Travel Blog

Check here for the latest travel alerts and useful tips for vacationers.

September 20, 2008

When travelling to foreign countries it’s important to understand the conversion rates and security concerns when it comes to your money. Here are a few useful tips that will keep you safe and protected when you travel to exotic places.

Exchange your currency in advance at a major bank. Ask what the transaction fee is for exchanging.
Best rate of exchange abroad is with your credit card.
Wear a security pouch under your clothing to safeguard your money, travelers check, passport and other valuables.
Double-check your itinerary and make sure your airline tickets, vouchers (hotel, car rental, sightseeing, etc.), and other documents are in order. Have your hotel voucher(s) readily available to present at the hotel registration desk upon arrival.
Leave a copy of your flight times, your itinerary, the name and phone number of the hotel and a copy of your passport or birth certificate, and photo ID with a friend or family member.
It is always a good idea to leave your credit card numbers with a family member in case they are lost or stolen.

Tip! Before you go, stop mail and newspaper delivery, or arrange for a neighbor or friends to pick it up for you. Pick up your dry cleaning, pay upcoming bills, and arrange for the care of your pets. Inform your credit card company that you will be out of the county. Unverifiable out-of-county charges could cause your credit card company to put a hold on your card.

September 17, 2008

Follow these new guidelines for you airline.

Many of the airlines will charge $15.00 to check a first bag and $25.00 to check a second bag.

United charges a $50.00 fee one way to check a first bag.

Check to see if the airline that you are flying on charges $10.00 to secure an aisle or window seat.

Air Tran

Air Tran does not serve any meals, but offers complimentary coffee, juices, Coca-Cola products and snacks on all flights. Cocktails, beer and wine are $6 on all flights.

American Airlines

American Airlines offers individually packaged snacks for $3 each on U.S. and Canadian flights that are two hours or longer. On flights over three hours within the U.S. or to Mexico or the Caribbean, sandwiches and wraps are also available for $6. "Snack Packs" are available for $4 on American Eagle and American Connection flights in the continental U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Complimentary meals are offered on Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Japan and some Mexico flights longer than four hours within traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner meal windows.

Continental

On domestic flights (excluding Hawaii) or flights to Canada, the Caribbean or Latin American resort destinations that last over two hours, Continental serves an appropiate meal and snack on the timeable:

Breakfast/Snack: 7 a.m. - 9 a. m.

Lunch/Snack: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Dinner/Snack: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

If your flight is not during the scheduled breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, a light snack may be offered on flights longer than three hours in economy class. Beverages are always complimentary.

Delta

On flights less than 450 miles ( about one hour), Delta offers one complimentary snack (no choice). On flights ranging from 450 to 749 miles ( about 1 - 1.5 hours), you'll be given a choice of snack. On flights ranging from 750 to 1,024 miles (about 1.5 - 2 hours), you'll be given a choice of snacks as well as a range of other snacks for purchase (prices range from $1 - $3). On flights longer than 1,025 miles (about two hours), you'll have your choice of complimentary snack as well as a menu of meal items ranging in price from $4 to $10.

Complimentary meal service is given on Alaska and Hawaii flights longer than five hours. Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks are offered on all flights, while a $5 or $6 charge applies to all alcoholic beverages in economy class on Delta and Delta Connection flights.

Northwest

Northwest offers individual snacks for $3 and snack boxes for $5 in coach class on most domestic flights. On most flights to the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska, and most of the Caribbean and Mexico, "fresh products" (fruits and cheese, or vegetables with ranch dip) are available for $7. Sandwich and salad meals are available for $10 on select flights to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean. To guarantee yourself a meal, you can preorder online at the Northwest Web site a least 13 hours before your flight.

Southwest

On flights less than 600 miles, Southwest serves peanuts or pretzels. On nonstop flights between 601 and 1,270 miles, the airline offers a packaged snack appropriate to the time of day. Southwest airlines does not serve sandwiches or meals on any flight. Standard beverage service is offered on all flights, with beer, wine and cocktails available for $4.

United

United offers complimentary meals in coach on international flights. In coach class on North American flights (including flights to the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico) of two hours or longer, a complimentary snack is given. On flights over three hours, a variety of Snack Boxes are available for $5. On flights over five hours, you'll also have the option of purchasing a sandwich or salad from the Fresh Food Menu ($7).

On all flights, soft drinks are complimentary, and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Once free, cocktail snacks are no longer availabe on flights shorter than two hours.

US Airways

US Airways offers an In-Flight Cafe on most flights longer than 3.5 hours, taking off between 5 a.m and 8 p.m. Meals are priced at $7, and a Snack Box is available for $5.

Non- alcoholic beverages are complimentary on all flights, with wine, beer and cocktails available for $5.

US Airways charges for bottle water.

What will be the next item that these airlines will charge us for? Are you thinking what I am thinking? Yes, to use the airplane's restrooms.

July 16, 2008

Learn How to Pack Smart

Here are some useful tips for packing for your vacation.

Mix and Match Clothing choose clothes you can mix and match to save space without sacrificing variety. Choose items that layer to accommodate changing weather.
Quick Dry Clothing: Bring clothing made of fabrics that dry quickly, such as synthetics and lightweight cotton.
Sealable Bags: Place liquid makeup, shampoo, toothpaste, and other items that could spill into a sealable plastic bag.
Small lint brush
Inflatable pillow and earplugs for phone
Universal Adapter: When traveling internationally, bring an adapter and converter for your small appliances.
Day Bag: Bring a day bag to hold your umbrella, camera, guidebook, souvenirs, and other incidentals.
Carry on Essentials: Pack prescriptions drugs (in original containers), toiletries, your passport, important documents, jewelry, cameras, and your laptop in carry-on.
Single Dollars: American currency is widely regarded and accepted throughout the world. Having ten or twenty single dollar bills with you will be invaluable if you arrive at a destination without local currency, banks are closed and there isn't an ATM in sight. They also make great tips for services and can be used to bring the price down when bargaining in market.
Safety Pins: Pack safety pins in your checked luggage to use in an emergency if a button falls off in a strategic location. They also come in handy if you keep valuables in your pocket – pin your pocket closed from the inside of your pants/shirt and would be picket – pocketers will not stand a chance.
Photocopies of Documentation: Make photocopies of your important documents including your credit cards. Keep the copies in a separate place than the originals. In the unfortunate event of theft, you will have a back up of all your documents for temporary proof of identification.
Tip! Iron before you pack and save time during your trip, then roll (don’t fold) lay clothes. Leave dry cleaned items in their plastic bags to avoid wrinkles. If clothes do wrinkle, hang them in the bathroom while taking a shower.