如何买到廉价机票？！！！（转载）

在这里告诉大家经常可以去的几个订票的大网站，其实在很多时候的旺季都是可以买到一折的机票。主要是看你会不会善于利用这些资源。出行基本都是飞机现在是因为机票比火车票便宜哦 呵呵

首先，QQ财付通和南航有合作，基本上财付通的特价票都是一折以下的。http://qq.csair.com 在这里面，北京到海口和三亚还有海口三亚到北京的票是130元，广州到西安西安到广州广州到无锡和无锡到广州，南京广州之间，上海长春之间等等很多航线都是90块钱。这些价格怎样？腾讯QQ和南航总不会作假吧？

再给大家推荐个一折机票预订的贤贤网：http://www.xixii.cn  里面的一折的条件是要至少提前一个月预计，不到一个月的也有二三折的票。有一点很黑：他们要收五十块的手续费。我有次订到了南宁回海口80块和昆明回海口106块的机票。收五十块也认了，一折的票多五十块也没影响。

其次是针对上海的同学了，我去了四次上海，基本上都坐廉价的春秋航空：http://www.china-sss.com 这个航空是上海的，很多城市的价格都固定的，比如青岛和上海之间、武汉和上海之间等等都是99块的价格。我们海口和上海之间是299块。我很受不了这个航空公司，经常晚点，座位小，飞机小。更让我无法忍受的是，没有空姐养眼！所以就节省掉很多成本，机票就很便宜。上面的服务是自助的，但是便宜。我四次去上海，就是为了坐磁悬浮…四十块钱。

最后再告诉大家两个廉价机票的搜索引擎：http://www.qunar.com 和www.kuxun.cn  在里面，你可以查到最便宜的机票时间和所有指定日期最便宜的机票。即使你不知道有什么便宜机票和我上面提供给你的网站你没有你想要的机票，你上这两个网站搜索，机票照样会有便宜。

大家都在花父母的钱，能帮父母省就省。多动动手，会帮你省很多钱。海航网也经常抛出便宜的机票：http://www.hnair.com 我曾经在上面帮我爸订了北京美国西雅图往返和西雅图纽约往返累计才2580元的机票和北京日本东京往返1000块的机票还有最近一次我爸去德国的北京柏林往返的3000块的机票。这些都是我在网上订的。我爸最近即将前往新加坡和马来西亚，我在亚洲航空帮他订了海口马来西亚吉隆坡往返136块的机票和海口新加坡往返的400块的机票。

所以我在QQ签名上说今年把新加坡和马来西亚都给去了，预算去这两个国家，机票价格不会超一千。

我最牛的一次，我朋友都知道，昆明到南宁又到湛江又到广州又到深圳又到香港又飞回海口，总共花了六百块。因为只有一折的机票我才出行，花最少的钱甚至比火车便宜的钱和我一起去旅行吧。

欢迎大家分享，让更多人可以分享到便宜的机票。还有，成功订到便宜机票请回帖感谢我，顺便请我吃饭。黎敏，我帮你省了一千块的北京飞海口，怎么说回海口也要请我吃黄金酒店88块的自助餐吧？

