| For every traveler there is, expect a travel expert to | | | | you confirm the rate upon arrival. Concerns about |
| be close by. Those who go overseas will have their | | | | anything under the sun can be dealt with by your |
| own travel tips upon their return. These have been | | | | hotel concierge. He is going to be a dependable go to |
| organized, with the cooperation of some travel | | | | person, a nice tip will be good. |
| advisers from a major airline, for first time travelers | | | | If your hotel rate does include a service charge, you |
| and those with a limited budget. Each one has been | | | | don't have to cross every palm in the place with cash |
| assessed and could protect you on the trip. | | | | when you check out. Considering staff members who |
| To pay for taxi fare to the hotel, change $5 or $10 | | | | made your stay more special, you may want to |
| to the local currency at the airport when you arrive, | | | | remember them by handing out tips. It is not |
| also use this for tipping. Usually, a major airport has | | | | mandatory to tip the people responsible for the |
| an official exchange counter. Only convert a small | | | | transfer of your clothes should you have them |
| amount of money at a time. When you want U.S. | | | | washed and pressed. With a rotational system applied |
| dollars, it may not be as easy to convert them. Do | | | | for all staff members, the hotel allows them to earn |
| not fall victim to street people who may present | | | | equal tips. |
| higher exchange rates for your money. It is possible | | | | There are a lot of hotels that do not give soap or |
| for them to give you counterfeit money. Check the | | | | washcloths. Bringing items to your room may lead to |
| official rate of exchange and count your money after | | | | a tip and this is why maids may forget to supply |
| having it converted. | | | | your bathroom with these items as they should. An |
| An airport coach or metered cab should be taken to | | | | easier way of avoiding this situation is to have your |
| the hotel. Hotel travel via cab is much faster, but the | | | | own soap and washcloth. Tipping is no longer |
| coach option is cheaper. But if there are two, three | | | | necessary when a service charge has been added to |
| or four people in your party, it might be just as, | | | | your food bill, take note of this when you visit fancy |
| economical to take cab. A cab that is unmetered is | | | | restaurants. When there is a service charge, this is |
| not a wise option to take. Incurring more costs is | | | | equal to 10 to 15 percent of your food bill. Be smart |
| highly possible. | | | | and make a reservation at the restaurant you want. |
| In the Far East, beware of tourist nappers, | | | | Part of the expenses you might encounter can |
| unscrupulous cabbies who get you into their cab, | | | | include the use of American style toilets abroad. |
| then tell you that your hotel has no rooms available. | | | | Always pass up the people who advertise different |
| Agreeing to a different hotel is what the driver will | | | | stores while on the streets. Shops like these are |
| persuade you to do next, third rate hotels pay them | | | | below standard and the peddlers get a cut if you |
| to do this. These wildcatters might tell you anything, | | | | make a purchase. You can negotiate prices as you |
| that your hotel has closed since you made your | | | | shop considering that bargaining is customary in that |
| reservations or that it burned down last night. | | | | particular area. Get a copy of your room charges |
| When it comes to hotel rates, European hotels will | | | | some time earlier, the night before you check out |
| normally include the service charge, taxes, and even | | | | perhaps. You will have enough time to check if the |
| breakfast, and this is what you need to check out as | | | | charges are correct. |