BudgetTravel

Don't save the best for the last day
What if the weather turns crappy? What if you get sick? What if a giant meteor falls from the sky and lands right on your room? You'll wish that you had gone snorkeling earlier in your trip.

Nothing kills the fun like a long wait
For most major attractions, you can buy tickets online in advance. Also, in many cities there are passes that can be a great deal, especially because they let you skip to the head of the line. The big U.S. pass companies are CityPass and Go Card. The New York CityPass, for instance, costs $53 for adults--a smart value even if you're only going to three of the five attractions offered: the regular price for the Guggenheim Museum is $18; Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, $24; American Museum of Natural History & Rose Center, $14; Empire State Building, $18; and Museum of Modern Art, $20.

A CityPass reduces the price of a Circle Line cruise (courtesy Circle Line) 105 SUPERSMART STRATEGIES • Trip Planning • Loyalty Programs • Booking • Packing • Flying • Lodging • Cruises • Car Rentals • On the Ground • Tipping

Jet lag is inevitable
Human beings were not designed to fly halfway around the world. All you can really do is not drink alcohol on the plane, keep hydrated, get in synch with the new time zone as soon as you can, and exercise after landing (the last one is crucial).

"See you inside!"
Some popular museums--such as the Louvre in Paris--have more than one entrance; the lesser-known ones often have shorter lines. And for some attractions, you can buy tickets at places other than the end of a long line at the front door. Tickets for Versailles are available in advance at Fnac record stores in France and at fnac.com; in Rome, tickets purchased at the Palatine museum also let you walk right into the Colosseum.

A tax loophole for hunter-gatherers
When returning to the U.S., Americans may bring $800 of goods for personal use without having to pay duties or taxes. If you buy more than that, ship it home: You can send $200 of goods per day to yourself at a U.S. address. You can also send duty-free gifts worth up to $100 per person per day to people in the U.S. Bear in mind that shipping companies charge based on bulk or weight, whichever costs more, so pack efficiently.

Basic training
If the airport you're flying into is served by a train, take it if you're heading anywhere near the city center. Unless, of course, you're traveling in a group of three or more people, when a taxi is probably more cost-effective.

If you're going to complain, do it right
1. Speak up as soon as you have a problem. The longer you wait, the more the company will assume it wasn't that big of a deal.

2. Unsatisfied with the response? Politely ask for a supervisor. Never take no from someone who isn't empowered to say yes. The corollary is: Don't bitch to anyone who can't help you. All that you're doing is ruining their day.

3. Even--or especially--if someone promises you the world, get it in writing.

4. Build a case! Take notes, keep receipts, get names. Your goal is to show that you really mean business.

5. When corresponding, do it by letter or e-mail. It beats calling, getting passed around, and telling your story over and over. But make copies before you send any originals.