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Trip Insurance Tips & Travel Advisories

May 17, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: Health & Security

Check for travel advisories at your destination

If you’re planning on a trip abroad, you should always check the US Department of State or the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth office website for the latest in travel advisories for the countries you are visiting.For more detailed information about what’s happening in the country your about to visit, another great resource is the Overseas Security Advisory Council.They have links to recent news stories in the country that may affect your travel plans.

Travel insurance is always a good idea

Travel insurance is a must if you’re traveling internationally. While you may think that you’re invincible, trip insurance can keep your trip from being ruined. Whether it’s a bad case of the flu, or a twisted ankle, you don’t want to be without insurance. Most people think that their health insurance will cover them anywhere. That’s not necessarily true. Do you really want to come up with $1500 in cash to pay for a doctor in Singapore? Do you want to spend two weeks in a hospital in Poland, or would you rather be in a hospital at home? Evacuation insurance is usually part of better trip insurance policies. Remember that if you do end up needing medical care while you’re gone and can’t pay your bill in full before you leave, you may not be able to leave the country your in.

Don’t Procrastinate
So you can make sure you have maximum coverage for your trip, you’ll want to buy insurance as soon as you make your first trip payment or deposit. Many policies offer lesser coverage the longer you wait. Travel insurance varies in price based upon your destination, how long you’ll be gone, your age and how many people you’ll be insuring. You’ll be surprised at how inexpensive it is. For medical only, you’ll probably pay around $39 or so for a week long trip. Make sure to shop around for the best rate and options that fit your type of travel. Before you buy insurance, check with your current medical insurance carrier and regular insurance agent to see what coverages you may already have when you travel abroad. That way, you can just buy the insurance coverage you need.

Where to Buy Insurance
There are many different places on the web to buy insurance. You’ll want to make sure you stick with reliable companies, so that you don’t end up uncovered. All companies that sell travel insurance in the US are rated by AM Best. AM Best rates all insurance companies, so you can be assured of the companies financial viability to pay your claims. We use Squaremouth to purchase travel insurance when we travel. It allows you to compare all kinds of companies and coverage side-by-side. For some companies, Squaremouth also will give you a satisfaction guarantee, which most individual carriers do not. If you’re planning on doing sporting activities while traveling, you should also check out World Nomads. They often cover you against potential injuries that other companies won’t.

Find the Right Fit
Just like any insurance policy you buy, there are a lot of different flavors of travel insurance. You certainly don’t want to buy more coverage than you need, but you definitely want to make sure you have the right coverage.. Where to start? Here are some features of the major basic coverages:

Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption
This provides reimbursement for non-refundable trip payments and deposits if a trip is canceled and/or interrupted for illness, death or other specific unforeseen circumstances.

Terrorism
Provides coverage in the event of a terrorist incident. Coverage varies widely for terrorism, so make sure to read the details closely.

Financial Default
Even the best known companies can have unforseen financial issues. This covers you if there is a complete suspension of operations by your tour operator, airline or other travel provider due to financial circumstances whether or not bankruptcy is filed. Coverage details vary based upon many factors so read the fine print carefully.

Hurricane & Weather
Covers you if there’s a travel delay coverage due to a mandatory evacuation; complete cessation (meaning the destination airport has been closed for a certain amount of time)of either a common carrier (ticketed public transport) or travel supplier (hotel, condo manager etc.) or your accommodation at destination being rendered uninhabitable by weather (meaning it has either been flooded or so damaged that you cannot stay there).

Missed Connection
Will reimburse you in the event of a missed flight connection or for the additional costs to “catch up” to a cruise if the cause of delay is an accident or bad weather.

Travel Delay
Travel Delay provides reimbursement for meals and accommodations when a trip is unexpectedly delayed.

Baggage & Personal Items Loss
Provides reimbursement for lost, stolen or damaged baggage or personal items.

Baggage Delay
Can reimburse you for clothing, toiletries and other essential items if luggage is delayed for a specific amount of time.

Emergency Medical & Dental
Reimburses you for the cost of treatment associated with a medical or dental emergency incurred while traveling.

Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
Emergency Evacuation arranges to medically transport you to an appropriate medical facility. Medical Repatriation arranges for you to return home to receive care. Repatriation of Remains arranges for return of your remains back to the place of your residence.

Life Insurance
There are various flavors of Life Insurance coverage, so read your policy carefully. Basically it provides cash payment for accidental loss of life or limb while traveling.

Rental Car Damage
Collision loss/damage insurance for rental cars covers the costs of damage to, or theft of, a rental car. You may want to check with your credit card company to see if they will provide this coverage at no charge.

There is a Difference
In addition to checking for the type of coverage you might need, you need to look at more than just the total price. The last thing you want when you have a claim is a hassle. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, check to see if the companies offer these features:

Cancellation of your Trip for any Reason
Provides reimbursement for non-refundable trip payments and deposits if a trip is canceled for any reason. Be cautious, however, as some plans provide only return of premium.

Deductible
Deductibles vary by each plan and can range from $0 to $2500. Many plans offer $0 deductibles, so determine how much your willing to spend out of pocket, if you have a claim.

Hazardous Sports
This is one aspect of coverage you’ll want to pay special attention to. Most policies exclude any “activities” that are considered “dangerous”. Definitely read the fine print and if you have any “out of the ordinary” activities planned, you may want to make sure you’ll be covered.

Trip Duration
Many policies limit the amount of time you can be away. A trip starts when you leave your home and ends when you return to your home regardless of the number of destinations in between.

Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions
Some companies may cover pre-existing conditions after a specified waiting period, while others may not provide any coverage. Read the fine print.

24 Hour Assistance Service
This is one of the most important. When you have a problem, you want to reach someone….NOW. Move companies that offer a 24 Hour Hotline to the top of your list.

Money Back Guarantees
Money back guarantees are provided to allow you to decide if the policy you purchased is right for you. Your guarantee or “free look” period can last for up to 14 days depending on insurance company although it expires as soon as you use the policy by making a claim or reaching your departure date.

IAH TIP: World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that will cover most sporting activities. You can check them out here.

Travel checklists you can download

February 16, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: Checklists

We use a travel checklist to make sure our trip goes smoothly. Whenever we start planning at trip, we use this Pre Travel Checklist, that you can download by clicking the link. We use this Packing Checklist, so that we don’t leave anything essential behind.

