Photo by Noël Zia Lee

Southwest Airlines has worked hard to make sure we all know other airlines are charging up to $200 round trip to check a bag. Unless you're flying Southwest or  another carrier that doesn't charge for checked baggage, packing light for holiday trips makes more sense than ever. Not only will you save time and money but it's great fun to breeze past all those bedraggled masses waiting at the baggage check.

Packing light, however, requires a certain mindset and preparation. After two years traveling throughout Europe with a single carry on, I consider myself something of an expert. Here are five tricks I learned for  brief trips.


1. Buy the right bag: Before you sit down to make a list, find a bag that will suit your needs. Airlines have very specific size requirements these days. According to Expedia.com, the safe maximum size is 45",  in the form of a 22" x 14" x 9" bag, with a 50-pound limit. I brought a tape measure with me when shopping as the sizing information listed on luggage tags wasn't always accurate. The manufacturers' measurements usually indicate the interior space, not the exterior. Nor do they take into account the size of a fully stuffed bag, which will bulge beyond its natural contour. The wheels and carry handle also can add another couple of inches.

Almost all bags have wheels these days, but it's wise to take a test drive around the store to ensure it won't wobble. If you're planning a future European trip, make sure the wheels are sturdy enough to handle cobble-stoned streets.

Cost is not an automatic indicator of quality. My $40 bag from a discount store had all the pockets I needed, wheeled perfectly on the roughest of surfaces, and remained sturdily intact throughout many airplane, train and hostel ventures.

Finally, don't forget to attach luggage tags and include this same information inside the bag, in case the tags become detached.


2. Make a list:  Select your clothing first, as this will compose the bulk of your luggage. This is no time to be a fashionista. Select clothing for practicality and how you will spend your time. I found The Universal Packing List Web site invaluable as it includes everything from weather information to reminders about pet care. The list can be a bit heavy handed, however, so you'll want to trim it down. Since many of us will visit cold climates over the holidays, give your layers a test run to ensure comfort and explore how many different outfits you can make out of some basic items.

If you anticipate attending a fancy New Years Eve party requiring formal wear, consider borrowing or buying something at post-Christmas sales. You can always leave it behind or ship it home.

Check the Transportation Security Administration's Web site for specifics on packing liquids and prohibited items. While these regulations can be a real pain, they also help to winnow down your list. If you're visiting family or close friends, ask to use their shampoo, soap, blow dryer, etc. to cut down on space required for toiletries. Hotels make it easier because they restock such supplies as you run out. Pack any remaining toiletries in a toiletries bag or resealable plastic bag to reduce bathroom clutter and prevent any surprise explosions that will damage the rest of your luggage. Don't forget tightly-closed bottles can explode if you're flying from or to a high-altitude destination. Since I'm based in Colorado, I always wrap such bottles in an additional plastic bag.


3. Check  it twice: Place everything you intend to pack on the bed and everything you intend to carry with you on the floor. Is there anything you can eliminate? Remember, holiday trips don't last a lifetime, even if it may feel like it, and you can buy or borrow some items. Also consider whether you're likely to receive an extra scarf, hat or pair of socks for Christmas and cross those items off your list.

Photo by dnkbdotcom

The great plane-ticket sale of 2009 is coming to an end.

Air fares that steadily declined throughout 2009 have stabilized thanks to the airlines that reduced inventory to fill their planes. However, fall typically is the weakest season of the year for air travel and Americans have lately showed a propensity for stay-cations. Thus airlines are worried and are trying to get ahead of the curve by launching ticket sales earlier and stretching them out longer.

For holiday travelers, that means waiting to book that trip to grandma's house is no longer a good idea. It's time to get moving and reserve your holiday airfare pronto.

Some airlines are getting more aggressive with fare sales by posting them on such social-networking sites as Twitter. JetBlue, Southwest and Virgin America all have given Web-savvy fliers a heads-up on cheaper rates.

The real key to grabbing a cheap fare, however, is doing your homework. If you know the dates you want to travel, it pays to periodically cruise travel Web sites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia to review how fares are fluctuating. It also helps to check fare-history charts on such sites as Kayak and FareCompare to ensure you know a good deal when you see one.

