E-TRAVEL TIPS AND INFORMATION July 2009. Dear Travel Travel Friend Every month, Travel Travel will email you up-to-date travel industry information which could affect your travel arrangements and decisions. CAR RENTAL TIPS Car rental rates can vary greatly.  Compare total price, including taxes and surcharges and take advantage of any special offers and membership discounts. Rental car companies offer various insurance and waiver options. Check in advance with your car insurance agent to avoid duplicating any coverage you may already have and save on unneeded extra car rental  insurance charges. Some credit card companies will automatically insure your rental car if your car rental is charged to their credit card. Contacting your credit card company for more information could save you from ruining your trip and the financial devastation of having to pay for replacement or repair of a rental vehicle. CREDIT CARD INFORMATION To avoid late payment fees on your credit cards, make sure you send your payment well before the statement due date. Late payments fees are a waste of your hard earned money. For the occasional late payment, call your credit card company, explain and they may credit your late charges and finance fees. If you are unable to pay off a large credit card purchase, pay as much as you can as quickly as possible. Never pay only the minimum monthly payment every month. When using your credit card in a foreign country, remember you will be charged foreign transaction fees on all foreign purchases. These fees can be substantial. Be aware that credit cards with rebates, cash back, travel awards, or other perks may carry higher rates or fees. AIRLINE BAGGAGE CHARGES Airlines, excluding Jet Blue and Southwest, are charging consumers in economy class a minimum of $15.00 for the first checked bag. Most airlines are charging economy consumers at least $25.00 for a second checked bag. Consumers will also have to pay  more for overweight and oversized bags. There are all kinds of exceptions to these fees, especially for certain classes of frequent flyers and military personnel. These fees are cumulative, are double for round-trip travel and are subject to change. If you are a heavy packer, you may want to compare cheaper fares with added baggage charges. Contact Travel Travel for more information. BUYING TRAVEL ON THE INTERNET Consumers could probably end up paying more if their travel is not purchased through a travel agent. Only through a travel agency will you receive unbiased advice, information and best value on available airares and connections from competing airlines, cruise, tour and package providers, hotels and car rentals.  The internet cannot provide the personal service of a trained travel professional or assist when travel arrangements go wrong. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) warns consumers ‘Without a Travel Agent, You’re on your Own” QUESTIONS? Email us should you have any questions. Our professional agents are at your service. Want a specific subject discussed in a future Travel Travel Tips & Information? Email us at tvltvl@travelx2.com. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN WITHOUT TRAVEL TRAVEL! Travel Travel, Inc. 5140 N. Union Blvd, Suite 200 Colorado Springs CO 80918 719-593-1591 www.TRAVELX2.COM . tvltvl@travelx2.com To unsubscribe and elect not to receive future Travel Travel Tips & Information, please email us at tvltvl@travelx2.com. Enter subject "unsubscribe" with your name and email address.