Airport arrival tips

January 25, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: You've Arrived

You’ve finally made it. You’re at your final destination. Here are some airport arrival tips to make things go smoothly.

Tips for clearing foreign customs and immigration

Upon arrival in another country, your first stop after departing the plane will be customs and immigration. For most countries, you were probably given a form by the airline prior to your arrival. Make sure you have this form filled out prior to leaving the plane. Some countries, like EU countries, don’t require a form.

If you’ve brought food items from home to eat on the plane and still have a few left, it’s probably a good idea to leave them on the plane. Most countries don’t allow you to bring in food items, even if their in the original wrappers or other sealed packaging.

When you arrive at customs, make sure your cell phone is off, your forms are ready and you have your passport in hand. The immigration officer you’re about to encounter, will control whether or not your permitted to enter the country your about to visit. You want to be on your best behavior and give them your full attention. The last thing you want is to be detained or even worse, sent back home.

IAH TIP: Before you leave home, see if the country you’re traveling to requires a visa-on-arrival fee and/or departure tax. Chile, for example, charges citizens arriving from some countries a visa-on-arrival fee. For US citizens traveling to Chile, the fee is over $100 per person and must be paid before you can pass on to immigration.

Lost Luggage?

Well, maybe you’ve made it to your final destination, but the airline had other ideas for your luggage. First, don’t panic. You’re luggage will most invariably catch up with you.

When you’re luggage doesn’t show up on the carousel, find the airline luggage desk. It should be in the same general area as the luggage carousel. If you’ve taken multiple airlines, you’ll want to go to the luggage desk of the airline you just arrived on.

You’ll need your luggage tag receipts that you received when you checked your luggage at your first departure point. These are key for the airline being able to track down your luggage. If you took photos with your camera or wireless phone before you left home, those will be very helpful to the agent in describing your luggage on the required forms. You’ll also need to know the contact and address information of where you’ll be staying so the airline can deliver the luggage to you.

If you’ve traveled from another country, don’t expect your luggage to arrive quickly. Depending upon how far your luggage traveled with you before it went another direction, it may be a few days before you see it. Hopefully, you took our advice and packed a day or two worth of clothing in your carry-on.

We’ve been fortunate that our luggage has only been lost two or three times in the past 10 years. Once in Italy, it took 4 days to catch up with us. In Malaysia, it arrived less than 24 hours later. The good news is is that every time, we did eventually get our luggage….and everything that was supposed to be inside, was inside.

Tips on transportation from the arriving airport

Once you’ve cleared customs and collected your luggage, your next step is to get to your hotel or wherever it is your staying. If you don’t have your transportation already lined up, make sure you use only official cabs or shuttles. In many foreign countries, there are “unofficial” cabs and shuttles that can take advantage of you by charging exorbitant fees.

Arriving at Your Hotel

When you check-in at your hotel, ask if there are room upgrades available. If you are in the right place at the right time, you may just end up with a better room. You never know if you don’t ask.

Shopping & Souvenirs

It’s a good idea to keep receipts for everything you purchase on your vacation. Many countries offer visitors a tax refund for any purchases made in their country. Before you leave, you’ll need to visit the tax refund office usually located at the airport. Most countries require you to show the items you purchased as well as the receipt. So, you should probably visit the refund office before checking your luggage so you can pack your purchases afterwards in your checked bag. Another reason to keep the receipts is so you can fill out your customs form correctly on your return flight home.

Connecting flight tips

January 23, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: En Route

It’s hard these days to get any flight that’s non-stop to your final destination. Here’s some connecting flight tips that you may be able to use while you’re enroute to your final destination.

Tips for on the plane

While you’re on the plane, make sure to keep an eye on your items in the overhead bin, especially on overnight flights. While it’s hard to believe, thefts from carry-on’s have been reported on overnight flights.

Once your plane is in flight, set your watch to the time at your next destination. When traveling across multiple time zones, this way you’ll be “oriented” when the plane lands.

Tips on making connections

If you have stopovers before you reach your final destination, you usually do NOT need to clear local customs, as long as you are not picking up your bags or leaving the terminal. Make sure you pay attention to signs as you disembark your original flight and follow the signs for TRANSIT passengers to the gate of your next flight. In some cases, you may need to go through another security screening before reaching your gate.

If you’re switching airlines for your next flight, you will more than likely need to check-in with that airline, even if you have your boarding pass. They will reconfirm your seat assignments, as well as make sure your bags are transferred correctly to your final destination. They will also recheck your ID.

Tips for stopovers

Stopovers are different than connections. A stopover is when you’ll be staying at a connection point for an extended period of time (usually a day or more) and leaving the airport. In this case you will need to clear customs at your stopover destination. You will also, more than likely, need to collect your luggage, unless you’ve made arrangements with your connecting airline.

If your stopover is short and you need to claim your luggage, many larger international airports have on-site luggage storage. Before you leave, check that airport’s website to see if they offer storage. Most places will charge between $5-$10 per piece per 24 hour period. The advantage to storing your luggage for short stopovers, is that you won’t need to haul it with you.

Tips on handling flight cancellations or delays

For flights inside the US or other non-EU countries, policies vary by airline as to compensation or allowances that you can get. There are no government rules or regulation, so it’s up to each airline. Before you leave on your trip, you should look at your airlines policies.

For flights within or departing from the EU, passengers can get relief under EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004. There are three various levels of compensation:

For most delays of two hours or more, you should be offered free meals and refreshments plus two free telephone calls, fax messages or emails
If the delay is five hours or longer, you may opt for reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket and when applicable, a return flight your original point of departure
If you flight does not depart until the next day, you should be offered a hotel room and transportation between the airport and the hotel

This EU regulation applies to all flights leaving from an EU airport or inbound flights from outside the EU to a EU airport.

Travel Tips: Getting through the airport quickly

January 20, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: At The Airport

Here are some great travel tips for getting through the airport quickly. We can help get your trip off on the right foot. Here’s some things to remember.

Tips for the airport counter

.ID
As simple as this sounds, many people approach the counter and it takes them 5 minutes to find their ID or itinerary. Make sure you have both ready for the airline counter agent when you step up to the counter. Some airlines may also require that you show the credit card you used to purchase the ticket. Make sure you have that handy as well.

Boarding Pass/Seat Assignment
Double check your boarding pass before you leave the counter. Make sure it’s yours, has the correct destination, frequent flyer number and the seat assignment you want. On a few occasions, we’ve been handed the wrong boarding pass.

