General Travel Advice & Tips

• Why Book Online?
  Is your time not precious? Tired of the 800# jump through the hoop and listen carefully to that option number while you eternally hold for some one you can't even understand? That in itself is a reason to book online. Besides booking online with a site like TravelOtter.com allows you to check the rates for hundreds of Hotels and All the best car rentals and airlines! You can Compare the very best rates all at your quick little finger tips!
• Airline Carry On Restrictions
  Go to TSA's site TSA's Permitted and Prohibited Items to find out what you are allowed to carry on.
• Online Booking Tips
  When booking online with major national car rental chains its helpful to know the airport code for the airport you will pickup at. These major agencies have 100's of locations and 100's of rates at a given time and you need to fill out their booking forms entirely to get a rate for your trip. Knowing the airport code can be a shortcut to your online rate and reservation.
• Reserve in Advance!
  Whether your booking a flight, hotel or car or anything for that matter you will save if you book in advance! Hotels less so sometimes since they may lower rates at the last minute to keep their occupoancy rate up. Booking for flights 2-3 weeks are needed to avoid the highest rates. It's best to keep checking since airlines will lower their fares to insure a full flight. Rental car rates vary more than air fares but generally the advantage of reserving 2-3 weeks in advance a applies. To get the best rate when applicable, reserve your car at a weekly rate (a week is usually between 5-7 days) instead of at a daily rate if possible, and reserve in advance. Check back periodically to see if a better rate is available. Rates are based in part on how many cars the agency has available at your pick up location. Be responsible and cancel your reservation if you have a change of plans.
• Using TravelOtter To Drive A Discount
  TravelOtter allows you to compare all the rates from the cheapest to the most expensive hotels and rental cars without holding for hours on the phone.
• Ask For A Later Checkout Time
  Need more time in the morning after that late night out? Simple ask the front desk when you awake or the night before and usually they will give at least an extra hour!
• Call The Hotel Directly For Location Info
  For more local information and tips, call your hotel directly to find out about restaurants and night life nearby especially if you do not want to drive at night in a strange town.
• Why Carry Your Bag On A Flight?
  Have you ever had an airline lose your bag? This can really mess your trip up. Airlines are losing baggages more than ever now! Transportation Department figures released for the month of October put 2006 on track to be the worst year for lost, delayed, damaged or stolen baggage since 1991. The figures show that in October 2006, passengers reported 383,000 pieces of checked luggage were mishandled — an average of 12,350 a day. So if possible, carry your bag on the plane. This will save you time and eliminate the lost baggage night mare.
• Child Safety Seats
  Most car companies offer child safety seats. Since there may be limited availability or these you should reserve these well in advance. Be aware that at some locations, the rental car company may not guarantee that a child seat will be waiting for you upon arrival. They are usually $5-$6 per day to rent but can be anywhere from $2-$10 per day. Some agencies cap the charge at a maximum per rental. Check the state laws for where you are traveling. For instance, a new law in Denver requires Booster Seats for all 4 and 5 year olds who are not 55 inches tall.
• Rental Car Drop Off Charges
  An extra fee is usually charged if a car is returned to a different location than where it was picked up. This fee varies on location so there usually is no general policy regarding this. In some instances there is no charge, at others it can be as high a $1500 if you drop the car off a long distance from where you picked it up at. Ouch!
• Car Rentals Accept Debit Cards?
  Yes but only sometimes. Many rental car agencies accept only major credit cards and do NOT accept debit cards or cash. If the car agency accepts debit cards, there are additional requirements and/or location restrictions. Alamo accepts debit cards with the Visa or Mastercard logo and a Round trip travel ticket, but restricts certain locations. Dollar requires an acceptable credit check with debit cards. At a few limited locations, Thrifty and some local Enterprise offices may accept debit cards. These policies may change at any time. There are a few small independents that allow cash deposits. With the use of a debt card, the agency may require a credit check.
• Credit Card Coverage
  ome UPPER level credit cards such as MasterCard Gold may be a source for excess or secondary insurance for a car rental, but only if you use the same credit card to rent the vehicle. Some upper level credit cards can be your primary collision coverage in absence of any personal car collision insurance or when you are traveling overseas, where your personal insurance will not apply. Typically, there is a dollar limit and/or vehicle type exclusions. Since these policies vary greatly, call your credit card company to find out their policies for car rentals.
• Same Location...Different Rates
  Rental car rates can vary 50% or more across agencies at the same location. For example, in Orlando an economy car may rent for as low as $79/wk or as high as $199/wk on the same day. To get the best deal, reserve your car at least a WEEK in advance. Rates can very greatly at places like like Florida and Las Vegas. Rates there can vary as much as 100%!
• Car rental may require you to Show Airline Ticket
  Be aware that some of the big premium airport rental car agencies like Hertz require that you show your airline ticket in order to receive your airport rate. So if you need a rental car for only part of your trip it may not benefit you to go back to the airport to rent a car for the brief period you may need it. Your airline ticket may be required to show your flight arrival to be within 24 hours of rental car pickup at the airport for the lower rate.
• You are Reserving a Rate not a Car Type When you reserve, you are holding down a RATE, not necessarily a specific type car. Write your CONFIRMATION number down where you will have it when you pick up your car.
• Get A Free Car Upgrade! If the rental car company is out of the class car you reserved you might be able to UPGRADE at no additional charge depending on what is available! Remember you reserved a rate in which the car company is obligated to. This can be risky though if you actually need a bigger car than the one you reserved.
• Weekly Car Rates Vs. Daily Rates It is always best to stick with the dates and time period you have reserved. If you're not sure when you will be returning a car because you may have to stay longer, it may be much better to reserve in advance for a longer time and return it early than pay the "premium daily rates" for returning a car a few days late. Typically, you're not penalized for returning it early, however this is not true across the board. Some companies may recalculate your rate based on current daily rates, which may be much higher than when you reserved.
• Unlimited Car Mileage? Most rental car companies allow for unlimited mileage in the same state, but it's a good idea to check their policy before confirming. Many smaller local independent companies charge mileage after 100-200 free miles per day.
• Gasolene Charges Be sure and fill your car up before you return your car. In most cases you will pay a high premium if you forget.
• Airport Car Rental Taxes & Fees Vary from state to state, airport to airport and are additional expenses that can increase your overall bill substantially. "Off airport" car rentals may mean lower surcharges for you.
• Car Rental Minimum Age Policies Besides needing a valid drivers license and credit card in the same name, most large agencies require renters to be at least 25 years old. Many smaller local companies have a minimum age of 21.

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