air travel Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

How to Travel with Christmas Presents Now

Paula — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:45:08 +0000

If you’ve ever travelled at Christmas then you have also undoubtedly travelled with Christmas gifts too. I mean Christmas and presents go hand in hand no matter where in the world you are celebrating or spending it. So, how exactly is the best way to do that? Do you wrap them and bring them with you through an airport? Um, probably not the best idea. What about if you are simply driving all the way to a relative’s house? How do you make that work with gifts? Wrap them first or No? Here’s what works for us. Here are tips for flying with Christmas presents: Travel with gifts by airplane can be the most challenging of all the modes of transportation. Airport security is dramatically tougher than it was even a few Christmases ago. Know What is Banned on Airplanes Many common Christmas presents are banned in carry-on luggage. Be sure you know which ones are banned before you go (and yes, this includes unopened packaged gifts). If it is banned, pack it (very securely) in your checked bags (dispersed between a couple bags in case of lost luggage) or ship it. Skip the Wrapping Do not wrap your Christmas presents before you fly. It could be a big waste of time, since security officers might be forced to open them to see what’s inside. If you are flying very close to Christmas and won’t have much time to wrap on arrival, pack several empty gift bags and gift tissue instead for quick assembly. To Ship Ahead or No? Consider shipping the gifts ahead of time, but be sure you pack items very carefully and allow at least twice the estimated shipping time. You don’t want to end up giftless on Christmas Eve. You may even consider splitting up gifts into a few boxes in case one box is lost. Shop When You Get There Consider shopping at your destination. Plan to arrive a couple days early to allow for shopping time. Pack an Extra Empty Bag Pack some empty, collapsed duffel bags. Don’t forget you will probably have extra luggage (as in, new gifts for yourself or your family) to bring home. Be Discreet with Your Own Family If you are traveling with gifts for your fellow travelers (such as a significant other, spouse or children), be sure you keep their gifts out of sight if they will be in luggage and unwrapped. This can be particularly challenging if it’s a gift for a spouse and you’re sharing a suitcase. Consider taking separate suitcases so he or she doesn’t get a sneak peek at Christmas gifts. This works with adults but be warned that kids who are school aged and teens need extra reminders. If they have bought their own gifts for parents or siblings and cousins they need to know what can and cannot be packed. I will never ever forget the famous scissors incident my nine year old experienced at the airport in Toronto one year. She now knows for sure never to pack scissors ink her carryon. Her plan was to make something when we got to our destination and she didn’t want to worry about finding scissors there. Live and learn, right? What about Train Travel? Train travel with gifts is probably the simplest of the modes of transportation. But, that said, suitcases need to be lifted and lugged around, so if you are visiting someone and taking the train you might still be better off shipping presents ahead or shopping when you get to your destination. Road Trips? Well, we love a good family road trip any time of year. But at Christmas you likely already have a vehicle loaded to the brim with boots and huge winter coats. Or maybe you live in the warmer climates and then you are in good shape for trunk space. With road trips and dragging presents along you may still need to take a few things into account. For instance, are you crossing any borders? If so, your car could still be searched and if it’s full of wrapped presents the border patrol could ask to see the items within. So save yourself the hassle and wrap them when you get to your destination. Travel With Christmas Presents Doesn’t Have to Be Daunting Just planning ahead and having a present strategy makes a dramatic impact when traveling this time of year. Whether you drive to your destination or fly you can still surprise loved ones with great presents. Don’t forget your packing cubes. Also for the travel lover on your list these make a great gift – > Packing Cubes. And here’s an extra large Duffel Bag that works well as an extra bag for those presents you need to return with. Actually most hard core travellers I know bring an extra bag always on every single trip no matter the time of year. Happy Holidays! Post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you purchase via the links.

