Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Greetings! I'm sending this newsletter early today because Hurricane Ian is disrupting travel throughout the country and I want to keep you in the know. 

✈️ U.S. Air Travel Outlook Today
As of 6:53am PT, there have been a whopping 1,999 canceled flights to/from or within the United States and 564 delayed. Expect many more today and tomorrow. Here's the up-to-date status and a live look at the FAA's National Airspace System. Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancellations.

Hurricane Preparedness Tips
Hurricanes are here and whether you're in a storm's path or not, being prepared is smart for everyone. Today, I've got a few stories for you. The first is my Hurricane Ian Travel Resource Page, I also have how to weather a hurricane in a hotel room with tips from a survivor that he says he wishes he knew sooner. The third story offers up 5 tips to help keep your pet safe in a hurricane. PLUS:  Here's the storm tracking app Floridians use but I recommend all travelers use it to help plan smoother travels.  

Currency Exchange
Some good news for travelers is the US Dollar is gaining steam and the exchange rates are incredible: 
€1 Euro = $0.95 USD
£1 GBP = $1.06 USD
$1 CAD = $0.72 USD
$1 AUD = $0.64 USD

Travel Tips
15 Things to Know Before Going to The Hollywood Bowl
On Friday night, my wife and I went to the Hollywood Bowl (photo above) thanks to Viking Cruises and we met up with some friends for a fun date night. I also learned a few new things about going to the Hollywood Bowl (which is arguably one of the best places in the U.S. to see an outdoor concert). Here are 15 things to know about going to the Hollywood Bowl.

Don't Fall For the Falling Lady Scam
I’m all for helping people, especially the elderly, but next time I’m traveling around Europe, I’ll be on the lookout for this scam before I lend a hand. According to Rick Steves, there are a variety of distraction scams out there. I have heard of some of them but not all so this is a good, quick refresher.

🦃 10 Ways to Find Cheap Thanksgiving Flights 
According to fare-tracker Hopper, Thanksgiving flights are going to be the most expensive they've been in five years. "Airfares will be 22% higher than in 2019, and 43% higher than last year. Fares for Thanksgiving peaked at over $400 in August, but have fallen ~9% into September as they do each year and will remain at the current level until mid to late October." So buy your tickets early and follow these tips to find cheap Thanksgiving Flights.

Miles/Points/Credit Cards
These are two of the best travel credit cards, thanks to their ease of use and the ability to transfer rewards to travel partners. However, one comes with a $100 hotel credit, and the other earns up to 5x miles. Which is better?

12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
— Hurricane Ian: Airlines Cancel Thousands of Flights Wednesday and Thursday 
— Virgin Atlantic to join SkyTeam Alliance 
— All major cruise lines will soon allow unvaccinated travelers
— Trial to stop partnership between American Airlines and JetBlue begins
— Sorry, budget airlines: feds are cracking down on hidden fees
— The British pound just plummeted: What it means for the U.K., tourists
— While you’re in the air, pilots’ key partners may be working from home
— Ex-surfer dies after punch outside Australian pub
— 81-year-old man attacked and robbed of $15 on NYC street 
— Woman killed by Great White shark during early morning swim
— It just got harder in California to steal and then sell catalytic converters
— Yesterday's TSA checkpoint numbers    
(Read it all here in today's travel news round-up as well as the 84 other top travel news stories from the past seven days!)

Travel Quote of the Day
"Do it or do not do it -- you will regret both." ~ Soren Kierkegaard 

Travel Tweet of the Day
@FlyTPA: As planned, Tampa International Airport has now suspended operations due to Hurricane Ian. The Airport is closed to all passengers and visitors, with only employees considered to be “storm riders” remaining on Airport property to assist with essential on-site tasks.

Travel Video of the Day
Wait for it! Watch video here.

Travel Book of the Week
Bob Payne's 142-country memoir Escape Clauses - Getting Away With a Travel Writing Life.

Travel Product of the Year

How Expert Travelers Track Their Bags
Lost luggage numbers are up in the US due to the fact that more and more people are starting to travel and there are far fewer workers to handle the increase. Traveling with carry-on luggage is one way to make sure your bags never get lost but if you are checking bags, here's how to make sure you can find them if they ever get lost or stolen. Read the story here. PLUS: If you already have Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags, these handy keychains and holders will help protect them and make them easier to secure to your belongings.

Travel Contests
-Travel to Korea Begins Again: Win One of Eight Sensational Trips (September 30)
-Win a seven-night Caribbean cruise for two (Nov 14)
-Chance to win $5,000 in credit each year for life to use at any Evolve vacation rental. (November 30)
-Win an eight-day Viking river cruise for two (April 30, 2023) 
See all contests here.

