flights 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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The Best Time to Book Flights for Christmas Travel

Paula — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 10:12:32 +0000

Christmas travel sounds like the plot of a slapstick comedy movie, right? Picture Kevin McAllister waking too late and missing the shuttle to the airport, or his Mom realizing he’s not on the plane. Chaos and crowds and family and all the expectations!! Well, holiday travel need not be a complete disaster, and frankly it should never cost you a year of mortgage payments just to take a bit of R and R. Plan ahead, sit back, relax and enjoy. Here’s why Christmas travel need not be the punchline to a joke. Instead make it the start of a wonderful new adventure or tradition. Chaos and Overspending or Smooth Sailing all the Way? Every year, millions of people worldwide book travel over Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. Holiday travel is a gigantic moneymaker for airlines and hotels. It’s easy to see why. People want to be home for the holidays. They want to see friends and loved ones. If Christmas travel, or holiday travel is in your future, then you need to read this post. The Most Expensive Time of the Year Christmas and New Year’s are some of my favourite times to book a getaway, but the holidays can also be the most expensive time to go away. I often opt for a slight variation on dates so that we save money. Christmas travel can be extremely expensive so knowing your best time to book flights is important. Here’s a bit of information on how to save on holiday travel. Sometimes You Really Have No Other Options Now listen, I totally get that some people are limited and cannot travel any other time. Teachers and others who work in schools don’t get to pick and choose their travel times necessarily. But, if you can pick your times then search out the early January or early December times to travel. You still get all the enjoyment of Christmas travel without the giant cost involved. When is the best time to book flights for Christmas travel? Know before you go. Number one priority. Be sure you are going to follow through and that the dates are solid. Changing your mind can cost you money later. Don’t book a flight unless you are almost one hundred percent sure you are going. People get themselves in trouble when they book a flight and then find out later that they either need to change the date, or they find that they need to cancel the flight. When is the Sweet Spot for Holiday Travel Bookings? Most advocate booking 4-8 weeks in advance of a trip. On Cyber Monday there are lots of deals available for hotels and flights too. If you are booking into the new year right now you might find a great deal. I have seen a few excellent January deals. There’s even some great in Canada domestic flight deals (rare indeed!) If you try to book too early to save money, you might find that your times were not great and your situation has changed so that you have to cancel. Not ideal. If you book too late, you will get hit with extra costs. NO question. In years gone by you could occasionally save booking flights last minute, but those days are long gone. Credit or No? No question that the best way is to always pay cash. Booking a Christmas flight through a credit card will cause interest to be accrued and will cost you more over time. Interest is a huge financial barrier that can be hard to pay off. Paying flights off immediately is ideal. KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS and Limits Too Unless… There are occasional times when a credit card purchase makes sense. Booking a flight for Christmas travel can seem like a great idea and you reach for that credit card and book. But if you don’t have the money to pay it off quickly then you are causing a world of headaches. However, the exception to this rule is when you have an amazing rewards card or Air Miles and you know you are the kind that can pay by credit, gather the points and pay the debt off immediately. We’ve collected a lot of points that way in the last decade. But prior to that, in my 20s for instance I was not even close to disciplined enough to pay for travel this way. I am pretty good at this. But this season we know we don’t have as much disposable income as was the case in other years so I am not likely to book as it will sit on the credit card. Sad, but true. Nobody can afford to pay double the cost for an impulse trip. Christmas Travel Can Be Fun Many online travel websites offer flights ten months before the flight will actually happen. This would be good to do, providing the price is right and they are not trying to bait the first customer with a high price. Christmas is a great time of the year to travel and see loved ones. However, it is even greater if people find a good price and don’t get into a financial jam that they cannot get out of. Plan ahead and make Christmas travel work for you.

