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Travel Tips

Over the years, I have learned a number of tips about travel. Some tips I have picked up from friends and relatives. Others have come about as a result of trial and error. Here are a few of the pointers that have helped to make my travels smoother and more pleasant:

General:
Expect issues. Travel almost never goes as smoothly as you would wish.
Seek the recommendations of people you know who have visited a destination.
Utilize internet resources, including airfare-related search engines.

Air:
Arrive at major airports at least two hours early.
If you are unable to reserve your desired seat when purchasing the ticket,
          look again when checking-in for the flight.
Join the airline’s loyalty program. Most are free and a great way to build
          towards discounted or free travel.
Purchase tickets online. Occasionally, airlines post lower fares on their websites
         than can be found through other avenues.
Avoid purchasing airfares over the telephone. Some carriers are now charging
         passengers to speak to an agent to book travel.

Hotel:
Call the reservations center or the hotel directly.
Always ask about promotions or packages. Some hotels seem hesitant
          to advertise these rates.
Remember to look into any possible sources of discounts. These include
          corporate affiliations and warehouse club memberships.
Be specific with regards to your room-type preferences.
Join the hotel’s loyalty program. These are an easy way to work towards
          free stays and other incentives.

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