The purchase of cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages alone does not ensure a successful trip.
The following are ways of traveling smarter:
Consider all fees prior to buying airline tickets. Depending on the airline and your individual needs, you should factor in the fees charged for checking bags, priority boarding, premium seats and/or whatever other services you might desire.
Know your rights when flying according to the Department of Transportation. In the event your travel is disrupted it is good to know what to expect whether receiving food and water after two hour runway delays to refunds in the event of cancellations and cash if you are bumped.
Find out if your credit card charges a fee on foreign services. Only a few U.S. credit cards do not charge this fee. Also travelers to Europe need to be concerned whether their U.S. credit cards will be accepted. Most service kiosks at train, metro, and gas stations as well as many shops have stopped recognizing magnetic strips found on most U.S. credit cards and now only accept chip and pin loaded credit cards.
Compare the cost of purchasing international phone and data plans from your cell provider vs. purchasing a local SIM card at your destination or relying on free Wi-Fi connections where available.
Closely monitor your frequent flier miles at least annually to ensure that you do not lose miles. Earning miles through flying, making purchases on a mile earning credit card, or shopping on an airlines online mileage mall are the most common ways to keep miles active.
Be open to options other than hotels. B&Bs and vacation rentals sometimes allow you to either pay less for more space or enjoy additional amenities such as kitchens, fireplaces, and/or washers and dryers.
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