Tag: airports

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Snag Amazing Travel Deals With These Helpful Sites

Today’s guest post is from a fellow traveler and writer. Check out what he has to say about travel deals.

Image credit: Pixabay

Traveling is becoming more common with today’s ease of planning. From apps that help you bundle deals with booking flights, hotels and even renting cars, to agencies that convince you just how great of a trip you could have if you decided to see more of the world – it’s a game-changer. In today’s world, all you need to make an affordable trip happen is a good internet connection, a realistic budget, and a passion to pack your bags and leave home. 

Look for Online Deals

When you book through a trusted travel site like Priceline, you’re getting the best deals available, including offers on amazing cruises! Log in online or download the app to plan the trip of a lifetime. You can select your location and choose the dates that fit your schedule best. 

Your search will provide you with a list of the top-reviewed hotels and access to flights with multiple airlines to choose from, and it will help you determine which package discount offers you the best deal.

If you need to rent a car, look to a rental agency like Enterprise. They have many rentals to choose from and competitive rates, and there are a wide variety of deals available. You can save even more by using Enterprise coupons and promo codes. 

When it comes to buying travel items for your trip like luggage and clothing, look to save at big-box retailers. Not only can you find discounted items, but some retailers offer free gifts when you make a purchase. Stores with free gift offers include Macy’s Walgreens, and Sears.

Try EF Ultimate Break

EF Ultimate Break is made primarily for young adults looking to travel and experience a new culture without spending too much money. The company offers incredible opportunities with short- and long-term trips, including an easy payment plan system to allow travelers to pay when they can, as long as the trip is paid for 30 days prior to departure.

This pre-planned trip company takes care of everything from booking your flights to your buses, hotels and hostels, and even helps you with an itinerary. You’ll get a mixture of planned excursions that you can skip out on if you want, as well as free time to do what you wish. Each city will have a guide to show you around, and you’ll also have a tour director to ensure your safe arrival from location to location.

You’ll of course still need to bring a few travel essentials along (no one likes to be without their phone charger, for example), but if you’re looking for an adventure that includes all the big-ticket items at an affordable rate, then EF Ultimate Break may be just right for you. 

Wander Wisely With Couch Surfing

Different from any other way to save money on traveling, try your hand at couch surfing. You’ll have the option of staying somewhere safe and approved without the hefty payments of a hotel. Choose between the options of staying with somebody that literally only offers their couch, or pick a place where you can have your own room to get a full night’s rest at the end of the day. Your only worries will be actually getting to your destination, paying for food and outside adventures along the way, and having to leave when the trip ends! 

Make new friends that’ll last a lifetime through this option. You can choose who you stay with, talk to them long before the trip, and have a local tell you where all of the best places to go are. You’ll end up feeling like you’ve lived in the town forever while bonding over your new adventure. 

Traveling doesn’t have to be stressful. Let these suggested websites help you save money so that you have that extra cash to spoil yourself wherever you’re planning to travel. After all, who doesn’t love souvenirs? 

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Can I Take Uber at LAX?

Have you read the news about LAX, Los Angeles International Airport, and the changes with taxis, Uber, and Lyft?

If not, this is what is happening. You will no longer be able to catch a ride with any of those on the arrivals level roadway. This is true for all terminals. Instead, you need to take a shuttle ride to a dedicated pick-up area for app-based rides.

Taxi, Uber, and Lyft can still drop you off at each terminal.

What about other airports? Some are doing similar things.

Austin, Texas moved their pickup area for all app-based rides and taxis to the ground level of their rental car facility.

San Francisco now has a certain area in the central parking garage for these rides. You will need to take a shuttle there.

Seattle also moved theirs to the airport parking garage.

Boston moved both drop-off and pickup to a special area in the central parking garage.

There are probably more airports making similar changes.

So…what do you do?

Check the websites of Uber and Lyft before you go. They will give you the most up-to-date information on where to go to catch a ride. They will also let you know if your ride can drop you at the terminal or if you will need to plan extra time to catch a shuttle.

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TSA PreCheck

According to TSA, there will be at least 263 million travelers going through airport security this summer alone. They have a suggestion… Enroll in PreCheck. You get expedited security screening and you do not need to remove your shoes, laptop, liquids, belts, or light jackets.