Luggage
When the agent checking you in attaches the bag tag to your luggage, double check the destination. Make sure it’s the same as where you’re going and that the flight numbers are correct. You definitely want your luggage going to the same destination as you. Also check to make sure your luggage tag is still attached.

IAH TIP: If you’re itinerary includes multiple plane changes or transfers to another airline, ask the ticket agent if your bags can be checked through to the final destination. Many airlines have “interline” agreements that will allow them to transfer your baggage to other carriers without you needing to pick them up and transfer them yourselves. You will need a copy of your itinerary from the other airline if it’s not on the same itinerary as the initial airline you’re traveling.

Security Line Options
Ask the ticket agent about alternative security lines. Many airports have multiple security checkpoints, some in remote areas of the airport. Other “lesser known” checkpoints will give you an alternative if the line you’re planning on using has a long wait.

Where To?
Double check with the ticket agent about your departing gate. They change frequently. Don’t trust the text message or email confirmation from the airline. You should also double-check the gate again once you’re in the terminal.

Have Everything?
Before you leave the ticket counter, make sure you have your boarding pass, passport , baggage receipts and carry-ons.

Security checkpoint tips

Before You Get In Line
Before you even get in to the security line, remove your jacket, sweater or coat. Also remove any belts, jewelry, watches or coins in your pockets. Get rid of any liquids that are not part of your 3-1-1 ziploc bag. This will make moving through security much quicker. Have your ID and boarding pass ready. If you’re using a mobile boarding pass, make sure your phone is ready to display it.

At The Checkpoint
Don’t forget to remove your shoes and 3-1-1 ziploc bag when you’re putting your items on the X-Ray belt. Video cameras also need to be removed from your carry-on, just like laptops. If the checkpoint has the new full body-scan x-ray devices, empty EVERYTHING out of your pockets. You can’t have ANYTHING in your pockets when using these devices.

Have Everything?
After your items have come through the X-Ray, make sure you have everything. Move your bins to the end of the conveyor belt. It will be much easier to put yourself back together away from others. Check one last time to make sure you haven’t left anything behind, including your laptop, boarding pass, wallet or passport.

Tips for at the gate

Check The Signs
When you get to the gate, double check the screens to make sure this is the plane to your final destination. If you have your boarding pass, there’s no reason to check in again. If you didn’t get a seat assignment, don’t worry, they’ll call you up when they have it for you. They know you don’t have a seat assignment.

Check Your Boarding Pass
Most airlines now board planes by seating section or frequent flyer status. Know where you fit in. If you’re in the last boarding group, there’s no reason to be the first person standing in line. You can take a seat and relax. The plane will still be there when it’s time for you to board.

While You’re Waiting…
While you’re waiting to board the plane, now is a good time to get those things out of your carry on that you’ll want to have during your flight. iPod, headphones, magazines, newspapers, etc. When you get on the plane, you’ll be able to drop them in your seat and store your bag overhead quickly.

Ready To Board
When your seating section is called have your boarding pass in your hand or the barcode showing on your cell phone. If you’re traveling to a different country have your passport out and ready.

Tips for boarding the plane

Find Your Seat
Plane configurations on all airlines worldwide are pretty much the same with very few exceptions. As you enter the plane, almost 100% of the time “A” is the window on your right and the letters go mostly in sequence to the left side of the plane. While row numbers may not begin with the number “1”, they do continue higher as you move to the back of the plane. So, if your ticket says Row 36 and you see Row 5 as you enter the plane, you can move rapidly as your row is still a good distance ahead of you. When you arrive at your seat, double-check that you’re in the right seat.

Store Your Bag
Once your at your row/seat, store your bag overhead if possible. That will leave you room to stretch out in your seat. If you’re going to need to get into your carry-on during the flight, make sure you position it in the overhead so you can access it easily. If you can’t, then under the seat in front of you it goes. Most airlines are now rigorously enforcing that your laptop be stowed for take-off. You can’t put it in your lap or the seat back in front of you.

Travel tips before you leave

January 11, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: Before Leaving

You’re just about ready to leave on your trip. Here’s a few last minute travel tips before you leave and walk out that door.

Keep Your Home Secure

If you’re going to be gone for more than a couple of days, think about stopping your mail delivery. Also let others know if you’re having packages delivered while you’re out, so they don’t sit near your front door for a long period of time. You may also want to think about calling your home alarm company and letting them know that you’ll be away. That way, they can send emergency responders quickly should your alarm go off, without calling you for confirmation first.

Airport Transportation

Make sure you have your airport transportation arranged both to and from your home airport. If you’re taking a shuttle, car service or other transportation that may require a reservation, make sure you do that far in advance of your departure. It’s also a good time to make the reservation for your return.

Destination Transportation

Don’t forget to make arrangements for transportation when you get to your destination. If you’re taking a shuttle, make sure you know where to pick up the shuttle and how often it runs. If someone is picking you up, predetermine where. (Most airports have detailed maps of pickup locations on their websites.) If it’s a taxi, make sure you know what “legitimate” taxis look like vs “hawkers” at the airport. Most travel guides will give you information on finding authentic taxis that operate in the area.

Flights

Before you head for the airport make sure you check the status of your flight. There’s no need to head to the airport if you’re flight is delayed. Also check your seat assignments. Many times, airlines will change the type of plane on your itinerary, but may not have notified you. It will be easier to change your seat the day before you leave. Many airlines prohibit you from changing your seat on day of departure, unless you stop at the airline counter.

IAH TIP: Make sure you sign up for text or email updates from your airline. That way you’ll always be in the know on your flights during your whole trip.

Packing List

While you may think that it’s lame to make a list of things to pack, it can be a great way to make sure you don’t leave something simple behind. Things can get unexpectedly hectic right before you leave and having a checklist to pack from will make sure you have everything you need for your trip.

IAH TIP: Weather is crazy these days. A day or two before you leave, check the forecast at your final destination. If something unexpected is happening at your final destination, you’ll be able to adjust what you pack to be ready for it.

Luggage

Once your bags are packed, weigh them before you leave home. If you don’t have a baggage scale, then use a standard bath scale. While it may not be 100% accurate, it will give you an idea of how close you are to airline baggage weight limits. If you have an extra collapsible bag (like a backpack or good size duffel bag), throw it in if your close on weight. That way if you buy souvenirs or more clothing while on your trip, you can use the extra bag to carry on or check without exceeding the weight limit.