My East Coast Trip Reports
-Trip Report: Los Angeles to New York
-Delamar in Greenwich
-Watch Hill Inn
-Hotel Review: Weekapaug Inn  
-Trip Report: New York to Toronto 
-My Wife Got Randomly Selected For Covid Testing on Arrival at YYZ
-Trip Report: Toronto to Niagara Falls, NY for NEXUS/Global Entry Appointment
-Hotel Review: Embassy Suites Niagara Falls
-Niagara Falls Canada: An Excellent Family-Friendly Getaway
-5 Weekend Getaways From Toronto
-Hotel Review: Park Hyatt Toronto
-Trip Report: Toronto to Los Angeles via DFW on American Airlines

Credit Card News/Offers for Travelers
Miles earned can be transferred to 15+ travel programs, including Air Canada, Air France, and British Airways. You can also redeem miles to cover past travel expenses. You can read more in our comparison of the Venture X vs. Venture Rewards if you aren't sure which card is best.  

Recent Tips/Stories
-Say It Ain’t So! American Airlines Eliminates its Best Online Booking Feature
-What Travelers Can Learn From LA Shooting of Rapper PnB
-Now That the Queen Has Died Do You Need to Exchange Your UK Bank Notes?
-A Lady in London Shares Her Best London Travel Tips
-The Time I Met Prince Charles, Princess Kate and Watched Queen Take Off
-DID YOU KNOW: Some Tylenol Products and Other Over-the-Counter Drugs Are Illegal in Some Countries?
-This is Why You Should Be Extra Cautious When Transiting Through Countries You Can’t Enter
-The Tape Every Traveler Should Pack Is Not Duct Tape
-Move Over SeatGuru: There’s a New Sheriff In Town When It Comes to Seating Charts 
-4 Hotel Hacks For Making Your Hotel Room Completely Dark So You Get a Better Night’s Sleep
-This Travel Hack Can Save You Hundreds of Dollars When Booking Flights
-12 Things to Know Before Going to Paris
-Don't Travel Without Downloading This App
-Maui is Paradise but Their Airport Isn’t - Here’s How to Avoid the Chaos at Kahului Airport

Air Travel Tips
-If a Flight Attendant Asks You Not to Do This, Please Don't
-Here's how to get JetBlue and other airlines to extend your travel credits
-12 Ways to Save Money on Baggage Fees
-The Service That Makes Covid-19 Testing So Much Easier For Travelers
-FBI Says Sexual Assault on Planes is Increasing - Here's How to Protect Yourself
-How To Reach an Airline's Reservations Agent Without Waiting
-10 Ways to Find Cheap Flights This Summer
-Can You Travel With the Lithium Ion Batteries Found in Phones, Tablets and Chargers?
-How to Prevent In-Flight Thefts 
-How to Avoid Long Lines When You Travel ... And at Home
-Why American Travelers Should Book International Travel on US Carriers ✈ 
-How to Track Airfares by Signing Up for Fare Alerts
-Here’s How You Can Really Get Upgraded to First Class
-How to Speed Through Airport Security

Lodging
-The First Thing I Do When I Check into a Hotel Room
-3 Ways to Get a Refund on a Nonrefundable Hotel Room

Road Trip Tips
If you're planning a road trip, then be sure to follow these tips:
-Here Are 9 Ways to Save Money on Gas
-DON'T Do This When You're Driving Because It's Just Not Worth It
-One of the Worst Decisions Travelers Can Make
-Two Great Things to Keep in the Car For Road Trips
-3 Ways To Save Money on Gas
-How to Prevent Road Trip Theft
-15 Tips For Renting A Car in 2022
-How To Prevent Car Rental Companies From Ripping You Off

International Travel
-How to Avoid Being Ripped Off When Traveling Internationally  
-Rick Steves' Solid Advice About Travel This Spring and Summer  
-Can The US Government’s Free COVID Tests Be Used for Travel?
-The Sleep Hack Every Traveler Needs to Know 
-The Must-Have App for Travel to Europe

Safety
-ALWAYS Leave These at Home When You Travel
-Bet You Don't Know What an ATM Skimmer Looks Like.
-Don't Fall for These QR Code Scams
-How to Reuse your N95 and KN95 Masks
-10 Things to Have in Case of an Emergency
-Life-Saving Car Emergency Tips 
-My Somewhat Freakish Travel Habit Might Just Save Your Life
-What I Keep In My Carry-On First Aid Kit

Good to Know
-The Super Cool New iPhone Feature You Didn't Even Know You Had
-The Inflation Vacation: Read This If You Plan to Travel This Summer

Tourists in Bahamas Killed by Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Here’s How to Protect Yourself