In April of this year 93% of those going through PreCheck waited less than five minutes.

How do you get PreCheck? It costs $85 for five years, a short application, a 10 minute in-person appointment which includes a background check and fingerprinting. Usually, it only takes a few days to be approved and given your Known Travel Number.

It’s definitely worth it.

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Can I Bring My Canoe Paddle and My Seashells on the Plane?

Traveling soon and wondering what you are allowed to take through security? Do you know what TSA requires you put in your checked bag?

TSA has a database where you can find an item you want to take with you in your carry-on bag. Check out https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all.

If you don’t find the item you’re looking for, you can tweet them at @AskTSA or send a Facebook message to AskTSA.

Here is a list of their permitted items and where you must place them.

Permitted as carry-on or checked

  • Knitting needles–sharp objects in checked bags should be securely wrapped to prevent inspector injury
  • Canes–must undergo X-ray screening, a TSA officer will inspect item if it cannot fit through a machine
  • Tents–check with airline, but tent stakes and poles must be checked in
  • Umbrellas–Allowed in carry-on bags
  • Insulin and insulin supplies–Notify TSA officer of your condition and that you are carrying supplies. Any forms or dispensers must be clearly identified.
  • Liquid medications–Liquids, gels or aerosol medications greater than 3.4 ounces must be declared to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection.
  • Sand, rocks, seeds, plants—OK in either
  • Medical marijuana/CBD–Not searched for but if illegal substance is discovered, TSA will refer to law enforcement
  • Yogurt–Must be less than 3.4 ounces
  • Small fishing lures–Large hooks should be wrapped in checked luggage. Expensive reels or fragile tackle may be placed in carry-on
  • Dry batteries—AA, AAA, C and D, but not lithium varieties

Only permitted as checked

  • Golf clubs (balls and tees can be placed in carry-on)
  • Canoe/Kayak paddles
  • Walking sticks

Only permitted as carry-on

  • Vape/E-cigarette
  • Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery
  • Disposable and Zippo lighters (no matches allowed in carry-on or checked-in)

And what about those small pets?

They are allowed through the checkpoints but don’t have to go through the scanner. A pet carrying case is required to go through the X-ray machine, but the animal must be walked through the metal detector.

Other advice

  • Don’t forget the 3-1-1 liquid rule and pack your liquids in the front pocket on your carry-on for accessibility. Liquids, gels and aerosols must be stored in 3.4-ounce containers or less, and fit in a quart size clear plastic zip top bag, one per passenger
  • Tape a card with your name and contact info to your electronics
  • Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.)
  • Don’t forget your money at the checkpoint. In fiscal year 2018, travelers left behind over $960,000. (The TSA plans to use the unclaimed money toward checkpoint training requirements.)
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Top Airlines for 2019

According to airline industry experts, these five airlines met the 2019 list for safety, comfort, and overall experience.

Singapore Airlines took the number one spot. Things like passenger reviews, operational safety, fleet age, and flight availability helped the airline reach this distinction. It doesn’t hurt that it also has a first-class suite.

Air New Zealand came in at number two. They added new aircraft like the A321 neo airbus. It also has the Best Premium Economy and Best Airline Pacific awards.

Qantas is number three. They plan on adding non-stop flights from London to Sydney next year or so. Since they received the Best Airline Lounge award, you have a great place to wait for your flight.

Qatar Airways is new to this list and is number four. Their business class and catering service helped move them up the list.

Virgin Australia brought home number five. They also received the award for the best cabin crew.

Have you flown any of these? Do you agree with these awards?

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Do You Plan?

Here are a few more simple travel tips compiled from frequent travelers, flight attendants, and fellow travel writers. Want to know what they all have in common?

Hint…they plan ahead. 

If you check your bags, pack an outfit in your carry on. This way, you’ll have a spare set of clean clothing ready to go in case your bag is lost. Be sure to ask the airline about their compensation policies. Depending on which route you’ve flown, you may be reimbursed for purchasing toiletries.

Pack some travel size or small packets of laundry detergent. You can use a sink to wash out some underwear or lightweight tops.

Pack a small first aid kit with the basics like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain meds, and upset tummy meds. You don’t need to bring it all…just some simple basics.