IAH TIP: Once your bags are packed, take a photo of each bag with your mobile phone. That way, you’ll have a photo of each bag should the airline lose or misplace them. It will make it easier for the airline service agent to try to potentially find your luggage.

Carry On

Just like your checked luggage, make sure your carry-on is of the right size and weight for the airline you’re flying. The last thing you’ll need is to have valuables in your carry-on, only to find out the airline will choose your flight to weigh and size your carry-on before boarding and make you check it. Foreign airlines are much more strict about carry-on bags than US domestic airlines. Also make sure you’re carry on has a luggage tag. Many carry-ons look alike and this will help make sure someone else doesn’t pick up yours by mistake.

3-1-1

Do you have everything you need in your 3-1-1 or “ziploc” bag? If you travel frequently, make sure that you have enough of everything in the bottles/containers inside your bag. It’s easy to forget you’re almost out of toothpaste or shampoo after your last trip. If you’re taking along medications on your trip, make sure you pack a couple extra days worth. You never know when an unexpected flight delay may force you to spend an extra day or two away from home.

IAH TIP: If you’re taking along medications on your trip, make sure you pack a couple extra days worth. You never know when an unexpected flight delay may force you to spend an extra day or two away from home.

Itinerary & Confirmations

Make sure you leave a copy of your itinerary, along with contact numbers, with a family member and/or another person you trust. That way, if there’s an emergency at home while you’re gone, someone will be able to reach you. Take a copy of your reservations confirmations with you. That includes airline, hotel or activity confirmations. That way if something isn’t exactly right, you’ll have proof of your reservation.

IAH TIP: If you use a cloud-based service such as Mobile Me or Dropbox or even your smartphone, put copies of your confirmations there. That way, you’ll also have your confirmations available via the web if you lose your paper copies.

Passports

Don’t forget your passport if you’re headed out on international travel. That can bring a quick end to your vacation before it even begins. Also, if you have any Visas that are required for travel, make sure their in your passport.

IAH TIP: Keep track of your passport expiration date. It can sneak up on you. Remember that most countries require your passport to be valid for six months BEYOND your arrival date. Waiting till the last minute to renew your passport can potentially ruin your trip.

One Last Check

Before you leave, check the US State Department website to make sure there hasn’t been any changes in travel warnings for your destination. Changes can occur rapidly. Safety first.

Electronics

The day before you leave make sure you have all of your electronics (camera, laptop, iPod, iPad,phone) fully charged. Don’t forget your chargers!

Leave for the Airport Early

Find out if your departure airport has a website. Most do. Most will update them regularly with security wait times. Waiting time at security varies widely everyday. Plus, you never know how long you’ll be waiting at the airport counter check-in before you even start your wait in the security line. To be safe, you should plan on being at the airport around 90 minutes early.

IAH TIP: Check to see how long before departure your airline will accept checked baggage. You would certainly like your baggage to go with you on your flight.

As you walk out the door….

Have your airline itinerary, passport and credit card you purchased your ticket with, handy. That will help speed things up when you’re at the airline counter. If you can, print your boarding pass before leaving.

Planning Your Vacation Activities

January 9, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: Planning Activities

There’s times when you don’t want to do much on vacation other than sit by the pool. Other times, you may really want to get out and about a bit and discover some of the local area. Here’s a few tips:

Plan ahead
Popular vacation attractions can get busy quickly. Some may require reservations months in advance before you even start your vacation. Make sure to do your research and find out how far in advance you need to get tickets or make reservations. Some vacation attractions only allow a set number of visitors each day. Some are only open certain days of the week. You can never start planning too early. For example, in New Zealand during peak tourist season, you may have to make reservations a day or two in advance for the Shotover Jet, a wild jet boat ride through the slot canyons of the south island. In Washington DC, you need to reserve almost two months in advance, just to go to the top of the Washington Monument.

Go early
If it’s a major vacation attraction, you should go early. Going early allows you to tour the place before the crowds descend later in the morning. Going early can allow you to take your time, not feel rushed and also get some good photos without 100s of people wandering around and getting in your way. Plus, in warm weather climates, you can beat the heat.

Read up
If you’re planning on an all day visit to a large tourist spot, read up on it before you leave home. That way, you’ll make sure to plan your visit to see the things you want to see. At the Louvre in Paris, you could spend a week and not see the entire place. If you have 3 hours, you certainly want to make sure you see the main things you have an interest in. We went to Pompeii a few years ago and we could have spent a week or two there if we wanted to really see everything. Instead, we had a half a day. We mapped out the things we really wanted to see and hired a guide. It made all the difference.

Talk to your hotel concierge.
If you like being spontaneous or just had a change in plans, ask your hotel concierge to help you plan your vacation activities. Most good concierges have connections or alternate resources to help you plan what you want. We’ve done this from time to time and it’s worked out very well. For instance, you may have planned sitting by the pool all day, but what are you going to do if it all of a sudden decides to rain? A good hotel concierge will be very knowledgeable about the area. Once you tell them your interests, they should be able to easily arrange something for you.

Festivals & Events.
Before you leave, check your destination for certain festivals and events that may be happening during your stay. Whether they’re well known or not, it might be a great way to spend a day doing something unexpected or relatively unknown. On a recent trip to Thailand, we discovered a “New Moon” party on a nearby island. Luckily a hotel employee overheard us talking about things to do and mentioned it to us.

Car rental and other transportation options

January 9, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: Transportation

If you’re traveling inside North America, car rental is probably a no brainer if you’re going to be traveling some distance from your destination. In other countries, you may have many more transportation options than what you’re used to in the US. We’ll give you some tips and ideas no matter what choice of transportation you decide to make.

Car Rental

There’s no question that with a car, you ‘ll be able to experience more at your own pace, without being constrained by schedules. You’ll also be able to go off on various adventures where other transportation doesn’t go. But don’t underestimate public transportation in other countries. Europe has some of the best public transportation options around. Developed Asian countries do as well. The first thing you need to ask yourself is if you really need a rental car.

Many of the popular US car rental firms, do business overseas. Avis, National (Europcar), Thrifty, Dollar and Hertz can be found in most major cities. Another company based in Europe is Sixt. Rental cars tend to be much more expensive overseas. And, you’ll need insurance. Not only collision insurance, but also theft and probably personal effects coverage. A GPS is also a good idea. (Remember using GPS on your phone overseas is going to consume mountains of data leading to a huge wireless bill.) Fuel is considerably more expensive than in the US, plus many more roads are toll roads. Parking charges in major cities can be horrendous, that is if you can find a place to park.

