Posts Tagged ‘US’
Managing your Travel Money
So you have saved for months and months and are now off on your trip of a life time, or even just the 4 week vacation in Europe that you’ve been dreaming of. You’ve saved your money, you’ve bought your air tickets. You are in count-down mode. You have $10,000′s of dollars to fund your trip – but how to you carry it? Your mother took all hers in Travelers Checks in 1975 – is that what you should do? Well sorry mom – probably not!
Here are some hints and tips for making sure your hard-earned cash is spent by you and only you! Set-up Online Banking Before you leave.
If you are already using online banking then it is easy to confirm that your spending limits are appropriate, that the security protocols will still work for you – not much point having the transaction security code sent to a mobile phone you are not taking with you! If you don’t currently use on-line banking get is setup ASAP! Make sure it is up and working and you are familiar with how to use it before you leave home!
When using on-line banking in Internet Cafes make sure that you always logout of the online session when you finish. For added security use a small digital device which displays a random number which you have to enter before performing transactions that take cash from my account: even if computer has spyware and records a password – they don’t have the digital display so they can’t do anything bad! What form to take your Money in
Below in my personal experience is the REVERSE order that I like to carry money in. Travellers Cheques (or Travelers Checks if you prefer):
Unfortunately they have rather had their day. Around long before plastic: cards, money ATMs, back in the dark days of the 1980′s they were your only option apart from cash or banker’s drafts! They are replaceable if lost or stolen, you have to keep a record of the numbers separate from the checks. The problem increasingly is to find somewhere to cash them. Increasingly banks will insist of seeing the original purchase receipt – but that you should never travel with! In the good old days you could set aside a day to cash travellers checks – and nothing seems to have changed in that regard.
Also remember that only the person who signed them originally can counter-sign them when you cash them – so couples -sign each!
Typical Costs: 1% on purchase, and 1-5% on cashing. Also of course you get no interest on your funds once you buy the Travellers Cheques.
Pre-Paid Debit Cards
That is cards such as Visa’s TravelMoney. Potentially a great idea: basically a pre-paid card but there is one big problem: FEES. They are a very expensive way to carry money. They are a badged debit card, Visa or MasterCard, which you load a credit balance onto i.e. you are using your own money. You can then use the card as a normal credit card to make purchases or to get cash. As the balance is in credit you do not pay cash advance fees. You get a second card for “free”.
You have the normal credit card protection – see below.
However the cost break down goes something like this;
Cost to withdraw cash: 5 x $200 cash withdrawals: 1% to load card, $3.75/withdrawal, currency conversion fees from 5.95% to 2% Costs $49 – $88
Cost to make $2500 of credit card purchase: 1% to load card plus conversion fees of 2% – 5.95%. Cost $75 – $170.
Total cost to use $3500 of YOUR OWN MONEY: $124 to $258 Cost to use $35,000 of YOUR OWN MONEY $1,250 and $2,580 that’s 3.5% to 7.4% loss in fees. Now that is scary! Fortunately there are better options
ATM Cards
If you plan to take your cash card overseas, turn it over and check that it has one or more of the following logos: Cirrus, Plus or Maestro.
However you are much better off using a Credit or Debit card as cashcards don’t have the same excellent protection if you card is stolen or used fraudulently. Your maximum liability is $50, zero if you report the fraud as soon as you become aware of it.
Check your fees too – you are likely to paying $4 plus per a withdrawal fees plus 2.5% cash conversion rate.
Credit/Debit Cards.
Truly one of the best modern inventions out! These are the cards branded with VISA or MasterCard in the most part. Using your credit card to guarantee car rentals and hotel stays is almost compulsory in some parts of the world, particularly North America. You need one to make on-line purchases for such items as flights and hotels.