If you can, travel with carry on luggage only.

Keep backups of your travel documents. You can store copies in a cloud-based server. If you’re traveling with a companion, carry a copy of each other’s documents.

Bring noise cancelling headphones, eye mask, ear plugs, entertainment, or whatever makes your long flight more comfortable.

Learn some basic language phrases when traveling to another country. Please and thank you go a long ways. So does asking for the bathroom.

Talk to the locals about the best place for morning coffee or a late-night drink and everything in between.

Remember your chargers. And, remember to pack an adapter if traveling to Europe.

Try to avoid using the airport money exchange counters as they usually charge a higher rate of exchange. Instead, use an ATM when necessary. You can always get some local currency ahead of time.

Prepare for security at the airport. Have your things easily accessible for security check. If you’re not TSA Pre, wear shoes that are easy to remove, take off your belt, and remove your laptop. Don’t hold up the line by not being ready.

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Is Your Plane Delayed?

Excerpts are from an article which appeared in The Points Guy.

The table below provides a proxy for total weather delays, measured in minutes, for the period between October 2017 and October 2018. It includes delays to the National Aviation System that are not strictly weather-related, such as traffic pileups at the major hubs and late-arriving aircraft that may not be due to weather, but it excludes maintenance issues or airline-controlled delays. What we know is that between 50-60% of NAS delays are due to weather — but not extreme weather — and that airline-controlled delays represent less than 5% of the total.

Worst US Airports for Weather Measured in Delay Minutes

AIRPORT NATIONAL AVIATION SYSTEM DELAYS  EXTREME WEATHER DELAYS LATE-ARRIVING AIRCRAFT DELAYS    
Chicago O’Hare  (ORD)  1,707,353  270,189  1,867,386    
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL)  986,176  263,847  1,514,276    
Newark Liberty (EWR)  1,888,390  114,335  732,926    
Dallas/Fort Worth  (DFW)  815,032  234,693  1,456,957    
San Francisco  (SFO)  1,435,733  101,105  936,938    
LaGuardia (LGA)  1,207,991  169,228  807,517    
Denver  (DEN)  527,483  108,565  1,159,518    
Boston Logan (BOS)  756,415  92,246  923,118    
New York JFK  825,634  98,234  705,328    

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Weather Delays by Airport for the period from October 2017 to October 2018

So…what does this tell you?

You probably already know Chicago O’Hare is to be avoided in the winter. Atlanta is affected by weather as well. In fact, it’s 32% worse for delays due to system delays and thunderstorms.

Dallas/Fort Worth, American’s major hub, is also affected by thunderstorms.

San Francisco has fog. And, they have two parallel runways separated by only 750 feet. In good visibility…not a problem. In poor weather conditions FAA regulations do not permit aircraft to land side by side unless the runways are separated by 4,300 feet. According to SFO, this reduces operations by half during poor weather.

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Is This Your First Time?

I’ve covered some of these tips before. Many of them bear repeating…especially if you happen to be a first-time traveler to Europe.

Let’s start with packing… You don’t need to overpack. Huge suitcases are no fun to drag down a cobblestone street, lug onto a train, or cram into a small car’s trunk. Heavy ones create more problems than you can imagine. Just pack the essentials. Plan your clothes around one or two colors. Take items that can be easily laundered…either by you or at a facility. If you absolutely need something you didn’t bring…go shopping.

Remember to use public transportation. Subway, Metro, The Tube…are easy to negotiate and more reasonable than taking a cab everywhere. High speed trains are an amazing way to travel.

If you are in Europe for the first time, you may think you can cover a lot of ground. After all, it looks smaller on the map. Right? Keep in mind, there is so much to see and do in almost every city, town, and village. In order to have a truly fun vacation, don’t overdo it. Decide what is most important to you. Trust me…you aren’t going to see it all in one visit.

Do your homework on local customs. Learn a few polite phrases. Understand what is acceptable or what isn’t. Learn how to read a map, street signs, and your bill at the restaurant.

Have fun…

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LugLess Info

I recently heard about this company. Has anyone used this one or one like it?

LugLess introduced the first cost-competitive alternative to checking bags at the airport by enabling travelers to ship luggage directly to their destination for as little as $15.