Here’s some tips:

Is your drivers license sufficient?
Most EU countries accept your US or Canadian drivers licenses as is. In most other countries, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP). You can get an IDP from either your local AAA or CAA office. The IDP is not a replacement for your license, but should be carried along with it. Check with your rental company to see if one is required for the country you are renting a car from.

Make sure you have insurance coverage.
Don’t assume that your regular auto insurance company or credit card company will cover damage to cars rented outside of North America. Make sure you check before leaving home. With the high rate of automobile break-in’s and thefts in other countries, you may also want to consider personal affects coverage (PAI). If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, it may include car rental coverage in foreign countries.

Check insurance coverage from the rental car company (CDW)
Insurance coverage on overseas car rentals varies from what you may be used to in North America. Most companies offer various tiers of coverage that reduce the amount of financial responsibility you will have if you get in an accident. The less financial responsibility you want means the more you’ll pay. Be careful as some rental car companies won’t let you get away with total non-responsibility.

Check on driving restrictions for your rental
Rental companies in Europe may have different age restrictions than rental car companies in the US. Also, don’t assume that you can take your rental car out of the country you’re visiting. Many rental companies restrict where rental cars can be taken, including some areas within the country you’re in. If you’re planning on taking your rental car to another country, make sure you have any needed paperwork for the other country.

Can you get lower rates if you “prepay”?
By prepaying your rental, you may not only save on the base rate, but you may get a discount on many of the add-ons as well, such as insurance coverage and GPS. If you know that the chances of you not going on your trip are slim, it may be worth it for the additional savings.

Get a complete list of charges due at the end of the rental
Before signing on the dotted line, you should make sure you have a complete detailed list of all charges that will be due at the end of the rental. Beyond the basics, there may be other fees or taxes that you haven’t thought about. Remember that taxes and fees in foreign countries can be quite large. Finding this out before hand will allow you to make changes before you rent.

Research the type of car your renting
Most cars at rental agencies in foreign countries have manual transmissions standard. Automatic transmission cars can be significantly more expensive. Car sizes are also much smaller than in the US, which means a lot less space for luggage. Before renting, do your research on the car you’re thinking about renting. Just because the rental agency says it will fit 2 people and 4 bags, doesn’t mean it will.

Plan your basic route before you leave home.
Don’t count on getting a detailed map of the entire country free from the rental agency. You should buy a road map for the area of the country your visiting before you leave home. Michelin, has great road maps of most countries. These are very detailed (which you’ll need in Europe, if not Asia) and often cover just a small portion of the country your visiting. You can also try to use Google Maps and print directions before leaving home. Getting a GPS with your rental is probably the best option, but note that many of the rental companies in Europe have a limited supply available. You should make sure they can confirm a GPS with your reservation. Just indicating you want one without checking, doesn’t mean you’ll get one.

Toll roads and fuel
Toll roads in Europe, Asia and South America are much more prevalent than in the US. Tolls can be quite expensive for just a short distance. If you want to see how many toll roads you may be using while in Europe, you can check this website. Fuel costs in Europe or Asia can be 2-4x what they are in the US. Also, fuel stations are much less prevalent than in the US. You should make sure to refuel before leaving medium to large size cities as your next chance may be a ways a way.

Check the rental car before leaving the rental agency
Before you leave the rental agency, make sure to check your car thoroughly for any dents, dings or damage. You should make sure that the rental representative acknowledges the damage on your rental form before you leave. It may be also worthwhile to document the damage with photos from your camera or phone. It’s also a good idea to check, so you can make sure that everything on the car is in working order.

Are you ready for the stress?
If you think driving in downtown Manhattan or the 405 in Los Angeles is stressful and time consuming, wait till you try to drive in a large foreign city. Streets can be very poorly maintained, as well as poorly marked. Traffic can be unbearable at all times of day, not just during “rush hour”. Parking availability on streets is almost non-existent. If you get in an accident, will the local police speak English? Do you know how to read foreign road signs? Do you know the foreign “rules of the road”? Many laws and regulations for traffic differ widely from what you may be used to in North America.

Car Services/Guides

If you’re going to be in a city or area for a few days, consider hiring a car service or guide. These can be expensive, but again if you’re traveling with a group, the price can be very reasonable. An advantage of a car service/guide, is that it will be more than just a ride from place to place. You’ll also have someone who knows the area and give you great advice on where to go and what to see. You can find reputable car services in various travel guides and major travel websites. Car services can add an extra level of safety and security. They usually speak most major languages (German, English, Spanish, Italian) and offer continuity as you’ll deal with the same person you’re entire trip.

We’ve used car services/guides extensively in Italy, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea. They’re very adept at driving “challenging” roads, can take you to places off the beaten path, share their local knowledge and history of a location, plus you have a built in translator whenever you make a stop. We usually try to make arrangements with car services and guides a month or two before we leave for our destination. Like anyone who is good at what they do, they book up fast. If you arrive at your destination and decide you want a car service or guide, check with your hotel’s concierge. We’ve done that for last-minute day trips and it’s worked out well.

Trains

Traveling by train can be very easy and efficient in most countries. It’s also a great way to see the countryside, while leaving the stress of driving behind. For many major destinations, you’ll have the ability to take “express”trains. Express trains make less stops, reducing travel time. Regular trains are nice as well, as it gives you a chance to see more of the countryside. With it’s more frequent stops, you can hop off the train if a place looks interesting, explore it for an hour or two and then hop on the next train that comes through. It’s a great way to make your travel more spontaneous and less structured.

Trains in Europe and Asia tend to run on very precise time tables. While the occasional delay may occur, you’re wise to be ready to board the train and the exact time of departure. Even being just a minute or two late can mean that you’ll be waiting for the next train. Also, on some trains, storage is extremely limited, so pack wisely. Unless you’re planning on buying snacks on board, you should also plan on bringing food along. For routes that have frequent trains, you can hop off in a town, run to the bakery and meat shop to grab supplies for lunch and hop back on the next train a few minutes later and continue your journey.

