Cancellations
Delays
Long lines
Lost luggage...that's the travel news this summer!
Quadruple whammy
- wrong kinds of planes - to be economical, airlines are using smaller planes which means there's less room if you miss a flight for any reason
- more smaller planes means more runway congestion because there are more of them around. More runway congestion means more delays as air traffic control tries to route everyone
- weather delays. Thunderstorms? Enough said
- pilots running out of work time at the end of the month. Pilots are only allowed a certain amount of hours a day, a week and a month...so that they are not overtired and can fly safely. With delays, they're running out of time sooner.
Top tips
- delays get crazy after 8 am so fly before them if possible
- system starts breaking down after 10am
- by 4 pm, system is crazy
- think about flying after 10 pm
- avoid flying during the last 10 days of the month - pilots out of time
- allow at least 2 hours between connecting flights
- keep your cell phone handy
one hour connecting time is not working in case your first flight is delayed
lost luggage
- fedex or currier your luggage rather than checking it
- it you do check the bag, put a label inside and outside with name and cell phone only
And be prepared with something to do! Try The Travel Activity Book
which is now available for teens too!
This information came from Peter Greenberg and the Today Show
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Travel tips: Watch out for hidden charges
On the Today show today, travel editor Peter Greenberg talked about the hidden charges that travelers have to deal with these days especially at high end hotels and low cost air carriers.
For hotels, he has noted charges for resort fees, bellman tips (when he never used a bellman) and many other fees. His advice was to dispute these changes if they weren't mentioned inadvance.
Room taxes are often quite pricy and not quoted by hotels who are trying to sound competitive. You have to make sure to budget for these expenses. For example, when you stay in New York City, you have to pay 14% for taxes between federal, state and city.
Airlines charge extra for all sorts of things. Where once you could get an emergency row seat with no problem, now you have to pay extra or be a member of the highest level of their frequent flyer plan.
But the biggest additional charge comes for baggage. You need to know what the cost is for bags that weigh more than the limit. I got hit with this once with having a bag over 50 pounds. It cost me an additional $25 on Southwest Airlines. Now I keep a smaller bag inside and if the bag should be over that weight, I pull out the small bag and stuff in a few things. Strange but that doesn't cost anythng extra.
European airlines can be even trickier. Easy Jet only allows 20 kilos, RyanAir even less. The fees for having extra bags or heavier ones is astronomical.
The key is to check in advance so you're prepared!
For hotels, he has noted charges for resort fees, bellman tips (when he never used a bellman) and many other fees. His advice was to dispute these changes if they weren't mentioned inadvance.
Room taxes are often quite pricy and not quoted by hotels who are trying to sound competitive. You have to make sure to budget for these expenses. For example, when you stay in New York City, you have to pay 14% for taxes between federal, state and city.
Airlines charge extra for all sorts of things. Where once you could get an emergency row seat with no problem, now you have to pay extra or be a member of the highest level of their frequent flyer plan.
But the biggest additional charge comes for baggage. You need to know what the cost is for bags that weigh more than the limit. I got hit with this once with having a bag over 50 pounds. It cost me an additional $25 on Southwest Airlines. Now I keep a smaller bag inside and if the bag should be over that weight, I pull out the small bag and stuff in a few things. Strange but that doesn't cost anythng extra.
European airlines can be even trickier. Easy Jet only allows 20 kilos, RyanAir even less. The fees for having extra bags or heavier ones is astronomical.
The key is to check in advance so you're prepared!
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Travel tips: Summer Travel
Summer travel season is almost here. Are you ready for all it implies? First the good news...exotic destinations...great weather...a break from work...time with family and friends. That's what vacations mean to most of us.
But there's that other side...flight delays...crowded highways...high gas prices. While we can't change all these things, we can prepare ourselves and be ready to handle whatever comes our way.
Two tips for today:
1. I heard Travel Editor Peter Greenberg say on the Today show last week that we must be prepared to be bumped by the airlines. They've overbooked flight as usual and often determine who is safe from being bumped by how much they paid for their ticket. What to do? First of all check in early so if they have to bump anyone it won"t be you
@>
But there's that other side...flight delays...crowded highways...high gas prices. While we can't change all these things, we can prepare ourselves and be ready to handle whatever comes our way.
Two tips for today:
1. I heard Travel Editor Peter Greenberg say on the Today show last week that we must be prepared to be bumped by the airlines. They've overbooked flight as usual and often determine who is safe from being bumped by how much they paid for their ticket. What to do? First of all check in early so if they have to bump anyone it won"t be you
@>
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Welcome to the travel tips site
Traveling in the 21st century is not nearly as easy and as much fun as it used to be. But if we want to get where we need to for business or pleasure, we have to hop in the plane, train, bus or car.
This blog is to share tips and stories that will help make our next trip a little bit easier! Join in!
This blog is to share tips and stories that will help make our next trip a little bit easier! Join in!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)