Pack a pillowcase in your carry-on luggage when you travel.
Stuff a few pair of socks in the pillowcase and use it as a neck pillow during a long flight or train ride.
When you reach your destination, use the pillowcase to store dirty clothes.
Wait ’til the end – Souvenir tip
A way to save money (and free your arms) is to wait until the end of your trip to purchase souvenirs to take home.
This gives you the chance to scope out prices, which can vary greatly in touristy areas. It can also give you a better sense of what’s available, so you don’t wind up buying all junk.
If you find something unique, you should snag it, but otherwise set an afternoon aside for souvenir shopping.
Double check reservations – Hotel tip
There’s no sadder sob story than the one that involves showing up at a hotel only to discover there’s no room reserved for you. To avoid that scenario it’s a good idea to double check your reservation.
You can do this online, or you call the hotel 24 hours before you arrive. If the booking never went through, this will give you plenty of time to reserve a room there — or to reserve a room elsewhere, if that hotel is booked.
It’s also a good idea to bring a copy of the transaction or online confirmation page just to verify that you did, indeed, pay for a room. Being able to prove the rate you paid may help protect you from any “gotcha” fees the hotel tries to levy.
Clean your car – Road trip tip
You’ve packed your bags, prepared some snacks and even went so far as to tell your family you were heading out of town. (How thoughtful!) But did you remember to clean out your car?
A little dust and grime isn’t too bad for a short trip, but leftover fast food bags and a pile of stuff cascading over the back seat can turn a road trip into a nightmare-on-wheels pretty quickly.
Instead of dealing with foul smells, swirling dog hair, or dusty air, treat yourself to a clean car the next time you plan a road trip. Get rid of all the trash, clean the windows, and vacuum the seats. A little effort can make a big difference in the quality of your road trip.
And you may even arrive at your destination without the need to shower immediately.
Ask for “out of service” rooms – Hotel tip
No vacancy? Not always. If the hotel you really want to stay at is completely booked, try discretely asking whether or not they have any “out of service rooms” they could rent to you.
“Out of service” is the industry term for a room that, while vacant, has been set aside for repair. Hotels won’t offer this up front, so you’ll have to inquire politely.
Obviously you’ll want to determine exactly what the problem is — but minor things like a carpet tear or stain can be overlooked easily for a reduced fee and a comfortable night in the hotel of your choosing … particularly if the location is prime.