Full Coverage: Get more for your money

If you’re a bargain hunter and you’re not hopping on the Canadian vacation bandwagon, perhaps you haven’t realized what the Canadian dollar is worth in greenbacks these days.

A strong dollar isn’t a cause for celebration in all cases — the Wall Street Journal reported, for instance, that Tiffany & Co. profits fell in the fourth quarter last year partly because of the muscle of U.S. currency — but for travelers, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of improved foreign exchange rates.

Anyone who bet that American Airlines would turn its attention to its AAdvantage frequent-flier program after completing its merger with US Airways wins that bet.

If you have perused those year-end lists of hot destinations, then wondered how you could afford any of those places, this column is for you.

Logging on to most airline Wi-Fi networks feels like stepping into a time machine — and we don’t mean that in a good way.

After spending the last year flying tens of thousands of miles, frequent fliers might feel as though they have just crossed the airline elite-status finish line.

Super Bowl 50, the clash between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7, will be a tailgate of two cities.

The funny thing about interruption provisions in cruise insurance is that they don’t cover interruptions in itinerary.

You don’t have to spend a lot of green to go green when you’re traveling to or from an airport.

You can save money in a resort town the obvious way — by visiting in the shoulder season.

As we enter the final weeks of 2015, frequent fliers begin asking a familiar question: “Will I be able to hold onto my airline elite status for another year?”

Yesterday’s secret deal destination may be today’s annoyingly overpriced spot.

Consider the irony.

No matter how many miles you fly or nights you stay in hotels, personal credit cards are still a powerful points-earning tool at your disposal.

If you’ve seen this headline — “Geneva Is the Most Expensive City in the World for Dining Prices” — it’s probably based on the recently released Club Sandwich Index, or CSI, compiled by Hotels.com.

For many years, true solo travel was the Rodney Dangerfield of travel: It got no respect from the industry.

Once, airlines’ airport lounges were the province of the elite traveler. Hoi polloi had no access.

Discovering you’re a victim of identity theft can quickly turn a vacation idyll into a bad trip.

Los Angeles-based entrepreneur William Swann had a soft spot for his Citi Gold AAdvantage World MasterCard.

While planning a summer trip to Europe for her family, Tara Firenzi of Santa Cruz was thrilled that she would save some money using awards miles for tickets for herself, her husband and 5-year-old daughter Ruby.

I recently received a nasty little surprise on my bill when checking out of a Memphis, Tenn., hotel.

Fifty thousand bonus miles! Free checked bags! Lounge access!

You know the tried-and-true ways to boost the number of miles in your airline awards account: flying one or two carriers consistently, staying in specific hotel chains that give airline miles, using credit cards that earn points or miles on everyday purchases.

You know the major players in hotel booking and search systems.

Wilson Fang had an exceptional weekend in Napa Valley that included a romantic bed-and-breakfast, dinner for two on the Wine Train and tastings at Beringer Vineyard.

We interviewed hotel front desk clerks and managers to learn some insider secrets, and many of them have to do with money matters.

You want free checked bags and extra legroom. Priority boarding sounds nice too.

You’ve worked hard for your award ticket, piling up miles in hopes of the free ticket at the end of the rainbow.

Sooner or later, nearly everyone ends up complaining about an airline — usually aloud, but sometimes in a missive that goes to the airline.

Before a recent trip to New Mexico, I reserved a rental car, in this case, an economy-class car from Budget for $282.

Here’s an idea for gift-buying time that could add value to your frequent-flier account: If you would like to rack up airline miles, consider doing at least some of your holiday shopping online through airline frequent-flier malls.

The most recent Marriott hotel room amenity has turned out to be a surprisingly controversial one.

Although many consumers book rooms directly on hotel websites — out of loyalty to a brand or because they think they’ll find the best prices that way — such sites don’t always have the best deals or make the search easier.

Maybe you’re ready for a new cellphone. Maybe you’re not.

Wi-Fi needn’t break the bank: Use GPS to find free hot spots, check hotel’s signal strength and use Wi-Fi wisely, including setting priorities and email management. Apps can help too.

An exit fee. In local currency. Next time, don’t be surprised. Other expenses might include visas, reciprocity fees, international taxes and more.

When David Masunaga flew on United Airlines from Honolulu to Paris recently, a passenger traveling with his young son asked if Masunaga would switch seats.

Here’s a tip. Don’t stress over tipping. Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America.

At your hotel, scammers might target you with calls, fliers and even fake websites. Be wary of Internet security in general. And keep in touch with your credit card company.

With another carrier switching to mileage awards based on ticket cost, here are some ways infrequent fliers can still compete for free seats.

You’ve probably been there: You are in a rush to get home, and your flight is delayed or canceled.

Staying connected on the road can be costly, especially if you’re staying in a hotel that charges you on top of what you’re already paying for your room.

Sometimes it’s not your kids or your traveling partner that make your vacation plans expensive; it’s your dog.