Some tips for scoring the best deal:

• Think turkey instead of tinsel. Priceline notes the average Thanksgiving airfare booked this year from July 1 to Oct. 1 is $361, almost $80 less than the average December holidays airfare of $440.


• Be flexible on dates and airports. Several major airlines have imposed new surcharges of $10 each way for travel on peak travel days directly before and after the holidays. Moving your trip a day or two in either direction can save you 20 percent or more.  


• Consider alternate airports. Landing or departing from nearby airports can reduce ticket costs. For example, avoid Chicago's O'Hare and drive one-hour south to Milwaukee, where holiday fares are down by more than 30% this year, thanks to new competition from AirTran and Southwest.


• Fly nonstop out of a popular airline hub. You'll find more competition among airlines at a hub, and thus better pricing. Best of all, by flying nonstop you won't be stuck eating airport food, lugging presents and carry-ons between planes, or increasing the chance of your luggage being lost.

As a recent sojourner to the Big Apple, I have a good idea of how much damage a big city can do to a budget.  We're talking wrecking ball style demolition.  Those of us in flyover country may be a little on the provincial side, but we can still spot a ridiculous waste of money, cosmopolitan hub of the universe or not.  Traveling to a big city is exhilarating; seeing the architectural wonders, big blinky lights, and world-class shows puts a goofy grin on any corn-fed hick like myself.  It's even fun to get yelled at by a passerby.  

Part of what makes traveling in a big city difficult is locals have enough to contend with aside from gawking, picture snapping fanny pack wearers who dare to occupy space on the pavement.  If you travel to a densely populated area, beware that you're not always welcome.  Plus you will have to accustom yourself to close proximity.  Steal squirts of instant hand sanitizer mid-transit to get a semblance of clean.  

Heed the following advice if planning a trip to Big City, USA to condition your wallet for a spending marathon:

1. Get to know your destination city's transit system and utilize it.
Sure, you may see some creative types dressed in rags or speaking in tongues, but most large cities have well-used public transportation monitored by local authorities.  Your chances of being mugged aren't worse on a bus or train than they are on a street.  Buying a week-long transit pass will usually save you more money than paying ride to ride.  If you rely on rental cars and taxis you can quadruple travel expenses.  View it as a learning experience and enjoy navigating the city local style.

2. Get a CityPass, provided you're interested in most of the options.
It's fine to be interested in tourist things.  That's what you are, so don't fight it.  And many of the city's touristy spots are legitimately awesome.  CityPass offers a buffet of options from which to choose at up to 50% off all attractions.  Many of the nation's biggest cities have a deal with them for museums, tours, and observatory decks.  Review the options ahead of time and always plan on visiting the high traffic destinations early in the morning.

3. Have a sit-down meal once a day, not three.
The first thing to do after collecting your busted baggage is to buy some protein bars, cereal bars, and fruit from a nearby market.  Many big cities don't offer refrigerators in your hotel room, so buy food that can be stored at room temperature.  A word to Middle Americans: we don't pay much for our food in comparison to our East Coast neighbors.  Restaurant fare is expensive, and the pre-meal bread isn't free.  Make your lunch or dinner the sit-down meal and eat on the go at other meals.  

4. Bargain with tour guides.
If you opt for a carriage ride through the park or guided bike tour of the city, haggle the price.  Unless it's a big bus-like tour the individual guides will usually offer a lower price (plus tips) on a slower day.  It can't hurt to ask and start to walk away.

Whether you’re looking for the best place to book airfare online or trying to figure out when you should book or plan your travel in the first place, here are some strategies to experiment with before booking.

1. Go Kayaking - Kayak.com is the best place to find the cheapest plane tickets now, according to BudgetTravel.com.

2. View fare history – You can use Kayak.com (and other travel sites) to view a chart of “fare history" to see where today’s fare compares in the cycle.

3. Track fares – If you’re planning a trip, track fares using Yapta.com to snag a fare at its best rate.

4. Be flexible – Moving your departure or arrival dates by a day or two can save a chunk of change, as can traveling in the off season.

5. Book separately – Especially when booking international flights, research to see if it’s cheaper to buy separate tickets for each leg of your trip, instead of buying roundtrip.