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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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Cheap Flight Hacks to Save You Money Now

Paula — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 13:53:52 +0000

Cheap flight hacks should be on the top of your list if you plan to take even one flight this year. Airline prices can be brutally expensive. That expense is compounded if your entire family is flying. When you multiply the high cost of airfare by three or more (depending on how many kids you have) your price to fly can be astronomical. Because airfare can be so hard on the wallet, I’ve put together a list of cheap flight hacks that can help you get the most mileage for your dollar on any flight. Cheap Flight Hacks for More Affordable Flying It’s key to take a multi-pronged approach to your savings plan when flying. The following tips are great on their own for small savings, but when you put them together, they can save you so much more. Clear Your Browser Cookies This may seem like an odd hack, but browser cookies store temporary information on your computer. Sometimes, these cookies don’t update, causing you to see inaccurate pricing when you search travel rates. While some airlines argue this is not a thing impacting travel prices I have seen flights go up astronomically from one day to the next. So, this is for me a simple thing to do, whether you believe it works or not. It certainly doesn’t hurt. Some of my colleagues who write travel content will browse in private mode, and use different computers. There are also Facebook travel groups of people who post non stop exceptional flight deals. Hunt for one of those if you are really set on getting a great deal. Book Flights During Off Times Stay flexible on your times when booking flights. We all want that sweet flight or vacation time, but those times come at a premium. When you book flights for times like mid-week or off-season, you can save a substantial amount of money. Another bonus for travel is that planning a vacation during an off-season time can mean fewer crowds and more fun at your destination. Pack Light Packing light means you can go with carry on. No checked luggage equals savings. Unless you’re traveling for an extended period of time, try to limit your packing to carry-on only. Pack efficiently and for what you need. You can even skip some of the toiletries and grooming products and buy them when you arrive at your destination. OR pack travel sized tiny products. I keep a stash of these for most trips, even when I don’t fly. Remember, hotels provide shampoo, soap, and even toothbrushes and toothpaste. Packing as light as possible will save the enormous fee for checking luggage, so go with carry-on whenever possible. Book Well in Advance You can save an average of 10% when you book 30 to 50 days in advance. This is the average advance booking time that seems to save passengers the most money on flights. Set a Flight Alert You can set an alert on many apps for flights at certain prices. When those flights become available, you’ll be informed. Or you can set them to tell you when flights go down in price. That is one feature I love. Use Travel Deal Sites One of the best ways to see all the prices on flight options is to use a travel deal site. Sites like booking.com, Expedia, or Kayak scour the web for flight deals for you, giving you a range of options and prices which allow you to make better decisions on your flight plans. Cheap Flight Hacks can Save You Serious Green If you’re planning to fly, do yourself a favour and put these cheap flight hacks into effect. By limiting your packing, using deal sites, and booking in advance, you can shave dollars off of your flight on several fronts, allowing you to focus on the fun part of your trip rather than the expense. If you liked this post you may want to read: How to Save Money on Ski Trips. Or How to Save on Your Dream Cruise. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of the links I receive a commission.

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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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Summer Flights – The Best Times to Travel This Season

