Photo: Matt Biddulph

Planning a trip abroad? Have a great time, and don’t worry about traveler’s checks: wherever you’re going, no matter how piña colada and palm-frond-oriented, they probably have a full array of ATMs and credit card terminals to keep you happy.

But be forewarned: pickpockets have their eye on your wallet. Their names are Visa, Mastercard, Citibank, and a host of other light-fingered financial professionals.

These guys have a few strategies for draining your cash. You can’t avoid all of them, but you can do a lot better than the naive traveler. And, to be fair to the companies I just referred to as pickpockets, modern exchange services do make travel a lot easier, and it doesn’t seem unreasonable to pay a few bucks for that. It’s like air travel: you rarely get to fly free, but only a sucker pays full price.

Here are the fees you’re likely to come across when spending abroad with a credit card, debit card, or ATM withdrawals:

• ATM out-of-network fees. This flat fee (typically $5) is charged by your bank for using a foreign ATM. Generally, big banks charge it; community banks, credit unions, and online banks don’t.
• Bank ATM fees. This is the fee charged by the bank that owns the ATM you’re using. You’re more likely to come across this in some countries than others. (And if you’re visiting the US from abroad, I would like to personally apologize, because the US is the worst offender here.) Some banks–particularly online banks–automatically reimburse you for this type of fee. Ally Bank, for example, reimburses all ATM fees.
• Foreign exchange fees. Visa and Mastercard charge you a percentage fee on all foreign transactions, and banks typically tack on a percent or two on top of that. The fee (up to 3% total) usually applies to credit, debit, and ATM transactions. This can add up fast. Capital One credit cards waive this fee entirely. (So does Discover, but who takes Discover?) If you travel a lot, carry a Capital One card–if you can qualify, that is; they’re sticklers for a high FICO score. For a trip to Japan next month, however, I’m not going to bother applying for a new card; I’m using my credit-union-issued card, which charges a flat 1%. I can live with that.
• Cash advance fees. If you use your credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM, you will pay and pay. Unless it’s an honest-to-God emergency, don’t do this.
• Exchange rates. This is the sneakiest of all, because it’s hidden. When using a credit or debit card, you generally receive a fair exchange rate, a wholesale rate comparable to what’s published in the Wall Street Journal or the Universal Currency Converter. (If you get a rate that differs significantly from this, call your bank and complain.) At an airport currency counter, you’ll get an unfavorable rate. Worst of all is exchanging cash at a store. And if a merchant offers to ring up your credit card transaction in US dollars to avoid the foreign exchange fee, decline unless you can check the exchange rate on the spot.

Your bank’s web site is unlikely to be forthcoming on what they’re going to charge you when you travel. Call the bank and walk through two specific scenarios with them: what will you charge me, in total, when I use my card at an ATM in Barbados (or wherever you’re planning to drink your piña coladas)? What about when I use it as a credit or debit card?

Furthermore, it pays to do this before you book your trip. Banks have been known to charge the 3% exchange fee for, say, booking a flight on an international airline, even when the trip is booked in dollars.

Before you go

If you’re traveling to a place you’ve never been before, it pays to find out what the payment landscape looks like. Is plastic widely accepted? Are ATMs ubiquitous? Will they accept your card?

A little Googling here goes a long way. People who travel love to talk about the gritty details. (TripAdvisor is a particularly good resource.) A search for “Japan ATM cards” informed me that Japan is relatively cash-oriented compared to the US, and that my Mastercard-logo card won’t work in most Japanese ATMs, but it will work in ATMs at the post office. There’s a post office near my hotel, so I expect this won’t be a problem. Just in case, though, I’m bringing some Japanese cash with me.

I have an account with Chase, and my neighborhood branch was happy to order me up some yen. It took one business day to fulfill my order. This being the future, I was able to pull up the Currency app (free) on my iPhone to make sure I was getting a fair rate.

Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t: Chase charged me a larcenous 5 percent surcharge over the nominal exchange rate. Which illustrates an important point: don’t waste too much time figuring out how to save a few bucks on your first couple hundred dollars of foreign money. (That’s what I’m telling myself, at least.)

