WATCH: Brittany's Travel Hacks: Use Your TV as a Phone Charger And More Helpful Hotel Tips

Yahoo Travel
Updated

1. Charge your phone using the TV

How cool is this? Many of the newer HD televisions have a USB port next to the HDMI port. If you have your iphone cord, but forgot the plug, just plug your phone into the TV. It will charge your phone while you sit back and watch the Real Housewives of New York.

2. Stock up before you go

Why would you EVER pay for anything from the minibar? Oftentimes, items cost two or three time more than they do at the store. Instead, go to a bodega or drug store before you check-in, and stock up on water, soda, and snacks.

If you’re looking for free water, check out the hotel’s gym. There are usually some free bottles there. It’s also a great place to snag extra towels.

3. Join the Hotel Rewards Program for Free Wi-Fi

Major chains like Hyatt, Hilton, Fairmont, or Marriott offer several perks when you join their loyalty programs—one of them being free Wi-Fi. Sometimes Wi-Fi isn’t totally free, and sometimes you have to acquire a certain amount of points to redeem these perks. But they also have promotional offers that they email to members, and sometimes Wi-Fi is one of them.

Plus, when you check in, just ask for free-Wi-Fi and see what they say. The front desk doesn’t typically like to disappoint, and if you’re already a loyalty member, they might just throw it in to keep you happy.

If that doesn’t work, many hotel lobbies have free Wi-Fi. It’s not ideal, but it will come in handy if you need to send an important email or log-in to Facebook.

See More Tips From Brittany

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WATCH: Brittany’s Travel Hacks—5 Insider Tips That Will Change the Way You Travel Forever

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