Paula — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 09:01:32 +0000

Summer flights can be affordable if you do your research and plan ahead. Spring is well underway and, on good days, it’s easy to picture sunny summer days on the horizon. That means it’s time to get thinking about booking your summer getaway. If that summer getaway involves summer flights then you should know which times are best or most affordable to fly. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know. Recently, my good friend Margarita Ibbott and I booked a flight to Alabama for a travel blogging conference. My organized travel companion was on top of the searches and hunted at length in order to find a good deal. We booked the flights about 7-8 weeks out for travel. That is the optimum lead time to book before you fly. The best deals are often to be had in that interval prior to travel. So, if you have a conference or a family trip this summer, count backwards by 8 weeks now and get hunting for your summer flights. If you are planning a family trip, a solo adventure or a couples romantic trip on a budget and you are bent on a summer getaway you would do well to remember not to travel during a holiday. Holidays, like Canada Day if you live in Canada, or Victoria Day, and days like The Fourth of July, if you are going to the USA, are all off limits. (unless you like to waste money) You will pay the maximum prices on those days so don’t get caught. But there are just as many times in the summer when you can hit an amazing deal. You have to know how to shop and when to book your flights too. We have had many successful trips in June, July and August. We took our honeymoon in late June and travel in June was a great option then. That was over 20 years ago now, but some of the guidelines for saving on summer travel still apply. The Start of Summer June. Pick a time before school is out, if you can. The earlier the better for that summer getaway. Any time before June 10th is good for saving. June 6 is one of the least expensive days to travel. OH, and did you know that Tuesday or Wednesday are the best days of the week to fly if you are a budget conscious traveller. Saturdays and Sundays are the worst days to travel, as in the most expensive. No big shock there. Sometimes they are also the only days you can travel, but if you can avoid weekend summer flights then do your best. Once you hit the last two weeks of June, after the 20th, you will start to pay higher prices all around, including with major car rental companies, airlines, and buses. Even gas prices start to creep higher. July. Here’s what you need to know about July flights – don’t do them if you can help it. Flights in July can be ridiculously expensive. Everyone is off school, and teachers also want to travel in summer months, so this means prices go up. You might be able to offset that by scoring a deal on a family resort style vacation to the Caribbean. These types of vacations – all inclusive for instance to Dominican Republic can be extremely cheap in July. But there’s reason for that. Sometimes that’s rainy season, or hurricane season. Often the weather in July in the Caribbean is hotter than you can even begin to imagine. If you must travel in July, then please note that July 9 can be one of the most expensive days of the summer to fly, so avoid that day.. Stick with Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month too. AVOID Sundays in July if you are trying to save money this summer. [tweetthis]Booking summer air travel? Here are a few tips for saving on flights. #travel [/tweetthis] August. Overall, August can be hit and miss. If you can wait to plan your summer vacation, then late August might net you a decent deal on your destination. August can be a good month to save money on summer flights and a few other travel related products and services. Hotel rates start to go down, weekly beach house rentals do as well, but that can be towards end of August. SEPTEMBER There’s a lull here that can be a sweet spot for travel of all kinds. If you can wait until after the Labour Day weekend you might find it is worth your while. There are many areas where the weather is still gorgeous in September. Even cottages come down dramatically in price after the last long weekend of the summer. Summer Flights: One day can sometimes make a big difference price-wise for summer flights, so do your research. Set up a price alert on a search engine like Flight Network or Kayak and keep watch on your prices. Then book quickly when the price decreases. Avoid July if you can and opt for early June or mid to late September. Where are you going next?

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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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Long Flights – Staying Healthy on Extended Flights #travel

