Cause The World is The Place to Explore
Tips
Travel Tips For Those Using Car Hire Services
0134 days
Car hire can be expensive when you are travelling, hence getting the best deal possible is always advisable. To achieve a bargain when you are utilising car hire services there are certain strategies that you can employ that will result in more affordable pricing. It is hoped that this article will be able to highlight some of these strategies that will enable you to hire a car at the cheapest price.
One piece of advice to is to hire the least expensive model in the range. This is advisable for a number of reasons; naturally, it will be cheaper than the other cars in the range so the benefits are immediate. Also, by hiring the least expensive model you leave yourself open to upgrades. If you arrive at the car hire desk and find that the car you have reserved is not actually available, the majority of companies will be happy to give you a car further up the range free of charge. Even if your car is available, it is normally possible to get an upgrade at the desk for a much cheaper price than when initially booking, just remember to negotiate.
Most car hire companies allow customers to add other drivers to the rental package; unfortunately this usually means an added premium. It is worth checking local laws and regulations however as in some locations married couples can gain an additional driver at no extra cost. Do not wait for the representative to enquire about your personal situation, tell them you are married on arrival to ensure they are fully aware.
Another way to avoid additional driver fees and gain better deals more generally is to join the company’s frequent user programme. The benefits of these schemes are immense, even for those who rarely use car hire services. often it can be cheaper to pay the joining fee in addition to the rental package rather than adding extras that all come at a premium. This is a great way to reduce the cost, and if you do use the company’s services regularly, it should be a prerequisite of your hire process. With great savings, you would be mad not to.
Another benefit of joining the loyalty club is that your transition from desk to car should be greatly improved. Many frequent user packages mean you can skip the cues and pick up the keys in no time. Added to this, the paperwork is reduced as the company already has your details, so going through the rigours of filling in forms is completely removed from the hire equation. It also means that you are spared the usual marketing spiel from representatives as the company know what car you will need and will be able to supply it without the upselling that is usually endured.
If you are using large companies it is worth remembering at the time of booking that they are normally constructed along a franchise basis. Hence it is sometimes possible to get better deals by going direct to the franchise, rather than the headquarters. It is often possible to gain a discount or added features for less if you deal directly with the franchise manager, as they have the power to strike a deal with customers.
A lot of car hire companies offer added insurance policies to customers, whether you need this insurance is worth considering. While some insurance policies offered can be extremely useful it is usually worth studying your own insurance details to see if you will be covered when using the hire car. In addition if you pay with your credit card, it is also worth checking with the card company if any insurance is applicable when using a hire car.
Hopefully this article has given the traveller and hire car user ways to make their rental package cheaper. As evermore people hunt for great deals, be sure to use these tips to make you trip that much more affordable.
Tips For Planning A Great Family Vacation
0137 days
Traveling is a great experience for people of all ages. But, one of the best ways to travel is with your family. As a parent, taking your children to new and exciting places is a great way to expand their knowledge and to help them get a better idea of the world in general.
Picking a Destination
There are literally thousands of different destinations to choose from when planning a family vacation. Although most people think of Disney World when they think of family getaways, there are many other great options available. Of course, Disney is sure to be a winner. But, if your budget isn’t big enough for Disney or if you simply want to go somewhere a bit different, you have many options available to you.
One great place to start is with the National Park system. There are dozens of National Parks to select from, with each being beautiful and unique in its own way. In addition, many national parks are surrounded by other great attractions that can make your family vacation complete. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for example, offers scenic splendor as well as many fun museums and other sites in nearby towns.
Planning an Itinerary
When planning an itinerary for a family vacation, it is a good idea to have a basic schedule of what you would like to see and do. At the same time, you need to be flexible. When traveling with children, things can occur that you did not expect. If you are not flexible, these things can really put a damper on your vacation. Therefore, you need to enter the vacation with an open mind.
It is also a good idea to involve the entire family in the planning process. This way, you will be certain to hit the destinations that your family enjoys and you will have a better chance of keeping everyone happy.
