Dealing with Hotels

Play the newlywed game. If you're going on your honeymoon, mentioning this when you're making reservations might earn you a modest room upgrade. Hotels have also been known to furnish hungry honeymooners with free breakfast or champagne. One caveat: Hoteliers are becoming hip to the practice of fake honeymooning, so you might have to convince the person taking your reservation that you actually have just married.

Check that rate one last time. If you have a hotel reservation and you suspect business might be a little slow, call the front desk directly -- not the 800 number -- just before you arrive and ask what the best rate is for the evening. In many cases, if it's late and the hotel is not full, you will be quoted a better rate than the one you got when you made the reservation -- hotel managers are fully aware that an empty room generates no revenue. If the rate is not better, simply show up with your reservation as planned. However, if you have guaranteed reservations -- the kind that charge your card even if you don't show up -- this trick won't fly.

Go easy on the unpacking. If you will be staying in a hotel room for only one night, put anything you take out of your suitcase into one drawer only. That way you won't have to go looking through closets and under beds to make sure you didn't leave anything.

Pump up the volume (a little). When you leave your hotel room -- even at a nice lodging -- be sure to leave the TV on with the volume turned up just loud enough to be heard outside the door. Thieves are less likely to try anything if they think someone is in the room watching TV. Read more...

Getting Around

Don't be so cheap you miss a bargain. In San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and other cities, cabs to the center of town cost $30 or more, and shared-van and bus services cost from $10 to $17. But remember that if you're splitting expenses with a traveling companion, the cost of a taxi might be only a tad more than the cost of the alternatives (which usually take longer); with three or more people, a cab can become a bargain.

Check for deals on wheels. When renting a car, find out if any of your frequent-flier mileage programs entitle you to a discount.

Look before you leave. Before you drive away in a rental car, always check for damage, and take the time to point out anything you notice to an agency staffer. Read more...

Exercising

Work out. Ask if your hotel has an exercise room or provides free use of a nearby club. A workout, even a small one, can do wonders when you're traveling, especially if you are eating heavy meals.

Take it easy. On the other hand, don't be a vacation superjock. Unless you are in peak physical condition, do not engage in any strenuous physical activity while on vacation that you do not regularly do at home. Too many vacations are ruined by sprained or strained or broken body parts because someone got a little too adventurous or tipsy.

Take a quick spin. If you like to jog, take a run and you'll get a mini-sightseeing adventure. A run through the countryside is often a rewarding experience.

Have a good chew. When hiking or camping with a limited or rationed water supply, chewing on gum, particularly with electrolytes, helps to moisten the palate, relieving that "parched" feeling. Read more...

Sightseeing

Take a nap. When traveling to Europe from the United States, make sure you get two to three hours of sleep once you arrive at your destination -- assuming you arrive in the morning or early afternoon. Then you're guaranteed to last through the rest of the day. Don't try to go without sleeping -- it's useless and you won't get as much out of the day.

Get some help. When arriving in a new city, head for the tourist office or visitors center and get a map and any other information that will help you find your way around. Clearly mark the location of your hotel on the map, so you'll know your point of departure each day and how to get back "home."

Find out what the locals are up to. Search local newspapers and magazines to see what events locals are attending. NewsDirectory, NewsLink, and other sites list local publications' Web addresses. Read more...

Another Travel Tips...

Check that tag. Be alert at the airline check-in counter when the three-letter baggage tag is attached to your bag. Will it be going your way?

Do look back. Never, never leave a plane, train, or bus without casting one last glance backward to see whether you've left anything behind in your seat. The same goes for your hotel room, where you should always take a peek under the bed before departing.

Keep those bags in sight. Except for when you hand them over at check-in at the airport or to a bellhop at your hotel, never, never let your bags out of your sight, not even for an instant. It's astonishing how many people make this mistake -- and never see their bags again.

Excuse yourself. Learn to say "Excuse me" in the language of the country you are going to. If you say "Pardon me" or "Sorry," people are more willing to listen and work out the rest with you than if you approach them without an introduction that they understand. Another good phrase to learn: "Where is the bathroom?" Could spare you some embarrassment. Read more...

The Best Time to Call for a Cheap Hotel Room

If you simply want to walk into a hotel without a reservation and get the lowest room rate, picking the time to do it is a no-brainer: 10:00 PM on a Wednesday night in February will usually get you an incredibly low room rate. You may even be upgraded to a suite.

