Money Matters

Dr. Wagenaar’s article on carry-on luggage (May ’07, pg. 87) was extremely informative and useful. I would only add the following helpful household hints.

Richard E. Smith of Long Beach, California, urged readers to comment about tipping on tours (April ’07, pg. 4). Questions he asked included 1) “Should the cost of tipping be included in the tour price?,” 2) “Should there be an existing standard for tipping adhered to by most tour companies?,” 3) “Should an escrow tipping account be set up for each traveler, to be refunded partially or in toto (the reason being that some cheapskates never tip a penny)?,” and 4) “Should travel companies be required to advise of their tipping recommendations in their advertisements?

Richard E. Smith of Long Beach, California, opened up the topic of tipping on tours (April ’04, pg. 4). Questions he asked included 1) “Should the cost of tipping be included in the tour price?,” 2) “Should there be an existing standard for tipping adhered to by most tour companies?,” 3) “Should an escrow tipping account be set up for each traveler, to be refunded partially or in toto (the reason being that some cheapskates never tip a penny)?” and 4) “Should travel companies be required to advise of their tipping recommendations in their advertisements?

My wife, Pat, and I have been fans of the Entertainment Book® (Entertainment Publications Operating Co., 1414 E. Maple Rd., Troy, MI 48083; 888/231-7283, www.entertainment.com), with dated coupons, for years. Usually sold by local fundraising groups, such as libraries, clubs and youth organizations, it offers opportunities to save up to 50% on dining, shopping and travel in major cities and geographic areas of the U.S. When planning our November ’06 trip to Australia, we found that the publishers offered versions of the book for major cities in that country as well.

We went on a 16-day cruise-tour from Beijing to Shanghai, “China’s Cultural Delights,” with Viking River Cruises (Woodland Hills, CA; 877/668-4546, www.vikingrivercruises.com), Aug. 5-21, ’06. Airfare was included, and the price was $5,500.

The letter “Credit Card Surprise” (Oct. ’06, pg. 12) prompts this note I have put off for years.

I read the reader’s letter “Exchanging Money Abroad” (Jan. ’07, pg. 17) and have an experience to share. I was in Normandy, France, in March ’06 and tried to change a newer (not torn or anything) 100-dollar bill for euros. I went to several places in Caen and nobody would take the bill.

Concerning the “ideal travel wallet,” I agree with Jeanine Healey (Jan. ’07, pg. 2). I have heard too many stories about travelers not being able to cash travelers’ checks or receiving a poor rate of exchange when they can cash them. I have always received the best exchange rate by using my ATM card.

Ms. Healey recommended taking a small amount of cash. This depends on what countries are to be visited. I usually take $700-$1,000 in cash, depending on the length of the trip.

I was very impressed with Susan Benton’s article “Traveling Solo in Tokyo” (Jan. ’07, pg. 46). Her tips and anecdotes were well-geared toward first-time visitors to Tokyo. In particular, I liked her suggestion of exploring Kichijoji, since suburbs like this often provide a view of the real Japan.

I think I have found the best way to get the most for our dollar as it continually declines against the euro.