If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Imagine it: every single airline ticket for the foreseeable future booked at exactly 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday morning, when the winter solstice hits full swing. If there really was a perfect time to book airline tickets, everyone would do it. That’s right—much like the adage that reading in the dark will make you blind, this is a total myth. (There are, however, best practices.) Everyone loves a trick, a tip, or a deal, and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Though travel myths will live on forever, these are some that should be put to rest.
Travel Is Too Expensive
Thanks to the world of credit cards, loyalty programs, and frequent flier miles, this statement is completely false. Countless people with all ranges of incomes manage to not only travel, but also upgrade and redeem rewards for premium travel, just by learning about credit card points and miles. With more and more opportunities to work remotely in the digital age, it’s also completely possible to make money while you travel.
The Sharing Economy Isn’t Safe
What’s sketchier: paying a guy you’ve never met who offered a ride, or, using a major app, with a picture of the driver, route tracking, and no cash transactions? Uber and Airbnb are just two worldwide companies working to ensure the safety of its patrons, and other sharing economy services offered around the world can be both useful tools and entry points into new experiences. (Be sure to check out their reviews online first.) Want to camp in a garden in London, or rent a basketball in China? You’re covered.
Duty Free Is Always Cheaper
We get it: The stuff they sell in duty free—from champagne to chocolates, perfume and cosmetics—is incredibly tempting. That doesn’t, however, mean it’s always going to be a good deal. Duty free just means that taxes aren’t collected; it does not mean prices are automatically lower. In certain countries, duty free may represent excellent value on certain products, while in others, you’ll pay more than the steepest retail prices in your hometown. Considering purchasing a bottle of top-shelf Japanese whisky? Know what it costs before you go, or give yourself a budget and go from there.
Hotels Are More Expensive If You Book Directly
Yes, sometimes online travel agencies will sell rooms at a lower price than the hotel or hotel chain itself, but it’s getting rarer and rarer. Hotels don’t enjoy paying commission to booking sites, so many now match the lowest booking site in price or beat it outright. Plus, while you may get the same rate (or cheaper), many hotels offer extra perks for booking direct, such as free Wi-Fi, room upgrades, or food and beverage credits. Bookings through online travel agencies can also occasionally be prone to issues, such as the hotel never actually receiving your reservation. Yikes.
If You Don’t Reserve a Seat, You’re More Likely to Get Upgraded
Almost the opposite is true. If you don’t reserve a seat, you will more than likely not get upgraded and furthermore, you’ll also likely get the worst middle seat in economy. Upgrades happen because of factors like elite frequent flier status, how much you paid for the ticket, and if the economy cabin is oversold. To the contrary, it’s a widely accepted industry practice that if needed, the first person to check in is often the one to be upgraded. This is a classic case of “the early bird gets the worm” whereby the first passenger is offered a later flight in exchange for a voucher and a potential upgrade, or just strikes gold by being the first person the airline need to move out of the economy cabin, to create space.
You Should Always Exchange Currency at the Airport
Almost all currency exchange opportunities at the airport offer a consumer rate of exchange—so when they say “no fee,” it just means that the fee is already built in. Almost all banks allow you to use your debit card while abroad, using it at the (roughly 10 percent better) bank rate of exchange. You’ll pay a fee for the transaction, but if you take your cash out in one big grab, the savings can be tremendous. If you’re a plan-ahead kind of person, you can also go into your bank and ask for foreign money at least a week in advance, often with no fee at all.
There’s a Best Time of Day to Beat Crowds at (Insert Tourist Site)
By all means, get up unnaturally early and stand in line, but truth be told—if it’s in a guide book, you’re probably not going to be the only one there early, late, or middle of the day to take in the majestic tourist attraction. If you really want to avoid the crowds, the best move is to try to stagger your vacation schedules just ahead of, or just behind, the main rush. Taking advantage of this shoulder season lull can lead to lower rates on tours, and even special access unavailable at peak times. If “school holidays” start on Monday, try to get in there the Friday before, when it’s “off peak.”
You Automatically Get Jet Lag
Myths aside, jet lag is not necessarily caused by a lack of sleep, but rather, sleeping at the wrong time. It only makes sense to sleep on a plane or at your hotel if it’s sleeping time at your destination. The same goes for eating. Though it’s hard to pass up free food, the best practice is to eat and sleep as close to the local time of your destination as possible. This will give you a greater fighting chance against the drowsy, dazed feeling we know all too well.
Source:-http://www.cntraveler.com/story/8-travel-myths-debunked