Here are some tips for using your credit/debit card overseas:
inform your bank that you will be traveling – they may cancel your card if you normally spend $150/week in restaurants and shops in New York and suddenly you start spending $1000/week in South America!
make sure your credit card address is updated – if your statements get returned from you address your card will get cancelled.
make sure you can access your statements on-line in order to keep track of your spending
raise your credit limit if you need to: this is easier to do prior to quitting your job to go travelling!
set-up Internet banking to pay your credit card automatically on the due date from your savings – you do not want to be paying credit card interest costs
Also don’t take just one card: you need at least 2 cards one for credit card purchases and one for cash advances. If you have a debit card you can combine the two but you still need two cards: preferably one Visa one Mastercard and definitely from different financial institutions. So if one is lost/stolen/used fraudulently you can still access your money! Remember if you have an additional card on the same account this will be frozen along with the main card if anything goes wrong. Cheap Credit Card: (e.g. Wizard MasterCard)
Cost to withdraw cash: $0
Cost to make credit card purchase: $0
Cost to use $3500 of your own money: $0
Cost to use $35,000 of your own money $0 -that one works for me! Standard Credit Card
Cost to withdraw cash or card purchase: 2.5% currency conversion fee
Cost to use $3500 of YOUR OWN MONEY: $87.50
Cost to use $35,000 of YOUR OWN MONEY $870.
Cash
Yes I still prefer to travel with a significant amount of cash. I usually carry the equivalent of approximately US$5,000 cash. No I hardly ever take my own currency. Even places where I can get an exchange for New Zealand or Australian dollars it will usually be very poor compared to major currencies. I generally carry US$ cash, but for Europe I would Euros and the UK I would carry Stirling. Unfortunately every time you change currencies you loose on the exchange rate. If you are lucky enough to earn money in any of these three major currencies then carry your home currency and then only change it once to your destination’s currency.
If you are going to not yet developed countries you need to be fussy on what notes you carry: they need to be clean no rips, no writing on them and no holes in them. Yes you will get raised eyebrows at your local bank as you go through the notes one at a time and reject about 10% of them – but believe me its worth it. In most third world countries the local currency is so dirty that you can hardly read them or see the original colour, but the same trader who will happily give and receive these money health hazards, will absolutely refuse to take a $50 dollar bill with a rip or a pen mark. Trust me I have had the arguments and lost – it’s lot less inconvenient to have the argument at your local branch in your native language!
Bills to Take
I carry at 70% of my cash in $100′s, about $200 in $20′s and the rest in $50′s . Why $20′s – they are useful for bribes, last minute exchanges when you are about to leave the country. Also some countries have currencies where inflation has rendered the highest local note worth about $1 – this can a little inconvenient as this tourist shows! The $100′s usually get the best exchange rate but sometimes there is a run of counterfeiting of $100′s so some places weren’t take $100′s, so that’s why I take $50′s.
Wearing Cash and Cards when you Travel
If you carry $5000 in the bills I suggested above you end up with 35 $100′s, 26 $50′s, and 10 $20′s a total of 66 notes. In addition you need to protect your plastic cards, passport, international health card, driver’s licence. If you have old-fashioned paper airline tickets you need to look after those too.
When I travel these items very rarely leave me. I sleep with them under a pillow I wear them the rest of the time. If I am travelling solo they come to shower with me – even if the room is ensuite. It may sound paranoid but I have never lost significant amounts of cash. I had a wallet pick-pocketed once – but it only had $20 of local currency. That was no accident – when I travel the wallet is pretty much for show: here it is steal it if you want to. I carry basically the cash I need for the day or the cash I am going to change that day. That way no-one ever sees where most of cash is, or how much I have.
You’d get a guide book and maybe my camera and wallet containing about $20.
Avoiding theft really is quite simple even when you are travelling solo: you just have to be cleverer than the average tourist and here are some real life things I have seen more than once:
everything in the money belt – has to pay $1 for a drink on the street- reveals the pile of $100′s in his belt money
belt too uncomfortable to wear because the weather’s hot – put it in your daypack – hang the backpack off 1 shoulder or over the back of a chair in an outdoor cafe
money belt rubs skin – wear outside T-shirt, around your waist.
changing $100 worth of local currency and then trying to fit all the local currency back into the money belt – all the time standing in the middle of a crowded bank with 10′s of locals watching
How to divide your valuables
So yes I am saying you should find a money belt and wear it all the time, so it has to be comfortable.
