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Strategies

July, 2008
11 Car-Rental Cost-Cutting Secrets
Don’t let expensive gas get in the way of your rental-car road trip.

June, 2008
How to Avoid Hidden Hotel Charges
Andrea Bennett examines the mysterious fees on your bill and whether it’s possible to avoid them.

May, 2008
Greenback Blues
T+L’s Andrea Bennett tells you how to stretch your dollar in Europe.

April, 2008
Booking travel online?
Feel-good guarantees are no substitute for reading the fine print. Andrea Bennett takes a closer look.

April, 2008
Travel Secrets | 2008
How to get a free massage, save money on car rentals, and score more legroom on your next flight. It’s all in our second annual roundup of insider travel advice.

March, 2008
Maximize Your Family’s Mileage Points
Randy Petersen, Mile Maven, answers your questions.

March, 2008
32 Tips for a Smoother Flight
Flight delays, airport security, and lost luggage may be unavoidable, but to make your next flying experience better, T+L has pulled together these indispensible tips.

March, 2008
Last Minute Dream Getaways
T+L’s Andrea Bennett tells us how to score a dream getaway only weeks in advance.

February, 2008
Seven Steps to Villa Rental Success
These seven steps will help ensure a smooth villa vacation, from start to finish.

January, 2008
Prevent Lost Luggage: 3 Tips
T+L’s Andrea Bennett explains how you can prevent your bags from winding up on a rainy tarmac—and what to do if it does happen.

January, 2008
Check-In: Airport Security

December, 2007
America’s Best & Worst Airports
Traveling this holiday season? Here are the 10 airports with the lowest percentage of delays—and the 10 worst offenders.

December, 2007
Holiday Travel 101
Expert tips on how to beat the crowds, save money, and travel smart this season

December, 2007
Hotel Deals
When it comes to booking a room, finding the most bang for your buck is no simple task. Here, Andrea Bennett reveals her four-step plan.

November, 2007
5 Ways to Give Back
You don’t have to sign up for a volunteer vacation to do good while you travel. We asked social activist Michael Norton, author of 365 Ways to Change the World, for five simple steps to give back to the communities you visit.

November, 2007
Eco Lies
How do you know if a hotel’s program is truly environmentally friendly—and not all smoke and mirrors? T+L’s Andrea Bennett separates fact from fiction

November, 2007
Traveling Light
When it comes to the things we carry with us—and the impact we have on the places we visit—less is more. Alex Shoumatoff makes the case

October, 2007
On the Fast Track
If you're looking to renew a passport or get a visa in a hurry, an expeditor can be a smart option. Jennifer V. Cole explains the benefits as we test four agencies.

October, 2007
Flying Lesson
Considering an air pass for your next itinerary? T+L's Andrea Bennett does the math and reveals when it may save you more.

September, 2007
Ready for Takeoff?
With rapidly growing fleets and new routes, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways are changing the way we fly and turning the United Arab Emirates into the gateway to Asia, as Greg Lindsay reports

August, 2007
Photography 101

June, 2007
Hidden Fees Update
Six ways to outsmart hotels when it comes to extra charges

June, 2007
Five Routes to Free Rooms
Using loyalty programs to get what you need

June, 2007
Mini-bar Exam
The hotel mini-bar can test the will of even the most frugal traveler. But what’s the price of temptation? T+L’s editors have been taking stock on recent trips across five continents. Here are our favorite finds and biggest beefs

May, 2007
Strictly Business (Class)
Several new airlines promise to fly you to Europe in style for less. We hopped on board to see if they deliver.

May, 2007
Duty-Free Deals
Sometimes it’s a bargain, and sometimes not: here, how and where to get the most for your dollar.

May, 2007
A Guide to the Stars
Across Europe, hotel ratings can be an invaluable resource for you—if you know how to read the stars. Here, six of the most prominent systems.

