Travel Hacks for 2014

Mile-high bargains

Check the airline's website to its foreign-language website, it could have a potentially cheaper ticket there.  Use Google Chrome’s translation feature and make sure your credit card has a low international-transaction fee prior to making a deal.  Who knows you might be in luck so always do so.  Check if there is a sale in the region.

Use soap to soothe an insect bite

Just rub a bar of soap in the insect bite, you can use what’s available, hotels usually has soaps in their bath, and leave it dry.  This will save you time and money going to the pharmacy to buy some relief for the bite.

Cancel your booking without paying for it

If you miss the cancellation window for your hotel or rental car booking don’t worry because you can still change the reservation date for free.  Here is what you should do, move the reservation several weeks or months ahead, then call back and speak to a different person to attempt to cancel it.

Venting can be good

A sick seatmate on the plane can be bad, you might get sick as well so if you are worried about germs on planes, experts suggest that aiming your air vent in front of your face can deflect any circulating germs away from you.

Save on phone bills

You can save on phone bills using apps like Skype or Facebook's Video Calling, just the WIFI will do.  Both have unlimited calling while you can use WhatsApp and Kik to text with loved ones back home for free.

Be more supportive

Some airline seats are uncomfortable because they do not have lumber support; this makes passengers back and neck sore.   Here is what you can do, put a blanket or rolled up piece of clothing behind you so your back can maintain its natural curve.  And for the armrests, drape a folded scarf over it to boost the comfort factor.

Just roll with it

Use an expandable bag rather than bringing multiple suitcases, or running out of room to pack all your items after a huge shopping spree overseas
Pack like a pro

Organize your clothes well and save them from getting crumple in your bag by using packing folders or you can roll your clothes instead of folding.  You can also zip it up and reopen it and you'll often find more room has emerged in the corners.

Think outside the box

You can go and check out some site like HomeAway com, they have a list of ranges of properties you can rent for your holiday, and most importantly they are usually cheaper than hotels.  And it is negotiable!  You can negotiate the price and length of stay when renting these types of properties.

Use Vaseline to remove makeup

Petroleum jelly can work as a make-up remover.  But avoid getting it in your eyes.

Use a pillowcase for your dirty clothes

Pillow cases can be practical for separating your dirty clothes from the clean ones and are also useful to wrap delicate souvenirs collected during your trip.

Remove lint with your bag tag

Get rid of that fluff, or animal hair, by removing the baggage tracking sticker placed on your suitcase.

Timing is everything

Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the least expensive days to fly because most people tend to take to the skies on Friday and fly back home on Sunday making air travel more expensive on these days.

Airlines also tend to pull discounted airfares in advance of the weekend.

What’s more, never buy airline tickets earlier than three-and-a-half months before departure, and be warned that prices can go up radically within two weeks of the scheduled flight.

The early bird gets the worm

According to deal websiteFarecompare.com, the first flight out in the morning is usually the cheapest.  You're also usually more likely to avoid the worst delays, because airlines are starting with a clean slate.

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Exchange Foreign Currency at the Best Rates

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Before travelling we have a lot of questions in our mind, one of the most frequent question people ask is, how do I get foreign currency for my next trip?  It is often a challenge to save money on a holiday and the hardest part of it is saving money when exchanging money.  Sometime you don’t realize that banks and other money changers empty your wallets so fast.  Be wise and do not ignore details.

after you arrive better get local money from the ATM in the country because in most places it is always cheaper.  No worries because airports have ATMs where you can do this, (at least almost all airports).  It is also good if it comes handy when you need local money for cab.  If you have no time to do this in the airport because you already have a transport from the airport booked with your hotel then you can just do this a little later in the hotel.  You can walk around and check for ATM close to you.

Getting money d\from the ATM is also safer.   You can just get enough for the following days so you will be safe from thieves and misplacement.  And this is also saves time rather than money exchange that consumes time.


It will also be good if you stick with Visa or Mastercard because both are widely accepted.  Be mindful that all card issuer charges different rates for cash advances in a different country than your own.

Usually a debit card linked to a checking or savings account do not charge cash advance fees so using them will be the cheapest because you are withdrawing  the money you already have therefore you will not be charging money and paying for it later.   If applicable, you will still be charge for using a different bank’s ATM.  You will also be charged with a 2-3% foreign transaction fee.  Using a credit card versus a debit card incurs the foreign transaction fee, but also a cash advance fee which varies greatly.  Often it's 3-5%, but can be a flat rate of $10-15 (USD).