For the rest of us, who tend to phone ahead, try 4:00 PM on a Sunday. Why? Because the folks who run "revenue management," the people who set the sliding rates for any hotel room, are off on Sundays, and you stand a much better chance of getting a front-desk clerk who just needs to sell a room. The result: a lower rate.

Because hotels tend to be overbuilt in today's travel economy, there are plenty of opportunities for bargaining. In fact, more than three-quarters of all business travelers negotiate with hotels and never pay published prices. Keep in mind that, in recent years, the average daily room rates for hotels in major cities grew by 4.4 percent per year. Still, an unsold room is the last thing a hotelier wants; it represents revenue the hotel can never recoup. (It's like an airplane flying with an empty seat; the fare is lost forever.) The hotelier will figure that earning something is better than nothing. As an example, in some big-city hotels, the weekend rate may go as low as one-third of the regular nightly rate. Suggest cutting a deal in which that rate is extended throughout the week if you stay in that hotel.

Other Questions to Ask about Your Room

When you ask for a price quote on a hotel room, most hotels neglect to mention that the official rate -- the rate offered to you, even if it is the lowest available rate -- doesn't include occupancy tax or sales tax. Because they're trying to be competitive, the hotels quote only the price for the room. The taxes are add-ons and, in many cities, they are excessive.

In the United States, hotel taxes average 12 percent. The most abusive hidden fee in at least seventeen U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami, is a surcharge to finance a local stadium or a convention center.

Not only do these charges add a significant amount to travelers' bills, but no one warns that they are coming. Cities get away with burdening travelers with a disproportionate amount of the costs of building arenas because we don't vote there.

How high are these taxes? Here is a tally of occupancy tax in some cities:

Chicago 14.9% Dallas 13% Los Angeles 14% Houston 15% Anaheim (Calif.) 15% Seattle 15.2% Columbus (Ohio) 15.75%

If you call a hotel and the room rate quoted is $150, you know you will be paying more, maybe MUCH more.

Overseas, the tab can be worse. The dreaded value added tax (VAT) is slapped onto just about anything, especially hotel rooms.

Be sure you arrive at a mutually agreeable definition of terms. Was the $150 rate quoted to you the cost for double occupancy or for the room? If it was for double occupancy, the real rate is $300 per night. You'd be surprised how many people don't ask about the room rate and don't define the terms ahead of time, only to find out, too late, that their rate is actually double.

Are there other extras? Is there an additional charge for your kids? Many hotels now have a deal where up to two kids under age sixteen can stay free. But you need to know these details up front, even if the rate quoted is for the room.

Excerpted from The Travel Detective by Peter Greenberg Copyright 2001 by Peter Greenberg. Excerpted by permission of Villard, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher Read more...

Beating the Heat

You thought it would be fun to hopscotch the Greek islands with your kids during August while they were in that nowhere zone between the end of camp and the beginning of school. But you had no idea how hot it could be -- the treeless landscape offers no shade from the incessant sun, and the temperature never seems to dip below 100 degrees F.

While hiking to the spot where the Venus de Milo statue was found, your arms and legs start to cramp as if in sympathy with the famous torso, and your children insist they can't move another inch.

You think you should forge ahead no matter how hot it is, because it's not often that you get to see sites like this. But then you remember those summer news reports of people dying of heat stroke in Texas, which gives you pause. After all, heat can be serious business if it's not dealt with properly.

So how do you deal with it? How can you prevent heat hazards? How do you know if you or someone you're traveling with is suffering from a serious heat-related ailment? And if so, what can you do about it?

Fortunately there are answers to all those questions. And anyone traveling to a region with a warm climate -- whether it's Texas or Tunisia -- should not leave home without them.

Moderate, Hydrate

Tactics for preventing yourself from becoming overheated or from losing too much water and salts from excessive perspiration include:

• getting your body used to hot weather slowly by gradually boosting the amount of time you spend in the hot outdoors each day,

• doing outdoor touring in the morning or evening when it's not so hot,

• wearing a hat with a broad brim and loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing,

• wearing sunscreen---a sunburn will hamper your skin's ability to perspire,

• resting frequently while exerting yourself in the sweltering heat,

• cooling off with a cold shower or bath or a visit to an air-conditioned space,

• drinking lots of water before, during, and after your jaunts outdoors -- don't rely on thirst to tell you when to drink; people often don't feel thirsty until they're a little dehydrated. If you're exerting yourself, drink about a quart an hour.

Also, refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages, which cause you to lose more fluid. Sports drinks and special rehydration fluids are okay, but often not necessary. And don't take salt tablets unless advised to by a doctor.