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Simplify Travel with Park Sleep Fly Options

Paula — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 20:18:56 +0000

So many moving parts involved in planning a trip. Park Sleep Fly options can simplify your vacation, no matter who you are traveling with and it’s often an affordable option. This is a sponsored post which means I received compensation. Imagine planning a trip with multiple family members. Not only do you have to choose where to go and comparison shop for best prices and activities, but you need to book the flights, juggle the passports and snacks and negotiate all of the busy airport details. Then you drive to the airport hoping and planning for potential heavy traffic and bad weather. You hunt for a parking spot and hope you make it on time. Why Use Park Sleep Fly? Family travel can be intimidating, but it can also be extremely rewarding. We live a good two to three hours away from our nearest major airport. So, there’s always a drive and it is often in the winter months. We live in southern Ontario where the snow can start November 1 and continue on through all of March and sometimes April too. Often on leaving for the airport and also returning for home, we have landed or left in a snow or ice storm. That is NO FUN. White knuckle driving all the way home. The Airports Most years, we have taken a family cruise in the dead of winter, so we have had some hairy adventures getting to the airport. We are fortunate in that we can leave from Detroit Metro Airport, Buffalo Airport, or Lester B. Pearson in Toronto. There are a few other tiny ones that are also options but are less likely to have Park Sleep Fly deals. It’s good to have options and we sometimes choose based on the price of the flights. Detroit and Buffalo can be cheaper, but it pays to do the currency conversion before you decide. Many times we have used Park Sleep Fly options available in Detroit and also near the Buffalo airports. Why? Because arriving at the airport in the dead of winter and hoping that roads are not slick with ice or snow is not always the smartest way to do things, especially if there’s a cruise ship waiting for you at the other end of that flight. When I am planning for our one big family vacation a year and I have invested a lot of time and money in the getaway, then I don’t ever want anything interfering with take off and landing. As a travel writer and journalist sometimes I am given hardly any notice and need to be at the airport fast. Other times, international travel is involved and the trip is dramatic and frankly this was a clear business trip, so I couldn’t afford to mess it up. My flight was first thing in the morning meaning I needed to be there for 4 a.m., so the Park Sleep Fly option involved a stay at a hotel very close to the airport. That was a huge sanity saver for me. Park Sleep Fly lets you park affordably and safely, which gives me peace of mind knowing my van is near the airport and parked somewhere that is not going to get me a ticket or a tow. This option also means that I know I will arrive on time for my flight, get a good night sleep before (hopefully, although not a guarantee) and also it simplifies things for me knowing that I don’t have extra bills or charges. Convenience of Park Sleep Fly The Park Sleep Fly option typically means I pay once for all three services. Also the parking lot is always close to the airport and I love that it always has a convenient shuttle, 24 hours a day typically. Rarely is there much waiting involved. You can’t beat the convenience of Park Sleep Fly packages for all sorts of travel. You can find Buffalo Airports here – > Buffalo Airport Hotels with Park and Fly Packages. Packages at Buffalo Airport start at $135 plus taxes. That includes the night before a trip or the night after, plus parking and a shuttle to the airport. That actually makes this one of the most affordable options going!

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Flight Wreckers – 7 Things Guarantee a Bad Flight Experience

