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Home Swaps, Traveling In The Off-Season, And Mailing Your Luggage

Travel Tips #10 through #8 look at the rising popularity and advantages of home swaps, why people should consider traveling in the off-season, and why you might want to consider mailing your luggage to your destination in advance.

• Tip # 10: House-Swap Benefits
  
  • no lodging costs
    
  • the comforts of a real home
    
  • like a local, not a tourist
  
  More information on house-swapping:
  www.homelink.org
  www.houseswap.com
  sabbaticalhomes.com
  www.1sthomeexchange.com

• Tip # 9: Shoulder and Off-Season Upside
  
  • sizable cost savings
    
  • no crowds
    
  • authentic environment

• Tip # 8: Why Ship Luggage?*
  
  • Not checking bags saves time.
    
  • no chance of delayed or lost baggage
    
  • no physical pain from lugging bags
    
  • if you have large, heavy, or fragile items
    
  • Insider Tip: Shipping estimates: 30 lb. bag = $40; 100 lb. bag = $75
    *rates determined by weight and size.

Sanitize Your Hotel Room, Book A Room In A Sold Out Hotel and Get The Best Seat On The Flight

Travel Tips #7 through #5 discuss sanitizing your hotel room, ways to book a room in a sold hotel, and how passengers can get the best seats on airplanes.

• Tip # 7: Sanitizing Measures
  
  • Remove bedspread.
    
  • Use wipes.
    
  • Use sealable bags for "icky" items.

• Tip # 6: Booking Strategy When Sold Out
  
  • Reserve second choice hotel.
    
  • Call sales manager at first choice hotel .
    
  • Keep calling up to last days.
    
  • When a room frees up, cancel second choice.

• Tip # 5: Secure The Best Seat
  
  • Book early and get assignment.
    
  • Call airline often for a better seat.
    
  • Ask again at check-in & the gate.
  
  More information: www.seatguru.com

Avoid Toll-Free Hotel Numbers and Learn The Local Language

Travel Tips #4 through #3 detail why toll-free hotel numbers should be avoided, and why it's important to learn at least some key words and phrases of the local language when traveling to a foreign destination.

• Tip # 4: Get A Free Upgrade
  
  • Speak to the sales manager.
    
  • Make them care about you.
    
  • Ask them in person upon arrival.

• Tip # 3: Phrases To Learn
  
  • "Hello" and "Goodbye"
    
  • "Please" and "Thank you"
    
  • "My name is?"
    
  • "Where is the bathroom?"
    
  • "How much does it cost?"
  
  More information: www.bbc.co.uk/languages

Know Your Rights And Avoid Getting Lost

Travel Tips #2 through #1 reveal the two most important tips all travelers should know. #2 reveals the rule that airlines don't want you to know, and #1 tells you what you can do to avoid getting lost on your next trip.

• Tip # 2: Legacy Airlines Honoring 240
  
  • American Airlines
    
  • Continental Airlines
    
  • Delta Airlines
    
  • Northwest Airlines
    
  • United Airlines
    
  • US Airways

• Rule-240 Reminders
  
  • Not valid if weather is at fault.
    
  • Not valid on some "newer" airlines.
    
  • Be polite when invoking rule 240.
  
  More information: Rule 240

• Tip # 1: GPS Facts
  
  • price range: $200 to $900
    
  • Travel kiosks offer day rentals.
    
  • Telephone providers offer GPS service.