Warning … American Express Travel

Are you traveling outside the United States and need foreign currency?  Beware!

We are traveling to three eastern European countries the 30th of June.  So, as I usually do, I exchanged/purchased foreign currency prior to our trip.  There are many benefits:

• You don’t have to wonder whether or not you are getting a good rate from one of the many currency exchanges that you find in Europe.
• When you land in your host country, you are ready to start spending money!  Splurge and take a taxi!
• There are all types of security concerns … for instance, is this exchange legitimate or is this a real ATM or is it just recording my financial information.
• Not every establishment accepts credit cards.  The same is true in the United States.
• Hotels sometimes do not offer the best rates.
• Beware of vendor who accept your home currency, such as US dollars, you will always get a bad exchange.

In the past, I have used AAA, but they can be expensive and they sell currencies in pre-packaged packs.  So, this year I decided to purchase Euros from American Express.  I though, wow, you are so smart.  Wrong!

If you purchase currency from American Express, you better be ready to stay at home and wait for UPS to deliver your money.  There is no option but delivery to your billing address.  I understand that this is money that can get lost or stolen.  I understand.  But, you have no option to pick your package up from your local UPS center!  Nowhere is this mentioned on the website.  It doesn’t even say that they will ONLY ship to your billing address.

Customer service at American Express Travel is terrible.  The representative that I spoke with gave me one option, “return to sender.”  This is not a tenable option.  I leave home in 3 days!  The representative and the manager seem to expect me to know their policy with UPS, which also is not listed anywhere on their website.  So, what am I going to do!  Wait at home, miss work, and get further behind in projects than I already am!

American Express Travel, let me know the full policy, so I can make an informed decision.  I had the option of going to a local American Express Travel office, but decided that the convenience of delivery was better.  I was wrong!  Maybe?

Warning … think twice about using American Express Travel to order foreign currency or traveler’s cheques.  By the way, traveler’s cheques are becoming a currency of the past.  I bought this type of currency several years ago and fewer and fewer shops and institution will exchange this currency compared to the first time that I used them.  The last time that I used this currency I had to go to a bank in Greece.

The other lesson … don’t wait until the last minute.  American Express Travel won’t necessarily help!

Where did all the hippies go?

I just recently returned from a trip to Colorado Springs, CO.  When I first started planning the trip, I thought, “how exciting, I’m going to CO.”  Then as I started planning my trip, I started wondering, “what is there to do in Colorado Spring?”  Of course, there is the natural beauty of the area, i.e., mountains!

Well, my buyer’s remorse about going to Colorado Springs was unfounded.  There a lot to do and more to see.  Colorado Springs is not Denver and the town is not really worth exploring, but the area is.

So, where did we go …

 

• You can not visit without going to the Garden of the Gods.  If the weather permits, definitely hike!
• Then there is there is the Royal Gorge scenic train ride in Canon City … opt for the lunch in the vista dome. 

• Manitou Springs is a cute small town at the base of Pikes Peak.  It’s mostly shops, many interesting one, but worth the stop.



• Needless to say, you have to take the cog railway to Pikes Peak, regardless of whether you are a hiker or not.  You should at least take the railway either up or down … there are only a couple of cog railways left.

Unless you are a hiker or skier, you don’t need to spend a lot of time in Colorado Springs.

So, where did all the hippies go … I think they are in Colorado Springs.

Learning about your host country’s culture

You hear a lot about some Europeans perceiving people from the United States as “Ugly American.”  Well, that has not been our experience and we have visited many European countries … in fact, we are visiting Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary this summer.

When we travel outside the US, we always remember that the most compelling reason we are visiting is because the country is different from ours, at least that is my philosophy for traveling.  Traveling is an experience.  So, before we go, we do a little research on the local beliefs, values, and practices of our host country.  Remember, not all people think and behave the same, so don’t stereotype.  But, you can learn what to expect and how to behave.

The following suggestions may help you avoid the “Ugly American” label:

• Don’t expect your host country to adapt to you.  That’s arrogant.
• Learn key phrases.  Some people really appreciate this, even when they speak your language perfectly.
• Tip the way locals do.  Leaving a tip on the table is not universal.
• Watch your hand signals, you may inadvertently insult someone or think they are insulting you.
• Don’t get upset with your host country when they don’t have 24 hour services that you want.  Some business close for lunch, because they consider things other than money important.
• Accept gifts like drinks and sweets from locals … drink and eat it too!  This is a very kind gesture on the part of your host.
• Be polite!  Being overly demanding probably won’t help … just as it usually does not help in your country.

Remember, when in Rome, do as the Romans do … to some extent.