Here are just a few of the different types of trains in other countries:

Urban trains
Urban trains usually run throughout a large metropolitan area. These types of trains are similar to the “L” in Chicago or CalTrain in the Bay Area. Most urban trains give you easy access to far-flung suburban areas, as well as around large city centers.

Regional Trains
Regional trains go beyond a local city. Sometimes they can cover an area such as a country, province, canton or even multiple numbers of those.

National Trains
National trains, as the name implies, usually cover most major cities within a specific country, but may not stop in smaller cities along the route.

Night or Scenic Trains
These type of trains usually cover longer distances with fewer stops. Night trains usually have sleeping cars, which you can reserve so you can arrive refreshed and relaxed at your destination the following morning. By traveling at night, you’ll also be able to travel while sleeping and be ready to go right away the next day in your new destination. You should be aware that most sleeping cabins on trains are shared. So, if you’re a light sleeper, you may want to think about a private cabin. Scenic trains usually have special cars (think glass top coaches and railcars with larger windows) to experience the scenery as you travel throughout a single or multiple countries.

High Speed/Bullet Trains
These trains generally cover long distances at very high speeds (220 mph +) with minimal stops. When you need to go a long distance in a very short amount of time, this can be a great option to minimize travel time.

While train fares have increased in the past few years, they still can save you money and time over airlines and rental cars. The best place to start looking for train tickets is Rail Europe. Rail Europe offers multiple different kinds of passes for single or multi-country travel. The longer the pass, the more you save. If you’re primarily staying in one country, you can also check websites for trains that serve that specific country. For some special trains or high traveled routes, you may have to pay a supplement, in addition to the price of your rail pass. For popular trains and routes, you may have to make advance reservations to ensure you have a seat. The same goes for overnight trains, especially during peak periods.

The quality of trains vary widely from country to country. A few years ago, we took an overnight train from Germany to Denmark. While the sleeping cars were OK, they were old and pretty worn. The A/C and heat didn’t work very well. Also, the “bedding” provided was minimal. By contrast, we took an overnight train in Vietnam and while the sleeping car was a bit dated, the sleeping compartment was very clean and everything was in very good working order.

In most countries, you can choose between First and Second Class. Sometimes, there’s barely any perceptable difference. In others, there’s a huge difference. If you can tolerate the price variance and will be traveling extensively by train, it may be well worth the upgrade. You’ll usually have a much more modern car, in cabin service and much more comfortable (a.k.a “padded”) seating. While many countries have made great strides in upgrading their train cars, you’ll find trains in the Nordic countries tend to be the best, as well as the high speed/bullet trains.

Urban trains are convenient for traveling within a large metropolitan area. Many cities offer discounts to tourists who choose to use public transportation. Many of them sell “combination” tickets that allow you to also use city buses, trams and urban rail on the same ticket. Some also offer short “stop-overs” that let you get off for a certain amount of time, hop back on, yet still have it be considered one journey or one ticket. Check the official website of your destination city for their public transportation offerings.

Ferries

If you’re traveling somewhere where there are large bodies of water, ferries make a very convenient and fast form of transportation. People don’t ordinarily think of ferries, but there are many that not only link local areas, but also countries as well. In Europe, some passenger trains are actually loaded on to ferries for part of their journey. In Greece, ferries are used to link many close-by islands. In Sweden, you can use a ferry to travel to several other countries. Even if you’re renting a car, you may have a need for a ferry. One example is when you’re traveling in New Zealand and need to go from the North to the South island or vice versa.

Many of the basics that apply to trains, apply to ferries as well. Some ferries are very short, while others have sleeping cabins for longer journeys. Some ferry routes also utilize different types of boats. You can take a regular ferry or in some cases a hydrofoil or jet boat. The latter can cut your travel time in half, but are often more expensive. You should check out your destination to see if they offer ferry service. It could open up a whole new transportation or destination alternative.

Before you book your ferry trip, you should check the ferry operators safety record. As you see in the news from time to time, ferry disasters are much more common than on other modes of transportation. You should be especially vigilant with ferries in third world or underdeveloped countries.

Subways

Subway systems can be found in many major urban cities. From the MRT in Singapore to the “tube” in London, these transportation systems make it easy to get around the city. Just like urban trains, many cities offer discounts to tourists to use subway transportation. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the subway maps before you leave on your vacation. You can usually print a pocket sized map from the internet or purchase a map online. Many subway systems also offer their maps and timetables in Smartphone versions, so you can always have it with you. This advance planning will save you time once you arrive at your destination.

Many cities now have subway routes to major airports. Many of these trains have special cars that have places to store your luggage while on the train. This can be a huge savings over taxi fare or other transportation methods. Check your arrival airports transportation section to see if they offer subway or train service into the city. Two examples are the Heathrow Express in London and the KLIA in Kuala Lampur. The KLIA offers an additional valet service, where someone will take care of your luggage once you clear customs, put it on the train for you and then a car will meet you at the train station in the city and take you to your hotel or final destination.

Taxis

Taxis and car services can be one of the most expensive forms of transportation in any country. That is, unless you’re traveling with others. In this case, it could be much more economical than other forms of transportation. For short hops, taxi’s make sense. They’re convenient, easy and can take you door-to-door. Here are some thoughts:

Agree on the fare
Before you leave your hotel, make sure you agree on the fare to your destination. Fare disputes arise more often than not and in a foreign country, misunderstandings are frequent. The last thing you want is to be hassling with a cab driver at your destination or worse, talking to the police.

The shortest route
Ask your cab driver to take the shortest route possible. If you feel they may not understand you, ask the doorman or concierge from the hotel to communicate that to the driver for you. It could save you tons of cash.

Return trip?
If you’re going to a destination where it may be difficult to get a cab, ask your cab driver if they can come back and pick you up at a certain time. If you aren’t sure when you’ll be returning, ask your cab driver for his mobile phone. In many foreign countries, cab drivers like the idea of having a guaranteed “customer” and will happily offer up their card with their mobile number.

Start that meter
Make sure your driver starts the meter when you get in the cab. While there’s always the possibility that meters may not be “accurate”, it will at least allow you to keep an eye on the charges that you’re racking up.

Play it safe
If you feel uncomfortable with a driver when you enter a cab, don’t go. Get out and wait for another cab. If you’re traveling alone, be extra careful. Stay aware during your ride. Put down your wireless phone and pay attention. If you’re distracted, you can soon realize you’re somewhere you don’t want to be. It’s a good idea to have the local emergency number programmed into your phone before you leave. Also, if you’re catching a taxi at a hotel, let the concierge, bellhop or desk clerk know where you’re going and when to expect you back.