Should you bother to get foreign cash before you go? Probably not. It depends to what extent you’re heading into the unknown. This is my first trip to Japan and I will have a six-year-old in tow, so I decided to grease the wheels as much as possible. I expect to learn upon arrival that it would have been easier and cheaper to hit an ATM at the airport, but I’m just as happy not to have to figure out how to use a Japanese ATM (or whether my card will even work in this particular one) first thing after a ten-hour flight with a sleepy child clinging to my leg.

Finally, for any credit or debit card you’re planning to take on your trip, flip the card over and call the 800 number. Tell them where you’re going and when. But be prepared to have your card declined sometimes anyway: bring multiple cards, and keep a cash stash. The last thing you want is to have to explain why you can’t pay for that piña colada you just finished.

Traveling involves a lot of trade-offs. Money is always a big issue after the decision is made to fly somewhere exotic or historical; can you afford to see all the sights and live comfortably? It’s never easy to balance what you want to do and what your disposable income allows for.

In order to stretch your money the furthest, you need to look for deals from the get-go. All it takes is a little research and creativity, and with the savings, you will be better equipped to experience your destination to the fullest.

Plane ticket costs

Most vacations involve flights, and this is where you should start saving money while traveling.

Travel during the low season

If you are averse to research when it comes to traveling, the easiest way to save money on flights is by vacationing during a destination’s low season. This usually translates into hundreds of dollars in savings on a plane ticket.

You’ll benefit the most from low-season traveling when the place you are visiting is hospitable year-round. Many exotic islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific, for instance, always have good weather — it doesn’t matter when you go. Visit Europe in the winter or early spring, and on top of a cheaper ticket, you’ll find that attractions and hotels are less crowded.

Book early

Those who only have vacation time during the busy winter and summer breaks can still find ways to save on their plane tickets. One method is to book months in advance. Those who buy tickets a year or eight months — even three months in advance — will find prices to be quite reasonable. Often, airlines will not make the price drop too obvious; if they give you a rate that seems too high, ask for a discount and you may score a deal.

Fly during the week

Similarly, travelers who book flights that leave in the middle of the week often receive discounted prices. The reason is simple: Most people prefer traveling on the weekend, whether it’s for business or pleasure. Pick a flight that leaves on a Wednesday, for example, and you could save a few dollars.

Go standby

A popular method of traveling among backpackers, students and the thrifty is flying standby. Airlines will inform these people of a flight opening only hours or minutes in advance; it is up to the traveler to be at the airport, ready to hop on a plane. As a “reward” for filling seats on short notice, standby fliers usually pay for tickets at discounted prices. If you’re alone or simply don’t mind the short notice, this is a good way to lower your flight cost.

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We talked with Barbara Messing, the Vice President of Travel Ticker, a division of Hotwire that tracks the best insider travel deals, including special limited-time offers, small hotels you wouldn’t normally find online and exotic locations. Messing publishes her own weekly picks of the best deals in the “Barbara’s Best” section of the site-and sees this as one of the best times to book a vacation.

“The silver lining of this economic downturn is that there have never been better travel bargains. These are truly the best deals I’ve ever seen,” Messing says. “It’s a pretty amazing time to travel if you can put down your credit card now. You’ll get more value than ever.”

(David Holland)

Here are some reasons why you should travel now:

Even luxury resorts are offering deep discounts. That’s right: You don’t have to stay in a cheap motel to get a good bargain. For the first time in recent memory, you can stay at the hottest properties in town without having to pay premium prices. “This is one of the most interesting trends we’re seeing: Luxurious, aspirational properties, like the plush new, four and a half-star Intercontinental in San Francisco, which has a fantastic spa or the Biltmore, which is a classic Phoenix resort, are offering great prices,” Messing says. “The Biltmore, for instance, is about 45% off, and we’re actually seeing this during peak season, not in the middle of the summer when you wouldn’t want to go to Arizona.”

(Chris Seufert)

Two favorite destinations-Hawaii and Vegas-are at all-time low prices. “All of Hawaii is basically on sale; all of the hotels are discounting heavily,” Messing notes, due to reduced flights to the always popular destination. Makes sense. They’d rather offer rock-bottom prices than have empty rooms. “In Vegas, there’s the combination of an incredible hotel building boom with reduced business travel, so it’s like a red tag sale of four- and five-star properties on the strip like the Wynn, the the Palazzo, and Palm Place.”