最后提醒大家：银行卡要开通网上银行，上面便宜的机票基本要求你在线支付。

很多人会问：在那些卖机票的地方为什么卖比网上贵？因为人家要赚你的钱。

睡了，用手机打得，打到手都麻痹了。

感谢一个在巴黎的同学提供一个很好的网站给我，在欧洲的同学可以用到：www.jetcost.com 在上面可以订到巴黎到法兰克福的一欧元的机票。欧洲去！

国内特价机票查询网站：

去哪儿http://www.qunar.com

贤贤网：http://www.xixii.cn

春秋航空：http://www.china-sss.com

http://qq.csair.com

http://www.kooxoo.cn

海航网http://www.hnair.com

PS：特价机票监视查询 ，如其名，帮你监视网络上出现的超级特价机票，

http://www.appinn.com/ticket-special-offer/

中国：

春秋航空：http://www.china-sss.com/

甘泉航空：： http://www.oasis-air.com/

非凡航空：http://www.flyvivamacau.com/sc/

航空公司网站

海南航空 www.hnair.com 

南方航空 www.csair.com 

上海航空 www.shanghai-air.com 

东方航空 www.ce-air.com  

厦门航空 www.xiamenair.com.cn 

四川航空 www.scal.com.cn 

深圳航空 www.shenzhenair.com  

=====================================================

以下列出个人所查询全球『廉价航空』公司网站及简介：

亚洲：

马来西亚

亚航: http://www.airasia.com/site/cn/home.jsp

泰国

曼谷航空: http://www.bangkokair.com/en/

Nok air: http://www.nokair.co.th/

泰东方: http://www.orient-thai.com/web/home.html

新加坡

亚洲捷星: http://www.jetstarasia.com

虎航: http://www.tigerairways.com/

惠旅: http://www.valuair.com.sg/

新航: http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/app/saa

印尼

狮航: http://www.lionair.co.id/

Ga-citilink: http://www.ga-citilink.com/

Garuda： http://www.garuda-indonesia.com/

Bouraq： http://www.bouraq.com/

曼达拉： http://www.mandalaair.com/mandala/ecms/index.cfm

菲律宾

宿雾太平洋： http://www.cebupacificair.com/

印度

Air Deccan： http://www.deccanair.com/

Express: http://www.expressindia.com/

Jet: http://www.jetairways.com/Cultures/en-US/HomePage.htm

印航: http://www.indianairlines.indiatimes.com/

=====================================================

美洲：

1. Jetblue：http://www.jetblue.com/(美国境內廉价机票)

2. Airtran：http://www.airtran.com/Home.aspx(美国境內廉价机票以美东为主)

3. Southwest：http://www.southwest.com/(美国境內最大、最知名的廉价航空公司)

4. Frontier Airlines：http://www.frontierairlines.com/frontier/index.jsp(美国境內廉价机票)

5. Flyted：http://www.flyted.com/index.html (美国境內廉价机票)

6. ＡＴＡ：http://www.ata.com/home.html (美国境內及夏威夷廉价机票)

7. Spirit Airlines：http://www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx(美国境內廉价机票)

8. Sun Country：http://www.suncountry.com/SCA/index.jsf(美国境內廉价机票)

=====================================================

欧洲：

德国

1,AIR BERLIN 柏林航空

http://www.airberlin.com/

以德国为基地,航线数量相当多,几乎能达到所有的西欧和南欧主要旅游城市和度假地,机上有供应免费饮料和报纸。经常推出减价活动.一般29EU起.

2,GERMANWINGS 德国之翼

http://www.germanwings.com/

汉莎控股,飞往欧洲各地，行李限重8kg，无儿童票。不过由于是汉莎的子公司，所以相比其他航空公司，Germanwings的服务，尤其是空中服务要更好一些。以科隆,斯图加特,柏林三个城市为基地,航线数量多,每周四打折19EU起,但是如果不提前订票和碰上打折,机票价格比较贵.

3,GERMANIA EXPRESS

http://www.gexx.de/

在德国大多数城市都有起飞的航班,目的地为意大利,希腊以及地中海度假区,值得一提的是有前往莫斯科的廉价航班.

4,HAPAG LLOYD

http://www.hlx.com/

德国最大廉价航空之一,航线繁多。主要飞往意大利,西班牙和地中海一些岛屿,每周二打折,价格一般19.99EU起

起飞的都是一些大城市的主要机场,离市区比较近,这个优点不错.

5,dba

www.flydba.com

以慕尼黑和杜赛尔多夫为基地,主要飞往德国各大城市和希腊,意大利,法国南部等地,价格一般,40EU左右.

6,LTU

http://www.ltu.de/

呵呵,LTU旅行社包机比较多,航班数量多,在德国RUHR区,有时候有特价票,不过数量有限,以前还有飞往中国重庆的航班,不知道现在还有没有.

7,LowFareJet

http://www.lowfarejet.de/

每日从Hannover飞往Luton and Glasgow 及Paris。是少数提供air miles program.的低价航空公司线之一,忘了说,前面的DBA也提供里程积分.

8,CONDOR

http://www.condor.com/

Thomas Cook 旗下的子公司。经常能找到非常优惠的价格。

经常提供两种价格的打折票,29EU的短途航线和99EU的长途航线,飞行目的地以度假区为主,99EU的机票一般从法兰克福出发,前往马尔代夫,曼谷,加拿大,美国等地,相当超值.

最大的缺点是,航班搜索系统做的比较糟糕

9,LUFTHANSA

http://www.lufthansa.com/

汉沙经常有100EU左右的特价票,前往欧洲各大城市,虽然比一般的廉价航空要贵,但是考虑到汉沙的服务以及飞的都是中心机场,也还可以了.

英国和爱尔兰

1,Ryanair

http://www.ryanair.com/

欧洲最出名的廉价航空公司，有很好的口碑，在欧洲机场数目也多，打折促销也很多,从英国和爱尔兰17个机场,飞往欧洲地区50多个城市,而且提供很多欧洲内陆城市之间的航班服务,优点是价格低廉,他的廉价票是最容易买的,缺点,他飞的几乎都不是城市的中心机场,大部分都是离他所称的城市几十到一百公里的小机场,一般从机场到市区需要再花费10到20EU.因为这个原因,我觉得RYANAIR反而不如EASYJET,HLX之类的,因为加上前往市区的交通费,往往比别的航空公司贵.

2,EASYJET

http://www.easyjet.com/

欧洲最大的廉价航空公司之一,有203条航线,飞往欧洲61个城市,遍布欧洲大陆主要城市和波罗的海沿岸,价格一般20EU起,提前订票一般都在30到60EU之间含税,飞的都是主要机场,不错,值得推荐!

3,AIR SCOTLAND

http://www.air-scotland.com/

苏格兰航空,飞往英国,西班牙,希腊的航班比较多

从Edinburgh、Glasgow及Aberdeen飞往 Palma、Barcelona、Tenerife、Alicante、Malaga及Fuerteventura。

4,JET2

http://www.jet2.com/

是家新的低价航空公司，从Leeds Bradford飞往欧洲10个城市。

5,BMIBABY

http://www.bmibaby.com/

英国三大廉价航空之一,主要飞往西班牙南部,荷兰,捷克以及英国国内航班,价格20镑起.