I also need a wallet for the day’s spending.
Plus also, especially when I travel solo I have another $100 hidden somewhere else just in case disaster strikes. The $100 has over the years been hidden in the sole of a shoe, inside an inner lower pocket in my backpack, in my diary’s cover. Now I often use one of the literal money belts you can see to the right. The leather type suits men who wear trousers with belt loops. I normally use the more casual woven type. I don’t actually always wear it – sometimes the belt is in my backpack – I feel comfortable though that it would be a pretty thorough thief who found it!
The key to the buying the best money belt is getting one that is comfortable for you. The traditional around the waist is next to useless: its hot to wear, its uncomfortable as most passports resist bending when you sit, if you wear it high enough to allow you to sit comfortably – its surprisingly easy to pickpocket – I saw it happen on a Bolivian bus where the pickpocket took the cash only, and the belt was zipped shut under a tucked in T-shirt and another shirt over the top.
The leg wallet seems like a good option for cash but probably not so good for passports and other bulky items.
I have also tried the neck wallet but these are rarely invisible – they are uncomfortable for even my fairly flat-chested figure. The weight of the wallet hurts my neck and rubs. You can see the outline of the wallet if you are wearing anything less voluminous than a burka!
The shoulder holster wallet I have been using for over 10 years and it is wonderful. It’s impossible to see when you wear even with a singlet top so long as it has broad shoulder straps. The wallet hangs so you can wear a passport in it for 6 months and it will still get you through British security. Its not close to your body so it’s not particularly uncomfortable in hot climates. It’s big enough to carry all the cash, cards, passports and tickets that you could possibly have.
Hidden Pockets
You can buy separate pockets which loop onto a belt- meaning that if you are wearing a belt you can always wear the pocket – good for guys.
I normally either buy travel clothing with concealed pockets or sew my own inside pockets into existing clothes – particularly skirts. I prefer to not wear too much specific travel clothing- it makes you look like a rich tourist!
The Author
Lis Sowerbutts has been traveling since age 7, and has to date visited over 55 countries. She firmly believes that traveling starts at 30 and is too good to be left to the young.
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There are traveling secrets anywhere you travel. This article will tell you key travel you should know before traveling to Barbados. Don’t miss the travel tips at the end!
Barbados is a beautiful island and an excellent vacation spot. It is one of the best islands in the Caribbean.
Money
The currency is Barbados is the Barbados dollar or the Bajan. It is 1.98 the US dollars. So basically $20 Barbados is about $10 US, give or take a little.
Cost of Goods
Items and services in Barbardos are not cheap. They are about the equivalent of items or services in the US.
A nice dinner for two with wine will run you $100 US. Souvenirs are $20 – $35 for t-shirts, $10-14 for towels, mugs, etc.
Natuarally, as it is almost anywhere you travel, the domestic goods are much cheaper than imported items.
Traveling To and From and While in Barbados
When you arrive in Barbados at the airport and claim your bags you will walk out of the terminal to buses, taxis and shuttle transport. It is best to pre-arrange a shuttle to and from your hotel. The taxi ride from the airport will run $20-60 depending on the distance to your hotel and size of taxi you require. The shuttle will charge for surfboard bags and some other large oversized items. Do not pay more than $5.
If you rent a car it will be about $50-60 per day. Don’t let anyone charge you more than that. If you are from the US and you are planning to rent a car while in Barbados keep in mind you will have to drive the car. This may sound simple but the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car and the cars drive on the wrong side of the rode. This takes a little getting used to but also serves as quite an adventure!