Your bank’s debit card ATM fee of $2-3 (USD) is less than the cash advance fee.  To sum it up, it's cheaper to pay a $2 ATM fee and 3% foreign fee than a 3% cash advance fee plus 3% foreign fee.  To make sure about the card you have because every card is different, call your card issuer and ask for ATM fee, cash advance fee, foreign transaction fee rates.

Another tiny detail that you must keep in mind is to make sure you take crisp bill with no damage or whatsoever.  Money changers will offer less or not accept worn out bills.  $100 bills have the best cash exchange rate bills with lower value are changed at a lower rate.  And be very wary of whom you exchange your money with, there are many scammers out there.  Make sure you know the right exchange rate and if ever there will be someone offering you a higher rate or you see a signage on the street that offers higher rate do not believe it because chances are they are fraud.  They are know to be quick in folding bills over or swapping bills that you may think that he had given you the right amount but in reality you had been deceived.  Always go to the legitimate banks and money changers.

Tips On How You Can Upgrade Your Stay At Hotels

Your home when you are in vacation, a home away from home.  You want a comfortable room, and this would make a huge difference to your entire vacation.  It isn’t always a guarantee that you will be staying to the most comfortable hotel but you can improve your stay.

Timing

If you desire for a room upgrade, there are some circumstances in which this will likely to happen.  First is during a slow season, on a weekend at a hotel that business travelers visits commonly and only stays for a short while.  Another circumstance, many hotel rooms are empty and ready for upgrades during off-season.  If planning for a short stay only, likewise, room turnover is less of a hassle.  According to an unnamed front desk manager quoted on the MSNBC website, if you arrive late and leave early, for instance, because of an unexpected change in travel plans, a room upgrade is a distinct possibility.  it is because, it will be easier to make changes for someone who is planning to stay for a short while.

Appearance

According to the Recessionwire website, while it's not necessary to arrive dripping in jewels and covered with designer labels, an upscale appearance can be a deciding factor in whether you get an upgrade.  Meaning, if you arrive looking like a backpacker it is more likely that you would not get an update.   According to the MSNBC website, on the other hand, front desk staff are often sympathetic when you arrive looking exhausted.  You may receive an upgrade at least to a higher-quality bed especially when you have a nice character.

Conduct

If you have complaints and are all legitimate, those wont be held against you but show a and obnoxious attitude then expect no upgrade and it could be use against you in future stay.  According to Genevieve Brow, a Travelocity senior editor, quoted on the Mainstreet website, letting the front desk know you're celebrating a special occasion will often score a better room for you.  Travel consultant Daniel Edward Craig recommends having the reservations agent note your special occasion next to your booking so that the front desk staff can see it when you check-in in his writing on the Hotel Online website.  "The front desk reviews special requests on the day of arrival and tends to have a soft spot for special occasions," says Craig.

The Direct Approach

Requesting for an upgrade is not hard or even complicated, you can just ask politely.  There’s nothing wrong with dropping a slight reminder more especially if you are already a regular guest.  According to Recessionwire  be ready to hear "No" and responding. For instance: “No deluxe rooms available? How about free breakfast?” It suggests being persistent but friendly.

Jakarta Travel Tips

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Like any other cities in the world, Jakarta is a noisy and chaotic metropolis.  And same as those cities, there are cautions to be conscious of.  Jakarta is much fun if you know what you are doing so if it is your first time in the city here are some travel tips for you.

Customs and etiquette are very important anywhere but in Indonesia there are some certain points that you must remember.  Although Indonesians are usually laid-back, there are some dos and don’ts that you must be sensitive just so you won’t offend.  When entering temples, mosques, and even some shops, shoes should always be removed.  Skits and shorts must cover your knees when in town.  Pointing is also prohibited and eating with your left hand is offensive as it is only used for toilet duties.

Smooching or public display of affection with partner or with a local is considered too be very offensive.  Keep it cool and keep your temper in check even in the most tempting circumstances.  Although Jakarta is not tip-heavy at least be a bit generous more especially to a non-service-charging restaurant and the rounding up of a cab bill.

When it comes to money matters, the local currency is the Indonesian rupiah (Rp), with notes ranging from Rp500 to Rp100,000 and coins of up to Rp1,000.  If you you got to change money, you must go directly to the banks instead of having them changed in the hotels because you will have a bad time due to their worst exchange rate!

But good thing about Jakarta is they are a fairly credit card-friendly city with shops, restaurants and hotels all generally accepting Visa and MasterCard.  Be careful of high ATM charges and remember cash is king in the inexpensive markets.