Paula — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 12:51:32 +0000

Long flights can be intimidating. For some people, they’re annoying. Still others just adjust the seat back and sleep or take the time to read. Whatever long flights mean to you personally, there’s one thing that they mean to everyone. Possible health concerns. A lot of people don’t think of this, but sitting for such a long period of time can open you up to all kinds of health issues ranging from uncomfortable to deadly. How to Mitigate the Health Effects of Long Flights There are a few things you can do to help stay healthy on extended plane trips. I recently took a flight to Zambia, and it was the longest flight I’ve ever taken so I researched before I left. And I learned a few things along the way on the 15 hour flight, two hour van ride and two hours to New York to meet up with my companions. By doing a few simple things, you can make sure you stay healthy and comfortable on those extra long plane trips that we sometimes have to take. Walk Around Moving is crucial to staying healthy on these types of flights. Get up and walk around. The change in pressure coupled with the extended seated time can cause blood clots to form. These can be deadly if they break off and enter the lungs. So get up and walk around every hour. Keeping the blood moving is key to preventing clots. And invest in a good pair of compression stockings. I scoffed at these until the flight to Zambia and ended up buying a pair at the airport just before boarding. They were like a small massage for my legs most of the way there. Best investment yet. Compression stockings are made with tighter elastic which creates a gently pressure from your ankles up and lowers the potential for edema, or deep vein thrombosis. Chew Gum While the whole ear popping thing isn’t dangerous, it certainly hurts! Chewing gum can help keep the ear popping to a minimum, which means minimum pain. In addition to that, the constant chewing can help you release stress if you’re a nervous flyer. Keep mints, or cough candies or something to suck on if your throat gets dry and you need to stifle a cough. Plenty of Liquids It’s so important to stay hydrated. This is true of flying and life in general. Staying hydrated helps every aspect of our health, and it can be especially helpful on long flights. That’s because staying hydrated can help keep your mood steady, your body in tip top shape, and more importantly promote a body that is less prone to clots. A hydrated body is a healthier body. Flights and airports are excruciatingly drying to your system. You need the extra water so ask for it and drink up. Keep the Stress Low If you’re a stressed out flyer, long flights are not going to be your bag. Heck, even some seasoned flyers hate extended flights. That being said, you have to do everything you can to keep your stress level low. High stress can lead to increase blood pressure, which you don’t need on top of the drastic pressure changes of flight and the possibility of clots. Be sure to bring along your favorite music, book, or the like. You need something to distract yourself from the flight, or at least keep your thoughts on the flight to a minimum. Watch a movie, relax with a good book. Bring your KOBO or your Kindle and make some time for sleep as well. No use being completely exhausted when you get to your destination. Talk to Your Doctor If you have ANY sort of medical condition, talk with your doctor before going on an extended flight. This is especially important if you are already prone to blood clotting. When it comes to long flights and your health, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Long Flights – Doing Your Best to Be Healthy Long flights can be stressful. They can even be dangerous. These tips can help you have less stress and less chance of medical complications during a long flight. However, always check with your physician before taking any long flights. It’s important to be safe when it comes to long flights, so be smart and have fun! What’s the longest flight you were ever on?

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5 Tips for Saving Money on Flying #travel

Paula — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 07:36:04 +0000

Saving money on flying is a big deal. We all know how incredibly expensive flying can be, so anything we can do to cut costs is always a plus. Saving money on flights can mean better accommodations, more time at a theme park, or just a little extra money put back in the bank. Saving Money on Flights If you know me at all, then you are well aware how much I love to travel. I also love to save money, so if there’s anything I can do to save money on flights, I’ll do it. I can’t always do all of these all the time, but I certainly try. While all of these tips won’t necessarily be doable for every trip, they’re all good options to know. Travel in the Off Season Whenever possible, plan your trips on the off season for the area you’re going. The off season means less passengers, which means less expensive flights. For example, if you’re planning a trip to Disney World, try to plan your trip during the school months. Most people are heading to Orlando for Disney during Summer when the kids are out of school. We have, in fact, often travelled in April because it is much less costly. [tweetthis]Travel in the off season is one way to save money on flights. #travel[/tweetthis] Pack Light Another way of saving money on flights is packing the bare minimum. The less luggage you have, the less money you spend on extra fees. And we all know how much airlines love their fees. So whenever possible, only pack the bare minimum to cut down on baggage fees. Indirect Flight is Your Friend If you have the patience and time isn’t an issue, book flights with lay-overs. Although it can take longer – and you’ll certainly need something to occupy yourself – flights with lay-overs are much cheaper than direct flights. Don’t Marry One Airline Just because your departure flight is with one airline, it doesn’t mean you have to fly back with them. Take the time to do some research. Many times, you can save money by booking one way tickets with the cheapest airline. This is an option for saving money on flights that many people don’t think about, but it can pay off. Bring Snacks Rather than paying for in-flight food that will cost you an arm and a leg, bring your own snacks. Airlines like to charge for every little thing, but they don’t charge a little. I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to pay out the nose for a cafeteria meal. 5 Little Steps Can Save Big Money Saving money on flights isn’t as mysterious and it appears to be at first. With a little research and a little thinking outside of the box, saving money on flying can be a real thing with real savings.

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