Dress
Barbados is a British colonized island and therefore embraces the British conservatism in dress. The dress during the day is casual, tropical travel beach attire. At night and for dinner the men wear pants and collared shirts and the ladies where dresses and skirts. Due to the weather it is best if they are lightweight materials.
The Barbadians, or Bajans as they are more commonly referred to on the island, dress business casual most of the time. In the city business dress is the norm for locals and there are many men in ties and even jackets.
When dressing to go shopping beach attire is not appropriate. Bathing suits and swim wear are reserved for beaches and beach bars.
Dining
There are some great restaurants in Barbados. The Cliff restaurant is one of the nicest restaurants on the island. The view, as you can imagine for the name, is gorgeous. The restaurant is located in the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean.
In St. Lawrence Gap, Bellini’s is great. It is right inside a cove with small boats and is amazing at sunset. The salmon is my favorite.
Most hotels will have a book of restaurants on the island in their lobby area or with the concierge desk. It will have a picture of the restaurant and the menu with prices. This is a great way to pick some places you would like to eat at during your stay.
Hotels
There is a wide range of hotels to choose from. It all depends on how much you want to spend.
Budget
If you are looking for a bargain, try the Sandy Bay Beach Club. The hotel itself is nice enough, 3 star. But the staff is very friendly and helpful and the beach out front of the hotel is possibly the best on the island. It is all-inclusive so all meals, alcohol, gratuities and non-motorized sports activities are included. This makes it an excellent deal.
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style and there is a snack bar for in-between times. Dinner is your choice of buffet style dinner or 5-course dinner in the dining room, reservations are required. They will tell you they are booked for the dining room when you ask but you can always get in. Just ask when you can come in and see if there has been a cancellation or if you can try coming at last seating which is at 8:30pm.
You can scuba, kayak and paddle boat and it is all included. Massage for an hour in the spa is only $65. For $5 you can have a giant umbrella staked in the sand by your lounge chairs. The activities center offer a $50 Turtle and Shipwreck snorkel trip. It is a great boat ride and a really reasonable cost.
If you try booking this hotel use www.cheapcaribean.com and you may get an even better deal.
Moderate
The Hilton is a gorgeous hotel located on a peninsula, so the view out of every window is crystal blue water.
This hotel has all the amenities, valet, room service, scuba excursions, restaurants, bars, spa, pool, children’s programs, everything you might need.
The rooms range from $450 – $1500 per night.
It is a beautiful hotel and if you have some money to spend on a nice vacation this is the resort to choose. You actually don’t even need to leave the hotel much. You have the views, pool, and beaches while having all the amenities of the hotel only steps away.
Expensive
Sandy Lane Hotel is the place to stay if cost is not a concern. It is the site of Tiger Woods wedding and is breathtaking.
This hotel is stunning. It is by far the most luxurious hotel on the island. You name it and it’s done. Spa, golf, horse back riding, 5 star dining, concierge service, luxury sedan from the airport. They will have it or find it for you.
The children have a summer camp style center called the Tree House Club. It is a kids dream with arts and crafts, movies, pool time. It also always parents some alone time on the vacation. They also have a Den for teenagers to enjoy away from the parents and little ones.
Room rates range from $850 – 10,000 per night.
Attractions
Snorkeling with the Turtles & Shipwreck
Catamaran and boat snorkel trips are offered all over the island. The Snorkel Turtle trip was nice but you may or may not see turtles in the water. Keep your eye out because you may see some from the boat.
The shipwreck snorkeling is beautiful. There are a ton of color fish and clear water. There is an old shipwreck and then a newer man made shipwreck where they sunk a party boat, not as authentic, but draws some exotic sea life.
Wild Life Reserve
If there is one thing you get out and do in Barbados go to the Wild Life Reserve. It is on the North end of the island and you can take the 4×4 Adventure Tour, taxi or rental car. It is $13 US admission cost and it is worth 3 times the price.
