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Make sure you bring your cell-phone charger, and use it, so you aren't forced to use their phone. You don't want to pay those phone fees just because you forgot to charge your phone! If your phone doesn't work in the country you're visiting, but you have a computer, consider using Skype or another free internet phone service.
Check to see if the hotel you're booking has fees to use wi-fi. Big hotels tend to charge for this, but smaller ones don't. We usually like those smaller hotels anyway. If you're a business traveler, you probably need that wi-fi, but you might be able to get it without the hotel fee in the lobby or their business center.
If you're a casual traveler, you may be able to find free wi-fi at a local library or city hall or coffee shop. We've even picked up free wi-fi at a sidewalk cafe in Eger, Hungary. Just sitting there, having a glass of "Bull's Blood" wine and checking e-mail... with no wi-fi fee. How cool is that?!?
It's easy to avoid hotel fees for the mini-bar. You know they're going to charge you way too much.... Why not grab a bottle of wine and some snacks from a shop on the street. You'll probably have a better selection, and you'll definitely save money.
Make sure that bottle of water sitting in the bathroom says it's complimentary. Especially in some less developed countries where the water isn't safe, it probably will be, but in some cases, if you drink it, you buy it... and pay more than you want to.
If the hotel you're in has a gym, check to see if there is a fee to use it. No need to pay to walk on the treadmill if you can just take a nice walk and see the sights. That would be more fun anyway, wouldn't it?
That newspaper some hotels deliver to your door may not cost much, but are you going to read it. If you tell them you don't want it, you might save a bit on your bill.
You may not be able to avoid a fee for the shuttle to the airport, but you should know about it. We've stayed in hotels that have a free shuttle pick-up from the airport, but it costs you to get back! What are you going to do? No way to avoid hotel fees like that! You've got to take their shuttle and just pay for it.
Many city hotels charge a parking fee. This can be pretty high. We've often saved a bunch by parking at a city lot nearby and walking a block or two.
Always check your bill to see if there are charges on there for things you didn't use. You might be able to have those charges removed. You can't do this if you're checking out in a hurry though, so it always pays to check your bill the night before you're leaving.
We don't mind paying for services we've used, but expensive fees add up and can really impact your travel budget. We like to think ahead and avoid hotel fees when we can.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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