After a year in which Mother Nature, various governments and the travel industry itself overproduced in the exciting-new-developments department, this is a good time to recount the story about the tourist who noticed a scarecrow in a barren field and stopped to ask the farmer what it was doing there.
”Oh, that`s to keep the elephants away,” he was told.
”What elephants?” asked the startled visitor.
”See what I mean?” said the farmer.
You won`t have to go that far to keep out of travel troubles in the days ahead. But some moves are increasingly important. So here and next week are 50 gambits and guidelines that could save you wear, tear and even money.
1. With many airline discount fares and hotel ”specials” available in limited quantities only, it`s useful to note that ”sold out” today doesn`t necessarily mean ”sold out” tomorrow. If there`s no penalty for later changes, you can buy the higher-priced substitute that`s generally offered but continue dialing for a better deal. Cancellations that crop up are often redealt first come, first served.
2. For legal reasons, hardly anyone says, ”Don`t use so-and-so.” So if a travel agent says anything on the order of ”Be careful about the payment and cancellation provisions,” do. Ask as well about the company`s history, reputation, financial status and how it compares with others in the field.
3. Before you place full faith in flight schedules and prices spewed out by a machine, understand that airline-controlled computers are biased in favor of the airlines that own them, and they have been notably slow at inserting the latest tidings from competitors. Additionally, some airlines that don`t pay for a mention don`t get one.
4. Also important in avoiding unwelcome pains in the pocketbook is a close check of baggage, check-in and exchangeability rules. That`s not only for each airline you sign up to use but for any you might switch to.
For instance, two pieces of baggage may be free to and from the U.S., but on a side trip abroad anything over 44 pounds might cost you. Similarly important differences crop up in other areas.
5. Travel agents can get answers to almost any questions you have on health conditions, safety, weather, and required documentation. But don`t count on them to fill you in if you don`t ask. There are those who assume silence means you already know.
6. Travelers also make unwarranted assumptions; so instead of banking on flabby words like ”first class” or ”seaside,” ask about whatever you consider crucial–i.e. does the hotel room have blackout curtains, king-size bed or beds, a seafront position and all the rest.
7. Since public perception is often out of date, check too that the destination itself still offers what you think it does. Today, for instance, Hong Kong is frequently undersold on cameras and electronics by a shop around the corner right here; Zihuatanejo is not at all ”quaint, undiscovered Mexico”; and New Orleans` French Quarter doesn`t jump all night and every night.
8. Don`t paint yourself into a financially tight corner by merely asking a resort`s room rate. That figure might be encouragingly low, but tennis, drinks, meals and all the rest could be astonishingly high.
9. Years ago the U.S. travel trade browbeat Europeans into quoting hotel prices inclusive of taxes, service charges and surcharges. Unfortunately, that system hasn`t prevailed at home. The list of locations where there`s even a
”hotel tax” in addition to everything else grows longer by the day; so don`t skimp on questions.
10. With increased competition among travel agencies forecast, it could pay to shop around, not just for price but for agency services such as free ticket delivery, low-fare guarantees, free passport pictures, destination information printouts and more.
11. For an edge, pay for airline tickets and tours by credit card. If the company goes bust, that could save you.
12. It probably won`t happen right away, but stay tuned for news of different sellers offering the same air tickets at different prices. Regulations now permit precisely that.
13. Be aware that already there are ”coupon brokers” offering particularly advantageous discounts on first-class and ”club” air travel. You`ll find their ads in the Wall Street Journal and many major city newspapers. Generally, though, it does take several weeks to convert someone else`s discount coupon into tickets in your name.
14. Don`t count on airlines to freely change fixed-date tickets in the event of even a major illness or injury. For travelers who think their luck might run out, there are travel insurance policies that cover trip
cancellation or interruption, emergencyassistance and personal property losses. (Just be clear on what is and isn`t included.)
15. When it comes to hotels, don`t think the first price you hear is always the only one. Many h first and recite their ”specials” or promotional rates only when prompted.
16. Before leaving on any trip, cultivate a keener than usual interest in current events. And keep an eyeut disaster and destruction where you`re headed but for things along the way that could throw you off schedule, cause your flighlable and ”different” so you don`t miss by default some potential trip improvers. Sky phones, free or reduced rate helicopter connections, hotel courtesy buses, hotel rooms and even rental cnsmokers–those are just some of the things you can find.
18. Avoid mistaking normal tour procedures for shortcomings by thoroughly comparing brochures from several competing operators.ad all the fine print. Anything not spelled out usually isn`t promised, and the only two things you can successfully complain about in court are misrepresentation and
nonperformance.
2specially on tour packages–is whether the transportation is nonstop or hippity-hop. There`s nothing ”wrong” with hippity-hop unless it comes as a surprise.
21. Bribes, according to mSometimes they`re also ”the system,” the choose-or-lose way to deal with certain sticky situations–from avoiding excess baggage charges, no room at the inn and time-consuming moments in trafes straight through to getting a down-front table in more than a few U.S. nightspots.
22. In busy travel seasons and in Third World nations, it can`t hurt and it may help to recheck thravel reservations close to your departure day even if it`s not required. For added safety, show up at the airport even earlier than you`ve been told to.
23. If you have to change airl busy periods, try to travel with carry-on luggage only.
24. Lift up your ears at the word ”new.” Does it also mean unlity. Flight attendants have bad days; plenty of new hotels have surprisingly small rooms; lots of cruise ships have miniscule closet space.
Well, travel wasn`t perfect in the grand ols” (instead of mass) either. It holds, then, that to all these prevacation tips you might want to add others for guidance en route. Next week: 25 of them.