When you walk in there are large turtles everywhere. The reserve has no cages in the main area. Only the snakes, gigantic python and iguana’s are caged in a separate area. The monkeys, rabbits, and other wild life run free. The reserve is heavily shaded with rain forest looking trees and vines that hang and provide swinging tools for the monkey. You walk through the reserve on brick paths. There is even a crocodile in a pond, with high rock walls so it can’t escape.
It is a unique experience and something not to be missed.
Atlantis Submarine Excursion
If you choose to do the submarine excursion book this on www.magicaljourneys.com. They offer discounts including some two for one booking deals. That means $90 for two people instead of $180.
Other attractions on the island include a rum tasting tour, exploring caves, golfing and horseback riding.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS:
- Check the weather before travel so you know how to pack
- You can search and claim your unclaimed money to have extra spending money for you trip!
- Use travelers cheques. If they are lost or stolen they can usually be replaced within 24 hours, from virtually anywhere in the world by most banks, service establishments and by a large number of merchants
- Do not leave valuable in your hotel room or if you do opt for activating and using the safe in the closet.
- Do not call home from the hotel room. There are shops you can go in and dial from their computer, use a handset to talk and call home for $0.50 per minute. The hotel will charge you $5.00-35.00 to connect you and then $2.90-7.90 per minute! If you use your cell phone it may cost you $2-$5 per minute.
- Travel with great people and HAVE FUN!
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After living in Bangkok for over a year I have learned many things about the Thai People that I wanted to share with other foreigners living or vacationing here should know. The first thing you have to accept is that eastern culture is different. The people in the east are less emotional and more polite and while they know westerners are different, they often are uncomfortable when we stray from their norms. The things I found to be important are listed below in order of importance:
Be Polite – Thai people hold being polite above all else. Their very language has politeness built into it. If you follow what is considered “common courtesy” you will be fine.
Thai King – The Thai People Love their King, King Rama IX. Never show any type of disrespect to him or the Royal family. The Thai people have a deep traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and the visitor should also show respect for the King and the Queen, and the Royal Children. When attending a public events where a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide on how to behave is to watch the crowd and do as it does.
Safety – Stealth crimes, such as pick pocketing, are the most common problem so it’s worth keeping a close eye on your belongings at all times and being aware of the people around you. Unprovoked violence against tourists are very rare, but it pays to exercise common sense.
National Religion – Buddhism is Thailand’s national Religion with nearly 95% of Thailand’s population being Buddhist. All Buddha images are considered sacred and there are laws against removing these images for anything other that personal worship.
Buddhist Monks – Buddhist Monks are recognized quickly by their shaved heads, bear feet and bright orange robes. It is forbidden for women to touch Buddhist Monks, this includes a woman handing something to a Monk, The items should be first given to a man, who hands the item to the monk. Also, western men should never attempt to shake hands with a monk.
Buddhist Temple – Wearing shoes around a temple is acceptable but they should be removed when entering their church (the area where the Buddha image is kept).
Be Quiet – Loud people are considered impolite. Speak softly and do not laugh loudly. Of course there are the common places such as bars, celebrations and parks that being loud is appropriate and expected.
Greetings – Greetings in Thailand can be quite formal in appearance to the western eye. The basic gesture is to put hands together, fingers up, with a slight bow of the head. The words “saw dee (krup)” (or “kaw” for women) are spoken during fm bow. It is more complicated for Thai people, with three levels based on age and position but westerners attempting this greeting are not expected to understand. (levels: 1. Monk, thumbs touching forehead durin bow; 2. Same age or older, thumbs touching lips; and 3. Younger person, thumbs touching chin.)
Food – Food in Thailand is customarily HOT, spicy HOT. Most westerners can not handle the amount of chili spice that Thai people enjoy. For the westerner visiting foreigner, the best tip i can give them is how to ask to make the food less spicy. There are two phrases to be used based on you preference: 1) “mai ped” – not spicy and 2) “ped nit noi” – a little bit spicy. The food is awesome in Thailand and this tip should help you enjoy it even more. In the near future I will be publishing a description of my favorite foods. Stay tuned.