Even if you adhere to all these measures, you or your traveling companions may succumb to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or, in the worst-case scenario, heat stroke.

Heat cramps

Heat cramps stem from a low salt level due to excessive sweating. These muscle pains usually occur in the abdomen, arms, or legs. If you have heart problems or are on a low sodium diet, get medical attention for heat cramps. Otherwise, take these steps:

• Stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place.

• Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.

• Don't do anything strenuous for a few hours after the cramps subside.

• See a doctor if heat cramps persist more than an hour.

Heat exhaustion

This is your body's response to an excessive loss of both water and salt. Warning signs of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, pallor, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, fast and shallow breathing, and a fast and weak pulse.

Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can be deadly. Seek medical attention immediately if your symptoms are severe or last longer than an hour, or if you have heart problems or high blood pressure. In the meantime, be sure to rest, drink cool fluids, and, if possible, take a cold shower or recover in an air-conditioned site.

Heat stroke

Heat stroke occurs when all your body's means of coping with heat shut down, allowing your body temperature to quickly soar. Heat stroke can kill or cause permanent disability if not dealt with immediately.

Signs of heat stroke may include high body temperature (above 103 degrees F); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; uncontrollable muscle twitches; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness.

These signs warrant immediate emergency medical attention. Until such medical care arrives, cool the victim rapidly with whatever is close at hand whether it be shade, cold water from a hose, a fan, ice cubes, or air-conditioning. You should also give fluids to the conscious victim, and avoid choking during vomiting by turning the victim on his or her side.

You can beat the heat. But you must take proper precautions and listen to your body's pleas to cool down.

By Margie Patlak
Margie Patlak, a freelancer in the Philadelphia area, specializes in writing about biomedical research and health. Her article on the warning signs of food poisoning appeared on Fodors.com in June. Read more...

Best Airlines Tips

Are certain days of the week, and even times of day, better than others for buying air tickets?

Absolutely. At one minute after midnight on Tuesday (12:01 am Wednesday) you can often strike your best deal. Airline fare wars are most often started by the weakest competitor over the weekend. By Monday, many of the majors match the fares. Then the fare war starts with an even lower fare offered by one of them on Monday. By Tuesday, the fare has been matched, and then, at 12:01 Wednesday, any of those fares that have been reserved but not purchased within 24 hours come back into the inventory -- briefly -- and that's when you strike.

Have e-tickets made paper tickets obsolete?

Just the opposite. E-tickets have made paper tickets more necessary than ever! I hate e-tickets. They absolutely limit your options as a traveler. If you're flying on an e-ticket and there's a flight irregularity, a delay, cancellation, or labor slowdown, you might as well go home. At best, you'll have to stand in a very long line in order to get the very paper ticket you should have had in the first place. That's the only way you can get yourself endorsed over to the next flight. Always fly with a paper ticket.

What should travelers know about flying standby?

While there are very few, if any, standby airline fares, the actual standby flight status does exist. Remember, when an airline tells you there are no seats available for a particular flight, what they are really telling you is that there are no seats available at the fare you want to pay. If you're holding that paper at the discounted fare, there's a reasonably good chance there are plenty of empty seats on the flight you want. If you're a little flexible with your schedule, then go to the airport and simply stand by for the flight you want. This also applies to frequent-flier award tickets.
Why do 75% of all frequent flier miles go unused or expire?

Because the airlines increasingly make it difficult to redeem those hard-earned miles. Remember, frequent-flier programs were created to reward you for your loyalty to an airline in an intensely competitive environment. With fewer airlines and growing consolidation among carriers, there is decreasing incentive for the airlines to have such programs. While they will probably never eliminate them, the airlines continue to devalue them, up the ante for award eligibility, and increase blackout dates each year.

Does being first in line guarantee an "upgrade" to first class?

Absolutely not. There is a definite caste system when it comes to upgrading. It all depends on your status in the airline's frequent-flier program, the amount you paid for the ticket, and yes, what time they put you on the list. But the time they put you on the list is the last consideration used by the airlines.

What is the advantage of taking what you call a "secret red-eye flight"?

A 10 pm red-eye flight from Los Angeles to New York means you cannot really have a decent evening in Los Angeles -- you're racing for the plane. And then, when you get to New York in the morning you get stuck in rush-hour traffic. But a secret red-eye flight that leaves at 11:45 pm or midnight -- and most airlines have them, flying through their hub cities -- means you can have a relaxed evening in LA and arrive in New York -- LaGuardia, not JFK -- in time for lunch. The key to understanding secret red-eye flights is to fly an airline through its hub city to Newark or LaGuardia. Even the smaller carriers have them, Frontier through Denver, Midwest Express through Milwaukee, and so on.