May, 2007
Freewheeling in Paris

April, 2007
Health & Fitness on the Road
Does vacation make you healthier? Amy Farley looks volunteers to become a test case. PLUS, T+L examines trends and new developments, from a plane designed to reduce jet lag to the latest countries climbing on the smoke-free bandwagon

April, 2007
Yoga Styles, Unwound
Not quite sure what the difference is between Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga? Or Power Yoga versus Bahkti Flow? Refer to the list below for some twist-free definitions.

February, 2007
A to Z Guide to Travel Secrets You Need to Know
From airline ticket booking loopholes to zipping precious travel documents, we’ve uncovered a wealth of money-saving shortcuts and insiders’ insights to help you travel like a pro.

February, 2007
The Fine Art of Packing
Sotheby’s principal auctioneer, Tobias Meyer, deconstructs his carry-on and explains why less is more luxurious.

January, 2007
2007 Vacation Savings Planner

December, 2006
Customs Update

December, 2006
Short-term Rentals 101
Rising room rates and the ease of browsing for short-term apartments on the Internet have made this urban vacation alternative increasingly popular. T+L guides you through the pluses and pitfalls of renting a pied-à-terre

October, 2006
Going it Alone
Whether you're headed to India or Vietnam, traveling alone doesn't have to be a daunting experience. Xander Kaplan assesses six countries where a little extra legwork and careful planning makes all the difference

July, 2006
Staying Healthy Abroad
From contaminated water to malaria, international travelers confront a wide array of health risks. Here, 10 essential tips that will help you prepare for your next trip.

June, 2006
Dream Villas Made Easy
Everyone has a fantasy villa, whether it's a country estate in Tuscany or a beachside cottage in the Caribbean. T+L shows you how to make it a reality

May, 2006
Virgin Atlantic Airways 17

May, 2006
Museum-Go-Round
Culture mavens take note: if you want to squeeze as many museums as possible into your trip, buy an all-in-one card.

May, 2006
New Flights in Europe
In the past few years, Europe's low-cost airlines have been adding flights between cities that have not previously had direct links. Here, a selection of key routes on eight carriers.

May, 2006
European Cities: How to Get Around
Here are the best transportation options for six urban centers—from Amsterdam’s canal buses to Rome’s easy-to-flag taxis.

May, 2006
Rules of the Road

April, 2006
Airfare Wars
We tested all the top players, on routes that run the gamut from simple to complex, to see where each type of site excels. Here's what we found.

April, 2006
Flight Report

April, 2006
T+L's Top 28 Web Sites
For travelers, Web surging used to mean scrolling through a few major booking sites and a handful of user-friendly hotel and airline pages. Now, the choices are dizzying. To make your life a little easier, we've picked the top 28 sites you need to know.

March, 2006
Star Treks
Lace up your walking shoes. Below, the best book, audio, and group tours in pedestrian-friendly cities worldwide.

March, 2006
Stepping Out
The walking tour is evolving from standard guided walks into quirky treks and high-tech adventures. MEEGHAN TRUELOVE reports.

March, 2006
Taking it to the Streets
What's the best way to learn about a city—with a book in hand, on a guided stroll, or listening to your trusty iPod? MEEGHAN TRUELOVE hits the pavement of her native New York City to find out

February, 2006
Tipping Points
If you think you've mastered tipping rules, think again. Like any social convention, tipping varies from country to country and changes with the times. Here, the latest practices around the world, at hotels, spas, and more

February, 2006
Flight Report: Delta 126
The news up there

February, 2006
Travel Watch
Smoking, WiFi, and More

February, 2006
A Matter of Service
One reason tipping creates such anxiety is that it attaches a price tag to human interaction. Perhaps that's why, as Guy Trebay explains, it may be best to tip with your heart—and forget about formulas

January, 2006
Mileage Meltdown
Award tickets and upgrades are now harder to come by than ever. With customer satisfaction plummeting, loyalty programs are at a crossroads. But one thing is certain: the airlines can't survive without them.

November, 2005
One-Stop Shopping
The average traveler checks at least three Web sites before booking a trip.