(Avodrocc)

All-inclusives are a great deal for the budget-conscious traveler and families. By going with an all-inclusive package, you pay one price up front for everything, so there are no surprises. “There are a ton of deals at all-inclusive resorts, especially at the new hotels along the Mexican Riviera, which would rather offer deep discounts than have empty rooms,” Messing says. “Resort pricing on food and beverage can be higher than you might expect, so this way, you can just enjoy that margarita without worrying about the $15 price tag.”

(damada2)

The deal can do all the talking. Instead of setting your heart on one particular destination, decide what kind of vacation you’d like and then explore the deals out there. “It’s such a great time to travel that I’d recommend letting the deal be the inspiration. For instance, if you want a beach vacation, be open to the Caribbean and Mexico and just look for the best deal.”

Even local vacations can be a good getaway. “A lot of four- and five-star hotels in big cities are empty on the weekends,” Messing says. “You can save on airfare by finding a great deal and driving there.” Now might be the ideal time for the weekend in the city you’ve dreamed about. You’ll probably have enough money left over for a meal in a restaurant and a show.

The news is not all good. The larger airlines have tightened up on baggage restrictions and they’ve passed those costs on to the customer. But here’s one last tip. If at all possible, try to get everything into a carry-on. If you just can’t bear to leave certain items behind, try to avoid baggage fees altogether. “Look for flights on airlines like Virgin America, Alaska and Southwest, which don’t charge you to check a bag,” Messing explains.

If you want to go to Spain, fake yourself out with St. Augustine, Florida.

(bronayur)

You’d like to be baking in the sun off the coast of Spain in oversized sunglasses which reflect the villas lining the beach, a glass of sangria in hand. Go to St. Augustine Florida instead. The minute you feel those rays bearing down on you, you’ll be glad you got away and the feel of the place will quickly transport you to another time and place. Since the Spaniards were the first explorers to set foot in the US, it only makes sense that the oldest US city’s got that distinct flair; it was settled on the heels of Juan Ponce de Leon’s 1513 landing.

Why you will be transported: The balconies overlooking narrow streets in the Old City smack of Barcelona. Stop by the whitewashed Basilica of St. Augustine, a great example of old-school Spanish Colonial architecture. Grab a pint at the ancient Taberna de Gallo, where you can listen to Spanish folk tunes by torch or candlelight-this place is so staunchly old school that they’ve shunned electricity, too. If it is the posh beaches that you still dream of, there are plenty to go around in the nearby national parks, which you can get into for just $6. For a more close-up and personal encounter with Spanish history, check out the ghost tours, including the Ghost of the Matanzas boat tours.
All that and you’ll also get: A sip from the very Fountain of Youth the Ponce de Leon was looking for when he set out on his expedition. Oh, of course it’s here, in an orange grove with men in tights.
How much you’ll save: Buckets. Hotel rooms are very reasonable, as are the things to do. You’ll save many hundreds on the air ticket alone.
http://www.historicstaugustine.com

If you want to go to Paris, fake yourself out with Quebec City.

(palestrina55)

An elegant French city is so just magical, especially when its prize is rich, decadent food. You’ll eat just as well as you would in Paris in the bejeweled, second largest French-speaking city in the world-and it’s not even in France.
Why you’ll feel transported: Sometimes the best part of traveling to another country is not understanding a thing, making up your own back story and marveling at being a complete outsider. You’ll find plenty of that in Quebec City, where over 95 percent of people are originally from France, and most speak French as their first language. The skyline of the Old City is marked by the opulent Le Chateau Frontenac. (Though it looks like a fairytale castle, you can stay there, for a price.) Check out the pristine old chapel at the Musee de la Civilisation , which is a generally good starting point for making sense of it all. Get lost in the narrow, charming St-Jean-Baptiste neighborhood. Still, you can’t die without seeing the Eiffel Tower, so check the Paris Grill for a replica of the real thing. All that and you’ll also get: Boites à chansons, the wonderful Celtic-influenced Québécois folk music.
How much you’ll save: The main savings will be on airfare. It’s especially cheap to fly into Maine, New Hampshire, or New York and rent a car or take the train the rest of the way in.

If you want to go to Japan, fake yourself out with Hawaii.