6,FLYGLOBESPAN

http://www.flyglobespan.com/

苏格兰廉价航空公司,主要从爱丁堡飞往地中海岛屿以及沿岸的度假城市,还有前往布拉格和瑞士的航班.20人以上有团体票提供.

7,MY TRAVEL LITE

http://www.mytravellite.com/

以伯明翰为基地,和FLYGLOBESPAN差不多,飞往地中海岛屿以及沿岸的度假城市(以西班牙为主).

8,THOMSONFLY

http://www.thomsonfly.com/

主要飞往德国,西班牙南部,意大利和巴黎,以及英国和爱尔兰之间的航班,机票15EU起.

9,BUDGET AIR

http://www.budgetair.ie/

爱尔兰的廉价航空公司,从都柏林飞往西班牙和葡萄牙南部,价格50EU左右

10,MONARCH

http://www.monarch-airlines.com/

英国的廉价航空,从伦敦等地飞往西班牙为主.

11,britanniadirect

http://www.britanniadirect.com/

英国各地往返Malta、Malaga、Naples、Venice。

12,AER LINGUS

http://www.aerlingus.com/

爱尔兰的航空公司,主要从都柏林飞往欧洲大陆主要城市,价格从十几欧到一百多欧.

13,Flybe

http://www.flybe.com/

Flybe前身为British European，从英国和爱尔兰20个机场飞往全欧及纽约，行李限重20kg。

14,Jetmagic

http://www.jetmagic.com/

以Cork为基地,飞往欧洲大陆,航线不多,10来条吧

15,Now

http://www.now-airlines.com/

Luton第二低价航空公司，2003年暑期开始营运，飞往7个城市，Manchester、 Hamburg、Jersey、Rome、Lisbon、Ibiza及Tenerife，票价约35~75英镑。

 选择廉价航空应注意事项？

1. 避免更改行程：『廉价机票』又称『计划机票』，因此，在购票之前最好仔细考虑行程，因为如果临时更改时间及地点，航空公司会额外索取『手续费』，有时『手续费』的价值便超过当初所购买的『一切费用』(机票及各项税款)，所以能不更改儘量不要改，否则『廉价机票』也会变得『不廉价』囉！

2. 买了不能退款：大部份的廉价航空都没有『退款服务』，主要是因为这类航空公司本身所提供的机票价格已经低於『市场价』许多，有时甚至是『免费机票』(航空公司该如何退给你呢？)，所以这类航空公司並不提供『退款服务』，当然也有些航空公司会要求将客户的『退款』，转成『客户信用额度』，下次购买机票时可以从裡头扣款(毕竟这是少数)，如果真的无法继续计画行程，不是白白浪费，就是建议更改行程(只是额外增加的费用，还不如重新购买来得便宜)，至於『机场税』、『兵险』等税务费用当然无法退还，这点是必须提醒各位的。

3. 提早办理登机手续：廉价航空的服务一视同仁，並没有『舱等』差异的服务，开放性选择座位方式，先进入先选择座位，因此，想要有个舒适的乘座空间，避免选择前面的位置，建议提早办理登机手续，通常后面的位置比较少人坐，飞机起飞后，只要旁边的座位没有人，就可以『躺平休息』一路睡到目的地了！

4. 行李限重：廉价航空最令人困扰的莫过於『行李限重』的问题了，行李限重在15-20KG上下(其实与一般航空公司大同小异，只是较无弹性可言)，一旦超重了，就必须额外付费办理託运，所以行李的重量最好预做规划。

5. 网路购票安全性：绝大部分的『廉价机票』都是透过网路交易(航空公司降低成本的考量)，因此网路购票的『安全性』是许多背包客所担心的，大部份的廉价航空公司对於『网路交易』都有一定妥善处理的做法，当然有会有意外(骇客侵入)，如果真的担心网路交易的安全，个人建议亲自电洽(或电子信件)询问该如何现金付款，这样的作法相对无法得到网路订票的优惠价，只能说见仁见智囉！

6. 飞安事故：许多人对於廉价航空都会有『廉价』=『不安全』的迷思，严格说来这点恐怕是多虑的，虽然廉价航空公司为了降低成本可能採购较为老旧的机型，但是人命关天，没有任何一家航空公司会拿乘客生命开玩笑，飞安的问题不在於机型老旧与否，在於『安全维护』是否彻底执行，因此应该破除『廉价』=『不安全』的迷思。提供一个有趣的数值供大家参考：目前全球廉价航空失事率仅百万分之零点七(安全性无庸置疑)，但是最近印尼『亚当航空』的空难事件(2007 01 01)却为『廉价航空』飞安蒙上一层阴影。

10 Travel/Technology Obsessions

Monday, March 8, 2010, 3:26 pm in Technology, Travel by Baochi  2

Recently, I asked several Boingo folks to each share one travel or technology obsession of the moment. Unsurprisingly, my colleagues had trouble picking just one. (I knew I was dealing with a bunch of geeks and dreamers.) In any case, I narrowed down the list to ten items, below. What is your current travel/technology obsession (and yes, it’s okay if you have more than one )?