Hotels are the best place to get travel bargains this year, according to BudgetTravel.com. Hotels are hit hardest in a recession, and they’re wising up after the post-9/11 economy lessons by not slashing the prices up front.

Hotel owners have found that in the past when they’ve done that, consumers are less likely to accept the higher pricing once the economy straightens up. This time around, they’re using sites like Hotwire.com and Priceline.com more and more to offer a portion of their rooms at deeply discounted prices through their “opaque” booking services (consumers don’t know which hotel they’re getting until their credit card is charged).

So their publicly advertised rates remain high, which helps the hotels maintain a higher sense of value in the public’s eye.
With that little economics lesson behind us, let’s look at a few tips to keep in mind when you to make reservations.

• Expedia.com sells the most hotel rooms online and they’re currently holding their biggest hotel sale ever. Book by Aug. 31 for travel through Sept. 7.
• Hotwire.com’s inventory is at an all-time high. Out of the thousands of hotels which are offering rooms through its site, many are 4.5 to 5-star hotels. Check their “Last-minute deals!” section.
• Priceline.com is also seeing a jump in bookings, as hotels are consistently accepting offers of approximately 50 percent lower than their retail rates advertised on their own websites.
  
  BudgetTravel.com says hotel owners are using sites like these as part of a pricing strategy, similar to what Target retail stores do. You see three similar items on the shelf next to each other.
• The goal is for the consumer to buy the mid-priced item and leave feeling like they’ve made the wisest purchasing decision. With that in mind, don’t feel rushed to book a hotel deal right away just because they’re available now. Good hotel deals should be available through the end of the year.
  
  But wait! We’ve got more tips!

Anyone who’s been to New York City has seen the landmark red-and-white ticket booths where scores of people line up to snag discounts on Broadway tickets. If you don’t have the time or energy to stand with them, check out some other ways to see a Broadway plan on a budget.

Members Only
The Theatre Development Fund has a membership program that offers advance tickets for less than $35 for some Broadway shows – similar to the discount you’d get from standing in line at the red-and-white “TKTS” booths, which TDF operate. Eligible members are students, educators, union members, senior citizens or a civil service employee (including armed forces or clergy). The annual membership fee of $27.50 can be made up in the savings on a single show. If you live more than 100 miles outside of NYC, the annual fee is just $12.

Promo Codes
When you're buying anything online, search for a promotional code. Broadway tickets are no exception. Whether you’re buying through Telecharge and Ticketmaster or from a theater box office (which can save you booking fees), you can use codes found on Playbill.com, TheaterMania and BroadwayBox.com. Codes can save you 20-50%.

Bring the Kids
On select nights, Kids Night on Broadway offers kids ages 6-18 a free ticket to see a participating Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full price-paying adult.

Is it really possible to travel on a budget when you use a wheelchair, cane or walker? Can disabled travelers find those same great travel bargains that are available to their able-bodied counterparts?

The answer is a qualified yes. The deals are out there, if you know where to look. The good news is, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to hit the road if you need accessible services. With that in mind, here are a few money-saving tips to help you stretch your travel dollars.

• Many budget properties offer excellent access, so seek them out whenever possible. For example, Microtel gets consistently high marks for access, as all of their properties are constructed from the ground up with access in mind.
• Consider staying in a hostel to trim your lodging costs. Although previously only an option for young travelers and backpackers, today hostels welcome everyone. Many hostels are wheelchair-accessible, and some even have private rooms. Visit the Hostelling International website to find an accessible hostel near you.
• For a zero cost lodging bill, consider a home exchange. Although most home exchange services don't specifically list accessible homes, the Institute on Independent Living in Stockholm has a great message board filled with accessible home exchange options. Best of all, it's free!
• The YMCA is another budget lodging option that’s often overlooked by disabled travelers. Most Ys have swimming pools and some even have weight rooms; and many offer excellent access
• When flying in the US, save your taxi fare and choose a hotel that offers free airport transportation. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, if a hotel has a free shuttle service, they must also provide accessible transfers at no charge, even if they have to contract out the service.
• Most major museums have good wheelchair-access, while many offer special free days every week or month. Check the museum website for information about their free days, and then adjust your schedule accordingly.

