Camping for Free (and Longer): Fresh Water

Boondocking, camping without hookups, requires you to use your RV differently. Rather than simply just plugging in and hooking up, you have to think about your habits and change them to live comfortably for a longer period of time in your self contained RV.

We prefer camping in nice quite places. Just us and nature. Yet we still take showers, run our furnace, connect our laptop to the internet, watch tv, drink hot coffee and ice cold beverages. We have solar panels on the roof of our RV and an expanded bank of AGM batteries so our power feels like it's unlimited. (More on this in other articles.)

The biggest challenge to staying out on your own is water and your grey water tank. Here are some of our latest water tips to help stay out longer.

• Carry extra water jugs. We carry a couple of expandable 5 gallon jugs. You can carry these in storage or in your shower as you drive. We have a filtered water jug that we fill up with this water. We then use that water for coffee, drinking, ice cube trays. We also put a water container with a on/off spout on the edge of the sink for quick rinsing of silverware or cups. This allows us to save the water in the tank for showers. It is easy to fill up the five gallon jugs almost anywhere. And if these are too heavy, use milk jugs or whatever is good for you. Hose hookups are more difficult to find.
• Platyplus Hydration makes the best bottles we've found. We use them every day as refillable water bottles. They collapse and are light weight, perfect for hiking, backpacks or in your RV where space is important. We freeze them at home and on the road and take them out and about. You'll have cold water for hours as they melt. They make them in sizes from a half liter to 6 liters and you can get them at many sporting goods, outdoor type stores and websites. Get your own water filter or pitcher at home, re-use these bottles and save money (and the land-fills) from buying expensive store water. 25% or more of which is just tap water in disguise anyway.
• Waiting for hot water is the biggest waste. Catch this water in your jugs or a pot and use it for other purposes.
• You can purchase mild anti-bacterial wipes to clean things and use less water. Clean with these wipes and then do a real quick rinse. Unless you use all plastic and paper dishes and utensils. (That creates a waste issue of another kind.)
• Note the size of your black and grey water tanks. Grey water tanks usually fill up much faster. Empty larger water containers (pots, dishwater) down the toilet once in a while. You don't need to use the water pump as you flush and you are shifting the balance of your waste.

Using some of these tips will help you stay out longer and save money. We love campgrounds but they are expensive to stay in every single night. Every night you boondock or just park somewhere overnight saves you $20 or more, depending on where you usually hook up.

Cancellation Fees and Policies In Detail

It is time again to address cancellation policies, fees and charges. Hotels are the ones that charge them but it sometimes appears as if we do.

We get emails from upset customers when they are surprised by cancellation charges and sometimes even have to pay for a hotel stay they didn't complete. This anger is directed at us but that fact is that we don't charge any fees at all. The hotel controls the policies and collects the money. We just take all the blame because it's our name on the reservation.

Most bookings on AllStays.com do not have a cancellation fee at all if it is cancelled by a certain time, usually 24-48 hours ahead of the check in date. However, certain rates are negotiated with the hotels and these include cancellation fees and are clearly stated on the pages for the hotels. Please always read this policy (#3) on the booking page. This is stated before you ever enter your personal information. This fee is in place for about 8,000 out of 54,000 bookable hotels listed. It is part of the contract with the hotels for the cheaper rates. The hotel gets a certain amount of money regardless of what happens in the booking. They are set in that point.

Holiday Inn is an example of a hotel chain that gives out discounted rates. Whether booking with us or at the official Holiday Inn website, if you book one of those rates and cancel, you will pay between one nights rate and even possibly the entire stay. You basically save $5 or $10 a night to give up the right to cancel.

This is one of the most frustrating things about the travel industry these days and we hope you will read all of this to see the concrete proof that we are not the ones that caused fees for a cancellation. If it was up to us there would be no fees at all. But we do not control the hotels policies. We just link to them so you can book your travel. When complaining about fees, make sure to include the hotel. They are the ones that got all the money in fees. We didn't get a dime of it.

For example, please check this link from the official Holiday Inn website for this hotel where they charge you one nights stay for the cancellation. We are picking on Holiday Inn in this case but many of the chains and independents do the same.

