E-TRAVEL TIPS AND INFORMATION September 2009 DearTravelTravel Friend Every month, Travel Travel will email you up-to-date travel industry information which should not only be interesting but could affect your future travel arrangements and decisions. TRAVEL TIPPING Tipping is discretionary but remember, T.I.P. or "tip if pleased" when deciding to tip for any services recieved. Tipping etquette in other countries is not the same as in the US. Contact a local tourism or pursers offices for tipping suggestions,  when visiting foreign countries. At the airport: Porter or skycap - Tip $2 per bag or more if the bags are heavy. $2 extra for curbside check-in is optional. If you arrive late and you are helped to get to your flight on time, tip an extra $5-$20. Electric cart drivers - Tip $2-$3 a person. Wheelchair pusher - from the ticket counter to the gate/plane or from the gate/plane to the luggage carousel,  tip $5. Tip $1-$2  per bag more if they help you with your luggage or to your car. If they escort you long distances from one terminal to another, then Tip $10-20 plus extra for luggage. At Hotels: Valet or parking attendant - Don't tip for parking the car, tip $1-$3 when the car is returned. Doorman hails you a cab, $1-2. If helped with your bags in or out of the car, $1 a bag.   Bellman - $1-$2 per bag if bags are carried to the room. Concierge - Tip $5-$10 for help with hard-to-get dinner reservations or theater tickets. Tipping is optional for simple advice given. Room Service - nothing if gratuity is included or 15-20% to the total charge, if not. Maid service - $3-$5 per day and tip daily because there might be a different maid for your room every day. Tour Guides - If a tip is not included  in the tour price, tip 10-15%, or $1-2 for a half-day tour, $3-4 for a full-day tour, per person. Cruise Ships: Research your cruise ship company's tipping policy in advance . Check if tips are given at the end of your cruise  or automatically charged to your on board account? Some crusie companys distibute envelopes at the end of your cruise with suggested tip amounts for specific cruise personnel.  Budget about $20 per day per person for cruise tips. Suggested tips for wait staff - $3 per day per person per server.  Cabin steward - $3 per day per person. Bar service tips are usually 15% added automatically to your bill. Restaurants: In the US tipping your server 15% of the bill is normal, if satisfied. Tipping Bank: A great idea when travelling is to make a seperate tipping bank, with enough $1 bills, available at any time to use for any possible tipping situation. That way, you will not be looking for small change when needed and $1 bills are accepted as tips anywhere in the world. FLYING WITH SMALL KIDS Carry favorite reading and coloring books and crayons. A portable DVD player with favorite movies will help pass the time pleasantly. Have your kids use the airport toilets before boarding the aircraft. Using aircraft toilets in flight, with small kids can be challenging. Have wipes readily available throughout your flight for quick wipe-ups. Choose seats with raisable armrests so your child can lie down on the seat and rest their head on your lap and sleep. Have favorite biscuits and snacks readily avaiable for your kids to eat and drink. Don't count on the airlines satisfying your kids in-flight food and drink needs. If you have a flight attendant heat up a baby bottle, check the temperature of the liquid before giving it to your baby to drink. Give infants the bottle to drink for relief of ear pressure. For bigger kids, have them eat something to keep them swallowing when they show signs of ear pressue discomfort. Be careful of your child flying with a cold. It is more difficult to clear the eardrums when congested and eardrum damage could result if the ears are not "popped" when under pressure. Get a  plastic bag for your garbage in and keep your childs area clean. Use fragranced bags to dispose of used daipers. Always carry a change of clothes for your child  and yourself. You never know when you may need them. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES ABROAD Where do you go if you get into trouble or loose your passport while visiting a foreign country? Before you leave home, make sure you have the correct contact information for the US Embassy and Consulate in all the countries you will be visiting. For a list of US Embassies and Consulates in Europe go to: www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/embassies.htm   A MONEY BELT - YOUR PORTABLE TRAVEL SAFE Never travel without a money belt. It is the key to your travel peace of mind. A money belt is an inexpensive small zippered pouch that fastens around your waist and is worn completely hidden from sight, under your pants or skirt. With a money belt you can keep all your essential valuables, travel documents credit cards and money on you securely and and safely out of sight. Keep only large bills and a days spending money in your money belt. Never leave your money belt hidden for instance, while you go for a swim on a beach. Rather leave it in the room safe in your hotel.    QUESTIONS? Please email us should you have any travel questions or concerns. Our professional consultants 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. email: 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.