Travel Contest: Olympic Travel Takeaway–Week 1 Challenge

When service fails on an airline it is our responsibility and opportunity to request compensation for the airlines’ shortcomings. If they lose your luggage, the movie doesn’t work, stereo doesn’t work , broken seat you have the right to register a complaint and expect compensation. Every airline website has a customer service department you can write a letter to . You must be specific Flight # , time , date , what occurred and how it effected your travel experience. If you are not demanding and don’t request a specific amount you can be rewarded nicely with vouchers, miles, or money back on your credit card. 

strange. my comment was here earlier & now it’s somehow disappeared…

When in London and in the UK, check out the local coffee chain, Costa. The coffee and food is good and far less expensive than Starbucks. PLUS they have a loyalty card!

When traveling overseas note that your credit card may charge you a foreign transaction fee.  If you are in the market for a new credit card look for this attribute if you travel often; it can make a different to the precious metal in your pocket in the long run!.

Last minute travel can sometimes be the best, seats not sold can never be sold again.

Make use of public transportation, not a taxi. 
Check local tourist offices for specials.
Meet the locals and dine and shop where they do.

Use the rule of thumb, if it’s too easy, it’s too expensive.  For example, don’t shop at easy-to-locate tourist places on main squares and streets. Walk just a few blocks further and you’ll find the same items at much reduced prices. This pertains to services and events, too. Skip the on-shore events arranged by the cruise ships. Go to the main area where everyone is getting of the bus, and then look around for local, non-ship affiliated guides. You’ll save tons.  Also, wait to convert currency in a local bank and not at the airport. 

always ask for discounts see if they take discover cards, triple aaa, senior discounts,
military discounts, check for coupons in the area from visitor bureaus.
I even got a shoppers discount at a hotel in san francisco.  doesn’t hurt to ask what discounts they have.  for cruise discounts if you can book last minute its good.  flights you got to keep checking back.  One flight i took went from $750 in two hours it was $549.  so keep checking.  check on line for ship excursions but don’t book from ship you’ll save tons.  
we book our own on line and have done very well.  just enjoy what ever you do.

-Find real travel value in “all-inclusive” packages by checking prices separately of all that’s included. Of course, no one can beat all meals included (three meals a day), but are you really going to come back to the hotel every time you’re hungry? Probably not. You’ll be out and about and need to find other dining options. At least swing for a place that serves a complimentary breakfast.
-Try finding non-hotel places to stay at that may be cheaper.  Instead of a hotel for an extended vacation try a cheaper alternative such as a hostel (foreign countries) or research mom and pop places.  True, you don’t want to stay at the roach hotel, but the point of vacation is to explore. I don’t vacation to stay in a hotel.  
-(Internationally) Unless you want to get slammed with international charges only use your cell phone as far as the US will allow you and turn off data roaming and stick to wifi (if applicable).  Buy international phone cards. If you need the internet while abroad and the hotel’s computer is tied up ask for an internet cafe–these are widely mainstream in Europe if you feel the need to update your FB status.
-If you have certain sights you want to see that you KNOW will cost admission search around for groupon-like deals. However, don’t look for groupons first otherwise you will buy deals you think you might visit and then never end up visiting once there.

Hi Wendy, Please resend your comment. Would love to have you in the running.

One of the easiest ways to save money is to travel during the off-peak
season when rates are at their lowest. Often times if you bundle your flight
and your hotel you can save and also if you travel in a group. Don’t forget to
search online for coupons and discounts for attractions, shopping, car rentals,
and dining. When
traveling overseas, try not to use a hotel or airport to exchange currency,
instead use a bank since they have a better exchange rate. Also, avoid huge
roaming fees by checking your cell phone provider and add international calling
or get an international sims card, or even better, just use an international
calling card. One final tip, make sure to let your bank know you will be
traveling overseas to they don’t get suspicious and put a hold on your credit
card thinking it’s fraud.

Always, always, i check consolidator sites (orbitz, hotwire, kayak) to
see what their best fair is for flights, hotels and cars.  Once I get
the best price from the consolidator, I go directly to the airline,
hotel and car rental sites to book, (but only after review of the online
specials/deals).

When traveling to Europe, I check multiple flights from the US to
anywhere in Europe for the best price.  Once I find the best price to a
European city, I look at the European carriers (Easy Jet, Ryan Air,
Maxx) to see if these airlines fly to the city I’m really interested in
visiting.  I total both tickets to see if they beat the US airline
carrier for a direct flight. 

