The 8 Inside Secrets Writers Can Use For Creating Great Travel Experiences

And How To Properly Use Them

Image: Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

By Michael J. Herman

Despite the fact I have traveled the world multiple times, it was only ten years ago that I discovered the seven secrets at the fingertips of writers to create amazing vacation and travel experiences.

My wife and I planned a seven day cruise from Seattle to Alaska. Following the cruise, we spent five days in Seattle. A plethora of freebies, comps, and special opportunities were made available to us when I presented my access as a travel writer. The following tips will help anyone, not just travel writers augment the enjoyment of their travels.

One: Start Planning Early. It’s important to start planning your travel excursions and highlights well before your trip. Most media requests I make are granted if made early when availabilities are abundant.

Destinations abhor short notice media inquiries. Also, the further out you plan, the more time you have to build a relationship with the destination and the more time there is for additional opportunities to open.

Two: Make your request for a comp as enticing and seductive to the venue as possible. In addition to the editorial in which they will be included, what other perks can you offer in exchange?

· Can you write press releases?

· Do you have a blog?

· Will you be on TV?

· Do you have a large or dedicated, even niche social media platform?

· Do you have partners or affiliates that will help promote the destination’s brand?

· And can you benefit from the destination prior to the visit as well as afterwards?

Three: Plan a schedule. Even though you may be on vacation time, having a structure helps. This way, everyone involved knows when you’ll be coming and where you’re going.

About a dozen years ago, my parents and their friends planned a ten day trip to Branson. My father asked me to set up some theater tickets for them. From my home-base in Los Angeles I was able to arrange for 2–3 shows per day and multiple restaurants for them because I had a structured schedule into which each attraction was to fit. Upon their return, their elaborate feedback gave me the notes to write the reviews.

Four: Be nice. This goes without saying, but I cannot tell you how many times by just being nice to the staffs and managements of the places I’ve visited that upgrades, comps, and gifts have been showered upon us.

While reviewing NCL’s cruise ship the Norwegian Star, the world’s greatest Hotel Director John O’Hara treated us like R-O-Y-A-L-T-Y!

The second day on the ship I asked why the Jacuzzis were closed at 10 PM? He asked if I’d like it to be later? I said I like to take a midnight soak. That night, and every night that followed, the Jacuzzis were open until after midnight. I was the hero among late night soakers. Also, I asked if we could tour the ship? He made it possible the very next day.

It’s not only what you say, but how you say it. When you’re traveling and looking for the extras, be sweet like honey and gratitude. I know it sounds fundamental, but believe me, it works like butter on bread.

Five: This one sounds corny, but it really works… ASK!

So many things are available to you if you’d only ask. Not everything can be had just by asking, but a world of kindness can be had by travelers just by asking the right questions. The key to questions is figuring out what the concerns the other person.

Six: Get the free upgrades. This is the silver bullet in my chamber. I use it ALL THE TIME and believe me, this is the best secret weapon I possess.

Whenever you check into a hotel, resort, onto a cruise ship, into a club, onto a plane flight, seated at a game, concert, or even Broadway Show, use the following script exactly as written and extras will befall you like confetti out of a piñata.

I took my wife and her mother Coco to an event called Cavalia, an amazing spectacle of horses, illusion, and theater. I bought tickets for $100 per person. When we arrived our seats were several levels of bleachers off the floor. Coco was in a wheelchair and unable to climb those stairs.

The manager looked at Coco and scratched her head. I asked, “Is it possible for us to sit in the front row?” For a brief second, the manager looked confused, then joyfully blurted out “why not?!” We were upgraded from the $100 seats to the $450 seats just by asking.

SCRIPT: “I know you probably never do this, and I realize it’s probably impossible, but I’ve had an exhausting (day, night, week, flight, journey, travels, etc.,) and I was wondering if there’s any possibility whatsoever of a complementary free (First Class upgrade, upgrade to a suite, better seats, better whatever you’re wanting.) It’s important to say both Complementary and FREE. Some people only hear one of the words but when they’re together, it’s magic.

THEN BE QUIET!

Last year my wife and I were upgraded from Coach to First Class on United Airlines from Los Angeles to Cancun by just using that exact script. Then four hours later using the same script we were upgraded to a better suite. This has worked multiple dozens of times.

Seven: When planning your trip, contact the city’s chamber of commerce. Tell them you’re coming to their city to do your story and ask them if they can recommend the best places to go? Even if you’re not writing a story, the Chambers can offer an over abundance of freebees and discounts. Tell them what your interests are.

Fine dining, live entertainment, sightseeing, shopping, wine tasting, adventures, science, museums, art galleries, romantic places, spas and luxury, or whatever else interests you.

The job of the city’s chamber is to promote their members. We did that in Seattle and the things we did and the places we went were far augmented than anything we could have done on our own. The Las Vegas Chamber gave us free show tickets, meal discounts, exotic experiences, and more.

Eight: And here’s the coup de grace. Always and I mean always have a gift to give. If you’re an author like me, always have copies of your books or CDs to give as a thank you. If you’re not an author, have something nice like a trinket or something that says thank you.

When Georgeanne upgraded us to First Class to Cancun, I was exuberantly grateful and by giving a gift back to her, she also felt validated and appreciated. I could see she knew how grateful I truly was. Also, if I ever want another upgrade from her she’ll remember I was generous to her as well.

So you can see that there is a plethora of abundance waiting for you when you travel and all of these strategies are available to almost anyone. The untold truth is that if the seat, meal, cabin, or ticket is going to go empty, it usually doesn’t matter if it’s empty in the back of the plane or in the front of the ship.

As their seat or suite was going to remain empty anyway, delivering upgrades and better service is not an inconvenience for them.

It’s all in who you ask and how you ask them. So don’t be afraid to ask. The worst thing that can happen is you’ll be told no. It doesn’t hurt to ask and you have the world to gain by doing so..

Michael J. Herman is a Professional Travel Writer, Author, Event Speaker, and Coach.