A bit of plastic can sometimes save you a bundle. Here’s my list of charge cards and IDs that are well worth carrying, no matter where you’re headed:
1. AAA membership. A roadside-assistance card is an essential. With AAA, you get complete U.S. coverage plus reciprocal service in many other parts of the world. If you prefer, one of the competing motor clubs that several major oil companies run is an adequate substitute. What’s important is that anyone who drives on vacation should have one card that can bring help in case of trouble.
2. ATM card. ATM cards are the best way to get cash away from home-even overseas, provided you can find banks where they work. Before you leave, make sure (ask your bank) that your card will work in ATMs that belong to your bank’s network (Cirrus or Plus).
3. Charge card with bonuses. The two main bonuses are rental-car collision coverage and a mile of frequent-flier mileage for every dollar you charge-often both available from a single card. If your preferred card is a travel and entertainment card such as AmEx or Diners Club, you also might want to carry an airline-sponsored MasterCard or Visa for the many places that don’t accept T&E cards.
4. Half-price hotel program ID. While the half-price programs can’t guarantee that you’ll always get a discount-hotels won’t drop their rates if they expect to be more than 80 percent full-they work often enough to justify carrying at least one program’s ID and directory.
5. Dining card. Several programs give you 20 percent to 25 percent reductions on restaurant bills. They work best in the major cities, but you can find deals in the smaller cities, as well.
6. Frequent-flier ID. You usually don’t need to show your frequent-flier membership card to guarantee that you’ll get credit for a flight-just give your number when you reserve. But it’s useful to have the membership card when you’re collecting additional miles from hotel and car-rental partners.
One warning about mileage from partner hotels: Don’t go for the airline credit if it means you have to forgo a discount. Some hotels give credit only if you pay a published corporate rate or more. If you can wangle a half-price, senior, weekend or other sizable discount, you’ll often cut your bill by far more than the $10-$20 value of the miles you get.
7. Retail discount card. If you have a membership or frequent-user card in a major nationwide retail chain, don’t leave it home when you travel. When you need something the chain sells, you may be able to find a local outlet-and save whatever you usually save on purchases at home.
8. AARP membership. For anyone 50 or over, AARP’s annual membership fee is the best $8 you’re likely to spend. It gives you access to discounts at thousands of hotels, as well as other benefits.
9. Home-direct phone card. Overseas hotels often inflate what they charge guests for long-distance calls by more than 300 percent. Fortunately, AT&T, Sprint and MCI all operate home-direct services that let you access their lines from many overseas locations.
10. Airport lounge club card. Most major airlines run lounge clubs with locations at their most important airports. Membership can cost up to $175 per year, but a lounge club is the best place I know to escape the hubbub of a big airport.
