Mar
28
2019
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Make Money While Riding Uber and Two Notable Aviation Passings
Travel Tips
Category Archives for Travel Tips.
How Early Should You Get to the Airport?
Mar
20
2019
There are several reasons to head to the airport early.
The argument against? A regular weekly traveler spending an extra half our at the airport in each direction will spend 52 extra hours at the airport each year or more than 2 days each year unnecessarily waiting.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Travel Insurance
Mar
04
2019
I’ve been a long-time opponent of buying travel insurance for small dollar trips. I wrote about the tricks insurers use to get out of paying claims as far back as 2007. And a decade ago I explained why it’s usually a bad deal.
Travel insurance can make sense for a ‘trip of a lifetime’ but the tactics used to sell insurance can be questionable.
Power When You Travel: Adapters, Converters, and Transformers, Which Do You Need?
Jan
20
2019
If you just need to power your phone and laptop, all you need is an adapter to plug it into the wall. A razor or electric toothbrush may work that way as well, you just want to know if your device is dual voltage.
If you need to use hair devices that operate on high heat you’re going to need a converter. You just need to know how many watts the device needs, and get a converter that supports materially higher wattage than that.
But if you’re using electronics that aren’t dual voltage you need a transformer. For travel you want the smallest one possible based on the wattage of your device — because 7 pounds works much better in checked luggage than 30 pounds or more!
Why Window Shades Should Be Kept Closed On Your Next Flight
Jan
12
2019
I always prefer an aisle seat but the person in the window gets to decide whether the shade is up or down. And more often than not shades should be closed.
Window shades as well as cabin lighting get adjusted for takeoff and landing for safety, to improve reaction time of both passengers and crew. And when you land in a hot city you’ll often be asked to close the window shades before getting off the aircraft, to keep the plane cool for the next flight. But what about when you’re in the air, mid-trip?
Why I’m Getting Fewer Upgrades (And How You Can Up Your Odds)
Dec
21
2018
Years later when I started traveling for work midweek transcons in coach were nearly $2000 round trip The idea of paying for first was beyond my comprehension.
The cost of coach trips has come down, and in percentage terms the cost of flying first has come down even more. Part of that is a change in airline pricing philosophy, and part is a change in technology. Instead of just having full fare first class and possibly a discount fare bucket, airlines can price first as a specific upcharge to the prevailing coach rate.
That’s helped them sell more seats up front — Delta sells about 60% of its first class seats, American is closer to 50%. It used to be more like one in ten.
Mother May I? US Reminds Europeans to Ask Permission 72 Hours in Advance to Come Here
Dec
18
2018
U.S. travelers are certainly aware of the challenges of dealing with visa applications to visit certain countries, and how much simpler it is to visit somewhere that either doesn’t require a visa for U.S. citizens or allows for visa on arrival.
The U.S. won’t allow foreigners without approved visa or ESTA to board aircraft headed for the U.S. That raises the transaction costs of coming here, which makes doing business with the U.S., spending tourism dollars, and supporting U.S. industry more difficult for little security benefit in exchange.
Passports are a Very Old Idea, But Did You Know That Needing Them to Travel Abroad is New?
Dec
10
2018
I had no idea just how recent the requirement of a passport for international travel really is, even though the concept of a passport is a very old one. Did you know that passports weren’t commonly required for travel across Europe in the years leading up to World War I?
The Single Most Important Tip in Travel
Dec
09
2018
The most important philosophy in travel is “hang up, call back” — when you don’t get the help or answer you want the first time, whether over the phone or in person, start over with someone else. Be nice, be patient, and the next person may be more empowered or more sympathetic. I’ve been beating this drum for years.
But the most important tip in travel is far simpler.
Here’s My Seat Selection Strategy: Always Get the Best Seat Possible on the Plane
Dec
08
2018
An airplane ride isn’t usually that long, it’s fine to be separated from your travel companion unless that companion is a small child.
There are times though that it really does matter to most of us.
And even when seated alone, some seats are better than others.