What are the advantages of "backing into a fare"?

When you back into a fare you are paying what you want to pay, not what the airline wants you to pay. This is how you do it: when you call to make a reservation, tell them where you want to go but not when you want to go. Instead, ask the person helping you to call up all the published fares on the route, then go to the bottom of the list, where the cheapest fares are. Ask for the lowest fare and the restrictions and then move slowly up the list until you find a deal you can back into. Otherwise, you'll almost always pay more.

Airlines allow infants to fly free if they sit on a parent's lap, but is this safe?

Absolutely not. In repeated tests of simulated survivable hard landings and crashes, no one holding a "lap child" was able to maintain their grasp on the child. Seat belts only work if the child is more than 40 pounds. But for children under the age of two weighing less than 40 pounds, if you want to be a responsible parent you need to put your child in an approved restraint seat. It's unfortunate that when confronted with the same incontrovertible research, the airlines and the FAA haven't acted responsibly in providing these seats. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do the right thing. Most manufacturers of child safety seats for automobiles can tell you if their seat -- many are removable from strollers -- is FAA-approved.

What are your tips for avoiding jet lag?

In my experience, jet lag is a state of mind. Wanna beat it? Don't eat airline food, drink plenty of bottled water, and don't drink alcohol. If you can avoid being injured by beverage carts in flight, get up and walk around. Then, the whammy: when you arrive at your destination, you must stay up until at least midnight local time. Do anything to avoid succumbing to the urge to take that 4 pm nap. If you can push yourself that first day, you'll totally cycle by the second day. Repeat this process on your return trip. Read more...

How Do I Plan a Healthy Escape?

The first and most important decision about your spa vacation is where to go. And the most basic choice you need to make is whether to opt for a destination spa or a resort. The differences are critical.

Destination spas are self-contained environments. All guests are there precisely to enjoy the spa experience, and because of that, you'll usually find a sense of camaraderie. If you're looking to start a weight-management program, embark on a fitness regimen, or make other lifestyle changes, a destination spa is best. It immerses you in an atmosphere of wellness along with other like-minded people, away from the temptations found at most resorts.

On the other hand, if you want to spend time with your family on vacation, sneak in a few games of tennis, or simply indulge in a little pampering, a resort spa is a better choice. Exercise facilities and spa services are added amenities at resort spas. And yet many such resorts, including the Marriott Desert Springs, in California's Palm Desert, can be quite extravagant. Boats there ferry you across a lagoon to the spa, where nearly every conceivable treatment beckons.

A few resorts blend both approaches. The Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Florida, for instance, offers a rigorous one- to three-week medically supervised program in a beautiful setting overlooking the beach. When you're finished with your nearly three hours of exercise each day, you can stroll on the beach or dip in the ocean.

Certain places also stand out for other qualities. Some, such as the Lodge at Skylonda, in Woodside, California, are known for their tranquility. If your priority is a beachfront spa, consider the Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Whatever your special needs, be sure to make them known to any spa you consider: You may be surprised at how many will go out of their way to accommodate you.

The preceding was excerpted from Fodor's Healthy Escapes, 8th Edition. Read more...

Solo Traveling Best Tips

1) Buy or borrow GREAT clothes. You will feel ready for positive adventure and the confidence that you exhude will get you the best table, room and most anything you desire. This works on a day to day basis at home as well. In america we are so superficial and focused on the pretty...use it positively to your travel advantage where people are so intrigued with American women of all hues, shapes and sizes.

Splurge on a silk scarf that pulls it all together!

2) Go to the best resturants that you choose to afford. I dine at the same time as the others. Dressed well, with a huge smile people wonder who you are, where you are from and the like. I politely do not tolerate a side,back or inferior table.(at home either) Be prepared for the flirtateous eyes of husbands and others. Take your journal vs. a crossword puzzel. That way you can live in the moment, record what you see, feel, experience. Write about the tables, waiters and others around you then share that with us one day... and have someone take your photo while dining or enjoying a nice glass of wine. The pictures that I have to make several copies of, for friends and family are the ones with me on the French Riviera with wine and a smile or the pictures of me entering a GREAT resturant, monument or entertainment venue, waving the ticket or program... or one where the entire kitchen is at my table trying to kiss or caress me in a totally fun way!

