Avoiding Hotel Room No-Nos

Hotel phone bills are not as much of a budget travel problem these days, given the fact that most guests carry mobile phones. But before you pick up that convenient room phone to order a pizza or call a friend, keep in mind that some places will even charge for local calls. It doesn't end there. Collect or calling card connections involve a user fee in many places. In fairness to the hotels, the charges are not always completely their doing. Phone systems vary greatly from city to city and country to country. Always ask if local calls are free and if there are charges for collect long distance calls.