If you are like many pet owners, you hate leaving your four-legged friend behind when you travel. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to, as many airlines, hotels, etc., are pet friendly. This article will give you tips for making the most of your travels with your four-legged friend.

If you plan on traveling, remember to schedule reliable pet care in advance. If you have a small dog, you can find pet-friendly flights and hotels and bring him along. Large dogs, cats, and animals with medical problems should have a reliable pet-sitter that you can trust. Your furry friends will be grateful!

If your personal vehicle is more than a few years old and you will be taking a road trip, consider renting a car for the journey. You will ensure that the car you drive is mechanically sound as well as possibly renting a car that gets better gas mileage than your own.

If you are collecting frequent flier miles from your travels, pay attention to the terms of use for those miles. In many cases, the miles expire just twelve to eighteen months after they’ve been earned, or they can only be used on certain dates and to a limited set of locations. Before selecting an airline based on miles, know the restrictions.

A great tip to keep in mind when you’re looking to book airline tickets, is to compare airline rates online. By comparing airline rates online, you can find the cheapest deal available, and save yourself a lot of money.

If you travel by air frequently, it’s a good idea to learn the rules of the TSA. Every airport has a security checkpoint that you need yo pass before you can get too your plane and not knowing the security rules can make your time at the checkpoint frustrating for you and the people around you.

There are a few essentials everyone should have whenever they’re travelling. No matter where you’re going, make sure to bring your photo ID, preferably in more than one form, any medication that you frequently or infrequently need, and a small amount of cash. Everyone has their own personal needs, so think of what yours are before you travel.

Don’t tempt robbers! Especially when traveling abroad or in unsafe areas, don’t make your belongings look tempting to steal. Instead of carrying around shiny new backpacks and gear, use older things. If you don’t have any older gear that will work, stick some duct tape on your new pack to give the impression that it is older.

If you’ve ever traveled with young children you’ve undoubtedly been asked far too many times how much further it is. One way of solving this is to get each of the children a map and instruct them how to read it. They’ll be entertained, and you’ll be teaching them a skill that they will use the rest of their lives!

Find out about national holidays. Before you schedule your international travel, check a calendar to see if there are any holidays during your stay abroad and what that means in terms of business and restaurant closings. It may affect what is open or available to do. You may find you have plenty or options or, it could be a day of rest for the locals – meaning a day wasted for you – leaving you with nothing to do.

If you’re going on a cruise, it’s advisable to bring your own alcohol. While food is unlimited on the ship, alcohol is not. They won’t charge you anything right then and there, instead you’ll just swipe your room key. But come check out time, you may find you’ve racked up hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of alcohol if you and your family like to drink.

If you’re visiting a museum or other tourist attraction, make sure to ask about any special discount rates for which you might be eligible. Many attractions have discounts for seniors, children, and students. Getting a discount rate will help you save money and travel on a budget while still enjoying the local sites.

Mail, newspapers and door hangers at your home, should be managed by a friend or neighbor. Thieves look for accumulating mail or papers and especially fliers, as a sign that no one is home. Have a neighbor or friend monitor these for you and if possible, have them move the car occasionally as well.

A beautiful place that you should add to your trip to France is the Mont St. Michel. It is a very beautiful site, a “must-see” in France. Try to see if you can get an overnight stay to truly experience it’s beauty during the evening hours.

Brush your teeth with bottled water when traveling in areas with questionable water. Drinking the water is not the only risk when traveling in certain developing nations. Many people assume that as long as they do not swallow the water, they are safe. In reality bacteria in water can enter your body even if you only use it to rinse your mouth when brushing.

Get a doctor’s note to give to your insurance provider, that states that you are fit to travel if you have a pre-existing condition. Official documentation will go a long way with the insurance provider. If you have your wallet stolen while on vacation, go to the police report and get a written police report.

A great travel tip if you’re traveling abroad is to always take a book of matches with you whenever you leave your hotel. Having this book of matches can be very helpful if you end up getting lost at some point. They can show locals where you’ve just left.

As stated at the beginning of this article, it is hard for pet owners to leave their animals behind while they travel. Many hotels and airlines are very accommodating when it comes to traveling with your pet. Hopefully, this article has given you some great tips for making the most of your pet-friendly travel plans.