International Trade

AIRFARE. Compare fees. Shop by phone. Some airlines will be opening a new route, or be offering a special discount, to your destination. Fly off-season when fares are low. Or, during peak season, when special fares are offered when competition is high. Be aware that "air discounters" sell unsold airline seats at half price. You'll see them on the Internet or advertising in the travel section of your Sunday newspaper.

RAIL AND BUS. Check with AMTRAK and GREYHOUND for current "specials." Foreign bus services often offer discounts on extended travel, providing you make your arrangements before leaving the USA. Unconventional travelers might want to travel by freight train caboose. Check with your local rail lines.

CAR RENTALS. Make toll-free calls to get the best deal on car rental. Smaller companies frequently offer lower fees than your discount club. Rentals of older cars can be 50% lower than normal fees. Check with your car insurance company to see if your collision insurance applies to rental cars. If it does, this saves you the per-day insurance fee on rental cars.

LODGING. Weekend prices are usually cheaper. Travel clubs, such as Hotelclub, Quintess Travel Club, World Club Travel, Discount Travel Club, include many hotels that offer you the second night free. Some individual hotels, such as DAYS INN, offer special promotions if you book at least 29 days in advance.

BUDGET MOTELS. No frills, just clean, comfortable accommodations, the price is usually posted on road signs and billboards. Reservations well in advance will assure lodging each evening.

HOME EXCHANGE. Home swap agencies. Do it by yourself or go through an agency such as GLOBAL HOME EXCHANGE (PO Box 2015, South Burlington VT 05401). The Board of Tourism of the country you are visiting will usually have the addresses of Home Exchange services.

CRUISES. Inquire for special discounts. You might find they are having a "special." For the best deals, book either way in advance or at the last minute. Membership in a Discount Travel Club will offer you inroads to discount cruises. For the unconventional traveler, try a freighter.

STUDENTS, SENIOR CITIZENS, AND DISABLED PERSONS. By doing some research, you'll find special discounts for you.

DISCOUNT TRAVEL CLUBS. If you are a flexible traveler and can leave at a moment's notice, you'll find huge discounts when you join one of the "Discount Clubs," often advertised in travel magazines and newspapers. A Google search will give you some ideas.

Rohn Engh is the best-selling author of "Sell & ReSell Your Photos" and "sellphotos.com." He has produced a new eBook, "How to Make the Marketable Photo." For more information and to learn how to sell photos and to receive his free eReport: "8 Steps to Becoming a Published Photographer," visit his website, PhotoSource International or call 800 624-0266.

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