Paula — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 13:34:25 +0000

A bad flight experience is something everyone wants to avoid. And yet, we’ve all been there. Let’s face it we are all familiar with endless flight delays, overbooking, long lineups, turbulence, cranky fliers arguing over checked luggage and people who forgot, or lost, their documents. And don’t forget the person who actually boarded the wrong flight. WHO is that guy and why is he always on my plane? I could go on, but I won’t. You get the idea. With all the requirements for security checks, carry-ons, and more, you need to have your ducks in a row when you’re taking a plane. All the previous incidents I just mentioned can ruin your good time and make for lots of frustration, so don’t be that person! Nobody wants a bad flight experience, so here’s how to avoid one. [tweetthis]Avoid these seven flight nightmares! #travel #IFWTWA[/tweetthis] This is basically a lesson about what not to do. DO NOT Make These Mistakes! Avoid a Bad Flight Experience Remember all those ducks you need to have in a row? Start wrangling them before you get to the airport. I’ve found that the better prepared I am before a trip, the smoother the trip. So let’s get into what not to do when planning a flight and how you can avoid a flight that feels like the Ninth Circle of Travel Hell. Arriving Too Late Give yourself plenty of time to clear security, check bags, navigate the masses, and, of course, give yourself a buffer against passengers who aren’t prepared. I know, I know, waiting at the airport isn’t fun on any level, but it’s far better than being rushed or in the worst case scenario, missing your flight. True Story. One time I was heading to a business event in Calgary and I arrived after they had closed the doors to the plane. Nightmare. I had to be there and had booked the flight on my expenses to further a relationship with a large consulting client. No other flights that day would get me there on time. However, I was able to switch fast and fly from Hamilton instead. My late arrival at the airport meant that I had to foot the cost to get to Hamilton instead. $150 for transportation. Bad move, but I made it. Do not do that! Mistakes that cost me money are ones I learn from every time. When I get hit in the wallet I get angry, so I won’t ever make that faux pas again. Forgetting Important Documents Bring all the important documents you need for your flight. Check, recheck, then check again. You’ll want to ensure you have all your passes, passports if applicable, and any other paperwork you need handy and ready to go when you arrive at the airport. In fact, I also have my companions run through the checks with me before we go. Our checks go like this: Passports, boarding passes, medicine and any other medical needs or materials. Suitcases, doors locked and other domestic details are all taken care of by both adults on my home as well. Not Preparing Beforehand One of the best ways to have a bad flight experience is lack of preparation. If you can do it before you get to the airport, do it. Print out passes from home, weigh your luggage to ensure it is at, or below, the weight limit for checked baggage, and of course, keep those documents handy. Preparedness also includes checking in as early as possible and ensuring that you have little to no objects on your body that you’ll have to take off for security checks. Typically I double check everyone’s carry ons because kids and teens don’t always understand or do a thorough job of checking their own luggage. One time we got held up briefly at Porter’s Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto because a child had scissors in her backpack and didn’t realize they would be removed. Another time one cried over a water bottle that was confiscated. It should have been emptied but it was full of water and we were in a rush. I’d like to say that we now have a better system, because the kids know what to expect, and most times that is true. Being Split Up on the Plane This falls into the Be Prepared category, as well. While planning your family trip, always check seat assignments to ensure that you and your family are seated next to each other or at least as close as possible. Forgetting Snacks If you’re prone to hangriness or traveling with kids, always remember to pack snacks. Many airlines have moved away from providing in-flight snacks, and those that do charge you an arm, a leg, and your first-born to get them. It’s far better to bring snacks that are allowed with you. Packages of Goldfish, pretzels, water bottles – all make the cut with me. If I am caught I buy something in the airport and carry it onto the plane or train. Food options are dismal on trains and planes. Booking Close Connections While non-stop flights are always preferred, sometimes it just isn’t feasible or you can’t pass up those big savings for not going non-stop. Whatever the reason, if you book a trip with connecting flights, give yourself a nice, healthy window of time between flights. It allows you to stretch your legs a bit, and it also takes away the stress of sprinting across the airport to make your next flight. (Especially when traveling with kids or seniors. Not going to work) Not Drinking Enough Water If you let yourself get dehydrated, you’re asking for a bad flight experience. Staying properly hydrated ensures that you avoid nasal and pharynx irritation on your flight, have less ear-popping, and helps ward off colds. A properly hydrated body just works better, so keep your body working in top form on your flight. Load the water bottle for your flight, after you pass through security of course. Avoid These Missteps to Avoid a Bad Flight Experience Flying is incredibly convenient for long trips, and it’s necessary for business travel often. But it can also be a headache if you aren’t prepared. To ensure you have a great flight, avoid the mistakes listed above. If you get yourself and keep yourself organized and remember to push that water, you should have no trouble avoiding a bad flight experience. In fact, if you avoid these, you’ll probably have a smooth flight. If you liked this post, then you might enjoy Cruise Wreckers too.