November, 2005
Global Glitterati - Travel Tips From Six Jewelry Designers
For six jet-setting jewelry designers, the world is their muse. Rima Suqi gets these rock stars' best travel tips, secret finds, and favorite places

August, 2005
Guidebooks Uncovered

A century and a half after Karl Baedeker cut a trail across Europe, the guidebook remains an essential travel accessory.

July, 2005
Vacation Rentals Made Easy
Our picks for the best rental sites

June, 2005
Sweet Dreams?
A guide to sleep aids

May, 2005
Book It
T+L puts airline booking sites to the test and finds the winners

May, 2005
Flight Report: Lufthansa 409
Our editor, traveling incognito, suffers the slings and arrows (and perks) of the everyday business-class traveler

May, 2005
Shoulder Seasons
To help you find the right place at the right time, we've highlighted off-peak destinations around the world all year long.

May, 2005
Why is That?
Baggage carts have traditionally been free in Europe, but not in the United States. Here's the reason

May, 2005
T+L Martini Index
The T+L Martini Index tracks the price of a gin martini at luxury hotels from Paris to Cape Town. We've also charted the corresponding currencies to see how they fared against the greenback over the past year, and forecast what's to come.

March, 2005
The Mileage Game
The airlines are slashing fares and making it easier to earn elite status. Andrea Bennett explains why that's good news for some—but not all—travelers

January, 2005
12 Travel Resolutions
These simple steps will improve your next trip.

December, 2004
Why Fly Commercial?
New providers are making private air service more accessible and affordable than ever.

September, 2004
Taking Care of Business
Business travel is back: it's projected that U.S. travelers will take 145 million trips for work this year (up 4.6 percent from 2003). Here, 10 tips for road warriors.

June, 2004
Hotel Improvements
To lure an increasingly savvy crowd, the hotel industry continues to up the ante—rolling out wireless Internet access and even installing self-check-in kiosks in lobbies. T+L examines the latest trends and how you can make the most of them

April, 2004
Does Advance Booking Pay?
Conventional wisdom maintains that the earlier you book, the better the price you'll get. But is that still true in the age of yield management and discounting on the Internet?

February, 2004
The New Meaning of Miles
As the major airlines continue to struggle, the rules—and benefits—of frequent-flier programs are being redefined. Andrea Bennett charts the latest changes

January, 2004
Missed Manners
Yes, the Grand Tour was better in the old days, before the yahoos took over. Keeping his dignity intact, William Norwich shows that it's still possible to travel with style.

January, 2004
T+L Reports: Have Resolutions, Will Travel

December, 2003
Low Rates in High Season?
Whether they're on the beach or on the slopes, resorts can be exorbitantly expensive in winter. But there are still ways to make the best properties more affordable. Here, how to do it.

October, 2003
Smart Sailing
Thinking of taking a cruise this season? Here are three ways to navigate the industry's latest trends.

September, 2003
Business Travel 2003
It's been a difficult year for business travelers. But don't despair. There are lots of ways to make life on the road better.

July, 2003
Air Supply
Does flying increase your risk of getting sick? Here, what you really need to know about the air you breathe on planes.

June, 2003
Safe and Sound
Hotel security has become one of the industry's most important—and least discussed—issues. What are hotels doing, and how can you ensure peace of mind?

June, 2003
The Rate Game
It's a familiar scenario: you've chosen your hotel and now you want the best possible price. Here's what to do.

March, 2003
Where the Deals Are
For travelers, there's been a bright side to the sagging economy: bargains. But last year's across-the-board discounts are getting harder to find. Here's what to expect in 2003.

January, 2003
Global Security Special: Intelligence Quotient
In a world increasingly fraught with risk, information is the smart traveler's secret weapon.

December, 2002
T+L Reports: The Urban Crawl

October, 2002
Packing Mentality
Five expert travelers divulge trade secrets, favorite places, and what's in their bags

May, 2000
Reaping the Ripest Rates
exchanging dollars for foreign currency can cost you a bundle. here's how to get the best rates