Make it official
Before you leave for your destination, research what “official cab companies” cars look like as well as their company names are. Beware of hawkers at the airport offering extraordinary cheap rides. You’re best bet is to go the transportation counter at the airport or arrange for a ride before you leave home directly with the hotel you’ll be staying at or the cab company itself.

Language barriers
If you’re in a foreign country where English is not the primary language or you don’t speak the local language, it’s a good idea to have your hotel concierge give you a card with your hotel’s name on it for your return journey. Have your hotel doorman or concierge explain to the driver where it is you want to go, to avoid any misunderstanding. We were in South Korea once where cab drivers speaking English were a rarity. We had the hotel concierge give us a few of their cards with their address in Korean, so we knew we’d always get back to the right place. Never assume your driver will recognize the hotel name. During that same trip, we learned that the hotel was known by Sofitel to foreign travelers, but a completely different name to South Koreans.

Tips to find the perfect hotel or vacation rental

January 7, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: Places to Stay

Trying to find the perfect hotel or vacation rental to spend your holiday can be time consuming and frustrating. But, the result can be worth the time spent. We’ve put together some tips to help you find the perfect hotel or vacation rental to make your vacation memorable.

Consider these things before you begin your hotel or vacation rental search

How much do you want to spend per night?
Determining what your budget per night is, will immediately help filter your possibilities. If you think you’re budget may be too small to stay in the places you’d like to stay in, there are other things you can consider. If you’re traveling with friends, think about staying together and splitting the cost of a better hotel room. Remember, that it means potentially sharing a bathroom and giving up some privacy, but your budget will go farther. If your travel dates are flexible, you may be able to save on hotels by traveling “off-season”.

Location, location, location.
Think about things you’ll be doing while you’re at your destination. Location is important. You really need to take into account where you’ll spend most of your time and how close do you really need to be to that area. Rates will be higher the closer you are to prime areas. You’ll pay much more in Times Square in NYC, than you might closer to Battery Park and Wall Street. If your destination has good transportation options, being close to where you’ll spend most of your time can be less important if you can get there easily and quickly. In New York City, there aren’t many places you can’t reach in Manhattan by cab in 15-25 minutes, as long as your not going during rush hour. In Europe, you can often stay away from the city center, yet be within 10 minutes or so by train.

Are you open to staying in places other than hotels?
For those traveling on an extremely small budget, hostels can be a great alternative. You can also consider renting apartments or homes, if you’re going to be in one destination for a longer period of time or traveling in a large group. When we travel to Europe, we almost always rent an apartment or a house. In London for example, we can rent a very nice, albeit small apartment in a great neighborhood for 20-40% less than a mid-range hotel. Plus, we it’s a lot more fun to be in a neighborhood and live like a local. Another great thing to consider is a home stay, where you can stay with a local family. It’s a great way to learn about the culture, as well as pick up a few language pointers

How much time will you be spending in the hotel each day?
If you’re going to be out and about all day and really not spending much time in your room, then look for hotels without a lot of amenities. You really won’t be using them, so why pay for them? Now, if you’ll be spending lots of time in the hotel, (think beach resort), then you definitely may want to consider spending a bit more money for added comfort, luxury and amenities.

Finding the best type of place to stay on your vacation

When we think about picking a place to stay, we let the type of trip where taking lead us in the right direction. If we’re staying in the same place for a week or traveling with a group of friends, then renting a home may make more sense. Or, if we’re passing through a big city just for one night, we may opt for just a chain hotel. Consider these options as you consider where to stay:

Large Chain Hotel & Resorts
We usually avoid these like the plague. If you’re going to travel to another country, do you really want to stay in a Marriott in Frankfurt that looks just the Marriott in Omaha? Some people prefer the “familiarity” of chain hotels. And chain hotels can work well if you’re just passing through a major city. They’re usually close to airports, train stations and easily accessible locations. They’ll also have a lot amenities such as on-site restaurants, laundry facilities, pools, etc. If you’re part of hotel loyalty program, it’s an easy way to cut the cost of your vacation by using your points to pay for a stay.

Depending on the location, staying at a large hotel chain could pose a security risk. In some foreign cities, these hotels with “highly recognizable names” can become terrorist targets.

Small Chain/Boutique Hotels & Resorts
Our preference is to stay at small chain or independent boutique hotels. They offer a more local and friendly experience than the large chains. Service tends to be much more personal as these hotels are smaller and have a fewer number of guests. These types of hotels usually have better locations, because they can be located where “large building” hotels aren’t allowed. An advantage is you’ll also be a bit more away from the “tourist herd” and have much different experience at your destination.

Rental Houses & Apartments
If you’re going to be in one destination for a long period of time, you should consider house or apartment rental. While most have a minimum stay of a week, you can occasionally find those that will rent for 3 days or more. It’s a great way to save money if you’re traveling with a group of friends. You’ll also be part of the “neighborhood” where you can enjoy local cafe’s, restaurants and shops that other visitors would not get to experience.

Homestays
If you really want to “live like a local” and are going for an extended stay to a destination, you should also consider a homestay. With a homestay, you’ll actually live with a local family. While this is usually extremely popular with foreign exchange students, the concept has expanded to just about any traveler who will be staying somewhere for a month or more. Homestays give you the best chance to immerse yourself in a culture, see how the people live and work, plus it’s a great way to quickly learn a language. A friend of ours did a homestay in Guatemala last year for a month, to learn Spanish. She said it was an experience that changed her life.

Check hotel ratings from guests before making your selection

Check a variety of hotel rating sites before you make your decision to book. Ratings vary from website to website.You can look up one hotel on Orbitz and it’s 5 star, yet on every other website it’s 3 star.What do you do?

With a little simple research, you can get a good feel for what a place is really like.The easiest way is to Google the hotel name along with the word “review” and “rating”.That should give you a quick list of sites that rank the hotel, along with comments from guests.You can then make your own conclusion as to which rating is probably the right one.

We prefer TripAdvisor.We’ve found the ratings to be almost always spot on.Of course, you do have to use some discretion if there are only a couple of reviews.You may also have to “throw out” a those reviews that are “out of whack” with the others.You’re never going to please all of the people all of the time.

