Take your traveling skills to the next level with our Top 20 Travel Tips.

1. Research your destination
Call the hotel or visitors' bureau and ask specific questions, consult a travel guidebook or read online feedback from actual travelers.
More information: www.tripadvisor.com

2. Pack lightly
Buy beach and rain gear as needed, and get toiletries after arriving at your destination.

3. Maximize your vacation rental benefits
You can save money by putting everyone under one roof with common area and kitchen.

4. Remember the 3-1-1 Rule
When flying, store liquids and gels in a 3 oz. (or less) container, put them in a 1-quart, sealable clear bag and only take one bag per passenger

5. Take an emergency list.
Include the phone numbers and account info for your credit card company, bank, health insurance, personal physician, airline and hotel.

6. Ask your insurance agent about your car insurance and rental cars.
Does your auto policy cover you completely when you rent a car? And are you covered for luxury and SUV rentals?

7. Cut meal expenses
Eat a price-fixed lunch at a fine restaurant and make lunch the large meal of your day.

8. Label Your luggage.
Attach a permanent label with your name and phone number to the exterior and include a label inside your luggage, too.

9. Get trip insurance for trips with large deposits, fixed-date bookings or ones where you have adventure activities planned.
A typical travel insurance policy is priced between 3 and 8 percent of the total cost of your trip. More information at www.insuremytrip.com, www.travelguard.com and www.travelinsure.com

10. Take advantage of loyalty-club membership benefits.
These frequent flyer or visitor programs are usually free to join, improve your chance for an upgrade, and qualify you for coupons amd last-minute deal emails.

11. Consider the benefits of a house swap.
There are no lodging costs, you'll have the comforts of a real home and you'll live like a local instead of a tourist. More information at www.homelink.org, www.houseswap.com and sabbaticalhomes.com.

12. Travel during the off-season.
You'll save money, skip the crowds and experience your destination when it's more real.

13. Ship your luggage.
Not checking bags saves time, you won't loose your bags and you won't have to lug your heavy bag through the streets of your destination.

14. Sanitize your hotel.
Remove bedspread, use wipes and use sealable bags for icky items.

15. Be persistent when a hotel is sold out.
Reserve a second choice hotel. Then call the sales manager at first choice hotel and keep calling up to the last days before you depart. You're probably going to find that a room has become available. If so, cancel that second choice hotel reservation.

16. How to secure the best seat on the plane.
Book early and get a seat assignment. Closer to your trip, call airline often for a better seat. If you don't get one, ask again at check-in & the gate.More information at www.seatguru.com

17. Get a free upgrade
Speak to the sales manager and make them care about you. Ask them in person upon arrival for a better room.

18. Learn key phrases in the local language.
Learn to say "Hello," "Goodbye," "Please," "Thank you," "My name is?", "Where is the bathroom?" and "How much does it cost?"

19. Know about Rule 240.
You have some rights if your flight is canceled or delayed because of the airline's actions. It varies with each carrier, so take a copy of your airline's policy with you.

20. Remember these things about Rule 240.
It's not valid if the weather is at fault and it's not valid on all airlines. Be polite when invoking Rule 240, because the federal government doesn't enforce it any more. You're relying on the airline employee's good will, essentially.