For a trip to the U.S. and Europe I'm taking next month, I tried making bookings three separate ways -- through my regular agent in Hong Kong, by consulting a round-the-world specialist in San Francisco I found on the Web, and by myself online.

CNN: Technology: Flight Planning 101

While it is impossible to predict a terrorist attack, taking some precautions and preparing oneself should be a priority for all travelers, says Christopher Falkenberg, a former Secret Service agent who now runs Insite Security, a risk management and security consulting firm that services corporations and high-net worth families.

FORBES: 10 Secret Service Survival Tips for Travelers