Summer travel can be a nightmare waiting to happen. Find out how to ease the pain!
Millions of Americans will take to the air and road this summer in the hope of having a terrific vacation. Most of these people believe they have made all the arrangements necessary to ensure the best possible experience, but let me chime in on your plans.
Right now there are a number of people out there who have the potential of completing destroying your vacation. Have you accounted for them? They are the airline employees, hotel employees, people who plan road construction and airport expansions and criminals. They could care less about your plans.
Let's begin with those who travel by air. People often assume that travel may be slowed by winter weather conditions, but the reality is that things clog up far more in summer. Millions of Vacationers push the limits of a system that is already over-burdened by security considerations and staff shortages. Your only protection is to travel during off-peak hours. If you have children, this may be annoying, but it might save your vacation. You'll find it easier to check into a hotel late at night or early in the morning.
The number one complaint from people who travel to places like Orlando, Florida, is that after carefully planning to arrive on time at their hotel, they have to wait hours more to check in. The best time to check in is early (7AM - Noon) or late (7PM-Midnight) There is a severe shortage of maids to clean the rooms in Orlando and Kissimmee. Most hotels allow you to request an early or late check in time with a credit card without charging you for an extra day. If you arrive around the traditional times (just after lunch or in the afternoon), expect a lot of waiting. The best arrival days are Sunday to Thursday. Be warned, there is no such a thing as easy or express check in. As long as you need a key, card or code, you are going to wait.
If you are driving anywhere in the USA, make sure you are a member of AAA. You will save a fortune by staying in hotels and motels that offer AAA rates and discounts. More then that, you'll be able to contact AAA and research the status of highways and major roads you plan to travel on. Almost all road construction is done during the summer months with total disregard for travelers. Always add at least one day to any drive taking three days or more. The unexpected is part of every vacation.
Most people waste a substantial sum of their vacation budget on the drive there and back. Travel Sunday through Thursday. Save money on meals by stopping at places that offer buffet style dining, especially if you have children. Eat a late lunch and make that the big meal of your day. Places like Shoney's, Ryan's, Quincy's and Golden Corral are good values. Before you order, check coupon books available at gas stops for additional values and always ask if children's beverages are free (they usually are, but you will not be told that). Leave Waffle House to the locals and professional truckers. Forget those designer mini-malls and t-shirt shops. Coupon books are worthless for hotel or motel stays on the weekend.
Drink bottled water or beverages from sealed cans and bottles. Do not consume any alcohol while driving during the day. Most States now have zero tolerance alcohol policies which means (although they will not say it) almost any amount of alcohol in your system and you are under arrest! If you are driving through the South and Southwest, beware when you leave the highway in places like Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. There are many stop sign (two stop signs in a row), stop light and speed traps. Red light cams are in use as are illegal lane change cams. Seat Belt and Child Safety Seat laws are strictly enforced. Illegal Immigrant and Fruit Inspection stops await you in Texas, Arizona, California and New Mexico, so be ready. There are no ways to drive around these and they extend to county roads as well as highways. Carry identification for everyone in your vehicle and place recent pictures of your children in your luggage in case the unthinkable happens. Finger print them before you leave. Most schools do this for free now. Carry a well-equipped first aid kit, flashlight and flares. Those driving through the Southwest and Southern California should carry a lot of extra water for drinking and the vehicle. Check your vehicle fluids and fill out your gas tank every time you stop.
Stay at any one of the major hotels or motels that offer a free breakfast. But read the fine print, most end their breakfast early or limit the number of people per room that may partake. Avoid Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Ramada, Howard Johnson and Marriott properties for over night stops. You'll pay a lot for a little. Best Western, Days Inn, Comfort Hotels and mini-suite style properties
may be a better value. Pay cash for overnight stops to avoid extra or unexpected charges to your cards. If you travel through the Southern USA, you will not need advance card reservations (except on weekends and Holiday weeks as a back up). Traveling through the Midwest, Southwest or Northwest will cost more and you should reserve sleeping rooms in advance. These areas never have enough hotel rooms.
Suite Hotels are very popular and make sense for most people staying in one area for more then just a day or two. The problem is that some places call a standard hotel room a suite if it has a microwave, fridge and couch. Most suites are small, expensive and crowded. Ask friends and co-workers who have stayed in such places their opinion. Older suite style hotels and properties will have larger rooms. Drive up suites will offer more space and tend to cost less. If you choose a suite, save lots of time and cash by staying in one with a free breakfast. Vacation homes are expensive, usually located far from theme parks and attractions and present security issues. If that's your plan, ask before you rent. In the Orlando-Kissimmee area, most vacation homes charge extra to turn pool heaters on and can charge you a huge fee for any damages they feel you are responsible for. Condo Vacation Rentals cost less and can be closer to everything. I recommend Condo lodge in Kissimmee for those going with access to a vehicle. Beware Resorts. Most have small rooms and offer little more hotels, unless you are willing to pay a lot extra for golf and tennis outside your door. No matter where you stay, make sure they have a guest laundry or in suite washers and dryers.
Gas prices and airline fuel surcharges will take a bite out of your wallet. Make sure your vehicle is tuned up with a fresh oil change before you head out. If you rent a vehicle, check the fluids. If the oil is black and the coolant is dark colored, ask for a different vehicle. Make sure the air is very cold (especially in the South and Southwest) and look for any body damage before you accept the vehicle for rental. Don?t rent from hole in the wall establishments. I like Budget and Enterprise for price, but watch for older vehicles being palmed off at new car rental prices. Never use Ugly Ducking or Rent A Wreck.
Finally, be careful! Use your check card. This will keep your vacation on a budget. Criminals target people they see using cash and traveler's checks. Lock your vehicle (or rental vehicle) every single time you get out (even if someone is inside with the motor off)! Never leave pets or children inside without an adult. Car jacking is on the rise, especially in the South and Southwest. Avoid stopping rest stops. These are NOT safe places even with regular Police Patrols. Limit your time at Welcome Centers and stay away from tourist stops that offer free hotel rooms, food or beverages.
Look around before you enter or leave a vehicle. If someone is watching you or walking toward you and you feel threatened, move quickly away from your vehicle toward other people. Take your keys, but don't stop to lock it or remove bags. Load groceries or shopping bags into your vehicle in front of the store even if you must park illegally for a few moments. Always try and remove luggage in front of a hotel or motel or while someone you know is watching. If you are by yourself or feel uncomfortable loading or unloading your luggage due to an early or late hour, request the hotel provide someone to assist you.
Keep cameras, video cams, electronic toys, and pocket-sized electronic inside luggage! Keep cell phones out of site and on your person. Buy and use throw away, prepaid phone cards instead of your cell phone or personal calling card. Remove batteries from cell phones when not in use to avoid cloning and make arrangements to call a friend or relative once a day to check in. Let them where you are staying, your plans for the day and provide a phone number. Always accompany children under sixteen everywhere and never leave them alone in a hotel room or pool.
I can assure you that as a Tourist you are the prime target for a wide assortment of criminals including car jackers, muggers, rapists, child molesters, thieves and scam artists. They know you will be occasionally disoriented, off your guard and only concerned about having fun. So don't be!
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