Sometimes, its best to utilize a cheap US
to Europe flight, then drive to your desired city.  I did this for
Vienna.  Flying to Vienna direct from Detroit was $1200 each ($6000. for
five).  I reduced this by flying into Munich, renting a car and driving
the four hours at a cost of $586 per person ($2,930).  Yes, I paid for a
car rental, ($800) but we had it the entire time and we got to see a
lot more of Austria with a fun car ride (kids are happy when they travel!).  Most importantly, we saved $2270.

Also, consider a layover.  For example, I wanted to go to Poland with a
stop in Amsterdam so the kids could go to the Anne Frank house. I
checked pricing from Detroit to Amsterdam:  $1160 each. with commuter
jet ticket $250 to Warsaw, total $1410 each.  When I checked direct
flights from Detroit to Warsaw, the tickets dropped to $860.  I looked
at the schedule of the DTW to AMS flights and found a 23 hour layover in Amsterdam for both the inbound
and outbound flights.  Yes, I had to pay for two hotel rooms, but I was able
to give the kids two days in Amsterdam and the experience of Amsterdam
and the Anne Frank Haus (cost $200 US).  Total cost of travel from Detroit to Warsaw with two days in Amsterdam for three people:  $2980 (as opposed to $4230- savings: $1250).

Book using social media share sites for resources- check travel blogs and if a shorter booking window is possible you can get deals- this works for us as well as speaking to the property or airline directly.  More effective with hotels, airlines, not so much anymore

Always go to the tourist center of a city or ask your hotel reception to save on museums, transportation, and great little tours for less.

My comment was sent yesterday but I recd a message that it needed approval. Can you assist?

it would/should have shown up as claudia c davis

When traveling abroad, I ALWAYS book a bed and breakfast ‘hotel’ – rather than the chain hotels.  I seem always to get a better bargain PLUS I meet local folks and have time to chat a bit over breakfast – even if it is only a high tea or tea and biscuits, and get personal tips on the best routes to any destinations and usually how to make my experience rich on a budget!!!
A much more fulfilling experience.
Jo Sanders 

The right travel protection (insurance) will help locate lost luggage and has a wonderful concierge service for travel assistance while traveling (like show and restaurant reservations).  My clients that have a problem while traveling tell me they “hit the jackpot” when the coverage pays!
Kudo’s to AAmerican Airlines with their RE Engagement Challenge – lost miles can be recovered!  Let them know you will be traveling on AA in the near future and they put you in the challenge.  After you travel your lost miles will be restored, even those lost years ago.
Also, I join the AAdvantage Dining Program to earn miles.  That way, even if not flying, my miles don’t disappear!
Make a friend with a great travel agent and they will keep you safe and on track!

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Hi Brian, Please let us know if you had any problems entering a comment.

You can visit forums which can connect you with the local people of the place you intend to visit. You can check with them to see where the best places to eat and shop. Do what the local do.

Research!  If you put a small amount of time into researching the area you will be visiting, you can save a bundle!  One of my favorite things to do is find a forum/mesage board/blog and see what other people have done to save  a few bucks.  I have saved literally hundreds of dollars on tours  by “shopping local” and not purchasing a tour from a vendor.  I was able to find a local person to give me a tour of the area I was visiting and saved a ton of money!  I also like to use a credit card for everyday purchases that gives me points that I can use later for discounts (or even free) on hotels, restaurants, flights, etc.   

When possible, you can bargain when buying goods,the locals love the exchange.

Here’s how to save some money that I have recently learned, let credit card company know you are traveling abroad, that way they won’t flag your card for unauthorized charges. Alert phone company before going abroad so roaming charges won’t be outrageous. And use a Perks Signature Visa card to get certain perks such as late check out,upgraded room and more. Well I hope these knew ideas I have recently learned can help some folks out on their traveling endeavors.

My best budget tip is to use a prepaid credit card. No interest fees, it can be loaded up to $10,000 and it is backed by Visa or Mastercard with their insurance for items purchased.  You can load your card before you go, spend as you see fit and come home knowing you won’t have a huge bill to pay off. 

PS: Tip No. 1 works really well when you want a room with a kingsize bed!

Use  a credit card that doesn’t charge fees to exchange monies.
Use a travel agent to get what you  really want and always keep in mind time is money….don’t take a plane with layovers when you have a short vacation.