(Jeff Kubina)

There aren’t many places in the world that can stand in for Japan. Japan’s culture is simultaneously both ancient and bleeding edge modern which is one reason it remains an otherworldly fascination for so many people. But Hawaii can help you understand much about Japan without your having to dive headfirst into that culture.
Why you will feel transported:
Hawaiian language is peppered with Japanese words directly lifted from the diaspora. (Have some anpan, a Japanese sweet red bean treat or musubi, a rice ball “sandwich.”) In June, go to a traditional matsuri festival, a unifying summer celebration of identity for places, large and small, all over Japan. The state is dotted with Japanese religious shrines, including Byodo-in, a Buddhist temple which is a recreation of one in Japan, with a serene 12-foot bronze Buddha. Also check out Shirokiya, a Japanese department store in Honolulu that can really make you feel like you’re a part of the everyday in Japan and not a tourist. Go late in the day to pick up that days fresh sushi at half price, just as the Japanese do in Japan. Or pick up the latest consumer electronics, straight outta Akihabara.
All that and you’ll also get: The stunning, lush natural landscape of Hawaii.
How much you’ll save: Tourism is way down in Hawaii so there are lots of bargains to be had. Stay away from the big resorts and rent a condo with a group of friends. Shop for groceries at Costco and cook at home. Spend your days at the beach or in the free public parts. Do these things and a vacation in Honolulu can be almost as inexpensive as staying at home.

The excellent tourism site www.gohawaii.com includes videos and searchable databases for each island.

If you want to take a trip around the world, settle for a weekend in Las Vegas.

(renny67)

Each of the unreal casino-states offers its own charming brand of escapism.
Why you will feel transported: At the Venetian, you can enjoy lunch al fresco at a replica of St. Marks Square or take a ride on a gondola. Paris has its own versions of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc De Triomphe along with an approximation of European café culture. It’s even possible to get an authentic New York deli sandwich at New York New York. Monte Carlo attempts the haute glitz of a real Monaco city-state, minus the yachts. If you can’t get to the pyramids and great Sphinx, you’ll might can be easily fooled at the Luxor, a famed larger than larger-than life Egyptian-themed casino. Another thought: If you don’t sleep for the entire weekend, which is very possible, you will even feel like the vacation is much longer than it really was…
All that and you’ll also get: To either double or lose your life savings in your spare time.
How much you’ll save: Thousands, and a few months of vacation time.

In conclusion, save the right to take the trip of your dreams for the moment you lose your job. Hey, there’s never been a better time to remind yourself why it’s great to be alive.

This may not be the year to charter a jet to Dubai, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great vacation. Pack up the car and head cross-country, taking in lots of Americana along the way. Follow the Oregon Trail where previous explorers have found cheap, comfy lodgings and restaurants to make your trip more pleasant.

Stop No. 1: Fall River, MA

If you’re starting on the East Coast, this little town is an inexpensive alternative to New York or Boston. It has a long history as a fishing and shipbuilding center, and it’s a stone’s throw from outlet shopping (the true American vacation experience).

What to see: The Lizzie Borden murderabilia museum, displaying the hatchet, blood-spattered pillowcases and other artifacts from the 1892 crime.

Where to stay: Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast, the house where it is said she took an axe and gave her father 40 whacks. It’s also alleged that when she saw what she had done, she gave her mother 41.

Where to eat: Sagres Restaurant on Columbia Street offers up hearty Portuguese fare for $10-12 per person.

Stop No. 2: Oneida, NY

The next stop as you head west was home to a large and successful commune in the 1800s. Near the scenic Finger Lakes region, it’s easy to see why the free-loving sect would have chosen to settle here. These days, it’s still an idyllic area with just a touch of mid-century cheesiness.

What to see: The World’s Smallest Church, officially named Cross Island Chapel. At 51×81 inches of floor area, the nondenominational church is in the middle of a lake and seats two.

Where to stay: You’ve got to stay at a Super 8 Motel at some point along the way. With access to a beach and plenty of casinos, this Tudor-style beauty should be the one.

Where to eat: Throw back a slice and pitcher at Ye Olde Pizza Pub, a dark and homey college joint.

Stop No. 3: Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara Falls, NY. Spanning the Canadian border, this little city is all kitsch built to serve tourists to the falls. It’s not glamorous, but it is the quintessential road-trip destination.

What to see: Duh. That admission-free natural wonder, the falls.

Where to stay: Bring your passport and cross over into Canada to the Caravan Inn, for around $80 a night. Why? Heart-shaped Jacuzzi. ‘Nuff said.