Street Food – There is an old Thai saying “a little bit of dirt makes the food a little bit more delicious (rough translation). For westerners, buying food on the street can impact your health with the possible contraction of various gastro digestive problems. While most street food vendors are clean, this only by local standards. I live by “rule of thumb” which has served well living in Bangkok. This rule is simple but you need to stick to it. It is “only eat from the street what is cooked in front of you”. This ensures that the food is fully cooked one more time before you eat it. Unfortunately, this eliminates a lot of food served on the street but better safe than sorry for week.
Body Odor – Thai people almost never smell badly and they find it offensive if others do.
Crowds – if you go to areas in Thailand during Thai holidays and celebrations, be prepared to encounter many people. To Western experience the volume of these areas can be incredible. Be prepared to be pushed and shoved and be aware that they mean no harm. There sence of personal space is quite different than westerners.
Watch where you walk – The sidewalks in Bangkok are uneven and full of obstacles, pay attention. Oh, also, the streets have many stray dogs; the dogs are not aggressive but do leave landmines on the sidewalks.
Taxi Drivers – Most taxi drivers are fine. Generally, it is always better to use the metered taxis. Tuktuks are always more expensive and with Bangkok traffic you could be breathing in a lot of smog on the way. If you are going a significant distance negotiate… Also, the Taxis marked “We love farang, we speak English”, well most of them do not. They do have a radio that has a person that knows a little English.
Movie Theater – After the advertising and right before the movie a tribute to the Thai King Comes on and everyone stands in respect.
Driving in Thailand – If you are a brave one and decide that you want drive yourself around Thailand, don’t be too worried, it really isn’t that bad. There are just several things to understand. Drivers use the left side instead of the right, like in the US, and the roads tend to be narrower than in the US. So driving next to a bus or a truck can be a little intimidating.
Toilets – Eastern toilets can be quite intimidating to the western traveler as well. Be aware that eastern toilets are little more than holes in the ground surrounded by ceramic and involve water, not paper, for cleaning. To be honest, I still have not gotten used this type of facility to its full extent. Also, there are often women in the men’s room, stationed there for cleaning. It can be quite unnerving when you first experience this but they are not there for any more than cleaning.
Following these tips will allow you to have better understanding of the Thai people and more fun in your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be more comfortable with you and give you a better understanding of how things function in Thailand.
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America along with being the economic superpower is also an attractive holiday destination for travelers from across the globe. There are innumerable attractions in America for holiday goers ranging from man made theme parks, amazing cities, beautiful beaches, awesome mountain ranges, and pristine national parks. Among the most visited tourist destinations in the US are the thundering falls of Niagara near the Canadian border, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, New York’s Statue of Liberty, Miami Beach, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks, Times Square and the several attractions in New York City, the Washington D.C. National Mall and Memorial Parks, the Las Vegas Casinos, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, the list is endless… Tourists to America can explore many more destinations than those mentioned here. Tourists can visit these places and relish both the natural and the man made wonders of America. There are many lavish hotels in the US known for their exclusivity in luxury and hospitality for international travelers. Travelers can plan their holiday online and reserve their accommodation in any of the hotel that best suits their tastes and preferences.
Quite often tourists choose to purchase travel or tour packages to avoid any confusion and the headaches of time management while holidaying. It is very helpful if the travelers have their family members or friends who live in America while looking for accommodation and other travel tips. However, with the internet it is quite easy to access all relevant information online. Spending a few minutes online can help travelers understand the nuances of the different requirements that would arise for a visitor in America. Even though one is well prepared to start a journey to America there are certain things like food habits, life style and different weather conditions in the USA that travelers should be informed about. This is particularly true for older travelers who might take a longer time as opposed to younger travelers to get accustomed to the weather conditions and food habit in America.
