There are security lines in almost all airports in the world these days. If you want to get through those lines like the frequent flyers do, there are a few tricks that will make it easier for you and everyone around you.
Think ahead, so you’re not doing all of this just as you get to the head of the line.
Empty your pockets of loose change. Wallets and cell phones should go into one of those little bins they provide also.
Remember heavy watches, bracelets, and belt buckles can set of the alarm, so take those off, and stow them in your carry-on bag before you get to the front of the line or put them in the bins. (more…)
Who needs a passport? The short answer is if you’re going to travel internationally, you do. But of course, nothing is ever quite that simple.
We’ve covered that it’s a travel document issued by your home country that allows you to leave and return. Citizens of all countries need one to travel out of their country and into another, but there are exceptions.
For instance, citizens in the European Union do not need theirs to pass from one country in the EU into another. U.S. Citizens and others often do not need to show theirs to travel between countries in the EU either, but you need one to GET INTO one of the European Union counties in the first place.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need this travel document now more than ever. You’ve always needed one to fly to Europe or Asia or beyond…. now you need one to fly to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. (more…)
What is a passport? Bear with me as I start at the beginning of planning for an international trip. If you’re a citizen of the world where they are commonplace, you’ll be wondering “Who doesn’t know THAT?” Well, many Americans for one thing.
The United States is a large, diverse country. People can and do live their entire lives without leaving its borders. There’s plenty to see and do here. There is, in fact, a large percentage of Americans that don’t travel internationally.
I’m not sure there is an official count on this. I’ve read all kinds of statistics but a conservative estimate seems to be that 75% of Americans don’t own a passport.
So for those Americans and any others who are unclear on this, let’s get really basic… what exactly is this document? (more…)
It may seem obvious, but when you’re traveling, you want to get there on time. So why do we need to discuss this?
Because so many people don’t! When you’re planing your flights for your trip, there are several things to keep in mind so this doesn’t happen to you.
The tendency is to book flights to get you to the ship, or the tour, or the wedding just exactly when you need to be there.
That’s really not the best option. In order to be sure you get there, it’s a better idea to plan on flights that will get you there early. (more…)
A delayed flight can be a problem. The airlines get bad publicity because so many flights do not depart and arrive on time.
In the U.S., the Department of Transportation keeps statistics and publishes them regularly. In Europe, there are strict new rules for compensation. This is making the problem better.
The vast majority of the time you won’t experience flight problems. For all of the publicity that airlines get, most of their flights get you where you want to go with very little delay.
But problems can occur. You should be prepared and have a good idea what to expect when something does happen.
It won’t win you any sympathy with a frazzled airline agent if you yell and scream for compensation that is not due to you. (more…)
You have to deal with that foreign language if you’ve decided to travel abroad. This is true no matter what your native language is. It’s handy to know English.
English is widely spoken around the world. When someone from Greece or Poland meets someone from Italy or Germany, they speak English.
Since English seems to be the lingua franca around the world, we’ll look at it from that perspective. If you’re a native English speaker, that’s good for you, but to be a real traveler, you should learn a few words of that foreign language… hello, good-bye, please and thank you at the very least. It’s just polite to do that. (more…)
You’re going abroad, and you’ll be changing money. What is the best way to do that? The short answer is to use the ATM. REALLY! Almost anywhere in the world now, you’ll find ATMs. Almost.
Try to check ahead before you go to know whether to take cash, traveler’s checks, ATM or credit cards. Traveler’s checks aren’t used all that much anymore, but they’re a good backup in case something goes wrong with the credit cards and ATMs.
If you can’t get money out of a cash machine, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with YOUR card. Those electronic transactions have to be submitted and approved, there may be communications problems in less developed counties; their readers might not read your card; or (and this has happened) the bank ATM has run out of money! (more…)
Cancelled flights are a headache for everyone. Believe me, the airlines don’t like to cancel. It starts a whole domino effect.
Not just for your flight, but for flights at down line airports all through the day. Planes end up in the wrong places with crews that can’t fly them because of time regulations.
Probably the most common reason a flight is cancelled is weather. Sometimes this is pretty obvious, like if you’re sitting in the middle of a snow storm, and no one is moving anywhere. (more…)
Start shopping early if you’re booking a flight for any holidays…. or a wedding or a cruise. There have been capacity cuts on all the airlines these last couple of years, so there will be fewer seats for those holiday flights.
If you’re going on an impromptu trip, you can look and book at the last minute, but if you HAVE to be there for Christmas or Mother’s Day or a wedding or that cruise, booking a flight at least six weeks ahead is probably a good idea.
Internet booking gurus suggest the best time to shop for your flight online is a Monday or Tuesday. Airlines typically lower fares early in the week and raise them again toward the weekend. (more…)