Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Getting Travel Perks

People always ask me the best way to book hotel rooms or buy airline tickets. What I always tell them is, it’s not just about the price, but the VALUE. Sometimes there are hidden perks you didn’t even know about.

It all starts with the booking process. Sure, you can use your card to collect frequent-flier miles or hotel loyalty points, but also check whether that card has other benefits attached to it.

For example, if you use a Visa Signature card to book with participating hotels, you automatically get access to free perks: We’re talking room upgrades, free Internet, and even food and drink credit, whenever it’s available.

And while it may seem counterintuitive, sometimes a room upgrade is more likely when you’re running late! When it’s late in the day, the hotel manager knows exactly what inventory is going unused, and is more likely to let you have that premium room.

Just don’t show up so late–without alerting the hotel—that they cancel your reservation altogether!

You’ve heard me rail about how the airlines have made it nearly impossible to redeem those frequent-flier miles. But mileage junkies know that it’s not actually about the free ticket. It’s about gaining elite status on the airline.

The higher the status, the easier it is to get those free upgrades and priority seating. The same trick works with hotels—loyalty is often rewarded with perks so pay attention to where you book.

For more information, visit the Hotels & Accommodations and Airlines & Airports archives.

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