DRIVERS’ ED

DO ADD YOUR OWN

SHOCK ABSORBERS If your journey entails a long drive, consider purchasing padding or seat cushions. Full-seat foam options are available for as little as $30.

DON’T EAT CANDY It might give you a quick energy boost, but it wears off fast. Opt for a healthy protein-rich snack such as nuts to rejuvenate yourself without the sugar crash.

DO STOP MORE OFTEN THAN YOU’RE USED TO Every two hours or so, stop to stretch your legs and rest your eyes. Even if you don’t have time for a nap while you’re stopped, the change of pace will keep you more alert once you set off again.

DON’T TAKE BREAKS WHILE TRAFFIC IS MOVING

You’ll need to stop, but save gas by doing it during rush hour. Stopand-go traffic drains your mileage as well as your patience.

DO HANG A SHOE ORGANIZER OVER THE SEAT

Especially if you’ve got kids, it’s a great way to organize first-aid items, snacks, books, and electronics.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE (EVEN NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES) A study by the

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that distracted driving, which includes drinking and eating at the wheel, causes 80 percent of crashes. Hot coffee, which has a tendency to spill, is a major no-no. Chocolate is, too, since it easily becomes a melted mess.

DO CONSIDER DITCHING THE CAR Need to decide between renting a car and relying on taxis? If the longest distance you’re traveling is between the airport and where you’re staying, you’re probably better off using cabs or services such as Uber and Lyft.

56.

DON’T BE SHY ABOUT BARGAINING Find the best hotel deal you can online, and then call the hotel directly to ask if it can beat what you’ve found, says Pavini. Booking with the hotel will give you more flexibility should you need to change your reservation, and talking to a person gives you a higher chance of nabbing an upgrade. 57.

DO BRING UP A SPECIAL OCCASION

Celebrating a birthday or an anniversary? Tell the booking agent. “They’ll make note of that in your reservation, and you will often get an upgrade when you check in,” says Pavini.

58.

DON’T

SKIP THE REWARDS CLUBS

They’re free, and they get you perks such as free Wi-fi, priority check-in, late checkout, and points toward future free stays. If you’re not a member, mention that when you book your room, says Pavini: “Say,

‘If I join now, can you upgrade me or can I get a better deal?’”

59.

DO ASK ABOUT THE AIRPORT SHUTTLE Many guests find out their hotel offers a complimentary one only after they’ve arrived.

60.

DON’T GET STUCK IN A NOISY ROOM Especially around the holidays, other guests might gather before parties or return from them in the wee hours. Rooms in the middle of a

floor are

generally the quietest, since they’re not near the elevators, ice machines, or cleaning closets.

61.

DO LOOK INTO VACATION RENTALS Airbnb, Homeaway, and other shortterm rentals are great options, especially if they can take the place of renting several hotel rooms for big families. But be careful: This type of accommodation isn’t legal everywhere—and you could be evicted mid-stay if your rental isn’t up to code. New York City and New Orleans are among the destinations that put restrictions on renting a person’s private home.

62.

DON’T USE THE ICE BUCKET Home to cool, moist contents, hotel ice buckets can easily become breeding grounds for germs, says Jennifer Stagg, MD. Use the plastic liner that comes with the bucket (or ask for one if it doesn’t). 63.

DO REMOVE THE BEDSPREAD ASAP It might be changed only four times a year, Reneta Mccarthy, a former housekeeping manager for a major American hotel chain, told huffingtonpost.com.

64.THE

DON’T FORGET

RULE OF OPPOSITES In general, you’ll want to book business hotels during their downtime (on weekends) and resort hotels during theirs

(on weekdays). Sunday, which isn’t in demand by business or leisure travelers, is almost always the cheapest night to book.

65.

DO PEEL AN ORANGE WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Hotel rooms can smell a little antiseptic. Peeling an orange will give off a naturally clean and homey aroma.

66.WITH

DON’T SUFFER

DRY AIR

Because of climatecontrolled rooms and windows that don’t open, the air in hotels can be dry. If your room has a kitchen area, heat water in the teakettle and let the steam escape into the room until most of the water has evaporated. Or run water over a towel and hang it near the air vent.

67.

DO TRY A DIY PRICE DROP Notice that the price dropped on rooms at your hotel? Book it.

Then cancel your old reservation—most hotels will let you cancel within 48 or even 24 hours before your arrival date. (Check your booking terms first.)

68.DON’T

ORDER ROOM SERVICE Sure, it can be fun and even a bit romantic, but room service is also pricey. Save money by having food delivered from a local eatery. Seamless or Grubhub will show you what’s nearby—it’ll most likely taste better too.