Discount Travel Guide

When it comes to lodging, consider the "shoulder" season..the time between peak and low travel periods. If you book a stay early in shoulder season, you can get a deal and probably still have the benefits of the same weather and opportunities available during peak season.

But sometimes programs are not available in shoulder season. At many guest ranches, for example, families can cut costs in June and September, but there may not be a supervised children's program or as many children to make friends with. If you have older kids who would be out riding with you anyway, this is an excellent time to visit a guest ranch, as it's often less children's program so you could get in adults-only time, the money you save by traveling during the off-season may not make up for that loss.

Keep in mind that deals can be had at almost any time of year and that bargaining skills are not just for use in foreign marketplaces. At many hotels it's standard practice to quote callers the highest rate first. Reservationists are often told not to volunteer deals unless specifically asked about them. To get a better deal after a rate is quoted, ask if there's a better price available. There usually is. If you've seen a special deal in a newspaper or flyer, you should mention it. Ask about discounts for group members. You're likely to have the best luck bargaining with reservationist at the hotel itself as opposed to those at a nationwide number, but try both. If no one will offer a deal, find a different hotel. You can almost guarantee that your costs will come down if you negotiate. After booking your stay, check periodically to see if new deals have come up in newspaper travel sections. Ask your travel agent to continue checking airfares in case of special promotions. But don't obsess about it. Vacation is all about letting go and being laid-back.

Did you know in advance the last time your child got sick? Probably not. And it's a sure bet you won't know the next time either. In the everything-that-can-wrong-will-go-wrong scenario, picture your child breaking out with chicken pox the day before you're scheduled to leave. And then there's the possibility of lost or delayed luggage, theft of baggage or important documents, and medical mergencies en route. These delays it's hard to tell which airlines have come out of bankruptcy and which are just filing. The same is true of tour operators. So what happens when the company you shcedule with goes belly up? You're out of luck unless you purchased travel insurance (some credit cards include travel coverage, too, so check yours). Most curise lines, tour operators, and many outfitters will either offer a specific insurance pachage in their information kits or be able to suggest one. Travel agents can do the same thing for you. You will not get your best deal from those vending machines at the airport, so try to arrange for insurance when booking your trip.

Of course, some unforseen problems are not covered by travel insurance, such as your boss's deciding at the last minute that this is a bad time for you to be away. Read the fine print so you know exactly what you're buying and what it covers.

Check with your travel agent, cruise line, tour operator, or outfitter for refund policies. Some offer no refunds. Others give refunds on a timeline the closer to the trip date you cancel, the less money you'll get back. Find out what the refund policy is before you decide to sign up.

Paying gratuities is usually a voluntary gesture that's based on performance and service. Many people who work in the travel industry depend on tips as a major part of their compensation. Tour guides, for example, make a decent living only if they make decent tips. If you travel with a guide in a city, on a river, on a walking or beking tour you should tip unless the service is not notably poor.

Some tips, however, are built into the pricing structure and are included on your bill. There are ranches with mandatory tips for wranglers and other staff, and there are retaurants that automatically add a gratuity to food bills. And with some types of travel--cruise ships, for example--tipping falls just short of mandatory. Exactly what's expected will usually be spelled out in the brochures.

It's a good idea to check guidebooks and consulates about attitudes towards tipping in foreign countries; what we mean as a than-you might be taken as an insult in some cultures. And it's important to note that some resort have a policy of no tipping. When in doubt, always ask.

If you wouldn't dream of travelling without securing a reservation (complete with confirmation number) three months in advance at the nearest Hilton - well, you're probably not reading this article.

But if you're like more adventurous travelers, who drive until they're tired (or until the gas runs out, whichever comes first), finding a good, cheap motel at a moment's notice can be problematic. When you see a dozen different motels vying for your business at the next interstate exit, how do you know which one to choose?

Fortunately, there's a little-known way to find at least "minimally acceptable" motels. And that's by making a habit of stopping at information centers, usually located at rest stops when you enter a state, and picking up a copy of a green-covered Traveler guide.

The ad for these Traveler guides reads "Read 'em and sleep. Coast to coast, more hotels accept Traveler Discount Guide's coupons that any other guide." Coupons are available for a wide range of discount to mid-tier hotels and motels.

Most of the truly sleazy motels these days have been weeded out by competition, so the basics for your night's stay - a bed, television and shower - are pretty much standard. More and more common are refrigerators and microwaves, which can be a real convenience, especially for people traveling with small children.

Also common are free coffee in the rooms and a free continental breakfast - though such a breakfast may consist of cheap coffee and day-old bagels.

If you're willing to pay a bit more - say, $20 or $30 a night more - many motels offer Premium packages. You'll usually get a bigger television with, perhaps, premium channels, amenities such as a pool, exercise room or Jacuzzi, and often a fuller breakfast selection.

Traveler guides also offer other information that might help you make a choice. For example, the Guides usually indicate which hotels/motels accept pets, if there are weight limits for the pet, and the additional cost. You might also discover that a particular motel offers free accommodations for children under 18.

In short, stopping at an Information Center and reading the Traveler Guide can be a convenient way to wade through your accommodation choices when travelling in unfamiliar territory. If the Information Center is near where you plan to stop for the night, you can also get advice from the people who work there and live nearby. Some will even call the motel directly and make a reservation for you.

When you add that convenience - plus clean restrooms and free coffee! - taking the time to stop at state Information Centers can be well worth the extra time.

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