This time of year, a lot of people are getting ready to hit the road for a long-awaited vacation. So today we're getting you up to speed on how to keep your getaway as smart as it is relaxing and refreshing. For starters -- between planning and packing and parking and petsitters and passports and picking the perfect hotel -- there are a lot of ways to overpay if you don't have your details straight. So travel expert and C.E.O of www.Finelle.Com Edyta Satchell is debunking some common travel misconceptions...
Our first misconception -- you must pay a service fee to travel agents.
Edyta says this isn't really true -- you have options. The service fee is the extra that they are making. They get their commission from suppliers, hotels, and airlines, so a service fee from you would be kind of like an extra tip… and even if they try to charge you for it, you can ask them to waive the fee. If you have a question on a specific incident, you should check with customer service, because sometimes the charge can slip in there without you knowing. The best strategy is, before you book and your credit card can be charged, check if you’re being charged a service fee.
Next - you can't make a reservation in a hotel that's fully booked.
In truth, you CAN book a hotel that is fully booked. The key here is to work with a travel agent, because some of them have the options to book something which is called so-called blocked space. These are the rooms the hotel blocks off just in case a VIP shows up last minute. If the travel agent signs a contract with a hotel supplier, they’ll often have access to that space. If you're not working with an agent, keep checking, because there are always cancellations and last minute changes.
Our next misconception — tipping is a must, no matter where you travel.
Edyta says this is totally false. She says unlike the U.S., people in many countries — including Eastern Europe, Italy, Singapore and Japan — don't expect tips. You can always try to tip, but in some cases the people will be surprised, or even embarrassed or offended. They can also read it the wrong way, as bribery. She suggests doing a quick Google search to see what’s customary in the country you’re traveling to, because you don't want to upset anyone.
Our final travel myth -- that all-inclusive means everything is included.
While all-inclusive generally means food and a lot of activities and entertainment are included, things like the internet may not be. Top shelf shelf liquor, off-site excursions and and more may left off the list as well.. so you really need to read the fine print before you make the final reservation.
We're traveling smarter ... by debunking travel myths... .
