There's nothing worse than getting all set up to take a holiday only to discover you have to cancel.  Regardless of the reason to cancel, there are a number of fees that travelers pay when a trip can't be taken.  Here are 6 ways to reduce your travel cancellation fees:

1. Understand the cancellation policies before you book.  The cancellation policy for an airline or hotel may be different based on where you purchase your reservations, even for the same airline or hotel.  A discounted web reservation service may not be able to issue refunds if you must cancel because they buy rooms in bulk to secure the lower prices; where as if you book directly with the hotel or airline you may have a better chance at getting some of your money back.
2. Look for unrestricted airline tickets.  These generally cost more, but they give you more options if you need to cancel or reschedule your trip.
3. Cancel as soon as you know you have to.  The more notice you give the airline, hotel or other travel provider, the better your chances are receiving most of your money back because they have more time to try and rebook your room or ticket.
4. When calling to cancel reservations, ask to speak with a manager.  Often, a lower-level employee is just following the policies and procedures and is unable to make any exceptions to those rules.  A manager may be able to do more for you and help you recover some of your fees.
5. Ask for a cancellation code.  When you call a hotel or airline to cancel your travel booking, make sure you get a cancellation code.  This will protect you if the company accidentally charges your card for the full price of the tickets despite your cancellation. You can call back with the cancellation code and get a refund.
6. Always get travel insurance when booking your reservations.  Many credit cards automatically provide this coverage when you use the card to make the purchase; if you don't have this benefit, buy it separately.  The coverage will almost always result in you getting back all of your money if you have to cancel your plans.  If you buy the coverage, it can cost between 4 and 8% of your trip cost; however, for expensive holidays it's well worth the expense.  Studies show that of people who purchase travel insurance, one in six will need to make a claim with it. If you’re looking for travel insurance, then take a look at AA Travel, while Go Travel is also a recommended provider of travel insurance.

Have you dreamed of seeing the majestic beauty of the Alaskan glaciers up close and personal? Planning a trip to Alaska might seem like a far-fetched choice of escape for the British traveler, but it’s something that’s become all the more easy to do over recent years due to luxury holidays becoming so readily available through providers such as Abercrombie and Kent. Other providers, such as Travelzoo, can also provide one off bargain holidays to some of the world’s more remote tourist destinations.

How to See Alaska's Glaciers
There are many ways to catch breathtaking glimpses of these natural wonders. You might want to consider taking an Alaska cruise, which will provide amazing views of many of the state's most well-known glaciers. While an Alaskan cruise is an excellent option for many visitors to Alaska who want to see the glaciers, others prefer a more up close and personal view.

If you want an up close and personal view from the water, you may want to consider participating in one of the sea kayaking cruises offered by Alaskan tour operators. You'll enjoy an opportunity to paddle yourself, as part of a guided tour, to within a very close distance of some of the most breathtaking sights on earth. If you choose this option, make sure that you are in good enough physical condition to handle the demands of kayaking.

Another option that can be just as breathtaking, without being as physically demanding, is an air tour. In Alaska, you'll find a number of seaplane and helicopter tours of glaciers. Many visitors say that seeing the glaciers from the air is the best way to experience their majesty. You'll certainly get a unique perspective not visible from the water or the lands. Take a look at www.flyalaska.com for more.
If the idea of seeing Alaska's glaciers by land does appeal to you, it's a good idea to investigate some of the different land based tour opportunities. While many glaciers aren't accessible by land, there are some that you can get to by car and others than can be reached via a backcountry tour. Adventurous travelers may want to try the unique perspective of a dogsled tour, while others may want the excitement of a glacier climbing and trekking adventure.

Seasonal Considerations for Your Alaska Glacier Tour
You can't plan a trip to Alaska without taking into consideration weather and seasonal concerns. Many of the tours are completely shut down during the coldest months of winter, typically October through April. The peak tourist season falls during the summer months of June, July, and August. While you might not want to travel during the busiest months, you'll certainly want to plan your Alaska vacation some time between May and September.

If you're planning to visit Alaska, it's certainly best to plan your trip during the months that the tours are open and functioning. Keep in mind that the tour operators don't shut down just because they want some time off. They do it because the harsh climate of Alaska can make travel dangerous at best and impossible at worst during the winter months. When you plan to travel to Alaska, be sure you're making a wise decision about when to go so you'll have an opportunity to make the most of your time in this beautiful and unique part of the world.

Firstly, and in accordance with an effort to downsize the proverbial carbon-footprint, it’s worth scrutinising the distance you want to travel and how you’ll get there. There are plenty of hot, sunny destinations accessible via train, and many other, not-so-sunny, destinations on your own doorstep. Train fares across Europe are creeping down in price all the time, and spending some time researching the comparative costs of singles, returns and indirect routes can yield some remarkably cheap journeys; and a clean conscience too!

If you are determined to go further afield for your holidays, then the usual paradox for booking flights holds true: either as far in advance as you can manage, or as close to when you want to leave as you dare. Of course, last minute booking is decidedly more risky a method than advance booking, but it can lead to the holy grail of low-cost flight-bookings: the flight that costs less than the tax.

If you’re undecided between several destinations abroad, it’s worth taking into account the relative exchange rates of each country. Considering the pound’s considerable economic heft around the globe, you should get value for money wherever you go, but there will inevitably be places where your money will take you a lot further than others.

Low-budget holidaying need not mean low-comfort, and despite their reputation, hostels around the world are no longer the flea-ridden hovels of old. There is also an overabundance of them, particularly in the typically backpacker locations – a good place to find out where and how much hostelling around the world can be is HostelBookers.com, which contains comprehensive listings, guides and details of the world of hostels.

And don’t forget to get hold of a decent travel insurance policy before you go – if you’re trying to cut costs it could be tempting not to bother but this is one expense that’s genuinely worthwhile. The best approach is to track down a good value policy instead – if you’re a regular traveller then an annual policy is certainly worth looking into – they’re cheaper than you might think (a standard Annual European travel insurance policy from Go Travel is only £27.99), even if you only go abroad three times in a year it could work out cheaper.