None of us like to complain about prices on vacations.  Grilling the receptionist about a mini-bar "unstocking fee" makes us feel like the ultimate tightwad.  Money seems to have no value away from reality and we are more willing to spend it Monopoly style.

If you haven't traveled in a while, you'll choke on the myriad of new fees cropping up like weeds.  From the airport to your hotel pool, be on guard of hidden fees.  Take initiative--don't wait until the last day of your vacation to "discover" them.  Be proactive and ask your booking agent or concierge exactly what is included in your flight and hotel costs.   

Dump the baggage
Thank you, American Airlines, for initiating the checked baggage fee bonanza.  (Even though they continue to operate in the red.)  Expect to pay between $15-25 for one piece of luggage...one-way.  If you and your two children bring two bags a piece, that's and extra $240, minimum.  Traveling with a baby?  Forget it.  And if you buy an army-sized bag to stuff the belongings of your family of six, you'll be slapped with additional weight limit fees.  The solution?  Economize your packing or boycott the airlines that charge fees.  Southwest is still the friendliest airline in the country and doesn't charge extra for luggage.

The early bird catches extra charges
In the past, hotels have been generous to allow guests in their rooms early, or at least lock up luggage until check-in time.  Ask the concierge if there are any fees associated with early check-in or baggage holding.  Many hotels are beginning to tack on charges for this favor.  Some establishments even charge $50 for guests who arrive an hour early.  

There’s nothing more rewarding after six to 12 months of meticulously planning wedding details, negotiating with vendors and trying your hardest to appease your family and your in-laws than leaving it all behind to veg out for a few days with the person you just committed to spending the rest of your life with. Don’t think of your honeymoon as a normal vacation — use it to truly unravel all the stress you’ve been feeling and to enjoy your new spouse.

Make your honeymoon last as long as you have the vacation days for, but use them wisely. Time spent recuperating and relaxing at home can be just as much or more memorable than spending the entire time in another city. And if the number one honeymoon destination is Hawaii, why not do something more original? Below are some tips for honeymoons of all shapes and sizes.

The Reason for the Season
There are three seasonal categories in the tourism and hospitality industry that will cause rates to fluctuate — high season, low season, and the shoulder season. Costs are lowest, obviously, during the low season, but there’s a reason. The weather could be horrible. The high season could carry the most favorable weather conditions, but not always. The shoulder season bridges the other two season and often has just as nice weather as the high season. Use Internet travel sites to do research about what you can expect during these time periods.

Do Not Disturb
A stay-at-home honeymoon is the least stressful way to spend your first days together as husband and wife. It can also be just as romantic. Ask your florist for a bag of extra rose petals (they often do this as a service anyway) that you can line your bed or bathtub with. Candles will set the mood, along with music, and the right foods. Often couples who do choose to stay at home get the added benefit of being able to hang out with friends and family who are still in town after the wedding. Now that the wedding day is over, you’re free to relax and be yourself again.

Itching to get outta dodge this summer with little cash to spare?  Traveling and studying abroad doesn't have to tack another huge debt onto your student loans.  With extra planning you can fully experience another culture for much less than traditional programs.
 
1. Contact a university directly to make arrangements
If you connect with a college abroad, often they will be able to recommend a summer program with dorm or family housing and appropriate classes for your language abilities.  By doing the work yourself to arrange a study abroad with a university you can tailor it more toward your goals and save money.

2. Pick inexpensive destinations
The following are generally less expensive yet safe locations for studying abroad.  Parents, don't discount non-European destinations for fear of crime--most tourists who are aware of their surroundings have a higher likelihood of getting mugged in Detroit than in South America.

Guatemala continues to be a beautiful location for language study and great scenic travel.  Antigua is one of the cleanest and most visually appealing cities in the Americas.  From Mayan ruins to beautiful beaches, students headed here will make the most of their travel budget.
Head to Southeast Asia for cheap, tasty food, great sites, and cheap programs.  Saigon tops the list for must-sees.  Flight costs are not as prohibitive as you might think.

Believe it or not, Colombia is once again a safe place to travel.  Medellín is a delightful city with beautiful, lush greenery and welcoming Colombianos.