1. The Apple iPad: “I’m excited that it will be the first e-reader in color.” Tim Fox, director of billing and reporting.
2. Animoto:  “Animoto takes your photos and video and turns them into these amazing little movies that will make your friends believe you’re a budding Spielberg.  Free.” Dawn Callahan, vice president of marketing.
3. Internet Radio App for Nokia Smartphones: “This is an all time killer app for me.  Clear digital stereo streaming of 100+ radio stations from across the globe. Works on wi-fi as well as 3G networks.” Kishore Raja, senior device engineer.
4. SonyPlaystation 3: “Blu-ray, games, 3D Movies coming this summer, Wi-Fi, and Netflix streaming — what more do you need?”  Sush Wu, software test engineer.
5. CNN App for Blackberry: This is my real-time “newspaper” fix during my bus commute to and from work.” Charmagne Drew, office manager.
6. Audible.com: “This service provides over 50,000 audio programs (e.g., books, magazines, newspapers). It’s great for when you’re stuck on a cross-country flight and want to  pass the time with entertaining/educational audio books…learn on the go!” Eric Blue, director of systems applications.
7. The Targus airplane laptop battery charger/adapter: “It converts a boring twelve-hour flight into a super-efficient time for getting through emails.” Luis Serrano, vice president of network strategy
8. Belize Cayes: “I’ve been to these tropical islands twice and never was there a boring moment. The snorkeling and marine life are ten times better than Hawaii’s or Cancun’s.” Marco Lopez, network operations analyst.
9. Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas: “When I go to Vegas, I always stay at Excalibur because of its location on the strip, the weekend rate deals, and the kid-friendly activities. I’ve also had some exciting times at the craps table there!” Cynthia Tarver, customer support representative.
10. Boracay Island in the Philippines: “This captivating island (located south of Manila) offers fine  white sand, clear water, delectable food, and hospitable people.” Rammel Salazar, finance analyst.

How much should you tip when traveling abroad?

 
By Paul Sancya, AP

Many travelers are unsure about when, how, who, and how much to tip.Despite all the ink — and more recently, pixels — devoted to the subject, many travelers are still unsure about when, how, who, and how much to tip. A reader put his question succinctly:

"How much should I tip a tour guide in Penang Malaysia for a day tour?"

The short answer is, "Most travel writers would recommend $5 to $10 a day." But our reader's question brings up the broader question of tipping, generally, which deserves a bit of a look.

Overview

One learned source traces the history of tipping back to Roman times (or maybe even 2,680 BCE). Until recently, however, tipping was often practiced only in limited situations, and many countries developed no-tipping cultures.

As far as I can tell, the current worldwide practice of tipping practically everybody emerged after World War II: Those days, tip-happy Americans did most of the world's leisure and business travel, and they exported their tipping culture just as they exported entertainment and music cultures. I remember in my first visit to Australia (in the 1950s) hearing complaints from locals about how Americans were "ruining" the country's no-tipping restaurant and hotel environment.

Whatever the history, today's travelers face a wide array of potential tipping situations. And although most of us can make reasonable estimates in most situations, two situations remain something of a challenge:

• What to do in supposedly no-tipping countries or situations, and

• What to do when a "service" charge is automatically added to the bill.

Although you can find some guidance, these questions are by no means settled.

Restaurants, porters, and taxis

Although lots of online sites post "tipping guides," many of them reference the same basic source: The extremely comprehensive Worldwide Tipping Guide posted on the website for Magellan's travel supply mart. It covers tipping for restaurants, porters, and taxis in 77 countries from Argentina to Wales, including most of those you're likely to visit. Here are some highlights from this tabulation:

• Absent service charges, the most common tipping rates around the world are 10% in restaurants, 10% in taxis, and the rough equivalent of $1 US or 1 euro per bag in hotels.

• In Western Europe, where restaurants typically add a 10 to 15% service charge, the standard recommendation seems to be to add something between rounding up the odd change to about 5%.

• Current no-tipping countries include Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

The Independent's non-tabular guide is in general agreement. However, it recommends tipping the maid in Japanese-style accommodations. It also describes Australia as a "no tipping country," in contrast to Magellan's recommendation of 10% in "fine" restaurants and $2 per bag to porters.

One other general rule: If you're eating or staying on a voucher, at a huge discount, or on a meals-included package, calculate the tip on the "list" price rather than what you actually paid.

Tour guides and drivers

Most sources tend to recommend tipping a tour guide anywhere from $2 for a short tour to $5 for a full day or multiples of a day. Some recommend up to $10 for a full day, as well as $2 or so to the tour bus driver.

Hotels

The general rule seems to be tip only when an employee has performed some special service for you. Typically, that means $1 or $2 per bag for porters, $1 or $2 for a doorperson—maybe a bit more for hailing you a taxi on a rainy day—and more for "concierges" or others who take time to make special arrangements for you.