It is always advisable for travelers to have a medical check prior to the start of the journey and while still in their home country. Carrying regular drugs taken for high blood pressure, diabetes, upset stomach… are highly recommended for older travelers going to America. Medical emergencies can occur to anyone and anywhere at unexpected times. Though the traveler will enjoy sophisticated medical care, the expenses or medical bills will be very expensive in the US. The US consulate strongly recommends insurance for tourists. Buying visitors medical insurance is in any event prudent and will can save the traveler from huge hospital bills in the event of a medical emergency.
Given the many destinations in America for tourists, a long stay is justified for international travelers. A memorable vacation in the USA is possible with effective research prior to the visit. Last minute travel planners can always look for information at official tourism website of America. Tourists should get B2 visa permit to holiday in the USA. Once the visa is issued, travelers can plan their itinerary to spend their holiday fruitfully.
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If you have ever been stranded in airport due to snowstorms, hurricanes, erupting volcanoes, or just because the airline was incompetent, you know that it can practically ruin a vacation. Airlines are not required to do anything if a disruption is caused by a so called “act of God” such as a snowstorm. Any event that is beyond the airline’s control can be considered a so called “act of God.” While inclement weather is nothing new, airlines sometimes use weather as an excuse for a delay that is largely caused by other issues. Whether or not a giant volcanic ash storm is headed your way, smart travelers should know how to avoid major travel calamities.
Before you leave:
1)Read the fine print of your airlines contract and customer service agreements. If you don’t have time to read them, print them out and bring them in your carry-on bag in case there is a problem. The airlines agreements will help you understand flight delays and cancelations and their compensation policy.
2)Expect the unexpected. Check the weather in your departure and destination cities. If the weather looks frightful, check when the next flights are, and plan your exit strategy. Sign up for twitter notifications from airlines like JetBlue, Southwest, and Delta which will alert you ahead of time if there are problems like bad weather, air traffic delays, or mechanical issues.
3)Buy travel insurance. A good rule of thumb is if it’s a trip you can afford to lose, don’t buy insurance. When in doubt, insure. The important thing is to read the policy’s fine print.
4)Avoid problem airports. While not always possible, many airports are ill-prepared for bad weather or peak travel times. Check out Forbes’s list of The World’s Most Delayed Airports.
5)Check in early. The last passengers to check in for an oversold flight are usually the first to be bumped. Check in online, or get to the airport early. Passengers who are involuntarily bumped and rebooked on another flight within two hours after their original domestic flight time are entitled to $400 cash, according to the Department of Transportation regulations, so ask for cash not a voucher.
While it is happening:
1)Move fast. As soon as your flight is cancelled or delayed, call the airline and get in line to speak with a ticket agent.
2)Play the status card. Airlines are usually more willing to accommodate elite passengers. If you are a frequent flyer, first class or business class passenger, use your status as a bargaining point to rebook a flight, get vouchers for hotel rooms, food, and other amenities.
3)Tell a sob story. If you can pull on the agent’s heartstrings, especially during the holidays, you are more likely to get what you want. Remember that inventing a sob story and lying can backfire so before you claim your wife is in labor, think.
4)Keep your cool. Don’t be that guy. The one who loses it and threatens the gate agent. They have seen it all and therefore will be much more likely to help you if you are respectful. Belligerent customers can get themselves into a whole heap of trouble these days.
When all else fails:
1)Report your lost bags immediately. Insist the airline staff writes a report and gives you a copy. Airlines are not required to reimburse you for your bag as long as it is returned to you within a reasonable time period. For a flight within the U.S., an airline can invoke a ceiling of $3,300 if a bag cannot be found.
2)Know your rights. In the US the Federal Aviation Administration has policies to protect customers. The FAA and the Department of Transportation provide helpful information on their websites about air travel concerns.
3)Make the best of it. When all else fails, take a deep breath and use the time to read a book, listen to music, play games on your phone, catch up on work, or watch the news on the airport TV screens. If your layover seems endless, take a short taxi ride and explore your new destination.
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