Author Archives: jauntygypsy

Five Tips for Getting a Better Seat on Your Next Flight

 

(CNN) — You found the flights you wanted at a decent price, but then you pull up the seat map to find only scattered middle seats in a non-reclining row next to the lavatory. Ugh.

 

Here are some tips to finding something better:

 

Pay up. This probably isn’t what you want to hear, but the easiest way to get a better seat is to pay for it. I’m not talking about upgrading to first class (though that’s great if you can) but doing something more affordable. Most airlines in the U.S. will let you pay a little more to get a better coach seat assignment. Some have seats with extra legroom that will cost a little more as well.

 

Go elite. Airline frequent flier programs treat loyal frequent fliers better. If you earn elite status (usually starting at 25,000 miles in a year on the big guys), you’ll have better access to better seat assignments. The higher your status, the better the perks.

 

Follow the upgrade window. Let’s say you don’t want to pay and you don’t fly enough to earn elite status. What else can you do? Look at when your airline starts upgrading elite frequent fliers. That can start as early as five days out. When that person gets upgraded, it opens up a seat in the back — possibly an improvement on your middle seat — that you might be able to snag.

 

Check in early. Airlines do hold back some seats that can only be obtained when you check in. So you should check in as soon as you can. For many airlines, that’s at the 24-hour mark, but some may vary. (Air France, for example, is at 30 hours.)

 

Set an alert. This all sounds like a lot of work, right? Well, you can save yourself some time by setting an alert at ExpertFlyer.com. The service has seat alerts as part of its free offerings that let you find out when a better seat opens up on your flight.

Brett Snyder, Special to CNN

 

Travel wise!

I wonder if I could get him to come pack for me?  As much as I love to travel, I put off packing until the last minute.  I start my list about 5 days before my departure date.  Then I just have to make sure that everything on my list makes it into the suitcase.  Wish me luck!

How to See Hawaii by Foot

Hiking in Hawaii is a breathtaking experience. The  islands have hundreds of miles of trails, many of which reward you with a hidden  beach, a private waterfall, an Eden-like valley, or simply an unforgettable  view. These coastal trails bring you closer to the islands’ beauty than any road  trip or beach-side resort can match. Put on your hiking boots and you’ll  discover a new view of paradise.

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=354&p=1#ixzz1nbEqQuvF

Best Times to Travel: Destinations in Bloom

Lavender fields

In Full Bloom: Lavender,  Fall Foliage, Grape Harvests & More

By Laura Kiniry
Provence, France, awash in the light purple hue of lavender. Holland’s vast tulip fields. These annual events are big  tourist draws for a reason. But if you don’t know when and where to see nature’s  best seasonal attractions, chances are you won’t — the best blooms, leaf  turnings, and harvest seasons can last just a few weeks.
From Costa Rica to Tuscany, here are 10 destinations in bloom that you won’t  want to miss.
Photo Caption: Lavender fields and blue skies in  Provence, France. Photo by AndyW/Frommers.com Community.

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=587&p=1#ixzz1nKTkpAZuhttp://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=587&p=1

Great info from TravelSmith. Travel safe!

Nothing ruins a trip faster than theft.  And with global crime escalating and thieves getting savvier, travelers must take extra precautions before, during, and after traveling to ensure their identities and personal effects remain safe.  Below are some quick tips to keep you safe on your next trip.
Before Your Trip:
1.  Password protect your mobile devices.  In 2011, travelers lost 11,000 mobile devices at airports.  If a person with bad intentions gets hold of your phone, they have access to your personal information and that of the contacts in your phone.
2. Make photocopies of your travel documents.  And keep copies in a couple of places – your home, with a family member, in the hotel safe, etc. – in case your travel documents are stolen.
3. Tell your credit card company you’ll be traveling.  Not only will this let them be more vigilant about any unusual activity on your card, but you’ll also avoid having your account frozen if the bank calls to verify a charge, and you’re not home to approve it.
4. Consider getting travel insurance for your trip.  If you do need to bring valuable items with you on your trip, you may want to consider getting travel insurance that offers coverage for theft of personal effects.
5. Secure your mail while you’re gone.  Have a trustworthy neighbor pick up your mail every day or put a hold on your mail with the post office so criminals can’t get to mail containing personal information.
During Your Trip:
1. Get luggage locks.  Use TSA-approved luggage locks that still allow security screeners to open your bag at the airport but keeps thieves out at the baggage carousel and hotel.
2. Be aware of your surroundings.  Keep an eye out for suspicious individuals and remember that most thieves work in pairs.  Keep your bag tightly against you in public places and if you’re jostled, double-check to make sure you still have everything you started with.
3. Know where your travel documents are at all times.  Wear a neck wallet or a cross-body bag that holds your travel documents, including your passport and airplane tickets, so it sits closer to your body.
4. Handle money discreetly.  Do not talk about how much money you’re traveling with or flash your money around.  Consider wearing a money belt that is hidden under your clothes.  Also, don’t bring all your cash with you on your daily excursions.  Take what you’ll need for the day and leave the rest in the hotel safe in case your wallet gets stolen.
5. Avoid ATM machines.  If you need to get cash while traveling, you’re better off visiting a local bank than accessing an ATM machine.  Thieves monitor ATM machines to skim PIN numbers or even take your cash after you’ve made a withdrawal.
6. Protect yourself from identity theft. Turn Bluetooth off if you’re not using it.  Cyber criminals know how to pair their Bluetooth device with yours to steall personal information.  Be wary of public Wi-Fi networks and only connect over secure networks.  Finally, make sure no one can see you type passwords or see any sensitive information on your electronic devices.
After Your Trip
1. Check your credit report. Identity thieves are known to lay in wait before they start using your stolen credit cards. Make sure you check your credit reports for any suspicious activity when you return home.

Check out TravelSmith’s selection of travel accessories to protect you during your next trip: http://www.travelsmith.com/travel-accessories/travel-security/

Aurora Borealis

Check out these great photos of the Northern Lights published in the online edition of The Alaska Dispatch.   Seeing them in person is on my bucket list.  But I don’t plan to spend 6 weeks in an ice cave for the perfect opportunity to photograph them, though Norio Matsumoto has a compelling case.  You decide…

Explore. Dream. Discover.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas & Oasis of the Seas

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain

Aloha kakou

Greetings to all!  I’ve been doing some research on Hawaii.

What I learned was that each of the islands has their own individual personality.

Kauai is considered “Rejuvenating”, an “Island of Discovery”.  It’s less developed than some of the others and focuses on nature and the environment.  It’s also the #8 island in the world.

Oahu is “Energizing” and the “Heart of Hawaii”.

Maui is “Captivating” and was voted the #9 island in the world.

Molokai is “Enlightening” and no building is taller than a coconut tree.

Lanai is “Embracing” and enticing.

Hawaii is “Inspiring”- considered the Best Hawaiian Island and the #7 island in the world.

(In case you were wondering, Santorini, Greece was voted the #1 island in the world)