Be entertained by the envious looks from wives who wish they had your courage. Smile kindly at women who are saddled with baddly behaved kids. Even offer to take one for her...they never refuse you!

3) I wear my wedding ring...not just the band. I have tried it both ways and when out shopping in Europe especially , I get treated much better with my actual ring...I think they may be on to two incomes buy more than one. We know better.(smile) I think they may think that I can go back to my room and get more money out of my husband if needed. I also know that the band alone seems of no significance in Europe, especially with men and women of all social classes.

4) Take some group tours. "older" people are on them and these travelers LOVE to talk, listen and really get to know you. You get to know about them and how they have stayed married for so long etc. I have some great friends that I have met this way. Also "older" couples are less threatened by you as an "alone" woman. The men insist on buying you drinks if you want, its their generation.

IN CLOSING:
All of the above has worked for me and my personality. I love travel and I love people. I try and respect the "signals " of men and women. Many men with women would love to have you "do" the rest of your travels with "them". KNOW that the women, no matter how polite would like for you to decline her out of touch husbands invitations. Go dancing, go to the museums, cathedrals, significant sights, best bars, gardens, resturants, entertainment etc. Do it all! Be visible and be present.

Safety: do as you would at home or when you are with someone, be aware of your environment, use common sense and for women, follow your gift of intuition!

For travel to third world countries, see my response to should women travel to Morocco alone and maybe another time I will chat about some very serious experiences in Morocco and in Turkey.

ENJOY!!! Read more...

If Things Don't Work Out

If you've done everything we've described, your hotel stay should go swimmingly. If things don't work out, the strategies listed below can be helpful in rectifying matters.

If there's a problem, deal with someone in authority. Try to settle your dispute with the front-desk personnel, but if you're still not satisfied, ask to speak to the general manager. Keep in mind that it's the job of the front-desk staff to solve problems without involving the general manager. Use this knowledge to your advantage in disputes over small matters. If your problem is a big one, though, cut to the chase and demand an audience with a person in authority.

Ask for an adjustment or complete refund. If hotel personnel are unable to deliver what you were promised, ask for an adjustment -- a lower rate, for example, if you've gotten a lesser room than the one you were promised. If you received a confirmation notice and brought it with you, your claims will be all the more convincing.

Be specific, focused, and fair. Regardless of the problem, be very specific about how you would like to see the situation resolved, but be fair: If noisy neighbors kept you awake one night of your two-night stay, don't demand a refund for both nights. You have a better chance of resolving your dispute if your expectations seem reasonable. Also, hotel managers have been trained to let aggravated customers vent until they tire of arguing, so be sure to initiate a dialogue rather than droning on ad nauseam. Stay focused, and reiterate your specific demands if the conversation veers away from the problem at hand.

Pretend you're already in court. Write down the names of everyone you speak with, when you spoke with them, and what he or she said. If you have a camera, take photos relevant to your complaint.

Get confirmation in writing. Hotel managers have been known to say anything to put an end to a disagreeable situation. Once you and management have agreed on a solution, get confirmation of your agreement in writing.

Contest the charge. If you believe your complaint was not handled satisfactorily, get the names of the people involved, keep your receipts, and call your credit-card company when you get home. Major credit-card companies have departments that deal with contested charges, and most companies will not charge your card while the matter is under investigation. Read more...

On the Way/At the Hotel

Check back for a better price. Just before you arrive, call the lodging again and ask what the best rate is for the evening. If the hotel isn't full, the new "best" rate might be better than the one you were quoted when you made your reservation. Hotel managers are fully aware that an empty room generates no revenue. If the rate is not better, simply show up with your reservation as planned. (If you have guaranteed reservations -- the kind that charge your card even if you don't show up -- this trick won't fly.)

Make sure you're heading to the right hotel. This may sound obvious, but in larger cities where chains have multiple properties you need to know whether you're heading to the Heavenly Hotels Downtown, the Heavenly Hotels Seaport, or the Seaside Heavenly Hotels Resort and Conference Center. To be sure, keep both the name and address handy, and ask about local landmarks when booking.

Make sure you are in the hotel's computer. Late arrivals are often handled by night auditors who give you your key and leave the paperwork for the morning desk clerk. If you are expecting visitors or an important phone call, you'll be out of luck if the paperwork hasn't been properly completed. The best way to make sure everything is in order is to call the hotel and ask to be connected to your room. You'll know immediately whether or not you are in the hotel's computer.