Because the credit card is accepted by us and passed onto the hotel, the hotel can dictate the fees charged and they appear as if they are coming from us. AllStays.com does not get a dime of these fees. Zero. They are charges put upon us by the hotel and/or the GDS network (Global Distribution System) which in this case is Sabre which is the same company as Travelocity. They control the most number of access points for travel agents. You get charged the fee, we take the heat and get nothing for it. You get mad at AllStays or your local travel agent and the big greedy corporation gets the money.

You may still want to blame us for charging fees but you can also look up the same hotel on other travel websites like Expedia/Hotels.com (actually same company), or Travelocity. You will find in most cases, the same exact cancellation fee and policy.

And remember that anytime you make a booking for the next day or the same day you are making the booking, you will be paying for the hotel stay. You can't cancel at that point. You are charged the whole room rate because the hotel doesn't have any time to re-sell that room if you cancel.

Because we are always trying to make improvements and want to keep your business, please let us know if there is any way we can make the fee more obvious up front. we state the policy before the booking takes place but we realize it takes time to read the text on the page.

We don't answer to any stock price and stockholders like other websites. We answer to you. We really are on your side, the guest, but the rules of the game are tough on independents and those trying to do the right thing.

Adam Longfellow
President, AllStays.com

Free City Campgrounds

We pass by many small towns all over the country. We see them fading away with time. Businesses close, people move away, young people relocate to big cities and the population goes down. The only thing expanding is the cemetery.

We head to RV Parks in and outside of cities. We pass by rest areas on interstates. We head to State Parks in the country. We pass by Wal-marts and other large stores that let you park for free. They want to treat their customers well and get them in the store to spend money.

So why can't small towns do the same?

We recently were driving across North Dakota and found a small town of Towner. No pun intended. There are some open businesses and even more closed businesses. One of the showcases of Towner was the Winger Cheese Factory. They have closed due to a lack of small dairy farmers.

The town had a nice city park with a couple of hookups, a playground and restrooms. They welcomed RVs to stay there for free. We stopped with enthusiasm. We are happy to stop at the gas station, the local market or convenience store, the coffee shop, whatever a town has left to offer. In this case, the Winger Cheese Factory still had a store open a couple days a week. We bought some cheese.

When a town welcomes you to stop and stay, you stop and spend. It is a win for local businesses and the traveler. The loser could be a local campground if there is one. But in most of these towns, there isn't a local campground. These are towns that you bypass on the way to the next spot in Good Sam, Woodalls or whatever guide you are using.

Many of us will drive a little less if we can stay and enjoy your warm small town hospitality. So if you are on a local chamber or board, think about this. Do you have a park? Do you have an old parking lot? An old drive-in? An old motel? Maybe some old land that could be turned into something useful to welcome travelers to stay a bit and spend money in your town?

Check Plane ID Number Status For Information

With all the weather issues lately and delayed flights, it seemed like a good time to remind people of this tip. When checking your flight status ahead of time, we often think to ask about the flight number. Well this number is always scheduled to be on time. An airline will usually say that it's on time when you call. The plane you want could be 5 hours away and they'll still tell you that your flight is on time. In reality you want the plane id number to tell you how your flight is probably going to go.

For example, you are in Cincinnati, Ohio. You call and ask "what is the plane id number for flight 573?" They tell you. Then ask, where is plane 21017 (id) located right now?" They tell you it's in Denver, CO." Well, that tells you that your flight in two hours is probably not on time because the plane is not in route to or already at your airport. Sometimes an airline will substitute a plane but that is rare. Most plans have an itinerary and any plane that is in running order is in use somewhere.

Check Gas Prices Online or For Your Trips

Gas prices are rising again with conflict in the Middle East. If you are concerned about gas prices this summer, or any time of the year, you can check online for the best deals in a couple of ways. Both have their positives and negatives in their coverage. AAA allows it's online members to check U.S. prices through their various regional websites. The AAA Fuel Price Finder monitors the gasoline price charged through credit card transactions at the individual stations. You need to be a member of AAA (fee) and this won't record all transactions.

