Charlene Oldham wrote an article at Gobankingrates.com about travel myths. With the holiday coming, I thought I should share her insights.

 

 

travel

  •  Bring Cash or Traveler’s Checks to International Destinations

“Your bank probably has domestic and international partners that allow you to use their ATMs for low or no fees.,”

  •  Never Use a Credit Card on International Trips

Many credit card companies offer attractive exchange rates and transaction fees. Some even offer their users points that can be applied to travel purchases.

  •  Lower Cost Means Lower Quality.

“Visiting destinations during off-peak seasons means fewer crowds, better accommodations and maybe more interactions with locals,” he said.

  •  Never Book a Room with Free Breakfast

Breakfast is usually one of the most affordable meals of the day. So opting for a bare-bones hotel that doesn’t offer eats in the morning might be your best bet in some cases. But in other situations, early day dining options are few and far between. In that case, booking a hotel that offers free breakfast can save travelers time and money. When the transportation costs are included there may be no benefit to traveling outside of the hotel.

  •  A Taxi is Always the Safest Option

Public transportation can be a convenient and cost-effective alternative to cabs. Take steps such as booking reputable airport transportation in advance of your arrival, and ask hotel staff for advice once you get to your destination. Also, look to see if Uber or Lfyt are available.

  •  Travel Rentals Are Always Cheaper Than Hotels

Online rental marketplaces such as Airbnb boast some great properties, and some spots allow travelers to cut costs by doing a few loads of laundry or cooking meals. Look at New York City in January to prove this wrong.

  • Third-Party Sites Always Offer the Best Hotel Room Rates

According to The New York Times, a number of hotel chains now offer a lowest-price guarantee for guests who book directly through the hotel company’s site.

  •  Never Offer Individual Tips on Cruises or at All-Inclusive Resorts

Employees at certain all-inclusive resort chains, or some cruise lines are instructed not to accept tips. Other resorts tell guests tipping is appreciated, but not expected. So check the property’s policy when budgeting for and booking your trip.

  •  Duty-Free Shops Are Always a Bargain

This is only true for certain items such as alcohol or tobacco. You may actually pay a premium at duty-free stories for luxuries such as perfume and watches.

  •  Travel Insurance Never Pays

People typically buy travel insurance to protect themselves against a large financial loss if they unexpectedly have to cancel an expensive trip, or in case they have an accident or suddenly get ill while traveling.

 

“Travel insurance can cover cancellation fees or medical bills if you are traveling somewhere that you don’t have health insurance coverage. “Travel insurance can also help in the event you need to be evacuated to a medical facility, which can be costly, particularly for cruisers or travelers in remote locations.”