I play HiLo and I play 80% DD games, 20% 6D games. Rules I play are worse (H17, no S etc) but pen is better. HiLo is perfectly adequate for both. I get 65%-70% pen in DD and usually leave if table at DD game exceeds 2 other players.

I rarely do cover plays, keep my spread at $25-$150 (ocassionally $175) or play 2 hands with max of $125 per hand, drop to one hand when count gets below TC-2 in DD games. Where I play, there is minimum or no heat as long as you keep max bet under $200.

I am currently on my best short positive streak, having lost 1 session ($700), won 4 others ($1300 to $2300).

i would advise against changing counts a month before your trip. I am too old to change counts.