See if everything is working. Upon arriving, make sure everything works---lights and lamps, TV and radio, sink, tub, shower, and anything else that matters. Report any problems immediately. If you're going to need extra pillows or blankets or an ironing board, call housekeeping right away so the items will be there when you want to use them. Also, check out the fire emergency instructions. Know where to find the fire exits, and make sure your companions do, too.[]

Request a late checkout. As a courtesy, most hotels will grant you an extra hour or two to leave your room, especially if it isn't booked for the upcoming evening. But you must call the front desk in advance and request a late checkout. If not, you might be billed for additional hours or an entire day. If late checkout isn't available, ask to leave your bags with the bellhop.

Overbooking. Hotel managers routinely deal with problems associated with "oversales," the industry term for booking more reservations than there are rooms. Even the best hotels engage in the practice, because a consistent percentage of all reservations are either canceled or result in no-shows.

Often the hotel will have a nearby "sister" property or an arrangement with another chain or hotel to honor overbooked reservations. If this is the case, you can usually get an upgrade to a larger room or suite at the substitute property for no extra charge. If the room is the same or inferior to the one you have reserved, demand a rate reduction for your inconvenience and inquire as to when a room at the hotel you originally chose will become available.

In the event that a hotel does not have an alternate room and you are left stranded, be sure to get the names of everyone you deal with. Corporate public-relations personnel are very sensitive to these occurrences, and are quick to compensate you -- sometimes quite generously -- for your troubles.  Read more...

Choosing A Hotel

Define your needs, but be creative. Focus on hotels that will best meet your needs. Amenities, location, and price all come into play in making a determination, but be creative.

For example, high-end business hotels, which do most of their business during the work week, often drop their weekend rates just to fill rooms. Weekend leisure travelers might miss the best deal in town simply because they never considered staying at a business hotel.

Likewise, business-oriented hotels often have higher weekday rates than vacation properties just because they have on-site business centers and amenities such as in-room fax machines and work desks. But the proliferation of portable faxes, powerful laptop computers, and other digital-communication devices has diminished the need for these perks, so don't pay a higher rate for amenities you won't use. And since most business travelers use cell phones regardless of where they are staying, clients won't know whether they're calling you at the Plaza or the Quality Inn. (Your boss might appreciate the money-saving gesture, too.) 

Be flexible when possible. All aspects of travel are based on supply and demand, so be aware of your destination's peak season. If it's from December through April and you're coming at the end of April, you might save hundreds of dollars if you change your travel dates by a week or two. (Many properties will charge you the peak-season rate for your entire stay even if you straddle the change between peak and nonpeak seasons, so ask when the rates go down.)

Make use of frequent-flier miles. If you have a credit card that gives you frequent-flier miles for purchases, contact the company (or visit its Web site) and ask about hotel deals or promotions during the time you'll be traveling. Also check with the airline(s) on which you have frequent-flier miles. Web sites such as www.webflyer.com track current promotions and offer tips about maximizing your miles.

Check the Web. To draw customers into booking online, major hotel chains offer Web-only deals you might not hear about over the phone. The Web is also a great place to find reviews of a single property, as well as pictures, maps, and even video clips that will help you narrow down your options. On many Web sites, you can find out what other travelers have to say about individual properties.

Repeat customers of chain hotels can save time by registering on the chain's Web site and creating a user profile. (Many independent properties also offer this service.) This way, your preferences -- for no-smoking rooms or a king-size bed -- can be automatically included in each reservation. You can store your credit-card information, too, which will save time, and you'll usually be able to confirm or cancel reservations online even if you didn't book online.  Read more...

Reserving Your Room

Compare prices and book online. Many properties are listed on multiple Web sites. Depending on who is selling the room, prices can vary dramatically -- by as much as 200% or more for the same room for the same date. You'll often find good prices at large online reservations services like Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Trip.com, but if the hotel that interests you has its own site, check there, too. And if the property is part of a chain, check the chain's site. Web discounters like Onetravel.com are another option, and some guarantee their rates: If you find a lower price within 24 hours, they'll refund the difference or let you cancel your reservation without penalty.

Bid Online. Depending on the destination, you can save 40% or more on hotels' regular rates on bidding sites liked Priceline or Hotwire. You choose an area and quality level of a hotel and then bid on a price -- you'll hear back within minutes if your bid was accepted (and your credit card automatically charged).

Call the lodging, not a toll-free number. If you've got specific needs or preferences, try this old-fashioned strategy: Use the telephone. But call your chosen hotel directly. Reservations agents at the toll-free numbers of major chains usually don't know much about individual lodgings. If you call the property itself, you're more likely to end up speaking with someone familiar with the rooms and the general lay of the land. (Don't be cheap: If the property doesn't have a toll-free number, call it directly.)

