants and Yelp, Trip Advisor, etc. to decide whether those restaurants make sense to you.
Remember you need a passport for Canada. My fishing buddy forgot and had to use a PDF on his phone and his best pleading to get across the border.
Be politely, but try to ask and surprise is awaiting
Always have a look at BRG opportunities. It may save a lot.
Remember to check credit card perks during trip.
If you’re a government employee, check the rate – sometimes you can’t get a great deal. Make sure to read the fine print – some hotels have different rates for federal vs state, or require you to prove you are on work related travel
Try to fold all the cloth. It save space and look better.