Surcharges are a common part of travel, but they’re incredibly irritating. In one case, Jayne Hanlin was surprised when she was told that she had to pay a $20 “destination fee” for premium phone calls and Wi-Fi. That made her hotel bill 25 percent higher than the advertised rate.
Cancellation policies
When booking a hotel room or flight, you need to understand the cancellation policy. You might not be able to change your dates or destination, and you may be charged a penalty if you cancel. In some cases, you can request a change or refund. However, some policies are more flexible than others.
If you have a cancellation policy that doesn’t allow you to change or cancel your reservation, you should take action immediately. The coronavirus outbreak is causing major disruptions to the travel industry, and airlines and hotels are trying to make their service more convenient. Most are modifying their cancellation policies, and some are even waiving them altogether.
Bed and breakfasts
Bed and breakfasts are a unique and charming way to enjoy a trip. Not only do they offer a cozy place to sleep, they also provide unique insights into the local culture and cuisine. Some even offer all the amenities and luxury of a luxury hotel. While you may not want to spend all your vacation time in a bed and breakfast, they can be a great option for a short getaway.
Bed and breakfast accommodations are not for everyone, but they offer a more intimate experience. They often offer a home-cooked breakfast with locally-sourced ingredients. In addition, you can make accommodations for specific dietary needs. Some even offer a 24-hour tea service!
Hostels
Hostels are inexpensive, often shared accommodations for travelers. Unlike hotels, guests at hostels typically reserve a bed for the night rather than paying a fee for a private room. They also tend to have a more social atmosphere and provide more interaction between travelers. While you can usually bring your suitcase into a dorm room, it is important to keep valuables in a locker or safe. Small lockers might require you to break up your suitcase, so be aware of this before booking a room.
To avoid the possibility of theft, choose a hostel with 24-hour security. While you might be tempted to keep your valuables with you in the room, it can be a hassle to carry around expensive items. Some travelers even sleep with their valuables under their pillows. While this may make them feel safer, it is actually a bad idea and can put your valuables in danger.
Airbnb
Airbnb has made it easy for travelers to stay in the homes of others. Its peer-to-peer business model makes it convenient and profitable for both the host and guest. Additionally, the service provides many unique benefits, such as allowing travelers to customize their stay. Its appeal is especially high among young, tech-savvy millennials. This group of travelers wants authentic experiences and believes that staying in a local property on Airbnb will provide them with more cultural experiences than a typical hotel.
Another advantage of Airbnb is that it is cheaper than hotels in most countries. For example, renting a whole house rather than a single room at a hotel is cheaper than booking several hotel rooms. In addition, you can share the cost among several travelers, making it even more cost-effective. This is especially beneficial if you’re traveling with children.
Location
Choosing a hotel based on location is an important step in making your travels more convenient. Traveling to a destination is expensive, time consuming, and may even cause delays, so if you can choose a hotel that is close to the main reason you are traveling, that’s a win-win situation. But there’s no reason to settle for a bad location just because you don’t have many options. Luckily, there are a variety of booking tools available online that can be used to find the perfect hotel for you.