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How to Deal with A Bumpy Flight

Paula — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 13:06:16 +0000

How do you cope with a bumpy flight? I’ve seen all sorts of methods. You know what I am talking about. When turbulence hits on a flight there are all sorts of methods for coping. Maybe you have seen them too. There’s the freak out, the anxious prayer, the arm clutcher, and even the zen flyer who lets nothing at all stress them out ever. The latter is way rarer than the other types of nervous flyers. Anyone who has ever traveled by air to any destination, knows the sudden drop/lift and general bounce around, that clear air turbulence can create. For the passenger suffering from a phobia of flying, this unexpected movement can be extremely unsettling. However, just like anything, knowledge is power. Knowing why turbulence happens can help allay fears. Therefore, to deal with turbulence on a bumpy flight, it helps to know what causes it and then you can develop some strategies to lessen the impact of this normal travel event. Clear air turbulence occurs when air travels at different speeds in a vertical direction. These can be caused by mountain ranges or when there is a mixture of warm and cooler air combining. The effects are normally felt at a high altitude and are usually undetectable by radar or sight. Since the aircraft is traveling at a high speed, the sudden drops and lifts are caused by the differing rates of external vertical air movement. Generally, these areas are minimal in density and not long lasting. So how do we deal with a bumpy flight: 1. Understand the why of it. See above. It is basically a very simple occurrence and it is normal. So if you know that it is normal and not long lasting perhaps that can help you understand that turbulence really shouldn’t be worrisome at all. 2. How do we guard against injury? On many national and international flights, you may be instructed to wear a seat belt at all times. If flight crew suspect it will be a bumpy flight they may advise early on that seatbelt are recommended for lengthy periods of time. Safety first so take heed. Follow the instruction and do not move from the seat unless absolutely necessary. The restraint of the seat belt will bind you with the aircraft and reduce the amount of internal surging otherwise experienced. Make sure that your tray table is up and locked and have no items that may dislodge and hurt you or anyone else. 3. Find your happy place. TRY to relax – you know what’s happening – its normal. Distract yourself. I like to read when I get a bit nervous on any flight. For me, that’s on take off too. Reading distracts me and helps me stay calm. Maybe think about friends and family who you are meeting at the airport or that holiday destination that awaits you in a couple of hours. When you are relaxed, you stand a greater chance of not suffering any harsh reactive muscle soreness unexpected turbulence can cause. 4. How do you prevent spillage of food and drinks? Always keep the lids on drinking vessels and food containers while not in use. Don’t sit there with a drink ready to spill. Always keep food secure and held fast. Many a beer has been spilled on that person sitting beside you because of your lack of care and attention. Even when there is no turbulence, be prepared for the sudden movement and you’ll easily avoid a very sticky and sometimes embarrassing situation. The first flight I ever went on was to Venezuela’s Margarita Island back when I was 22. Unaccustomed to the weightlessness, and the turbulence, I spilled a drink on the person behind me. Yes that takes a special kind of talent indeed. Now I always advise my kids to drink the beverages carefully and quickly, and I do the same. Lesson learned. 5. How do you overcome turbulence induced nausea? Sometimes you can overcome this horrible feeling by deep breathing and trying to relax. Travel with Gravol or Dramamine if you live in the US. I always have some on hand. Gravol works pretty fast for adults. Be warned though it will often make them drowsy and ready the labels of course before using. This might be a good point to remind you always travel with your medication in your purse or carry on luggage nearby. Other times, it may be inevitable that someone in your party vomits. The important thing to realize in travel, is that some discomfort may occur. All flight attendants have seen people vomit before and you would not be the first or the last to become ill during turbulence. If you can, advise the person next to you that you are unwell and have the bag out and ready just in case. During turbulence, vomiting is not considered an emergency, so use the bag and do not attempt to make it to the bathroom. Remember that you may hurt yourself or others on the way or you may not make it at all and cause a very embarrassing mess in the aisle. 6. How do you deal with children at such times? The same way that you cope with the turbulence yourself. Don’t allow them to be unrestrained or to move around unnecessarily. This may again, cause injury to them or to others. Distract them (and yourself) into a more comforting line of thought. Play imagination games, read a book or hand them the iPad. It’s part of air travel Turbulence is a fact of flying, but it should not ever ruin your trip or cause injury. Simply knowing what it is and developing your own ways to cope with the transient unpleasantness can be enough. Trust me the temporary discomfort or worry is typically brief so keep calm and fly on! The trip will be worth it. This post contains an affiliate link as a service to readers. If you make a purchase I receive a small commission.