Getting Prepared for the Trip
Once you have decided where you are going, how you are getting there, and what you will be doing, you need to get prepared for the trip. Depending on where you are going, you might want to do a few background activities to help the children better understand what you will be seeing and doing. For example, if you are visiting Yellowstone National Park, you might want to help them get a better understanding of geysers and you want to prepare them for how to stay safe in a national park.
Travel Safety and Security
0In a recent APACS study, overseas losses from credit or debit card fraud totaled 208 million sterling – over US 400 miilion dollars – in 2007, in the UK alone.
If you travel frequently, you will already understand the importance of protecting yourself from credit card fraud and theft. Newer technologies, such as chip-and-pin, are helping lower the risk of fraud in some areas around the world.
In areas with lower security measures, gangs and thieves infiltrate high traffic spending areas and attach bugging devices. These bugging devices scan the magnetic strip on credit or debit cards. The stolen credit card information can then be used by the thieves to make purchases.
Technology, like all things in life, is a two way street. As technologies continue to improve the quality of security required for fraud prevention, people work to hack those technologies to their advantage. Credit card companies and banks are on a continual search for new technology to help prevent fraud.
Holidays are supposed to be relaxing and fun. Unfortunate incidents, such as theft or personal injury, can cause your much-anticipated holiday to become a bad experience.
How do you protect yourself from fraud or theft in less technologically advanced areas? What measures can you take to ensure your personal safety as well as that of your valuables?
While making travel arrangements, study a map of the area. Choose an emergency meeting spot in case someone gets lost. Print or buy a local map and make sure everyone in your group knows how to read it. Mark special points of interest on the map and always make sure everyone knows where you’re going to be.
Cell phones or walkie-talkies are an invaluable resource, especially for large groups or families. The easier you can stay in touch, the more worry-free fun you will have.
Take minimal luggage. The fewer bags you have to carry, the more easily you can maneuver through crowded areas and hotel hallways. Don’t pack money, jewelry, electronics or important documents in luggage. Always pack these items in your carry-on bag or not at all. The more you take with you, the more you stand to lose.
Always travel in a group. When you are out and about, always have a friend with you. You are much less likely to be attacked or mugged if you have someone with you. Having a friend with you also carries the added benefit of having another set of eyes in case you’re being followed or pick pocketed. Ask hotel staff if you should avoid certain areas. If you drove to your destination or have a rental car, don’t leave personal belongings in your vehicle.
Always be sure to lock your room. Even if you are simply going down the hall for a snack, it is important to lock your door. Any time you are away from your room, it is susceptible to thieves. When you are relaxing in your room, the door should be locked. Thieves and gangs have been known to test hotel room doors to see if they can enter successfully. If they do manage to open your unlocked door, they may steal your valuables or even cause harm to you or a loved one if you interrupt them in their quest for money or valuables.
Use traveller’s checks and credit cards in lieu of cash when possible. After you’ve returned from your vacation, keep an eye on your credit report, as well as your credit card and bank statements.
You never know when you may be the next victim of identity theft or credit card fraud. Keeping a close eye on your credit report, credit card and bank statements will give you the edge if your credit card is fraudulently charged.
Holiday Shopping Advice For Staying Safe
0It is a sad fact that, unfortunately, very many tourists each year travelling abroad have wallets, purses, money and cards stolen from them. As a consequence, of course, they completely ruin the holiday that they have been waiting so long for.
The problem is that people going abroad tend to feel very relaxed, and let down their normal guard. Things that they wouldn’t consider doing at home become bad habits that they don’t think twice about once abroad, and yet the dangers are often even greater. Petty thieves and organized gangs are very aware of the fact that tourists have three main weaknesses. Firstly, they are relaxed as they are on holiday, and likely to have their guard down. Secondly, they are very likely to be carrying plenty of cash and cards on them. And thirdly, they are in unfamiliar territory, allowing sneak thieves and opportunistic criminals the chance to make a swift and effective getaway, often before you even know a crime has been committed.
