Practical Travel Tips (Part 2)

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Practical Travel Tips (Part 2)

I have always loved to travel but up until this year I haven’t had the money or opportunity to travel much.

Colorado Rockies from the Sky

Public speaking was something that absolutely terrified me, so when I got that first email asking me to speak, I was torn. I wanted to spread a message in every where that I could but to get up there in front of all those people, really??

After the first time I got up on stage, I realized this was part of my dream, it just felt right. On the flight down to West Virginia I was the happiest person you ever met. Whenever someone would ask why I was travelling, I was over-joyed to tell them I was a “speaker“!

Speaking in L.A.

Now I have racked up over 47,000frequent flyer miles since June and have spoken at eight events, it’s pretty amazing. Along the way I have observed and learned some things the hard way!

On Monday I shared a few things I learned and I’d like to share a few more with you today. If your dreams or your job involve travel, then I hope you can use these two posts.

Hotel Tips

Look for the one that offers more: When I first started out I would take whatever hotel the discount service gave me. I wasn’t building up rewards or getting any extras. Now I stay only at hotels that I can build rewards and get Delta Skymiles through, usually I’ll get double the airline miles as a bonus. Most of the time you’ll find me at the Hilton, they usually have a hotel shuttle to the airport and a free breakfast buffet. That makes a HUGE difference in what you’ll spend cutting those expenses out. It gives you more money to enjoy the city or country that you are in.

The view from the Hilton New York

Don’t add to your bill: This is basic but there are things in the room that if you even pick up you’ll be charged more. The first time I stayed in a hotel for speaking, I was so amazed by everything I was touching and examining things. When I got home and checked my account a few days later, there were some charges. I called and got them removed because I didn’t use them the $7 bag of pretzels and $10 bottled water

It was explained to me that they were motion sensitive, whoops! You can get those charges removed but who wants to deal with the hassle, right?
Rewards equal more: As you stay in the same hotel or hotel chain and build rewards, you’ll enjoy all sorts of upgrades. Don’t forget that hotel chains have many different hotel’s in their network. The more nights in the same one’s that more you not only get the upgrades but you’ll also enjoy things like FREE WiFi, that comes in handy, especially on business.

Food

All that I want to say here is that eating out, especially in another city can be very expensive. The meals add up fast, that’s why I like the hotels that give free breakfast. My advice is to take advantage of the restaurants that work out deals with the hotel, it cuts down a little on what you’ll spend.

BBQ in Arkansas

I try to eat either a big breakfast or lunch, then only eat one other meal. I’d rather spend my money on sightseeing then food, plus I’m on a diet

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy some dinning in local places that are unique to the place I’m at. Got to go local!

Enchiladas in New Mexico

Fun and Transportation

I’m usually in a city or country to speak but you know I have to explore! When I was in Sydney, Australia I knew it could possible be a once and a lifetime experience, so I wanted to make the most of it. I went everywhere in the time that I was there and saw all the major sites.

One thing I like about most major city’s all over the world is the access to public transportation. New York city by far has the best public transportation in the world, seriously! $2.25 to ride the subway anywhere, I got from mid-town Manhattan to La Guardia airport for only $4.25 using the subway and the bus, insane!