More for Your Money: Awareness of electronic risks is as important as secure pockets, pouches and bags.

Lots of people still carry on their bags, but a heavy, big bag more than likely will need to go down below.

Cruise lines use yield management to fill cabins, so some of the best prices are offered within 90 days of sailing. Here are a few, but remember: Most are out of Miami, so factor in airfare too.

Options Away, Level Skies say they give travelers peace of mind by allowing them to lock in airfares without committing to buying a ticket.

More for Your Money: Budget-friendly tips include subways instead of taxis, shared airport shuttles, tourist shop souvenirs and city passes. Oh, and check hotel cancellation policies.

More for Your Money: Some of the best ways to snag a cheaper airfare involve staying alert for online deals and being flexible on travel dates.

If you search carefully, you can find a good airline seat and cheap upgrades to business or first class.

More for Your Money: In addition to credit card bonus points, you can qualify for free tickets faster through carrier pooling programs and paid airline memberships.

Knowing tipping customs and ATM fees, and filling out VAT paperwork, are among ways to save while traveling.

From rental cars to ticket changes, extra fees, taxes and charges can pop up unexpectedly and ruin your travel budget.

More for Your Money: At the recent Los Angeles Times Travel Show, panel sessions offered ideas on hotel savings, free museums and airfare deals.

More for Your Money: From MyRadar to GateGuru to TravelNerd to TripIt and beyond, savvy apps abound to make your travels easier.

Your Money: If you don’t want airlines’ change and baggage fees to put a dent in your holiday travel spirit, here’s some advice.

A travel writer learned about the gray retail market, the importance of returning a rental car to correct location and hot spots in London.

When it comes to holiday travel, sometimes paying a little more isn’t such a bad idea. Consider these cases.

You may think you’ve turned off data roaming, but the feature can take on a life of its own when traveling internationally — and the bill can be a nightmare.

Booking a flight this summer? Timing is everything.

More for Your Money: United and US Airways are now charging more for changes. It’s still free at Southwest, but if you’re a no-show, it soon could cost you.

Pickpockets, taxi fraud and con-artist volunteers are among the scams and scammers that travelers have fallen victim to. Here’s a list of such tricks to avoid.

There are several ways to save money on hotels, flights and rental cars.

Our travel readers share tips regarding money and credit cards while vacationing.

Answers to readers’ airline questions about Britain’s high airport fees, changing flight dates and luggage compensation.

Prices are in constant flux as carriers try to fill their planes, but the sweet spot for the best deal is three to four weeks before departure.

Many airlines offer discounts for young fliers. Also consider package rates. Taking the train instead? Amtrak has deals too. Another option: a cruise.

Cheapair.com analyzes a year’s worth of data to find the best time to book flights, the best days to look for flights and the best days take flight.

Many museums, the zoo and the monuments are free to visit in Washington, D.C.

Hotels are turning to local artists for works to decorate guest rooms and other areas. Guests may buy the art too.

The travel journalist covered the globe without spending a penny. A series about his project, ‘How to Travel the World for Free,’ is airing on some PBS channels.

Affordable travel experts from Frommers.com, Cheapair.com, Airfarewatchdog.com, Budget Traveler magazine offer travel advice.

Travel deals abound this summer in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Chicago and Lake Tahoe and on cruise ships.

Airline ticket prices maybe be climbing for summer travel, but here are steps you can take to stay within your vacation budget.

Choose destinations that have mass transit, and stay in hotels that offer deals or breakfasts.

Coupons and passes from Gogo Wi-Fi can help bring in-flight costs down to Earth.

Before going on the road, head to websites like Groupon and Living Social to check discounts available at your destination of choice.

Each airline has its own guidelines on whether overweight passengers should buy more than one seat and how much it costs.

Los Angeles Times Travel Show: Experts from Travelzoo, LivingSocial and JohnnyJet.com share strategies for stretching vacation dollars.

Whether you’re headed for a tropical isle or a snow-packed mountain, here are suggestions for making your suitcase situation simpler, lighter and cheaper.

Military servicemen and servicewomen are eligible for discounts for flights, hotels, restaurants, entertainment, skiing and more.

Sports-related teen travel can be costly, but these ideas for saving on food, drinks, gas and souvenirs can help.

Here are ways to save money on a visit to the normally pricey resort area of West Maui.

Nobody wants to be stranded overseas when trouble is afoot, so here are five resources — from travel insurance to cellphones — to consider before heading abroad.

Some discount providers will negotiate dates and prices.

When it comes to life’s two guarantees, I find death less scary than taxes.

From finding cheaper flights to scoring last-minute lift tickets, here are some websites that will help ease you on down the road (or slopes). https://www.dohop.com This airfare, hotel and rental-car search engine, based in Reykjavik, Iceland, was inspired by chief executive Frosti Sigurjonsson’s struggles to find connecting flights between Nice, France, and Iceland.

A PBS special and the economy have helped fuel a rush to the nation’s most popular destinations.