U.S. Travel Tips & Tools
Packing Tips
Whether your trip will be for a weekend, a week, or longer, know the area you are traveling to and know the type of weather you may encounter for the time of year you will be traveling. Many people forget that just because it is warm and sunny at home, it may be much different when they reach their destination. For current weather, temperature comparisons and short-range predictions across the world, visit a weather information site such as Weather.com. Once you know your weather expectations, pack accordingly. Only you know how you and your family deal with various temperatures, so pack your luggage with items you know you will need. Always have an umbrella or rain jacket for those unexpected rain storms.
How long will you be gone?
Though many hotels do offer laundry facilities, always plan to have enough clean clothing for several days, for you and your family, until you can locate a laundry facility. Pack some loose change for washers, dryers and laundry soap.
Medications
If you or any of your family are on prescribed medicines, make sure you have a sufficient amount with you to last the trip. If you use over-the-counter medicines, try to carry enough with you for the extent of your trip; many areas, especially if you are traveling to a different state, may not have the brands that you prefer.
Children
If you are traveling with children, pack some toys and games for them to play with while riding. Bring plenty of extra clothing items for them, in case of food spills or playing accidents.
Car Maintenance Checklist
Prior to departing on your trip, take your car to a trusted auto mechanic for a check-up; make sure everything is in proper running order, so you will not encounter mechanical problems on the road. A perfectly planned, long-awaited vacation need not be ruined by having your car break-down in a strange place!
Things to have in the car
- Tools
- Extra quart of oil
- Gallon of water
- Approved Gas Can
- Emergency Kit
- Emergency First Aid Kit
- Tire pressure gauge (and check your tires frequently)
- Flashlight
- Your car's manual
- Maps and/or road atlases (in case the GPS doesn't work)
- Rags, to wipe your hands or handle hot engine parts
- If traveling during winter and at higher elevations, make sure you have snow chains for your tires.
- Make sure your spare tire is inflated before you depart.
- Make sure you have all of the parts to your car jack, in case you have to change a tire.
- Make sure all of the bolts can be removed to change a tire. Garages often tighten the bolts too tight to be removed by hand; take your car to the garage and have them check.
To ensure that you receive any necessary emergency road service, please make sure your AAA membership is current, and that all fees have been paid prior to taking your road trip.
TripTik® Travel Planner
The TripTik® Travel Planner is a service provided exclusively by AAA for its members. It provides specific routing information for your trip, including directions to and from airports, attractions, restaurants, sports venues, universities, parks and more. TripTik® Travel Planners can be designed for you either at your local AAA office or by visiting AAA online.
Launch Online TripTik® »
TourBooks®
AAA TourBooks® are an exclusive benefit of AAA membership. TourBooks® provide detailed information on national or international destinations, including city information, area maps, local attractions and events, and ratings, pricings and reservations for hotels and restaurants.
AAA members can obtain a TourBook® from any AAA office, order them online, or search TourBook® information online.
Launch Online TourBook® »
Hotel & Rail Reservations
Most hotels have a website or "800" phone number; an individual can generally make reservations from either of these venues using a credit card.
Individuals wishing to travel by rail should visit the Amtrak site and schedule a trip by inserting the travel information.
Travel agencies and AAA travel offices can also arrange your hotel and rail reservations.
AAA Travel Money
Always ensure you have sufficient money in your possession to cover any expenses; not all businesses accept checks or credit cards. Small change may be required for bridge or road tolls.
Traveler's cheques are a convenient way and more secure way to carry larger amounts of money and they are accepted by most businesses and banks. They can be purchased through most banks as well as your AAA travel office.
AAA also offers a convenient Visa® TravelMoney Card. You can pre-load as little as $100 or as much as $9,999, then use it as you would any Visa® credit card. It is convenient, makes your trip budge easier to manage, and if it is lost, it is PIN protected. For more information about this service, visit the AAA Travel Money page, or contact your AAA office.
Fuel Price Finder
As gas prices continue to increase, especially during high travel seasons, the Fuel Price Finder offers travelers a quick way to fuel information for their area. By visiting our AAA Fuel Gauge Report, fuel information for your area or destination is at your fingertips.
AAA Digest of Motor Laws
AAA's Digest of Motor Laws has provided information for over eighty years on current traffic laws, vehicle registration and driver licensing across all 50 states. This unique resource is now available online and free to the public at DrivingLaws.AAA, the new version presents the more than 700 page book as an easy-to-use online resource.
Tipping Guidelines
The following tipping guidelines may help you when you are using various services on your trip.
At the hotel
- Parking Valets/Attendants: a $1-2 tip is appropriate for parking or retrieving your car.
- Doorman: If he hails your cab, $1-2; if he helps you with your bags in or out of the car, $.50-1 per bag; if he carries your bags all the way to the room, $1-2 per bag.
- Bellman: When he helps you with your bags, $1-2 per bag; give it to him when he shows you to your room. If he leaves you and your bags at the desk, save the tip for the person who carries your bags to your room. When you leave the hotel, tip the bellman who helps you with your bags. If they offer additional services, additional tips are allowable.
- Concierge: For hard-to-get dinner or theater reservations, $5-10. For merely giving you advice, tipping is optional and at your discretion. Tips can be given at the time the service is rendered, or at the end of the trip, just keep it straight so you are fair.
- Room Service: If gratuity is included, add nothing or $1. Otherwise, add 15-20% to the total charge.
- Delivery of Special Items: For delivery of extra pillows or an iron, add $1 per item.
- Maid Service: Because there might be a different maid each day, leave $1-3 on the pillow.
- Swimming Pool or Gym Attendant: Nothing unless they provide you with special services, such as extra seating or inflating pool toys.
- Hotel Staff: Nothing to replace light bulbs, fix heating/air-conditioning, etc.
Touring
- Check ahead. If gratuity is not included, give 10-15% of the tour price. No less than $1-2 for a half-day tour, $3-4 for a full-day tour, $5-10 for a week-long tour. This is a per-person rate. Tip private tour guides more.
Restaurants and Bars
- If you are buying the meal and someone offers to get the tip, tell them they can buy next time, and you buy the whole thing. This prevents them any uneasiness from seeing the amount of the bill or worrying that they will not give a sufficient tip.
- Food Server: 15-20%
- Cocktail Server: 15-20%
- Bartender: 15-20%. If at the bar before a meal, pay the tip before you go to your table.
- Wine Steward: 10% of wine bill.
- Busboys: Nothing unless they are required to clear off a huge mess; then give $1-2.
- Maitre-d: Nothing unless he seats you at a special table or the restaurant is full and you had no reservation. Then give only $5-10.
- Coat Check: $1.
- Restroom Attendant: $1.
- Separate Checks: Ask the server to separate them and add 18% gratuity to each.
- Musician in Lounge: $1-5.
- Musician That Visits Your Table: $2-3 if he plays a special request. Optional if he just stops by.
- Take-Out: If you get good service, $1-2.
- Drive-Thru: Nothing
- Self-Service Restaurant/Buffet: Nothing unless there is some service. Tip 10% if server delivers all or part of your meal or keeps your drinks filled.
- When breakfast is included in the price of your hotel room – Estimate the value of your meal by looking at the menu. If there is no breakfast menu, estimate the value of your meal and give 15-20% of your estimate.
Transportation
- Whether you are taking a cab or a limousine, you should offer a gratuity of 10-15% of the fare. If drivers are rude or inattentive, give them the minimum. If drivers are attentive to your needs and/or help you in any way beyond the norm, thank them with a 15% gratuity.
