Introduction
You are a smart traveler – aren’t you? You made an educated decision in purchasing your name brand luggage. Why stop there? Aside from plane tickets and hotels, the smaller things can drain your wallet without immediate notice. The following article seeks to educate the business traveler on the areas where their hard-earned money can be saved.

Colliding with rental insurance
The expense of insurance can be as expensive as renting a car. Many agents will take a look at your trendy leather luggage and coerce you into purchasing the rental insurance. Stand your ground. Before you go on your next trip, contact your insurance agency. You may be covered for collision coverage. In addition, many credit card agencies extend insurance coverage if you use their card for the rental.

Between a rock and a car space
Hotels can be very expensive, and to add additional injury, some will charge you for a parking spot too. Save the money to buy something useful such as a travel pillow. Call the hotel ahead of time and ask if they offer free parking.

Ticket to ride
Business deals arrive unexpectedly sometimes. Airlines throw around hefty numbers for next-day tickets. Before you place your laptop in your computer backpack, use it to get on the Web and find some cheaper flights. The difference in price is often well worth the effort.

It’s deductible
Have you noticed how many hidden fees there are? Airport construction, security, airport access, customs, gate taxes, country taxes, value-added taxes, and 9/11 charges may be added to your ticket expense. These fees are inextricable, but they are tax-deductible. If you do a lot of traveling, you can put the savings towards your next luggage purchase.

Something for nothing
Has an agent ever asked you if you would like a roomier seat? It will sound enticing, but first ask them if the flight is booked solid. You may be able to get the roomier seat anyway if they have nothing else to offer you.

The same concept works for car rentals. Has an agent ever asked you if you want a nicer ride? Their reason for asking may have to do with their lack of compact cars. Before you agree, see if they have compact cars available. If they do not, they will have to give you the nicer car for the same price anyway.

Hotspots
Airlines and hotels charge high prices for Internet connectivity. Before you get into your room and use your adaptor, see if they have free access in the lobby. Go to Wi-FiFreeSpot.com to locate the closest free hotspot anywhere in the U.S.

Labels: travel

Holiday Flyin’
The most expensive flights bookend popular holidays, but the actual day can be one of the least expensive days of the year to travel. If it is plausible in relation to your plans, pack your presents in your name brand luggage and schedule your flight on the actual holiday (especially Christmas and Thanksgiving).

Research in the middle of the week and late at night
This is a great time to peruse the Web for the cheapest fares around. Use the extra money you save on some stylish leather luggage.

Try for the “T” days
Statistically, fewer passengers fly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Often you will find you can get cheaper fares on these days.

Euro savings
A myriad of airlines have surfaced in Europe. They are not the most luxurious, but the planes fly and the fares are priced in your favor. Don’t worry about the absence of some amenities; take out your comfort items and take a nap.

Plane-pool
Are you traveling in a group? If a group is a part of your luggage this time around, see if you can negotiate a deal. People traveling in groups numbering more than twenty can contact sales departments of airlines and have them pitch a bid for their group.

Stay in the loop
Even after you purchase your ticket, be aware of immediate prices. There is usually a $75 to $100 charge to rebook a flight, but if the difference in price is beyond that, you are being a smart consumer; just like the time you purchased your Samsonite luggage.

Ask and receive
Travelocity and Orbitz are great sites to find good flight deals, but don’t forget about the airlines’ own sites. Airlines will frequently offer special deals that are not available elsewhere.

Save your miles
Save your frequent flyer miles for a more expensive trip if you are getting a good deal on your present flight. A round-trip flight for less than $300 is not bad, so consider tucking those miles away for another time when you will need to embrace your wheeled luggage.

Why Wednesday?
Wednesday is the best day of the week to look for a discounted ticket. Why? The smaller airlines usually instigate the fare wars and the main names in the industry will raise their fares to compete, and this happens on Fridays.

Labels: travel

Introduction
It is never too late or too early to start saving for your next vacation and to have your name brand luggage primed and ready for its next use. Many people underestimate the value of saving a couple dollars here and there and making the most use of their time. Extra dollars and hours contributed each week could have you packing your luggage and booking your next flight in no time.

The following article introduces tips and suggestions to help you save money for your next excursion.

Day-to-day savings
Do some research and figure how much a desired vacation would cost. Compare the different times of year to travel, the cost of varying airlines, competing hotels, etc. Once you have an idea of how much the vacation will cost you, start analyzing your expenditures day-to-day. Are there any areas where you can save? Find out how much money you will have to save each day in order to utilize your new leather luggage for the next vacation.

Rebates
It may be a laborious effort, but there are plenty opportunities to save via coupons and rebates. Peruse through the weekly circular for coupons on products you regularly use. When you purchase a pricy item, take advantage of the mail-in rebates. Yes, it is a pain to fill out the form, get a stamp, fill out the envelope, and stick it in a mailbox; but it is saved money we are talking about! Sharpen you eye- there are great deals everywhere.

A little change can go a long way
Never disregard the power of change. A quarter here and a dime there can quickly add up to decent numbers. Make it a habit to empty your car dispenser and your pockets into one change holder.

Surveys
Myriads of online surveys exist in which to partake. They usually work on a points system. Once you have acquired a decent amount of points, trade them in for some extra cash.

Labels: travel

There are multiple amenities offered to the business traveler: frequent flyer mileage, discounted rooms at luxurious hotels, name brand luggage, and five-star dinners on the company credit card. Unfortunately, the business traveler may not always have the time or services needed to take care of their travel wear.

The following article offers suggestions pertaining to looking the part while you are playing the part.

A swanky business dresser’s worst enemy is wrinkles. The ideal situation is to make sure your trendy clothes are still looking perfect when removed from your suitcase. Look for suits made with mircrofiber and blended fabrics that are wrinkle-proof, stain-resistant, and odor-repellant.

These materials are lightweight and flatten nicely. You can fill your leather luggage with more without worrying about the weight.

Survey your current clothes before making any additional purchases. Buy from designers that release clothes that can withstand the business day and still look good by evening. Cotton and microfibers mask heavy wear, while dark colors are good at hiding stains and wrinkles.

Be prepared for formal occasions when going on a business trip. Some trips may suddenly produce opportunities to attend an event where networking and looking good is a necessity, so load up your luggage with something extra special.

If you are looking to put fewer clothes in your luggage, pack clothes that can easily be mixed and matched together. This will create more dress options. This way you can leave more room in your luggage for accessories.

Always expect the unexpected. Worst-case scenarios of lost luggage could result in an embarrassing situation if you are not dressed properly. While traveling for business, never wear anything you would not wear to work.

Labels: travel, work