Prepaid Voucher Plan

One of the ways to avoid a drop in the value of your dollars overseas is to prepay hotel accommodations.

Travelers to West Germany can prepay by using the WunderCheck program, which expanded its list of participating properties this year.

There are four categories to choose from among the 90 hotels: major resort hotels with a full roster of amenities, top hotels in major cities, more traditional hotels with fewer amenities, many in smaller cities, and family-run hotels and pensions that are primarily in the countryside.

In each case you have to buy vouchers in the United States for each night’s accommodation, with a minimum purchase of five and no maximum. The vouchers cost $78 per couple ($39 per person on a double occupancy basis) for the two categories covering hotels in smaller towns and pensions.

This represents a $2 increase per person from the rate of $74 per couple in 1987. About 75% of the participating properties fall into this price category, according to the German National Tourist Office.

If you want vouchers for the more central hotels in major cities, the vouchers cost about an extra $9 per person (up from $7.25 last year). And if you’re going to places in the resort category, figure on paying about $20 extra per person, up from $16 last year.

If you’re traveling solo you can get single rooms for about $6 to $12 extra.

Prices include buffet breakfasts, taxes and gratuities. Dinners may also be included when you stay at the pensions and country-based hotels.

In addition to buying as many vouchers as you want, you can make reservations in the United States for as many nights as you wish. Making reservations for your first night in West Germany, and perhaps your first night in any new city, is generally advisable. Subsequent reservations can be made for you at each property for no extra charge.

Names, locations, phone numbers and other particulars of the participating properties are provided on each voucher you buy. The hotels all offer private bathrooms.

And if you’re going to be in West Germany during April, KD German Rhine Line is offering a 25% discount on all of its cruises on the Rhine River.

Contact travel agents or the German National Tourist Office, 444 S. Flower St., Suite 2230, Los Angeles 90071, phone (213) 688-7332.