When I started traveling, nobody ever considered tipping the maids who maintained hotel rooms. These days, however, most sources seem to believe that a tip of $2 to $5 a day is expected, depending on the class of hotel and how much of a mess you generate.

One area of more than usual confusion: tipping at all-inclusive resorts that supposedly include a service charge. In the Mexico Forum at TripAdvisor, the consensus seems to favor some additional tipping, although nobody suggests any firm dollar figures. As far as I can tell, tipping at supposedly "no tipping" inclusive resorts is most prevalent in Mexico.

Cruises

Cruise tipping has generated a disproportionate amount of attention. Although you may disagree with some of the specifics, the most useful cruise tipping guide I've found is the Cruise Tip Calculator, an interactive site with specific information for most major cruise lines. According to this site, most lines now assess overall service charges on a per-day basis, to be paid separately from the base cruise price as promoted. The site shows charges for each line, which generally run $10 to $12 a day, with a few lines above and below this range. Of course, you may be able to opt out of the charge and tip individually—but you probably won't pay any less. For the lines that do not add service charges—Crystal, Disney, and Royal Caribbean—the site calculates appropriate levels of daily tips for the long list of candidates: stewards, waiters, bartenders, and their various assistants. As with all-inclusive land resorts, despite official "no tipping" policies, travelers may want to reward individual employees for outstanding service.

27 Personal Finance Tips for Overseas Travel

Overseas travel can be exciting and nerve-wracking, a dichotomy that can cloud your mind as you prepare for your trip. As you try to pull everything together for that vacation, business trip, or overseas school experience, you might forget small details that canl make your trip much less expensive in the long run. Some of these tips concern health and safety issues, as losses in that area can cost you a bundle. Other issues concern questions about whether to carry credit or debit cards, cash, or traveler's checks on your trip.

Although most colleges grill their students on how to behave on overseas trips, they often exclude information about how to handle money and, when asked, they leave those choices up to the students. In many cases, those students and some adults who travel abroad are caught in situations that can cost them financially. For instance, many overseas travelers do not know to contact their credit card companies or banks about travel plans, nor do they comprehend currency issues that exist at their destinations. Always check the currency exchange rates for your destination country before you travel.

Financial problems are exacerbated if you don't speak the country's language and if you don't understand how to access or use its currency. Most of the following tips will help you to avoid or at least mitigate these issues before you ever leave home, but others will help you maneuver through your trip with ease once you arrive at your destination.

Safety and Health Issues

1. Make two photocopies of any important papers.

   Make two photocopies of all important papers (credit cards, passport, driver's license, etc.) and leave one set at home with a trusted friend or family member. Take the other set of copies with you in your carry-on luggage. While you're at it, be sure to fill in the emergency contact information page on your passport. When you arrive at your hotel room, put all your important items in the room or hotel safe. When you leave your room, take the copy of your passport, not the original. Plus, you need to take only the credit card or other forms of monies that you plan to use on that outing.

   This action will help to limit your losses if you encounter a pickpocket or a thief. In addition, if your papers are confiscated for any reason, you can rest assured that you have copies of those records available elsewhere. If you don't trust your room safe, use the hotel safe. If you don't trust the hotel safe, plan on the purchase of a money belt or some other secure holding for your papers, cards, and money (see number 20).
   

2. Travel light (clothing-wise) and forget the bling.

   Leave the bling at home, and try to avoid any clothing that announces your nationality. The latter tip is to help you to avoid confrontations from any anti-American sentiments. Dress conservatively so that you don't stand out in a crowd. This means that you could try to dress in a casual business-like manner for travel and during weekday travel so that your dress doesn't scream "tourist." Business dress will help you avoid becoming a magnet for any individual who targets tourists for theft.

3. Find answers to your questions before you leave home.

   One way to learn about how the locals dress at your destination is to join a discussion groups like the ones at Fodor. Another method is to find a specialty group like Journeywoman. The latter site is designed for women who travel so they can make connections with other women who reside in the destination country. This type of site can help you learn more about that country including the safe spots, the dangerous places, and how to safeguard yourself in all situations. Learn a few customs so that you don't offend locals and learn simple phrases in their language like "thank you," "hello," and "excuse me."

   Also check the destination country's official site and the U.S. consular or embassy site in that country for travel warnings. However, be aware that the destination Web site may not project the warnings that the U.S. sites will, as the destination country may want to downplay any travel issues.

4. Safeguard your health.

   Don't forget your prescriptions, but be aware that some countries consider prescription medications to be illegal substances (like the U.S.). To be safe, carry a letter from your physician that states your need for the prescription and carry a copy of that prescription order so you can prove you need those medications. Also, keep those prescriptions in their original containers for travel rather than in a daily reminder-type container.

   You may not be able to replace contact lenses or glasses prescriptions while traveling. Carry extra contact lenses, putting one pair in a carry-on and the other in your checked luggage. Carry an extra pair of glasses and sunglasses, as you can be gouged for sunglasses at many tourist locations. If you have your eye prescription handy, make a copy and carry it with you in case you can replace prescription eyewear. Also check in with the Center for Disease Control' s travel site to learn more about how you can safeguard your health in your destination country.