Problem: Carrying, checking, and reclaiming bags at the airport is inconvenient, time consuming, and increasingly expensive. Travelers will pay more than $4.5 billion in checked baggage fees this year in the US alone.

Solution: LugLess leverages existing logistics networks to make shipping luggage easier and cheaper than checking a bag. Our shipping search engine finds and compares the absolute lowest UPS and FedEx rates to generate the cheapest shipping label for any travel itinerary. If that’s all you need from us, there is no other cost to using our platform.

But if you need a little more help with your shipment, we’ve got you covered. For an additional fee, you can add extra features, like additional coverage or a doorstep pickup. You can even opt for live support, which means you’ll have access to a LugLess team member who will answer any questions you have.

Key features:

 ➔ Rates: Starting at $15/bag. Rates based on distance, size and speed of delivery. On average, people pay $28 to ship one bag or $54 to ship two bags.

➔ Model: After getting the cheapest shipping label, users can add extra features, such as additional coverage or live support, for a fee and only pay for what they use.

➔ Users: Mass market, budget conscious travelers including: families with children, golfers, skiers, students, and people making small moves.

➔ Scale: In the same way that Amazon leverages UPS and FedEx to bring the shopping experience to your front door, LugLess leverages these carriers to let travelers avoid the hassles of checking luggage.

➔ Technology: The LugLess platform is integrated with multiple carriers to find the lowest rates and generate shipping labels instantly. The LugLess API allows publishers and travel booking platforms to fetch rates and create reservations in their own environment.

➔ Geography: LugLess provides service to and from every zip code in the United States.

Team

The LugLess leadership team has worked together for fifteen years. They have launched, acquired, and operated businesses in the logistics and travel space, including Luggage Forward, which is a premium doorstep to destination luggage delivery service focused on the global luxury travel market. The introduction of LugLess’ ultra-low-cost service provides a no-frills luggage shipping solution to the frustrated traveling masses who are increasingly dissatisfied with the inconvenience and rising costs of carrying and checking luggage at the airport. www.lugless.com

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Does Your Dog Need to Stretch His Legs?

When I travel, I see other travelers with dogs. Some are in carriers. Some on leashes. Some are definitely service dogs. Others are pets.

I’ve often wondered what you do if you have a dog in an airport terminal.

I found several airports with places for your furry pooch. There are probably more. Do you have any favorites?

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

The Pet Patch is located east of Terminal 2. The Pet Paw Pad can be found in Terminal 3, outside on the West End. The Bone Yard can be found on the west side of Terminal 4, near baggage claim.

Nearby PHX Sky train stations, pet relief areas are also available. The East Economy Park & Bark is near the East Economy parking garages and The Park ‘n Play is on the northwest corner of the 44th Street PHX Sky Train station.

San Diego International Airport

Seven different pet relief stations are available. You’ll find artificial turf and waste bags. These pet relief stations can be found throughout the terminals outside of the airport, as well as indoor at Terminal 2 West.

Philadelphia International Airport

At Philadelphia International Airport, there are seven Service Animal Relief Areas, called Pet Ports. These relief areas have a mulch surface, a bench, biodegradable pet waste bags, and a garbage can. All stations are available for both service animals and pets.

Boston Logan International Airport

In Boston, the relief areas are no-frills, but plentiful. These rest areas are located on the arrivals level curb outside every terminal. There is also a pet-relief area located in Terminal E, after security, and near Gate E7.

Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport has spots for pets with artificial turf, bags, and a sink on each concourse as well as right outside Jeppesen Terminal. After security, these are located in the center cores of A, B and C Gates. A pre-security pet restroom area is located just outside door 200 on the west side of the Jeppesen Terminal.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Indoor Service Animal Relief Areas here are available throughout the airport and can be used by service animals and other traveling pets. They can be found in every concourse. This airport also has a dog park, located in the Ground Transportation area on Domestic Terminal South. This fully fenced-in park offers biodegradable bags along with benches.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport

This airport has three dog parks available. Gate K-9 Bark Parks are fenced, ADA accessible, and have running water, mutt mitts for cleanup, and a canopied area for when the weather isn’t so great. Indoors, an area is available on the second floor of the terminal building.

Do you have others you know about?