With hotel prices rising all the time, it’s refreshing when there’s a freebee offer. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ new Nitecap program includes complimentary booze and snack combos . www.kimptonhotels.com

Additionally, the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale started a Daily Delights schedule providing a different perk each day, such as free Prosecco from 5  to 6 pm on its so-called Toasty Tuesdays in the Lobby Bar. There’s also wine and cheese from 5 to 6 pm Wednesdays in the Bistro Restaurant. Sonesta.com/FortLauderdale

In your travel plans, be sure to check if your hotel offers free and/or mini-priced goodies to make your stay a more enjoyable experience.

With air ticket fees ever on the rise, we’re sure there’s a nickel-and-diming department at every airline HQ, and the job of those nerds is to find more ways to tack on extra charges. Those of us who remember the good ole days when you bought your $99.99 ticket, and that’s exactly what you paid to fly.

Today, there’s the ever growing list of add-ons, including baggage fees, in-air food, blankets, special seating, state taxes, city taxes and oil price supplements. Of course, we can expect even more to come.

For senior fans of science fiction, this is no surprise. It was just a matter of time when bots take over many human jobs, including hotel services. Last year, evil-looking android male clerks became part of the new Harry Potter hotel exhibit in Florida’s Universal Theme Park.

They look real, but other than automatic moves, don’t actually do anything. Now, it’s happening at another theme park, the Huis Ten Bosch in Tokyo, at its new Henn-na Hotel. Here the robotic clerks are amazingly and anatomically real, and they actually check in arriving guests.

They resemble pretty young smiling women, giving and taking info. This situation requires a stern message for senior guy travelers to Tokyo: No matter how lifelike they seem, you can’t take one up to your hotel room with you.

www.japantimes.co.jp/.../28/...park-get-hotel-staffed-robots

Usually a most pleasant guy, in a USA Today Rick's critique listed places he calls tourist traps. He’s soon to hit age 60, so maybe it’s because Rick’s getting as grouchy as the rest of we wandering elders.

You may plan accordingly while pondering Rick’s opinions. Frankly, wherever we travel to any popular tourist site, it’s there to make bucks with entry fees, schlock for sale and snarky snacks. Here are several from Rick’s list, along with some travel4seniors.com input.

Torture Museums: They’re there for shock and awe, with a year-round Halloween creepiness. Hey, Rick, tourists want to be scared by skeletons, grungy tombs and royal head-chopping blocks.

Blarney Stone, Ireland: Not quite as creepy as the torture stuff, but it’s an old Irish tradition, and the upside down poses make great photos to send home to the folks.

Mamertine Prison, Italy: Old jails are popular in many countries, including some turned into hotels and cafés. Hey, Rick, in the U.S., who doesn’t want to see Al Capone’s old cell on Alcatraz?

Morocco: For a taste of Humphrey Bogart’s classic movie, it’s worth seeing the fake version of an earlier Rick’s gin joint. Who knows: maybe Ingrid will stop in and ask Sam to play As Time Goes By.

usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2014/12/06/europe-tourist-trap