Another thing we look for when checking hotels on TripAdvisor is hotels that actually respond to reviewers comments.If they take the time to read their own reviews and take feedback, that’s a fairly good sign that they’re concerned about providing a great experience to their customers.

Finding the best hotel rates and deals

January 6, 2011 Leave a Comment Filed under: Places to Stay

Finding the best hotel rates and dealsl when looking for a place to stay on vacation can be challenging. While many hotel and booking websites offer “The Best or Lowest Rate Guarantee”, that’s not always the case. If you read the fine print, most say the guarantee is for rates available on any “publicly available” website. So, what about “private, members only” websites or “unpublished” rates? It pays to do your research before you book a stay.

Here are some tips we use to make sure we always find the best hotel rates and deals out there.

Where should you start your search?
A great place to start your search is Kayak and TripAdvisor. Kayak can quickly and easily scour hotel rates for a destination in seconds, while giving you options to simultaneously conduct the same search on Expedia, Orbitz and host of other travel websites. TravelAdvisor recently added a feature that once you pick a destination, you can do a single search for rates among it’s top rated hotels. Starting there will give you a good idea of price ranges for your dates of travel and help you start narrowing the list of potential candidates.

While some boutique and small resorts also show up on Kayak and TripAdvisor, you can also check LHW (Luxury Hotels of the World), SLH (Small Luxury Hotels), and LuxuryLink. Don’t let the terms “luxury” in their names scare you off. Form time to time, they have phenomenal deals that don’t always appear on other websites.

For home or apartment rentals, the best place to start is VRBO. We’ve used and rented from owners on VRBO several times and have been very satisfied. Like anything else, you want to make sure you do your due diligence by reading reviews from previous renters as well as checking Google on the internet.

Where to find even better hotel rates and deals
Sometimes to get the best deal, you may need to be flexible on your travel dates. Or, you may need to be flexible on location. Either way, you can save a ton of money if you’re in the right place at the right time. Deals come and go, so you need to check sites often. Also, you can’t hesitate. Many deals are for a limited time or limited number of rooms. If you snooze, you lose. If you find the deal of a lifetime, you need to be ready to book the stay. Also be aware, that most of these deals have rates that require a pre-pay and are non-cancellable and non-refundable.

We use Travelzoo frequently. Travelzoo has great rates for top-name highly rated properties for travel in the next 30-90 days. Their website is updated regularly, however big updates are made on Tuesdays. The best way to make sure you don’t miss anything is to subscribe to their email newsletter.

As we mentioned above, there are also a number of private, members-only websites that can have great rates. Some cost nothing to join, while others can have hefty fees. Our favorites that we are members of are (and these are free, once you score an invitation): Jetsetter, Snique Away and Vacationist. These sites sales last for a very short time (usually 3-5 days), so when you see it and like it, you should book it. One advantage over Travelzoo is that usually their “window” of time that you can make a reservation for, is longer. Sometimes up to 4 months in advance.

We’ve booked a few trips using Jetsetter. For example, in NYC, we saved over 50% at Cooper Square. In Puerto Vallarta, we booked a stay at Garza Blanca Resort in a 2BR, 2000 sq ft Oceanfront Suite for $420 instead of the $810 rack rate. Splitting that amongst four people, it’s less than $110 per night per person at a 5 star resort.

What about all inclusive rates?
Sometimes the additional charges for all-inclusive resorts far outweigh what you’d normally spend on food and beverage. All-inclusive sounds like a good deal, but you really have to determine what you’ll be doing during your vacation.

If you’ll be away from the hotel doing a lot of day trips or activities, all-inclusive may not be such a great deal. You also need to take into account where you’re going to stay. For example in Mexico or Asia, you can get great food outside of your hotel at unbelievable prices. Some people never get to experience true “local cuisine” because they feel they have to always eat at the hotel since they’re paying for it in the all-inclusive rate.

Also research what kind of beverages are included in the rate. For example, many resorts indicate that they serve premium alcohol. Ask what’s premium? In many cases, it’s a “locally” made liquor. Also consider how much you’ll be drinking. If you’re doing a “spring break” type vacation, maybe all-inclusive is worth it. Otherwise, it may sound good as you plan your trip, but you may end up actually paying more.

Before you book, here are some more tips

Think about a room upgrade
Sometimes it may be worth spending a few extra dollars on a room upgrade. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your room, a bit more space can be a good thing. Also, many larger hotels have “club levels” for their best guests, which usually include a “happy hour”, free internet, free breakfast and more personal attention. In some cases the room rate can be as low as an additional $20-$30, yet with all those amenities, you’ll actually get that amount back and more. Plus, you can always take your chances and ask for an upgrade when you check-in.

Double check rate rules and cancellation policies
The devil is in the details. Before finalizing your booking, make sure you read and understand the hotels rate rules and cancellation policies. Many smaller hotels and resorts may only allow you to cancel more than two weeks prior to your arrival. After that you may pay a penalty or be charged for a full stay. Some “great rates” may also require a pre-payment or require even more advance notice of cancellation.

Consider prepaying for your room
If you’re 100% certain your going to stay come hell or high water, then you usually can save some cash by prepaying your hotel. Occasionally, some hotels/resorts will even let you cancel some prepaid rates and refund your money, but you should always make sure to read the rules first. Before you prepay, also consider what the chances are that the rate may actually go down prior to your stay. If you prepay, you may over pay.

Never assume anything
Just because one hotel chain does this, or other hotels do this, don’t ever assume. Just because one hotel in a chain has free internet, doesn’t mean another one in that same chain does.

Smoking or Non-Smoking
While many US hotels are now non-smoking, that’s not so in the rest of the world. If you want a non-smoking room, make sure you check before you book your hotel room. Non-smoking rooms are harder to find in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Fees, Fees and More Fees
Hotels have taken a cue from the airlines and now add many fees above and beyond the rate you’re actually booking. Resort fees, parking fees, internet fees, and on and on. When comparing hotel rates, make sure you take into account all of these extra charges, some of which may be mandatory.

Always recheck your rate before you leave on your trip
If you didn’t prepay for your reservation and you’re still within the cancellation window, you should always re-check your rate. Rates can often drop after you make your original reservation. Why overpay? As long as the room type you want is still available, make a new reservation first, then cancel your previous one. Also, if you made a reservation at a hotel that was your “second choice”, check your “favorite hotel”, to see if a room has become available since you made your reservation. Travel plans change all the time and they may have had a cancellation that will allow you to get the room you really wanted.