[cairns]

Use seatguru.com

Peruse FlyerTalk forums and check the trip reports section of airliners.net et. al.

Always check the airline's website directly before you latch onto one of those Orbitz superdeals. And consider paying a little more. If there's a problem guess who's going to get better treatment.

Know the airport layout before you go. Don't book with out knowing real world transfer times. You do not want to be transferring in only 30 minutes from Delta to United in ORD on a Summer afternoon.

If you live near a hub use the predominate airline and get their credit card- miles aren't totally worthless yet. But not always. Sometimes it's better to use the destiantion's predominate airline. For instance my home airport is IAD and I usually fly United. But if I'm going to Miami or Dallas I'll take American or if I'm going to St. Louis I'll use Southwest. And if you're going to Atlanta...well there's a joke about going to Hell means you're on Delta and have to go through Atlanta.

If you're going to a foreign country for the first time read about it-as much as you can- and learn at least ten phrases that will help you get around as well as the answers to them. Learn to apologize for your lack of skill (I'm sorry but my Italian/French etc. is terrible). they'll appreciate your trying. And learn the food/menu names and the eating culture too. Don't expect bacon and eggs for breakfast in Sicily. Learning their culture and adapting to it is what it's all about.

Use AmEX to charge foreign purchases they don't charge an exchange fee.

Check business and first fares- they can be surprisingly cheap and sitting up front for a little more can be well worth it. (UAL RT to Naples last Summer in first and business- $2,200 RT for two)

Call the car rental desk directly and reserve the car you actually want. Use Europcar or others to experience a Peugeot, Alfa, Audi or Renault instead of a Vauxhall/Opel/Holden (Chevy) or the Ford Avis and Hertz will give you.

Learn to drive on the left. It's easy. And there a lot of countries you can't fully experience unless you do. Also learn their road signs and never pass on the right (in a left hooker country). If you're in the left lane and someone flashes you pull over- NOW. You shouldn't be in the left lane unless you're passing anyway. This isn't America so don't drive like a d-head.

Remember in Italy rules apply to cars and trucks only. Not Vespas, bicycles and motorcycles. Same is true in BangKok and lots of other places. You hit someone on a bike it's YOUR fault. So watch for them.

Rent a house, villa or apartment instead of staying in a hotel. They can be cheaper and you can cook if you want. Not to mention they're much more private.

And don't try to see all of the tourist sites. Many aren't worth it and getting off the beaten path can be much more rewarding.