So what can you do to help guard against such unfortunate circumstances? One of the common problems is that people on holiday start doing things at strange hours such as shopping late at night, just because they can. The darkness only adds to the dangers, and as tourists, whether you like to admit it or not, you’ll be noticeable as such. Doing your shopping during daylight hours, when there are more people about is a safer choice. Of course, whenever you choose to do your shopping it pays to not be too flashy, and wearing expensive jewellery and carrying an expensive designer handbag will draw attention to yourself, but not always in the way you would want.
You will undoubtedly have to carry cash on you, but try to keep this to a minimum, and if you do have a fair amount with you, split it between your inside pockets and your wallet, so that it is not all kept in one single place. Don’t put cash, cards or your wallet in your back pocket as this is far more vulnerable, and very easy to pick. In addition to which, the fact that it’s behind you immediately puts you at a disadvantage because the thief will be able to get away without you ever having caught sight of his face.
Wherever you can, use your credit card to make purchases. Not only is this safer because your credit card company will protect you against fraud and purchases which turn out to be suspicious, but it is less flashy. Nothing is more tempting than a casual, tired tourist who’s not paying a great deal of attention and is in a shop making a payment with wads of notes hanging out of the wallet.
Your holiday is a time to relax, but at the same time there will be a thousand different things going on about you that will distract you, intrigue you or interest you. It is difficult, but at all times try to be aware of your surroundings, the people around you, and where your wallet and other items are kept. An inside front pocket is the safest, although if you’re wearing a coat or jacket, make sure that this doesn’t easily flap open and leave the wallet exposed. It may be an old trick, but it still works – to bump into someone apparently accidentally, but in fact making a quick grab for the wallet in the inside jacket pocket. It’s easily done, and you won’t even realise it’s happened until you try to make your next payment.
Keeping Items Secure In Hotels
0144 days
Today a significant number of people who visit hotels take with them items that are considerable valuable. This can include cameras, video cameras, mobile phones and even laptops. It is therefore very important that you make sure that the hotel you are staying at is prepared to provide a level of security which will ensure that these items remain safe.
If you are booking a room, and you will be leaving expensive items in that room, it is advisable to follow a few points of advice to help guard against any unfortunate consequences.
Firstly, when checking in to your hotel, as far as possible, try to disguise or hide those items which are expensive. Carrying what is clearly a laptop case whilst flashing a fancy new mobile phone, and having a camera slung jauntily around your neck is likely to only increase the chance of you being targeted.
Packing as many of those items as possible into a suitcase will make you far less likely to draw attention to yourself. It is also a good idea to ask for a room which either faces into the lobby itself, or is away from an area where people tend to congregate, such as a water cooler, or where there is a quick method of escape, such as a fire escape.
Once you check into your room, it is obviously necessary to check that the locking mechanism on the door works securely, and that if there are windows, these are also able to be secured, especially if your room is on the ground floor.
If you have any doubts at all as far as the effectiveness of these locks or latches are concerned, do not try to fix them yourself, but instead report them immediately to the hotel reception and ask to be moved to a different room.
Many hotels these days also offer the option of having a room with a safe in it. Usually these are built into wardrobes or cupboards. If you intend using this, again it is important to make sure that you test its effectiveness straight away, and again, report any doubts or concerns you have regarding it.
If you are leaving your room, even if just to pop down for breakfast or to get some information, make sure that your items are hidden from view. Whilst you are out of the room, there will of course be hotel staff able to access your room, and likely to do so in order to carry out checks, or for cleaning. Most of these are perfectly trusted, but you do not want to find yourself the unfortunate victim of the minority who might take advantage of a tempting offer. Regardless of the staff, it can also lead to a situation where a cleaner has your room door propped open whilst they are working, and if there is an expensive item on show, it takes very little for a casual passer by to notice the item, and to pop in to get it. The cleaner, after all, is not going to know if they are the occupant or yourself.
These points might all seem fairly common sense, but especially if you have had a long and tiring journey it is easy to become careless. By following these basic points however, you will at least help to ensure that your items remain safe and secure whilst you are staying at the hotel.