Audacity can pay off, including when you travel. Those who dare to be a bit cheeky at the right moment can end up travelling more comfortably – and sometimes also more cheaply.
Here are some tricks you can use to make your journey more comfortable and occasionally even save money.
Some people will undoubtedly get upset about these tips, exclaiming: “What if everyone did it this way!” But even if this advice proves helpful, it is unlikely that everyone will follow it.
Air travel
If you are travelling in a pair and making an online reservation, pick the window and aisle seats in a classic three-person row. It is unlikely that other passengers will voluntarily pick the middle seat in your row during online check-in, unless forced to do so because the plane is full.
If the seating is free, try to be the last to enter the plane. The popular practice of passengers moving to empty rows usually starts once the crew announces that “boarding is complete.” Being the last to board will give you a higher chance of beating someone else to a free three-person row.
Those who dare can pursue even more comfort by sitting in a seat with extra legroom at the plane’s emergency exits. These often remain empty because airlines charge 10 to 60 euros (11 to 68 dollars) extra for them per route – but then rarely check your ticket once you are on board.
Train travel
Humans tend to act like herd animals. This can be observed particularly well on train platforms. More than half of travellers usually congregate in the middle of the boarding area. For those without a seat reservation, the most important rule is to board the train a good distance away from the group.
City trips
Many hotel owners work closely with internet portals such as booking.com, HRS or Expedia. Most hoteliers do not dare to undercut the portals’ prices on their own websites, but a phone call to your desired accommodation can often change that. Many hotel owners are willing to grant a discount of up to 10 per cent for telephone bookings, to avoid the 15 to 19 per cent commission they would otherwise have to pay to the portals – a win-win situation for the hotelier and guest. – dpa
