Travel Tips 6
Tag your bag
To keep your luggage AND your vacated residence safe, be sure to tag your bag with your name and an address. Not YOUR address -- the address of your local police station! That way a criminal searching for the perfect crime will be deterred and an honest citizen will be on his/her way to returning your luggage.
The latest style in luggage is comfort!
Don't break your back hauling heavy bags! New designs in handle systems, transport systems, wheel systems, and packing systems have joined forces, to make travel bags easier to fill and carry. Try one of the ergonomic backpacks at: http://www.ebags.com/
Travel insurance - don't get taken for a ride
Don't buy your travel insurance at the airport or train station! Coverage is significantly more expensive and rates vary from city to city. Instead, contact your local insurance agent for a policy.
Travel light to travel happy
A light suitcase makes a happy traveler, so follow this tip for dropping some weight: Contact your hotel and ask if they have in-room amenities (a robe, blow-dryer, iron) and toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion) If they do, leave yours at home to save space and weight.
Water cooler time
The safest way to stay hydrated in warm climates is to drink water even when you don't feel thirsty. Have a 12-oz. glass of water every time you leave or come back to your room, especially if you've been drinking coffee and/or alcohol (notoriously dehydrating).
Water pressure - is one bathroom enough
If your group or family is sharing a suite, check and see how many full and half-bathrooms (toilet only) it has. Depending on the size of your party, a single bathroom may not be sufficient. You may want to consider paying a few more dollars and booking separate rooms.
When money talks...
Hotels hate empty rooms and Money Magazine says that travelers who are flexible can get a great deal by waiting until the last minute to reserve. Ask for the assistant manager and explain that you would like a room. If a suite is the only accommodation available, for example, you might be offered it for room rates or at a discount of up to 50%.
Which credit card should I travel with?
Credit card companies charge a service fee for converting your international purchases into domestic dollars. Ask your credit card companies for their "currency conversion" fee and use the card that will cost you the least...so you can spend the most!
You're in good hands..with travel agents!
Professional travel agents have a lot to offer -- they attend trade shows and go on familiarization trips regularly, they read mountains of printed material and they have insider knowledge about new and upcoming holiday packages, flight plans, hotels, and vacation destinations. To find out how to pick one, go to: lorrypatton.com/travel/gtips/10.html