Make your desires clear. If you have preferences about the room you'll be staying in, make them clear to the reservations agent. Some things to consider are room size, smoking or nonsmoking, king or two queens (or double or two twins), high floor or low floor, patio or balcony. Need quiet? Insist on a room away from the elevator, or other high-traffic areas like bars, pools, restaurants, and service areas with ice and vending machines.

It's hard for a reservations agent to predict construction too far in advance, but by all means ask if there are any plans for renovations at the hotel or nearby. (If you arrive at your hotel and find construction going on, request another room immediately. If the hotel cannot move you, request a rate reduction. Most hotel managers will do this with no argument.)

About the view: If it's important to you, ask what you'll see from your room. If you hear the words "city view" or "ocean view," ask whether the view is obstructed or unobstructed. Also, in beach locations, be sure that your room is "beachfront" and not simply "waterfront." In Florida and many Caribbean destinations, for example, many visitors arrive at their "waterfront" hotels only to find themselves on the intercoastal waterway or the bay, 10 or more minutes' drive from the actual beach.

Be detail-oriented. If driving, ask if the hotel has a parking lot or covered garage and whether or not there is an extra fee for parking. In large cities like New York, some hotels have regular parking and valet parking in the same garage. If you don't ask, the attendant will assume you want your car valet parked, which has a higher daily surcharge than regular parking.

If you don't like to leave the hotel to eat, ask if there is a restaurant or if room service is provided (many lodgings offer room service, but not necessarily 24 hours a day). Many moderately priced business-oriented hotels keep menus of local restaurants that will deliver to your room.

Most hotels have in-room telephones, but double-check this at inexpensive properties, especially if you are traveling outside the United States.

If you know you are going to use the fitness room, ask about the hours and what type of equipment it has -- it could be anything from a room with a treadmill to a fully stocked gym.

Most hotels and motels have in-room TVs, often with cable.

Don't assume that even a large chain hotel can provide a crib (there will most likely be an additional charge). Ask, and make sure it is a crib that meets current child-safety standards.

If you're unsure about a room or its location, ask if the room photos or the floor plan can be found on the property's Web site, but remember that photos sometimes make rooms look better (and bigger) than they are.

If you need to know the location of the convention center or the nearest bank or restaurant, don't accept an answer such as "Oh, it's only three blocks away." The length of a block can vary greatly from one city to another -- or even from crosstown to uptown -- and what might be a charming stroll on a summer's eve becomes an unbearable trek on a sub-zero winter's day. Ask for actual distances, and whether the route includes physical challenges like steep hills or bridges.

If you're dealing with a hotel in a foreign country, take the time to learn a few basic phrases in the native tongue. Sometimes the basics are all you need to determine whether the choice is appropriate for you -- or whether they even have rooms available for your travel dates.

Play the investigative reporter. You can ask the reservations agent straight out what's the best room in your price range or what rooms are most popular. But you can also play the reporter. Interview the agent about the various types of rooms available and ask what the advantages and disadvantages of each are. Ask to speak with the person's supervisor or someone at the front desk if the agent is unable to help you -- surprisingly, even some on-site agents have never seen many (or any) rooms at the places they work.

If you have a disability, make sure the hotel is fully accessible. Make sure there's accessibility not only in your bedroom but also in the bathroom and in the hotel's public facilities, such as lounges, pools, and restaurants. If you are traveling outside the United States, be aware that definitions of "accessible" can vary widely from one country to another, so ask about specific needs.

Ask for written confirmation. After you've made your reservation, ask for written confirmation (some properties send this by e-mail) and when you get it, read it. Make sure everything you've asked for is in the confirmation, and take the confirmation with you when you travel.

Hold your room with a credit card. Most chain properties will hold your reservation until 6 PM; call ahead if you plan to arrive late. To hold a late reservation you may need to give your credit-card number. Some smaller properties, usually independently owned hotels and B&Bs, will charge your credit card even if you don't show up (or if you cancel from one day to two weeks before your scheduled arrival), so be sure you ask about the hotel's guaranteed reservations policy when booking.

Call if you're going to be late. If your reservation is for a certain hour, alert the hotel if you will be arriving later -- even if it's only 15 minutes later. Hotel managers are under pressure to keep occupancy rates high, so unless they know for sure you're arriving they may give your room to someone else.  Read more...

