10 Travel Tricks to Save You Time and Money

Looking to spend less on airfare or skip a long check-in line? Here are some of the best tricks I want to share that I've learned from Smart Traveler.

Trip Planning

1. Book backward for the best prices. When it comes to finding a great rate, flexibility can make all the difference. Search for deals from your home , airport and choose your destination that way. Try websites like bing.com-Microsoft's newly launched search engine-which lets you look for reduced airfares ans saves your finds for seven days.

Flying

2. Pay less for an upgrade with a Y-up economy-class fare. You'll spend about thesame as you would for a full-fare coach ticket, but be automatically upgraded to first class upon check-in. Caveat: Y-ups fares are not available on all flights (never for international travel) and can be highly restricted, making changes expensive or impossible. Book through a tavel agent or use Y-up tool.

3. Time your flights to avoid crowded airports. Travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays for les congestion at the counter and at security, which means smoother sailing to your gate. On other days early morning flights are your best bet.
4. Avoid long lines at economy-class check in. Always request an upgrade when booking a coach ticket. At the airport check in at teh business-class counter to "see if the upgrade went through" Even if it didn't, you can still check in there and avoid the long economy-class lines.

Hotels

5. Combine online research with direct bookings. Finds the best hotel rates on sites then calls the property to ask if they'll meet or beat that price. You can always gets the reduced Internet rate, as well as the personalized service that comes with booking directly.

6. Don't Pay extra for Web access. Always check if your hotel offers free Wi-Fi in its lobby and public spaces. Find a full list of the Wi-Fi hot spots in your destination.

Money

7. Avoid ATM fees overseas. Many banks charge a flat fee for international ATM use, plus currency exchange fee. Ask if your bank has free overseas cash-machine locations or no-fee partners.

Getting Around

8. Know the taxi fare to your hotel. Call your hotel or the concierge prior to your arrival to determine the average one-way reate from the airport.

9. Sometimes hiring a car and driver is cheaper than getting a rental especially in developing countries.

10. Sleep on the train. If you're travelling long distance between major cities consider an overnight sleeper car. You'll save on airfare and hotel costs, and when you wake up, you'll be arriving at your destination. Have a wonderful flight! :-)