It is hot year round in Jakarta because of it close proximity with the equator with little deviation in the seasonal sense.  During October to February, the monsoon season goes and it is particularly wet while June through September is generally boiling hot and the best time to visit is between March and June.

Jakarta is pretty big and you need to use public transportation.  Jakarta Monorail is a new monorail system in use to the more colorful and touristy parts of town, as well as a fairly recent bus network.  Every district is accommodated by bus with dedicated lines, as minibuses take in localized routes.  And also, trains run to Ancol from downtown Jakarta and motorized rickshaws and there are also plenty of metered taxis.

Hotel shuttles, if your hotel has one, are the most excellent choice for transport from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK).  Taxis are a bit quite hard to negotiate with but there is limousine desk and a desk for ordinary taxis at the airport that you can try to talk to.  What’s more, there is an airport shuttle bus to choose from in downtown destinations and cheaper DAMRI shuttle buses.

Tips on Using Debit Card at Hotels

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What you need
• Extra funds for incidental holds
• Bank account statement

 Before anything else, make sure that the hotel accepts debit cards because some hotels are no longer accepting debit cards this is due to the customer discontent with fund holds, but many do.

 Make sure that you know the hotels credit card policy before reserving a room.  For incidentals like the mini-bar, movies and room service, some hotels place a monetary hold so you better ask for this one in particular.  This can very costly too, it can hold you from $50 a night to over $100 at some luxury hotels, and will be assessed even if the room has been prepaid.  In the case that this happens, a $300 three-night hotel stay may increase up to $450 visit in an instant, with the extra $150 tied up until the bank or hotel releases the charge.   But you can avoid his by not asking or reminding it in the first place.

 Always make sure that you still have cash on hand if just in case that the hotel slips a hold onto your account, you'll still be able to buy meals and enjoy the trip until the money is released.  This will always ensure that your trip is low on surprises.  And lastly but still as important like any other matter, it is also a good buffer against potential theft.

 Notify the other user if you are using a joint card when you will be using the debit card for travel.  Inform the other user about the exact amount of cash paid at the hotel.  Also inform her about expected day of fund release for any hold assessed--especially if this amount will deplete the account, or leave little money in it.  Because if you won’t do this you might get your transactions declined without warning because sometimes joint account holders often find out the hard way that a mate has used the debit card while traveling.

 Keep all your receipts and examine all of them.   Then once the trip is over check your bank statement.   Transaction mistakes are more likely to happen in a checking account than on a charge card.  So if you won’t double check it, an accidental overcharge can be a disaster and potentially lead to overdraft charges, bounced checks or insufficient-funds charges.  Because resolving it will take a while and you don’t want that so better read your receipts carefully before leaving your hotel.

Know How Much You Should Tip at Hotels

In a USA Today interview Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration Professor Michael Lynn said, a third of the country doesn't know to tip 15 to 20 percent at a restaurant.  Vivian Deuschl, a vice president for Ritz-Carlton, says tips are not mandatory payments, nor should hotel employees automatically expect them, but they are greatly appreciated and might help make your stay more pleasant.

·      Always cheek your bill, notice if freebies are included.  There are hotel spas, restaurants and room services automatically include a tip as part of the bill.  If this is the case that the tip is already included, there in no need for an additional tip necessary but a very small extra tip for exceptional service is up to you.  And if in the case that the tip is not included a 15 to 20 percent tip for room service, spa treatments and other services is good enough.

·      Give a tip for the maid everyday.  As of 2010, a $2 to $5 tip is sufficient, with higher tips being left if your room requires more cleanup than usual. "USA Today" recommends that you leave a smaller tip on a daily basis rather than a larger tip at the end of your stay to ensure that the person cleaning your room each day actually gets the tip.

·      Rather than when you drop off the car, tip your valet when he returns your car to you from the lot.  Independent Traveler and "USA Today" recommend a tip of $1 to $5, depending on the weather conditions: the worse the weather, the higher the tip.

·      And basing on the services the concierge provides, you may or may not give her a higher tip.  You are not obligated to tip if the service is simply asking for directions or recommending a place to eat but if the service is something more difficult, such as finding reservations at an elite restaurant or getting tickets to a sold-out show, a tip of $10 to $50 is in order.

·      For the bellhops, base your tip on the number of bags they carry.  And tips are normally ranging from $1 to $2 per bag, with particularly heavy bags garnering higher tips.


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