5. Purchase travel insurance.

   You will want to purchase travel insurance and include compensation for delayed flights, cancellations, lost luggage, and any other problem that might occur. Most travel insurance policies charge just pennies more for complete peace of mind and you can be reimbursed for losses with a policy that often costs less than $20. Some even come bundled with medical insurance.

6. Purchase travel medical insurance and death insurance.

   If your travel or medical policy comes bundled with travel medical insurance, take a long hard look at their offerings. The dollars you spend here can save you thousands of dollars if you become sick or injured while traveling. These policies should cover instances where you need to be transported to another hospital or flown home, as well as seemingly simple procedures like treating a sprained ankle. Additionally, the option to fly your body home should you die is a good option to consider. Charges for medical or body transport can be exorbitant; so, be kind to your family and provide for this possibility before you leave home because the U.S. government doesn't pay for those expenses. Make copies of these papers and leave them with a trusted friend or relative. Also, consider the creation of a Power of Attorney in case you become incapacitated during your travels.

   Although the previous information may sound dire and possibly unnecessary for your situation, a report issued by Johns Hopkins Associates might change your mind. In it, they state that most Americans who die overseas do so in developed countries of Western Europe, where most Americans live or visit. The causes of death are similar to those in the U.S. (heart attack, accident, murder, suicide, etc.). The deaths of Americans in less developed countries are not from infectious and tropical disease, as many health professionals would expect, but are from chronic diseases, injuries, suicides, and homicides.

7. Continue to cover your assets.

   Purchase property insurance for equipment such as cameras, binoculars, laptops and other items. If you already carry insurance on these materials, check with the insurance company to make sure that you're covered for an overseas trip. The travel insurance that you purchase might cover these items as well, so read the fine print carefully before you purchase more insurance than you really need.

   Laptops provide special problems these days, as customs in various countries are concerned about where you obtained the laptop and what you have on it. While you probably won't encounter problems leaving the U.S., for instance, you might experience some hassles upon your return. If you register laptops, cameras, etc. with customs before you leave on your trip, you'll avoid possible duty fees upon your return.

8. Get phone numbers.

   You may not realize that 800 numbers work only in the U.S. and Canada. Before you leave, call your bank and credit card companies to get local (non-800) numbers so that you can call them in an emergency. Also, get numbers for the U.S. Embassy located at your destination in case you lose your passport or other important papers. Better yet, you can register at the Department of State online before you ever leave home. If your money is stolen, you can count on that consulate to offer a small loan for you to function until you retrieve more funds. Plus, if something does happen to you while traveling abroad, the the Bureau of Consular Affairs must locate and inform the next-of-kin, but they can only do that if they know how to reach them.

   Unfortunately, a Catch-22 is involved if you need help from an overseas U.S. consulate. You must show proof of citizenship before they will help you. This is why it's so important that you make copies of that passport, travel visa, driver's license, etc. Even if the only copies you have are the ones at home, those copies can be faxed to that embassy.

   If you plan to travel to a country where there are no U.S. officials, you should register at the U.S. embassy or consulate in an adjacent country. They can inform you about what you will need to do in emergency situations.

9. Purchase an international phone card and open an accessible email account.

   Six months after a major hurricane visited the Bahamian islands, one island's cell phone tower remained dysfunctional. The only way to call out to other islands or to the U.S. was by phone card and the use of landlines. Make sure that you purchase a card that can be used from the destination country and that it can be used to call numbers inside the U.S. in case of emergency. Some cards can be used in the U.S. upon your return, so you won't waste money on the purchase of that card.

   On the other hand, why call when you can email someone? Many foreign countries now support "email cafes" that you can use for a minimal fee, especially in cities and even in smaller towns. In this case, you want an email address like Gmail or Yahoo! so that you can use that email interface from any location.

10. Plan your itinerary before you leave home.

    Nothing says "rude and insecure tourist" like a person who pulls out and opens maps in the middle of a crowded plaza and who blocks foot traffic in the process. Plan your trip before you leave home, and become familiar with airport, public transportation, and city layouts before you reach your destination. Granted, standing in the middle of Heathrow Airport is far different than looking at the Heathrow terminal maps online. But, at least you can begin to understand that the planes may arrive at one terminal, you might need to go through customs in another terminal, and that public transport can be reached from a separate terminal altogether. This information can make you appear more confident and less of a target for thieves and scam artists.

Financial Issues

1. Travel light (financially) and carry a spare card.

   While traveling, keep cash in hand limited to less than $300 in that country's currency and carry just one credit and/or debit card to limit what can be lost or stolen. But, it is a good idea to carry a spare card in case something happens to that first card. Keep the second card locked away for safekeeping once you arrive at your destination.