The free alternative that covers even more areas and Canada is gasbuddy.com. It relies on individual spotter reports across North America but it doesn't require any special computer connections either. So it's not automatically updated by every transaction but it encompasses more places and possibilities. In our checks, it had a pretty thorough report on even some small town gas stations. If a station was much lower than competition two days ago, it will probably have a lower price today.

Prices have been steadily falling, but as usual, they are still at higher levels than where the price climb began.

Air-Travel Security Changes

[Travel news with editorial commentary] Screening procedures are relaxing a bit for air travel. Starting December 22nd, 2005, passengers will be allowed once again to carry small scissors, screwdrivers and other sharp objects. This is said to be implemented so screeners can spend their time searching for carry on explosives instead of what was actually used on September 11, 2001. The biggest threat, cargo, is still not properly screened because it costs too much. Your time, taking off your shoes, is cheap.

You will once again be able to take antique scissors for grandma on the plane but not your Swiss army knife, even if it is in plain sight in a briefcase. You can use metal silverware with your meal but not a box-cutter. You can take any number of sharp objects that are inside electronic devices but not a lighter. You need to buy those again at the airport shops.

Security will become more random so you won't know what to expect. You may have to take off your shoes heading out on your trip but not on the return. You may still be searched or have your id scrutinized at will. This means you will either spend more time with airport personnel or in the airport shops. Either way, a smart terrorist will be successful and the average wannabe terrorist will be stopped.

The risk we take every day is the price of freedom. Only when freedoms are taken away, can we be more safe while we enjoy life less.

Two Ways to Check Gas Prices Before Your Trip

If you are concerned about gas prices this summer, or any time of the year, you can check online for the best deals in a couple of ways. Both have their positives and negatives in their coverage. First, starting for Memorial Day weekend, AAA will allow it's online members to check U.S. prices through their various regional websites. The AAA Fuel Price Finder monitors the gasoline price charged through credit card transactions at the individual stations. Data on price and location will be received from about 85,000 stations throughout the United States. You need to be a member of AAA (fee) and this won't record all transactions.

The free alternative that covers even more areas and Canada is gasbuddy.com. It relies on individual spotter reports across North America but it doesn't require any special computer connections either. So it's not automatically updated by every transaction but it encompasses more places and possibilities. In our checks, it had a pretty thorough report on even some small town gas stations. If a station was much lower than competition two days ago, it will probably have a lower price today.

After record high gas prices hit in early April, the prices have been steadily falling, but are still at higher levels than where the price climb began.

Tsunami Travel Challenges

The recent tragic tsunami is providing some travel challenges. We are trying to find out which resorts are closed and which are opened. If you have reservations in affected areas, call first to find out status on refunds, upcoming trips or what the situation may be today.

Taking the Aches Out of Travel

Everyone travels -- whether it is around the world, cross-country or to a neighboring town -- and loading the suitcase with everything one might need seems to be the norm. But these days, traveling can be a pain in the neck, literally.... Full story

Internet Hotel Ratings Causing Confusion for Consumers

The vast amount of information that makes the Internet so attractive to travelers also is causing confusion when it comes to choosing a lodging online, AAA said today... Full Story

Travel Tips To Ease the Crowd Hassles

Traveling for the holidays can be easier. Here are a few tips to help avoid a few of the headaches and roadblocks along the way to see friends and family.

Heading to the Airport

Hopefully you booked early, got a good rate and are traveling with some flexibility. If not, you'll be like most of us. You may have already checked in and printed out your boarding passes. Many airline websites let you do this at home. If not, try to find a kiosk at the airport to check in and avoid the lines. If you don't need to speak with airline personnel, don't sweat the lines. Try to use public transportation or get a ride to the airport. Parking lots tend to fill up quickly around the holiday travel season. To reduce the airport shuttle fare, see if you can leave your car closer to the airport, with a friend or even at your workplace.

The Transportation Security Administration provides expected wait times (http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov) for the security checkpoints at various airports. This does not include time for parking and airline check-in. The TSA also has an accepted lock list for your luggage. If you do not use one of these locks, you run the risk of your bag or lock being cut open by screeners. This is also the place where a sense of humor or temper has to be kept buried inside you. Any inappropriate jokes or statements are taken seriously and subject to both civil and criminal penalties, and could cause you to miss your flight.