Tips for a Better, Cheaper Hotel Stay

According to travel-industry analysts, the average traveler's largest single expense is for lodging. But while many travelers spend hours seeking the best possible airfare, some spend comparatively little time researching their lodging options.

To make things easier, we've broken down the process of selecting a hotel into a few simple steps and have collected our best insiders' tips to get you started. Three basic things to remember: Shop around, ask questions, and document your complaints if the lodging you choose doesn't live up to its guarantees.

Photocredit: Artville/PictureQuest Read more...

Tips for Women Traveling Solo

Of all my travel experiences, nothing matches approaching America's highest peak, Denali, in a tiny seaplane during a dramatic snowstorm. Alaska, the last American frontier, was a place I'd longed for years to visit but hadn't because I thought I needed a companion. How wrong I was. On my own in Alaska I encountered everyone from African stockbrokers to German moose hunters, and found the state friendly and not at all difficult to navigate.

It was an important discovery. If I had waited for the perfect traveling companion to head with me to Alaska, or to hike through Germany's Black Forest, or to tour South India, where with throngs of devotees I scaled 600 steps to see a colossal, thousand-year-old statue of a naked saint in Sravanabelagola, I might not have seen much at all.

Perhaps because I feel more relaxed when anonymous, traveling by myself brings out the best in me. It sharpens my perspective -- I see a place and its people solely through my own eyes. And my language skills improve because, not having an English speaker with me, I'm forced to learn at least a few key words or phrases.

Most of my solo voyages have gone without a hitch, but over the years I've developed some strategies for handling health and safety matters or the occasional weirdo. Recently, I asked other Fodor's editors and some globetrotting gal pals to share their best advice for intrepid ladies hoofing it around on their own. We came up with the following tips, some of which will be helpful to anyone away from home.

By Diane Mehta Read more...

Top Gifts on the Concourse

If you are looking for a gift to take home to a loved one - or a just a vacation souvenir - below are tips about local specialties available on the concourses of major airports around the world.

Amsterdam: Gouda cheese, tulip bulbs (hermetically sealed and approved for import).

Anchorage: Alaskan king crab.

Boston: Clam chowder; baked beans.

Brussels: Belgian chocolates.

California: See's Candies and Knott's Berry Farm jams and jellies.

Dallas: Barbecue sauce and mix.

Florida: Chocolate-covered coconut patties.

Geneva: Chocolate.

Hong Kong: Silver picture frames from the Shanghai Tang outpost.

Honolulu: Macadamia nuts and candies and liqueur made from them.

Jamaica: Blue Mountain coffee.

Johannesburg: Ndeble beadwork.

Kansas City: Barbecue sauce from Gates Bar-B-Q or Arthur Bryant's BBQ.

London: Plum pudding; Harrods teas and jams.

Memphis: Mugs, T-shirts, and other Elvis memorabilia.

Milwaukee: Harley Davidson logo items - this city is the home of the Harley.

New Orleans: Tabasco sauce products, pralines, Cafe du Monde beignet mix, and chicory coffee.

Orlando: Official Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, or Universal Florida merchandise, including park tickets.

Paris: Chanel cosmetics, Champagne, and foie gras.

Philadelphia: Tastykakes, the beloved local snacks seldom available outside town.

Rome: Olive oil; anchovy, tomato, and olive pastes in tubes; Gucci and Fendi from well-stocked shops - duty free.

San Francisco: Sourdough bread.

San Jose, Costa Rica: Coffee and hand-carved and beaded bracelets.

Seattle: Planked salmon.

Vienna: Linzertorte.

Zurich: Chocolate.

Excerpted from Fodor's FYI: Fly Easy. Read more...

TELEPHONES

LONG-DISTANCE

The long-distance services of AT&T, MCI, and Sprint make calling home relatively convenient and let you avoid hotel surcharges; typically, you dial an 800 number in the United States and a local number in foreign cities; before you go, find out the local access codes for your destinations. Read more...

STUDENTS ON THE ROAD

To save money, look into deals available through student-oriented travel agencies. To qualify, you'll need to have a bona fide student I.D. card. Members of international student groups also are eligible to use the services of U.S. student travel agencies. Read more...

SENIOR CITIZENS

To qualify for age-related discounts, mention your senior-citizen status up front when booking hotel reservations, not when checking out, and before you're seated in restaurants, not when paying your bill. Note that discounts may be limited to certain menus, days, or hours. When renting a car, ask about promotional car-rental discounts---they can net lower costs than your senior-citizen discount. Read more...