A Few Quick Tips
Best time to book flights:
Wednesday 1AM. Airlines are adjusting their rates,
heading into the weekend deals, etc.... Prices are
higher by Thursday morning.
Best time to
walk-in to a hotel: Around 4 pm on a Sunday. Why?
Staff is light and the "revenue management"
guys (set the prices) are not there. You may get a clerk
who just needs to sell a room.
"Blockage"
can be embarrassing: When you check in, many hotels
will imprint your credit card and "block" off
a dollar amount for their use, in case you cause damage.
This wild number may cause your card to be declined
elsewhere. Use separate cards or one without a preset
limit (AmEx, Diners, etc).
Try ethnic agents for
specific travel: Heading to Korea? Try finding a
Korean travel agent. They know the flights better and
may find deals for you. Everyone books flights to Las
Vegas. Argentina or Japan for example, are different and
not booked as often.
Use specific aircraft
numbers: Asking if your flight is on time is like
asking if the sky is usually blue. Using FLIFO, you can
ask about your specific airplane and flight. Asking
about a specific flight or "aircraft 505" will
get a more specific answer as to what city or country
your plane is currently in while you wait.
Don't drink the water:
Drinking water during flights is good. You need to stay
hydrated as the altitude attempts to dry you out. Drink
bottled water. Don't drink the airplanes water. It comes
from a holding tank with all kinds of chemicals mixed in
with it over time.
"What's the
load?" Asking this is much better than asking
if the "plane is full" and it will increase
your chance of getting an upgrade or perk.
Leave your tv or radio
on in your room: If you are concerned about your
hotel room, leave the TV on. Maybe even include the Do
Not Disturb sign on the door. Only maid service will
intrude on all the noise.
Migrating cars saves
money: Mysteriously, national rental cars move to
and from places like Florida and Arizona a couple times
each year following the prey, er...tourists. If it fits
your move or car needs, you can get these
"drive-away" deals for a song, even less than
$10 a day.
Pay the cabbie, not
the mini-bar: Have the cab driver stop at a
convenience store or supermarket. Buy whatever sodas and
snacks you may want and create your own low priced
mini-bar. $6 soda's add up quicker than the taxi meter.
You could even instruct the front desk or bellman to
empty the mini-bar for you so you won't get charged. Put
your stuff in it instead.
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