Car Rental Coupons!
Trying to find a bargain on your car rental?  Booking engine autoslash.com posts
'coupon codes' for car rental companies and even tracks your booking after you've
made it for better offers!

Laptop Mix-Up!
One of the biggest problems at airport security these days is laptops getting mixed up.
To avoid picking up the wrong one, simply tape your business card to the bottom of
your laptop.

Carry-On Crunch
With so many travelers trying to escape the 'checked-bag fees', everyone now has extra carry-on. As a result, no overhead space anymore! Good chance you'll be forced to stick your carry-on under the seat in front of you which leaves you no foot room.  Try purchasing a 'choice-seat' when choosing your seat assignment on-line. The fee is less than the 'checked-bag' charge and it bumps you up to an early boarding Zone which gives you plenty of time and space to stow your carry-on bags.

Rome Relief
While walking the beautiful streets of Rome, Italy, you only have to buy water once!  I use my water bottle everywhere I go by 'filling it up' all over Rome from the free-running water stations. They're everywhere with cold, clean, fresh water from the mountains!  Hard to believe but true! 

Time Your Ticket! 
Don't you hate it when the fare on the airline ticket you just bought, goes DOWN? www.Bing.com/Travel has a Farecast feature that tries to predict price changes. 

Disney World Weather
A lot of people escape the cold northeast this time of year by heading south to Disney World In Florida.  Here are a few 'weather related' tips on your next getaway
to the happiest place on earth. 
 
*Forecast: Rain!  Hollywood Studios is your best bet. Most rides and lines are indoors
and sheltered. 
 
*Forecast: Cloudy!  Animal Kingdom is your best bet. The big cats and great apes
are more active and in-sight when the clouds hide the sun.
 
*Forecast: Hot! Epcot has the longest 'time spent' indoor attractions maximizing your
air-conditioned moments.
 
*Forecast: Sunny! Magic Kingdom all the way!

Ship N' Save!
Want to avoid paying all those luggage fees next time you fly?  It may be cheaper to send your stuff ahead in a special Luggage Box with handles with UPS or Flat
Rate Priority Mail through the US Postal Service.  Bring some essentials in your carry-on bag and ship the rest to your final destination!  Just make sure it arrives
at the same time or before you do!

Power Sharing!
Ever try to find an electrical outlet at the airport to plug in your laptop or even charge your cell phone?  Not easy!  Bring along a small 'multiplug power strip' in
your carry on!  Ask whoever is using an outlet to plug into your power strip and share the power! Now you can both charge all your gadgets at the same time!

Show Me the Fees Please!
Hidden hotel fees are on the increase and the best way to avoid them is ask about mandatory charges first!  Everything from 'housekeeping' to 'early check in' are
starting to show up on hotel bills as 'extras'.  Look at your bill closely before they run your card. Unless you were aware of these charges beforehand, politely dispute them on checkout!

Get Lucky!
A 'late' check in can sometimes result in an upgrade at the hotel.  The chances of an upgrade increase even more if you're staying just one night.  Rooms are not likely to be sold later in the day anyway, so you 'get lucky'!
 
 
When to Book...
According to Travel & Leisure, the best time to book a hotel room for the best rate is one week before your trip.  Booking 'months' before really does not give you
the best rate in most cases. T&L's research shows that your best rate, on average, is one week out.  For an even better rate? Pay in advance!  Ask?

Rental Rate Relief!
Looking for the best car rental price? Check out the new on-line consolidator www.autoslash.com ! It searches out discounts, applies them to your rental when you book and automatically rebooks you at the lower rate if the price drops!


Table Tactic!
Can't get a reservation at the best restaurant in town? Try this technique that works most of the time. Use the concierge at your hotel to make that reservation. They have a lot of pull. Or, if your hotel doesn't have this service, contact the concierge at the big hotel across the street! It works!

Wipe Out!
Bring your Lysol Wipes to wipe down these 4 very important items in your hotel room!
1. TV Remote
2. Telephone
3. Toilet Flusher and Seat
4. Door Knob
5. Faucets

Freeze the Fees!
Baggage fees for your flight seem to be the new reality. To avoid the fees, fly airlines like Southwest where you can check 2 bags free! Get 1 free checked bag on JetBlue.


Free Is Good!
If you are visiting New York City and you want to avoid the $20 admission fee to the Museum of Modern Art, wait until 4pm any Friday and get in free! Free Fridays at MOMA are from 4pm-8pm every Friday!

Gotcha Covered!
Travel insurance is the smart way to go especially on expensive, long distance trips. Cancellations, interruptions, delays, even volcanic ash!... You just never know! Be careful because each plan is different! Compare insurance plans with the site www.quotewright.com


Supersize My Stay!
It may be easier than you think to get your hotel room upgraded! Think of a special occasion you might want to celebrate on your stay. Birthday? Anniversary? First time in NYC? Then, a week before you arrive and after you've made your reservation, find out who the hotel manager is and e-mail them your request for an upgrade to make your stay even more enjoyable. Also mention that it's your first time at that property. No fibbing on this one. They can check. Be truthful and courteous and you'll be amazed at what the hotel will do to make you a happy customer!

Pocket Peace!
From a public market in Prague to a crowded wine tasting in the Finger Lakes, you can never be too careful. If you're carrying a wallet, take the time to make the transfer. Move your wallet from back pocket to your front pocket. Pickpockets are everywhere and they'll come up empty-handed with you!

Glyde to a Cheaper Guide!
The new website www.Glyde.com can save you a lot of cash when it comes to finding your next travel guide to your favorite city or country. You'll pay top dollar in the bookstore but a used one is just as good and at a fraction of the price. Sometimes up to a 90% savings!

What A View!
On your next Getaway, if you want to find a hotel room that doesn't overlook the parking lot, try the website www.RoomsWithGreatViews.com . Travelers have submitted great photos of views from their room, giving you all the information you need including the room number!

Woof and the Roof!
Nearly 30 million Americans travel with their pets every year but pet-friendly hotels are sometimes hard to find. Here's a travel tip with bite! Try Motel 6, Best Western or Red Roof Inn. They all have chain-wide policies to accept pets! Individual properties do, however, have their own discretion on how policies are applied on an individual basis, so call ahead!

Turn Around Your Mid-Week Blues!
Flying anytime soon? Go mid-week! You can expect shorter lines and better air fares on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for domestic and international travel.

Move Over Trip Advisor!
We all know that TripAdvisor.com is the big guy when it comes to travel ratings and recent travel experiences from 'real' travelers. But there are a few others that can offer very useful travel information too.

www.TravelPost.com

www.Raveable.com

www.Oyster.com

Teachers go to the Head of the Class!
From time to time, cruise lines will offer special discounts on select sailings to customers who are teachers! Qualifying teachers must present a photocopy of teacher's certification, union card or letter from principal on school letterhead. So, if you're a teacher and going on a cruise, do your homework and check around!

One of my favorite travel web sites is HazelMail.com. They will convert your vacation photo into a postcard and send it anywhere in the world for $1.50! Your friends, family and co-workers will love your very personalized postcards from your next Getaway!