InsideTrip … a new way to search for flights

I am not a big fan of info-posts, but InsideTrip may be worthy.  This sight … still in beta … allows you to search for flights based on the criteria of speed, comfort, and ease.  Each category lets you further specify more criteria.  In other words, you get to search based on more than price, which is, of course, important.

Just to test this innovative service, I searched for an one way trip from Lexington, KY to Los Angeles, CA.  I have already booked this flight.  The second choice the InsideTrip provided was the one that I purchased.  Not bad.  The one concern that I have is that the purchasing engine or service is Orbitz … I have not had much luck making travel arrangement through Orbitz.

Word of caution, if you navigate away from the site, such as to InsideTrip’s blog, it can be a little tricky returning to the site … InsideTrip, put a link back to the site on your blog!

Tips and suggestions for your travel

Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, a little advice from a fellow traveler can be helpful.  As a frequent traveler, I am always open to learning how to travel better and smarter.  For instance, last year someone mentioned that their parents always travel with extra bags so that they can pack and transport home gifts that they buy.  Wow, what a good idea!  So, I’ve started a Tips & Suggestions page. 

I welcome your comments and additions.

Lodging in Europe … the European way

Finding a place to stay in Europe or anywhere can be a challenge, especially if you are making your own lodging arrangements, which we like to do.  But, one reason we have a challenge in finding a place to stay has to do with avoiding American chain hotels … not that there’s anything wrong with American hotels, we stay in American chain hotels all the time in the United States.  But, why stay in an American hotel in Europe.  Part of the experience of visiting Europe is staying in a European owned hotel.  We are big fans of the European breakfast.  [Just an aside, we don't travel thousands of miles to stay in a hotel, but we do need rest after a day's exploration.]

So, how do we pick European hotels?

• First, we check Frommer’s or Fodor’s [usually Frommer's].  Frommer’s is not always 100% reliable.  When we were in Lisbon, Portugal, both Dom Pedro and the York House receive 2 out of 3 stars.  Dom Pedro deserved the rating, if not better, the York House did not.  [The York House had character, history, and great food, just crummy rooms.]

• After checking Frommer’s or a similar travel site, we visit Expedia to read what other travelers have said about the hotel.  Again, not all travelers are reliable, so we consider a “preponderance” of opinions.
• We tend to make reservations with hotels that have websites, but if the hotel does not have a site, it’s not the end of the deal.  A hotel that does not have external photographs is probably not likely to get our money.
• We tend to make reservations through Expedia or Travelocity, but if we have to make reservations through the hotel, they have to have a secure site and accept credit cards.  There are many hotels that take reservations through a non-secure site … no thank you.  Our credit cards provide some relief if things do not work out.
• We also consider location.  In Europe, public transportation is very reliable and extensive … unless there’s a strike, so you don’t have to stay in the center of the city or have a car.  Just pick a location near a metro station.
• Services, such as a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, are important too.  While we don’t necessarily prefer to eat lunch or dinner at a hotel restaurant, sometimes, it is necessary, and sometimes these restaurants have really good food.  We like to stay somewhere where there is a staff to ask questions.

These are some of the criteria we use to select a hotel when traveling abroad and for the most part it has worked for us.  We hope our luck continues for Europe 2008!

Traveling to Europe without breaking the bank

This summer we are traveling to Europe and will be visiting three countries:  Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungry.  We are traveling while the dollar is very weak compared to the Euro … and most other currencies, but we are traveling anyway and intend to do so as if the dollar was strong.

Yesterday, I suggested that using Europe’s extensive rail system is one way to minimize or decrease your transportation costs and it truly is.  Of course, time is always a factor, as in, do you have enough time to take the train.

Another way travel suggestions is to stay in a neighborhood outside the city center.  Europe has an excellent public transportation system.  There are usually excellent and authentic cafes near hotels outside the city center if the hotel does not have a restaurant.  Of course, you don’t want to be 50 miles aways and you have to be smart about the area you are staying … just as you would at home.  I am a big believer in reading travel blogs about other travelers experiences.  Some you have to be judicious about believing, but they tend to be very helpful.  Expedia and Frommer’s tend to be the best sites to explore.  Frommer’s has suggested some questionable places, so always cross-reference with what other travelers have said.

So, my suggestions for lodging is to avoid the city center, American chain hotels [which typically are more expensive], and full service hotels [bellhop, concierge, and so forth].  Look for hotels that are near metro stops and that show pictures of the inside as well as the outside.  I am always concerned when a hotel doesn’t provide pictures.  I also consider it a positive if the hotel allows me to book my room through a travel service, such as Expedia or Travelocity, or if the hotel accepts credit cards through their SECURE site.