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Bumped from a Flight? Know Your Rights As a Traveler

Paula — Tue, 02 May 2017 13:04:28 +0000

Bumped from a flight? It’s more common than you might think. Airlines routinely oversell their flights, booking more passengers than the plane can accommodate. You might be asking why they’d do such a ridiculous thing. It all boils down to economics. Airlines have to take into account that a certain percentage of passengers may have a delay from another flight, miss their flight, cancel their tickets, or any number of other things. Airlines overbook flights by selling last minute, highly priced tickets and then bumping people with lower priced tickets. They’ll give them a credit to take a different flight and still come out further ahead than they would if they’d forced the pricey ticket late payer to fly on a plane that wasn’t overbooked. So when you get bumped from a flight, your particular bump might be accidental, but it’s a symptom of a completely intentional money making business model. So what are your rights when you get bumped from a flight? Usually, there’s no problem, but as we saw recently in the United incident with a forcibly removed passenger, getting bumped does NOT have to be voluntary. And it’s not always handled well. Your Rights if You’re Bumped from a Flight The Voluntary Bump A voluntary bump can be a good thing. It can also be a win/win for everyone. When the airline realizes its overbooking process is going south, they’re required to begin checking with passengers – usually at the counter – to see if they’re willing to take a bump. Unless you really have somewhere to be, it can come out cheaper for you to take the bump. You can negotiate things like free upgrades, a voucher, or even a hotel room if the bump requires you to stay overnight. Be aware that this is all a negotiation process. They will, of course, try to low ball you at first, but you’d be surprised at what you can get just by asking. The Involuntary Bump Here’s where things get dicey. The airline cannot exceed passenger count. They only have so many seats, after all. The thing is, they WILL bump the lowest priced fares first, whether the flyer wants to get bumped or not. Remember that business model I talked about earlier? The Involuntary bump is a big part of it. They want the highest fares to stay on the plane. If you’re involuntarily bumped from a flight, the compensation will likely be higher than you’d receive on a voluntary bump, especially after the United incident. However, the fact that you were involuntarily denied flight means that you likely had somewhere important to be or were otherwise inconvenienced by the whole thing. In many cases, you’ll be entitled to a tidy sum for your trouble – up to $1,350. What you don’t know is that you can only get that if you ask. They’ll routinely try to compensate you with things like vouchers and refunds that are far less. Here’s what the Department of Transportation says you’re entitled to: If the airline provides transportation which gets you to your destination within an hour of your scheduled arrival, you get nothing. The airline is required to pay you an amount equal to 200% of your one-way fare to your destination for that day up to $675 if you will arrived one to two hours late. If you’ll arrive over two hours late and no substitute arrangements are made by the airline, you’re entitled to compensation of 400% of your fare up to a maximum of $1,350. If you have a ticket with no fare shown such as a frequent-flyer ticket, you’ll be compensated based on the LOWEST cash value of the flight. You can always keep your original ticket to use on another flight. If you choose this, you can request an involuntary refund. It’s basically a payment for your inconvenience. If you paid for extras like seat selection, checked baggage, etc. and you were denied those services as a consequence of being bumped from a flight, the airline is required to repay that money to you. Know Your Rights if You’re Bumped from a Flight Whether you’re voluntarily or involuntarily bumped from a flight, it pays to know your rights. And the first thing to remember in all of it is that airlines CAN bump you involuntarily. If you try to fight that, you might end up on the news. Rather than go through all of that, know your rights and make the most of being bumped from a flight. Their business model is more about them than you, so make your bump ALL about you.

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