Travel tips for 2011 can come at any time of year, but why not make them new year's resolutions? This annual project began in advance of 2002. Reader interest that year prompted more resolutions in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. In no particular order of importance, here are five more travel tip resolutions to shape your 2011 plans.
Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesThere are dozens of travel rewards credit card options on the market these days. Some come with huge bonus offers that promise to hasten your first free trip. But amid all the excitement, we must acknowledge that not all cards are right for all travelers, and some travelers probably shouldn't even have one of these cards. Where do you fit in? Take a look at
seven questions you should ask before acquiring a travel rewards credit card.
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.comIf someone tosses their keys across a table in a sidewalk cafe, would you pick them up and return them? Most of us would instinctively answer in the affirmative. But there are street scam criminals who prey on your good manners with an accomplice who is stealing your bag while you stretch to retrieve the keys. It's one of dozens of street scams contributed by other About.com Guides, our readers or other budget travelers who describe sometimes embarrassing situations they've encountered with the hope that you'll learn from their misfortune.
Courtesy Twitter.comAre you familiar with the social media network known as Twitter.com? It's a microblog that limits posts to a mere 140 characters. In those short messages, airlines are "tweeting" their best fare sales. Hotels sometimes post bargain room rates. You must create your own account and then "follow" other Tweeters. It sounds far more complicated than it is -- you'll be reading and posting in no time. Find
travel deals on Twitter and, while you're there, don't forget to follow
About.com Budget Travel
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.comFreighter cruises offer advantages to budget travelers: the daily cost on a freighter is often less than even the discounted traditional cruises. Cruising on a cargo ship is likely to require more time. The shortest freighter cruises are usually about 15 days in length, and some are counted in months rather than days. But because there are more days -- and fewer frills -- the daily cost of a freighter cruise is often quite competitive with traditional cabin rates. Consider the
pros and cons of freighter travel.
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.comJust when you've found that great hotel rate, a bunch of fees and other expenses for which you did not budget crop up. They turn your bargain room into an expensive night's sleep. Sometimes these fees are unavoidable, but many can be reduced or eliminated with a little planning. Hotels set up profit centers designed to appeal to impulse. Be ready to avoid these charges with a
step-by-step look at 10 add-on hotel charges. You'll be surprised how quickly some of these charges will add up!