Every morning, airports around the country start fresh with planes on the ground. The earlier your flight, the more likely it will be on time. Other airports and storms haven't had a chance to create havoc with your holiday. And if you are on the west coast, try to go even earlier. Remember that eastern airports have a head start on messing up your schedule.

Carrying with You

Plastic compression or space bags really do work. They compress your clothes down and let you carry more (and maybe unnecessary) items with you, as long as you don't leave a stray piece of metal or zipper hanging out to puncture it. Try to wear several layers of clothes once in the airport so you can take off or add something to be comfortable. Jonathan Stocker of AllStays (http://www.allstays.com) recommends carrying a calling card to avoid high priced pay phone and hotel charges. "Hotel and airport phone rates vary wildly so a calling card is the best bet. Cell phones don't always work when you want them to on the road. If crossing country borders, we recommend carrying a color photocopy of your passport and credit card phone numbers in your money belt or tucked away in your luggage, somewhere apart from your original. It helps during troubles or if yours is lost. It's also good to print out any emails and confirmations of reservations of both flights and hotels. If over the phone, with us or any travel service, write down the date, time and name of the customer service person."


Screening

To make the screening process a bit smoother this holiday travel season, you may want to empty your pockets, take off your jewelry, your belt and your shoes and put everything into your carry-on as you head into or stand in line. You may also carry a ziplock bag that you can fill ahead of time and drop into the smaller basket at the metal detector. This is handy for keys, change, or anything you want to have immediate access to on the other side of security. Laptops and video cameras have to be removed from cases and placed in plastic bins as well. If you are selected for further screening or pat-downs, you have the right to request a private area. This may not please the screener personnel but it is your right.


Gifts

You may want to check into shipping your packages ahead of time. It's often easier and safer to mail them ahead of time than it is to carry them on or risk loss and damage in cargo. You may also want to look at large merchant websites that have branches in other countries. You could order gifts direct from an international version of Amazon.com within your destination country and save on some shipping charges. If you do carry them, bring all gifts unwrapped to an airport. It is rather sad seeing a beautifully wrapped package opened at the airport, unless you intended to give it to the screener inspecting it. You may wish to use holiday bags or boxes to help hide a gift but still have it be accessible.

Before and during a flight

Drink water early in the day of your holiday travel flight. This gets you well hydrated ahead of time. Keep drinking fluids throughout your travels or as much as convenient. This helps to keep your mucous membranes from cracking which opens you up to more germs. Turn off the air vents or direct them away from you. This is recycled air and you don't need it and it’s germs blowing directly on you. Most airlines have cut back or eliminated pillows and blankets. This is just as well since you don't know where they've been before you got them. Use your own travel pillow and clothes. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you and use it often. Ideally, use it after touching any public surface or money and before touching your food, your face or rubbing your eyes.

Rental Cars

Rental companies assume about 20% in no-shows. So they overbook. Try to get to the counter as soon as possible. Have a family member get your luggage while you go to the counter. Get there ahead of other travelers or you may wind up without a car on a holiday's eve.

Hotels

Book early and bring your printed confirmation with you. Just in case. "Hotels should always honor reservations, but if a mistake occurs, it could affect an entire holiday. Bring your proof of reservation or pre-payment with you," say Jonathan (http://www.allstays.com). Whatever travel website you used, mark down their service phone number along with the number of the hotel so you can call them to help sort it out. Being prepared for anything helps for a smooth holiday." Look for bargains at hotels in business areas, suite hotels and extended stays. Holiday travelers often overlook these classes of hotels and they may offer a great deal with business clients staying home this time of year.

Traveling Internationally? Stay Safe

It's a dangerous world out there as well as in your own country or even home, for that matter.

When traveling, be alert to dangerous climates and political problems. If terrorists are targeting tourists, you may want to steer clear of that corner. Check out the U.S. State Department's travel advisory site. But keep in mind as you read the sometimes hysteria inducing warnings that it also depends on how you're traveling. A group tour with first class hotels is quite different than traveling solo with a backpack across the globe.