If you're trying to make a booking with the office that does vacation rentals, you might have to spend a while on the phone before you can get an actual person to take your call. Many people get so flustered when they phone a business that they forget to ask all the questions they need to ask and end up having to call back two and three times. To help make your reservations process easier, think of what you want to say before you dial. If you're not sure what to ask, here are some common questions asked of hotel reservations clerks.

Is there breakfast?

If you're traveling for a business meeting or conference for instance, you don't want to spend a lot of time in the morning driving around trying to find some breakfast. Many hotels will have complimentary continental breakfasts. What is a continental breakfast you ask?

What are the check in and check out times?

Some hotels, especially if they're busy, will give your room away if you don't arrive before a certain time, and all will charge you extra if you don't check out in time.

Will I need a credit card?

If you're barely hanging on to your home because of your credit card debt, you may not want to put your hotel stay on plastic. However, although most hotels will let you pay in cash, they will probably need to have a credit card on file in case of damages or guests failing to pay.

What's the charge for an extra person?

Though the room itself is the largest expense and therefore the first person is the most expensive, hotels charge for every person in the room. That means spouses and children too, so make sure you add them to the booking if you want there to be enough beds.

Is there parking?

This is a big issue if you're checking into a hotel or resort because a lot of inner city places won't have a lot of parking. Most hotels will have underground lots and valet service but check to make sure anyway.

Can I bring my pet?

A lot of hotels only allow service animals into the rooms, but certain ones have pet friendly rooms set aside. If you cannot find a dog friendly hotel, look into leaving your dog in a boarding facility or kennel.

How can I get there on public transit?

This is only a concern if you're flying in and not renting a car or splurging on a cab. Most inner city hotels will be easily accessible but the further out into the suburbs it is the harder it will be to get there without a vehicle.

What if I need to cancel?

Hotels know that sometimes your trip plans fall through for unforeseeable reasons and they're usually pretty good about canceling your booking with enough notice (usually 24 hours).