Where to eat: You’re about 30 minutes away, so head to Anchor Bar in Buffalo-it’s the original home of the Buffalo wing, and 10 for $10 should fill you up.

Stop No. 4: Cleveland, OH

Once rather a dowdy city, Cleveland now boasts boutique shopping and a warehouse-turned-arts district. It still has a small-town Midwestern feel, but microbreweries and rock and roll keep things lively.

What to see: You’ve got to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, but also make sure to see the world’s largest rubber stamp, sculpted by Claes Oldenburg.

Where to stay: Stay in a 19th-century-home-turned-luxury-B&B. BrownStone Inn is downtown and costs $65-95 a night.

What to eat: Grab a burger at Swensons, a classic drive-in that’s almost 75 years old.

Stop No. 5: Alexandria, IN

Alexandria, IN. This town’s one big attraction has put it on the map, attracting news crews and even a filmmaker. Other reasons to stop by are antiquing and gospel singer Bill Gaither’s studio and museum.

What to see: Set up an appointment to see Mike Carmicheal’s “ Sitting in Mike’s garage, it comprises more than 21,000 coats of paint and weighs 2,700 pounds.

Where to stay: The prices at Country Gazebo Inn ($60-75 a night) can’t be beat-and that includes croquet and shuffleboard.

Where to eat: Options are limited in this tiny town. Try John’s Diner for, well, classic diner fare.

Stop No. 6: Dyersville, IA

Dyersville, IA. Known as the Farm Toy Capital of the US, this town of 4,000 is also home to a Roman-Catholic basilica. It’s filled with small-town charm. Take a tout to see it all.

What to see: You’ll hear the cornstalks gently whispering “if you build it, they will come,” as you make your way to the town’s main attraction. Yep, Field of Dreams was filmed here, and you can still see the field.

Where to stay: The cozy Uptown B&B is clean and homey.

Where to eat: Shot Tower Inn, as it turns out, does not serve shots. But there is plenty of pizza, potato skins, onion rings and even salads.

Stop No. 7: Mount Rushmore, SD
Feeling patriotic after the recent election? This landmark attraction is pure Americana.

What to see: Those guys on the side of the mountain. Chances are, US presidents have been on your mind lately anyway.

Where to stay: Happy Holiday Motel is rustic log cabins starting at $35 a night, and campsites are about half that.

Where to Eat: Also in a log cabin, Flying T Chuckwagon serves up barbecue and live music. Splurge and try the buffalo.

Stop No. 8: Thermopolis, WY

With cowboy culture and a hot spring, this town is a must-see on a trip cross-country. Get out of the car and go for a hike through red-rock mountains to stretch your legs.

What to see: Fifty life-size wax cowboys ‘n’ Indians make up 20 scenes of Old West life at the Old West Wax Museum. Stop by the hot spring, too.

Where to see: Stay with the Old West motif at the Elk Antler Inn and Fudge Shop. They do, indeed, sell fudge, and they also offer activities like tubing and rafting.

Where to eat: A&W Restaurants aren’t always easy to find, but there’s one here, and it serves homemade pies in addition to the signature floats. Oh, and dinner, too–but you’re on vacation.

Stop No. 9: Blackfoot, ID is a little bit like an oasis—its trees, parks and lakes appear after miles of desert driving. Once a depot for the potato industry, this town also has a great historical vibe.

What to see: The motto is “We give taters to out-of-staters” at the Idaho Potato Museum, where you can see such wonders as the largest Pringle ever made.

Where to stay: For $99 a night, you’ll have your choice of the Paradise, Victorian or Abe Lincoln Log rooms at Stout Street Bed & Breakfast.

Where to eat: Take a break from diner fare with authentic Mexican at El Mirador.

Stop No. 10: Portland, OR

Consistently named one of the top cities to live in, Portland has plenty to see and do. The people are friendly and it’s easy to get around, so you’ll want to stay a few days and explore. Be sure to take in one last roadside attraction to cap off your great journey west.

What to see: A glorified traffic island that happens to be the World’s Smallest Park.

Where to stay: Starting at $90 a night, the Jupiter Hotel is well-located and uber-trendy for the price.

Where to eat: Get a waffle sandwich with gourmet fillings like Black Forest ham at the FlavourSpot. You’ll probably be set for a few meals.