- Avoid rooms with ground- or second-level windows.
Avoid rooms with ground- or second-level windows. When possible, choose a room between the third and sixth floors. Rooms on these floors are high enough to discourage access from the street, yet are within reach of most fire-department ladders.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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- Remember to always close and lock your door.
Remember to always close and lock your door. Make it a habit to use all locks, including the deadbolt and chain. If you choose to stay in a room that faces pools or beach areas, make sure your sliding doors and windows have sturdy locks.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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- Do not open your door to anyone who knocks unexpectedly.
Do not open your door to anyone who knocks unexpectedly. If someone unexpectedly knocks claiming to be a hotel staff member, call the front desk to confirm his or her status before opening the door. And teach children to never open the door without your permission.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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- Park in well-lit areas
Park in well-lit areas and as close to the hotel as possible. Many hotel thefts take place in parking lots and structures, so finding a well-lit area to park your car is essential. Women traveling alone should ask for an escort to their cars at night. If possible, use valet parking services. Valet service allows you to leave and pickup your car at the main entry, while also providing an added layer of security for your vehicle.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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- Take note of the hotel's emergency evacuation plan.
Take note of the hotel's emergency evacuation plan. As soon as you enter your room, take time to look at the hotel's emergency escape plan and make a mental note of the nearest emergency exit and how to get there.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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- Choose a hotel with security cameras.
Choose a hotel with security cameras. Video surveillance cameras can provide an added layer of security to help prevent theft and discourage criminals. Hotel cameras should be placed in stairwells, pathways, exercise rooms, parking lots and any other public areas. Cameras not only help hotel staff track the safety of their visitors, they are also helpful in identifying criminals if a crime does occur.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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- Limo ride to/from the airport
Visitors to (or residents living in) Manhattan or the San Francisco Bay Area should check out Hitchsters.com, which connects travelers going to and from their local airport so they can share a ride (and thus split the fare). Treat yourself to a semi-private car service instead of taking public transportation, a taxi or asking family or friends for a lift.
Travel Tip Category: Air Travel
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- Day pass to an airline lounge
While entrance is typically limited to first- and business-class travelers, anyone can purchase a day pass to a lounge which lets you sit back and relax like a VIP before your next flight. The newly remodeled 32,000-square-foot, 504-seat American Airlines Admirals Club inside Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, for example, offers a range of amenities including a walk-up cyber café, free Wi-Fi, spa-like shower facilities, and complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, juices and light snacks—all for just $50.
Travel Tip Category: Air Travel
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- First class upgrade
Some carriers offer last-minute upgrades to the first class cabin for as low as $25 on some flights, so it’s worth finding out if the option is available when checking in. In addition, you may also be able to get yourself to the front of the plane by redeeming frequent flier miles.
Travel Tip Category: Air Travel
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- Luxury hotel
The down economy has forced many five-star hotels to offer rooms at three-star prices. Sign up for newsletters from your favorite luxury properties to receive the scoop on exclusive deals. Cities like Las Vegas, Washington, D.C. and New York have never been more affordable. Flights to these destinations are also at their most affordable.
Travel Tip Category: Hotel
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