2. Decide whether you want to use traveler's checks.

   Some folks feel comfortable with the purchase of a traveler's check or two as a means to gain access to money while they're abroad. However, fewer merchants accept traveler's checks these days. Additionally, the fees associated with cashing these checks overseas are often higher than fees for overseas credit card use (see below). With that said, traveler's checks can represent the safest form of travel funds, as a reputable company that issues those checks will usually reimburse you within 24 hours if the checks are lost or stolen. Make sure that you copy the phone number, check numbers, and any other information before you leave. In addition, leave one copy at home and carry the other copies on hand but separate from your actual traveler's checks. Read more about traveler's checks and cards at the Independent Traveler.

3. Check your ATM, credit and debit cards before you leave.

   Be sure to test your cards before you leave home to make sure that they work. Check the expiration date on the cards to make sure they won't expire while you're gone. Additionally, use a four-digit numeric ID for that card's PIN and commit that number to memory. Many ATM machines located outside North America only support four-digit PINs and they don't support letters on their keyboards, or the keyboard may seem unfamiliar because the letters and/or numbers may appear in a different order. If you use an alphabetical PIN, make sure that you know the numeric equivalent before you leave home.

4. Inform credit, debit, and ATM card banks and companies about your travel plans.

   Inform credit, debit, and ATM card banks and companies about your travel plans, but only those companies that you plan to use. Some credit and debit card companies may not allow you to use a card overseas at all, and some may freeze your account when you try to use it overseas unless you've informed them of your plans.

5. Get information about fees and charges for overseas card usage.

   These phone calls to your credit card companies will take a while, as you also need to ask the card companies about their fees for overseas usage. Some cards will charge the usual percentage rate on your balance, but they may also charge a 1% fee for foreign usage in addition to 2% currency conversion fees for foreign purchases made with their credit cards, debit and check cards, as well as ATM cash withdrawals. Once you have information about those fees, you will know to take only those cards with the most travel-friendly policies.

   You can be hit with currency conversion fees even when you purchase goods from a foreign merchant or from an international Web site from your U.S. location. If you want to purchase overseas rail tickets or tour packages for your trip, for example, you might check to see if that vendor maintains a U.S. office. If you go the U.S. route, you might be able to bypass those charges. To be on the safe side, you might use that company's U.S. phone number to make your purchase.

   Despite overseas credit card usage fees, it pays to charge if you plan to have a purchase shipped home for you. Hold onto those credit card receipts because you can dispute the charges if the item arrives damaged or not at all.

6. Consider a new card for an extensive trip.

   If you plan to take an extensive trip overseas, you might shop around for a traveler-friendly credit card. Capitol One provides the best foreign-travel reputation because they continue its popular policy of charging zero conversion fees and they absorb the 1% fee that Visa and MasterCard charge to process purchases. Discover does not charge a fee and American Express card fees depend upon who issues the card; however, you'll discover that these two cards aren't accepted widely in foreign countries. In fact, the Discover card is basically useless in Europe.

7. Check for overseas partner banks and consider a debit card.

   Some major U.S. banks partner with overseas banks. If this is the case for your bank, ask them where those banks are located at your destination. The use of a partner bank may save you from paying ATM fees to your hometown bank. If you want to use your ATM or debit card overseas (also called a "secured card"), make sure it contains a Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, or Plus logo, because those cards are used internationally. If you use a Cirrus/Plus card without a Visa/MC logo you might avoid the Visa/MasterCard fees for foreign use and currency conversions.

8. The overseas ATM and your debit card.

   When you use a foreign ATM, it acts just like an ATM at home. The foreign ATM, however, will spit out your cash in local currency using current exchange rates. Make sure that you use the credit or debit card that offers the lowest foreign transaction fee in that machine (usually the debit card). Withdraw enough money to last for a few days to avoid overusing the machine and its charges for each withdrawal.

   Beyond the ATM card issue, many ATMs located in foreign countries won't charge a usage fee as long as that ATM is associated with a bank. As in the U.S., it's often much safer to use an ATM that is associated with a bank rather than a privately owned ATM, as the bank would be easier to contact if problems occur than would the private company. Prior to travel, verify that your financial institution participates in all the networks listed on the back of the card that you plan to purchase and discover what limitations might apply to that card.

9. Consider pre-paid debit cards.

   Pre-paid debit cards are safer than regular debit cards because pre-paid cards aren't connected directly to your checking account. Purchase a card with the amount of money you think you might need and use it in ATM machines while you travel. If you lose the pre-paid card or if it's stolen, you won't lose the entire balance in your checking account as you might if a thief gains access to your regular debit card. But, fees do add up with this type of card. The pre-paid card usually comes with a purchase fee, reloading fees, international transaction fees, and cancellation fees, among other possible charges. Plus, this card may be difficult to replace when you're overseas.

10. Consider a money belt.

    A money belt provides great peace of mind as you travel. When you use a money belt, you don't need to worry about falling asleep on the plane or about pickpockets while you stare at some local artifact. Another option is a neck pack, where important papers, cards or money are stored in a pack that hangs from your neck and that you can tuck away under your shirt or blouse. Check out what others say about money belts and other alternatives at Fodor.

