TravelsandEscapes

Tight connections that can’t be helped? Reserve your seat near the front of the airplane. If those seats are already taken, check in at the counter and explain your situation. 

Does your suitcase expand? If you’re shopping for a new bag to use as checked luggage, you may want to look at ones that expand.

Have you used packing folders? Similar in concept to packing cubes, these folders come with boards to help fold your clothes. How about space saving bags? These allow you to shrink bulky items like sweaters into smaller bags. Plus, they tend to keep out the wrinkles.

Pack things inside of other packed items. Shoes can hold socks or underwear.

Baby shampoo can be used as laundry detergent and to defog your scuba or ski goggles.

Dental floss can be used as thread or when you need some extra string. 

Choose your travel days to get the most out of your fares. Most times Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the least popular travel days for domestic flights. This may work in your favor when booking your next flight.

Fly in the morning, if you can. There is less chance of a flight delay in most places. One notable exception is San Francisco where the fog often delays early morning flights. It burns off by late morning or early afternoon.

Get to the airport early. Check before you leave home if your flight is delayed or on time.

Allow at least 45 to 60 minutes for a connecting flight when booking your flight. This will vary by airline and by airport. At any rate, allow enough time to not be stressed out by missing your flight.

If you don’t travel with a lint brush, use your baggage tag.

Have a long layover in an airport? Here are a couple of things you can do to pass the time. Buy a day lounge pass in the airport lounge. The chairs are more comfortable, often there are free snacks, Wi-Fi is available, and many have customer service counters. Take a free tour of the airport

Pay attention to germs on the airplane…on the bathroom handles, arm rests, tray tables, seat pockets, and hand held remotes. Wash your hands often and remember to pack some hand sanitizer and wipes.

If your flight is a long one, roll up a blanket or scarf for added lumbar support.

Drape a folded scarf or sweater over your armrest to add some padding. 

Bring your own tasty and better snacks.

Traveling in 2015? Do you have your packing list ready? Want some more tips to help pack everything you’ll need? Check out these tips:

Pack a scarf. I know I’ve mentioned this one before, but it makes so much sense to pack a lightweight scarf. Use it for everything from a pillow (wad it up on the plane) to a cover up in churches (remember to keep your shoulders covered) to a sarong or skirt when you forgot to pack one.

Pack lip balm. Dry airplane air, walking around in the sun, cold weather, eating salty foods…it helps with all of these and more. Need to tame some frizzy hair ends or unstick a zipper? Try lip balm.

Pack sunscreen stick. Since it’s not a liquid you can pack it in your carry on. And, there’s no chance it will leak onto the rest of your items.

Next time your hotel has a disposable shower cap, take it and pack it. Use it as a shoe cover to keep your good shoes from getting scuffed and use it to cover your sandy or dirty shoes to keep them from getting everything else sandy or dirty.

Use the hair conditioner in hotels as shaving cream.

Pack clothing items that do double duty.

Use compression sacks to pack more items in your suitcase, as long as you stay within the weight limit.

Duct tape is a traveler’s friend. Cover blisters, repair a backpack, remove lint, make a simple handle…so, so much more.

Want to get away but don’t have a passport and don’t have time to get one? Consider Puerto Rico, Guam, or American Samoa. They do not require a passport to visit.

Have you heard the tale that you can fool your body clock when you’re crossing several time zones by staying up all night the night before your flight? Chances are this will just make you more tired when you get to your destination and put more stress on you. Instead, get a good night’s sleep the night before your trip and use the flight time for naps. Wake according to the clock where you will land. It’s a whole lot easier.

You check into your hotel and plug in your phone…only to realize you forgot to pack your charger. If you made a list, this might not have happened. However, before you run out and buy one…check with the front desk. The number one item left behind in hotels is…the phone charger. They may just have one in their drawer that fits your phone.

Did you know you could turn those little rubber door stops into a safety device. Instead of using them to prop open the door, use them to keep the door shut. It’s an additional lock. Just remember they are there in case you need to leave your room in a hurry.

Concerned about losing your phone while traveling? Change your phone’s lock screen to an image displaying your emergency contact info. Put your email address or an alternate phone number. If someone finds it and wants to return it, they will be able to get in touch with you.

If you carry a purse, do you wear it across your body instead of hanging off your shoulder? Across your body makes it harder for thieves to grab it. And, if you’re really concerned about someone cutting through your handle or strap, buy one with a secure strap. Some have steel like cables, some are just harder to slice.

Per smartertravel.com here are more:

If your flight is canceled, substantially delayed, or rescheduled you have the right to reroute at no extra cost or to receive a full refund, even on a nonrefundable ticket. Airline policies do differ so be sure to check what is meant by substantial delay or schedule change.

Tarmac delays are also addressed. The DOT mandates that an airline may not keep you on a plane for more than three hours on a domestic flight or four hours on an international flight without allowing you to get off if you wish. These are subject to security and safety considerations. The airline is obligated to provide food and water after two hours delay, provide updates to the passengers every 30 minutes, and assure lavatories are operable. If an airline violates these rules, you do not receive compensation. The DOT fines the airline.

Merry Christmas…

 Recently I read a post on smartertravel.com about passenger rights when you fly. There are some interesting points here. 

In the US and Europe the price you see when booking is the actual price. The EEC and the DOT require airlines to display the full cost of a ticket, including all mandatory airline charges, governmental taxes, and user fees. Travel providers from online travel agencies or airline websites must also clearly display full prices or face penalties.

The DOT mandates certain air travel rights when bumping, requiring airlines to cover them in their contracts. You may be owed compensation when bumped due to overbooking, unless your airline can get you to your destination within one hour of your scheduled arrival. If it’s between one and two hours domestic or between one and four hours for international, it owes you 200 percent of the one way fare up to $650. If your airline moves you to another one, they must pay all the fees associated with that. Check with your airline to see exactly what they cover.

to be continued…