Conference quark::mennotes-v1

    Actually, most hotels and motels WILL accept cash, but you have
    to pay in advance, and can't charge things to your room (unless
    you advance more cash).  Renting a car without a credit card - now
    THERE'S a problem!
    
    I find that an ATM card from a bank that belongs to a major network
    (Cirrus or Plus are the biggies) are great at getting cash in random
    spots.  If you don't have a credit card, these are wonderful.
    
    				Steve

    5 or 6 years ago, I took my girlfriend from Ithaca NY to NYC's JFK
    airport, 5 hours, then turned around and headed right back for Ithaca.
    I had $10 in my pocket.  I was involved in a rush-hour smash 2
    hours later as I passed through the armpit of the earth (Paramus,
    NJ).  After the police and tow-truck had been taken care of, it
    was 9PM and I was on the street, in the rain.  Ugh.  
    
    Tips- 
    1) Western Union offices can 'wire money' to you.  Call somebody
    collect and have them go to a WU office with a check or cash.  You
    get a check.  Don't get too much or you'll have trouble getting it
    cashed; try to have your receiving WU office cash it.
    2) AAA members can sometimes get help through the local affiliate,
    call the AAA office listed in the local phone book; emergency cash,
    tow paid for, tix home, etc.
    3) Having a phone calling card would be real useful, as are your
    major plastics.
    4) Beg, graciously.  Don't ask for money if it makes you uncomfortable
    (see below).
    
    I ended up cajoling a hotel clerk into letting me sleep for free
    in a room that had already "generated revenue" (hint: I slept in
    the bed with clean sheets) and got wired cash the next morning;
    then I caught a greyhound back to Ithaca.  Since then I've tried
    to *never* be away from major plastic or $100 cash if I'm away from
    my own house.
    
    DougO

    
    Yeah, be on Travelletter or at least have a corp Diners...
    
    

    On a recent trip for the company, I was stranded in a major airport
    when the airline decided to cancel their flights for the rest of
    the night.  Here are some hints that I picked up the hard way:
    
    1) Digital is now using American Express Travel related services
       as their travel agent.  Digital employees can call their toll
      free 24 hour emergancy hotline at 1-800-847-0242.  They are helpfull.
    
    2) If stuck at an airport due to a canceled flight you can get a
       flight with any airline using your current airline ticket to
       pay for the flight.  Just make sure you have a class "J" ticket.
    
    Just a couple of ideas...
    

    re: .4
    
    What is a class "J" ticket?  How does it differ from a "normal"
    ticket?  Or perhaps I should ask which tickets aren't class "J"
    tickets?
    
    	- Jerry

    Hi,
    
    -1
    
    The ticket class for airline tickets is printed some where on the
    tickect.  Usually the ticket class has its own labeled, boxed in
    area.  Any airline ticket clerck can tell the ticket class for you.

    I once read a book called the 'Complete Hitch-hikers Guide to Bumming
    across America'. Forgot who it was written by, but there was a piece
    in it that helped me once in a similar senerio. During a major snow
    storm I had to hold up someplace where it was warm, not in the car
    and safe. AAAAAhhh yes! The local jailhouse! They will put you up
    for free than have to fill out paper work on a frozen john doe that
    they found in a car, who also snorted some exaust gas from the engine.
    It worked! No problem, I even sprung for coffie and donuts for the
    force for being nice. I also recomend that it is read, alot of folks
    can plan for suprises like this. I know carry a sleeping bag and
    a small pup tent and some other munchies for that just in case's.
    
    George
    

    
    2 things have helped be out of jams
    
    1 - is American Express as stated previously. They have made all
    sorts of contingency arrangements for me. Even once convincing a
    hotel to give me a room when all the rooms in town were booked.
    
    2 - Since you are a Digital employee, impose on your fellow bretheran
    in a local office. One of the unsung "bennies" of working for such
    a big company is usually having someone nearby that knows the local
    environment. (Of course this only works in the area is inhabited)
    
    The biggest thing I learned was to ask for what I needed and not
    be shy. I bet if you'd have asked the police at your accident scene
    for a ride to somewhere local, they would have given you a lift.
    
    Good luck in the future
    
    JMB
    

    Scrape up enough cash for a six-pack, and worry about it later