    Money belts aren't normal bits of clothing, so practice wearing the device before you leave. Two tips for money belts: Put all contents into a plastic bag so that sweat won't soak the paper inside the pouch (you can purchase money belts with plastic linings, and silk money belts are more comfortable than most other types). Also, never try to get your money out of that money belt in public. The purpose behind that pouch is to keep your valuables secret and safe. Pull out any cards or cash you might need for your outing before you leave the hotel room and keep those items in a deep pocket.

11. Learn to loop.

    Another tip that will help you to safeguard your purse or a carry-on bag is to wrap the strap around your ankle while you sit to eat or sleep. If someone tries to make off with that bag, the tug on that strap will alert you in a flash. Be aware of distractions that take your attention away from the activity at hand as well. Disturbances in public places might be staged for pickpockets and thieves to work a crowd.

    Finally, be aware at all times. While online, you might read stories about people who had purses and other items stolen as they stood at a hotel desk to check in. You wouldn't leave a purse or laptop sitting on the floor in a busy hotel lobby in a U.S. city, so don't leave one sitting on the floor in a foreign hotel lobby.

12. Learn about the Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) process and avoid it.

    Some foreign merchants may capitalize on your currency confusion and offer their prices in U.S. dollar amounts, or they might offer to convert your purchase into U.S. currency. Although this DCC practice might seem tourist-friendly, those prices are usually based upon inflated currency rates. These prices may drive the price up 3-5% over the local price. When you decide to purchase an item on DCC with your credit card, you could take on even more percentage points to the final price.

    You can ask to have the price of the item you want converted back to local currency. If the merchant refuses or states that he or she doesn't know how to convert the rate, ask for the manager or simply refuse the purchase. Visa requires that you are provided a meaningful choice at the point of sale and you have the right to buy your purchase in the local currency so that you do not incur any additional fees the merchant may assess. Visa also requires merchants who offer this service to inform you of the exchange rate including any applicable commission being charged.

    Finally, although Visa and possibly other issuers require a meaningful choice, be sure to check your receipt before you walk out the door. If the item was charged in U.S. currency, you can ask for a new receipt in local currency.

13. Purchase some foreign currency at your local bank just before you leave.

    Your local bank might have a branch at your departing airport, or you might stop at the bank on the way out of town. You need just enough money to get to your hotel from the destination airport and possibly enough for one meal. The reason I say this is because there have been times when students are hustled straight from their baggage pickup to the hotel and then from the hotel to their first classes or tour with little to no time to access an ATM.

    I also advocate this step because I operate on the "worse case scenario" mindset. In this case, the destination airport's ATMs are out of order, it's too late and all the banks are closed, and there's a line a mile long at the money exchange booth. Criminals may watch for and target international travelers purchasing large amounts of foreign currency at airport banks and currency exchange windows as well. I'd rather pick up my luggage and head straight to the hotel room. A limited amount of foreign currency on hand allows that luxury.

14. Avoid Cash-to-Cash machines.

    These machines are popular in Europe, and they look just like an ATM. But instead of feeding a card into the machine, you feed money into these machines and they spit out a currency exchange. These machines are so convenient and prolific that you might be tempted to use one. However, you might regret your choice as these machines usually operate on inflated exchange rates and often charge fees for the exchange (which is taken out of your input).

15. Use cash whenever possible.

    You'd be hard pressed to find a merchant anywhere (even in the U.S.) who would prefer a credit card over cash. Merchants pay fees to use credit cards, whereas cash-in-hand is fee-free for that merchant. Therefore, you might discover that many overseas merchants won't accept credit cards. Additionally, you can often find your best bargains at street markets or with merchants who are willing to haggle. You can't haggle with a credit card, so don't even try.

Other Issues

1. Hotel rooms

   Try to get a hotel room between the second and seventh floors for bodily and financial safety. Most fire departments don't have equipment that will reach above the seventh floor and lower floors are susceptible to thieves, especially if those rooms have sliding glass doors and/or easily opened windows. When you check in, study hotel uniforms so you can recognize them. You can always verify hotel employees with the front desk before permitting that person's entry to your room. On the other hand, accept the bellman's assistance upon check-in, as that person can open the door, turn on your lights and check all rooms before you enter.

2. Public transportation saves money.

   Public transportation is usually safe and may be the easiest and least expensive way to travel, especially around Europe, Australia, and other developed countries. In fact, some of these countries maintain more elaborate systems than those found in the U.S. Learn about available systems that operate at your destination and learn whether you can purchase special deals through ticket packets, seasonal deals, or other options before you leave home.

If you're a seasoned overseas traveler, you probably know other travel tips and tricks that work for you. Additionally, some tips are more relevant to some countries than others. There's nothing like the first trip overseas to shake up your idea of the world as you know it and each country you visit will help you to learn new travel tricks.

To help overcome "newbie" jitters that are generated from overseas trips, learn as much about the country you intend to visit before you go. And, despite any attempts at dressing like the locals, as soon as you open your mouth the locals will know that you're the foreigner. But, if you voice positive comments about that country and keep negative comments and criticism to yourself, you can help to make your trip much more enjoyable and safer all around.