Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Greetings! I was supposed to be sending this newsletter from 36,000 feet up in the air on Breeze Airways' inaugural HPN-LAX flight but I had to cancel because I was under the weather. I'm really bummed because I planned to visit my dad yesterday but the good news is after 2+ weeks, he was just was released from the hospital and he's doing much better. 

Thanksgiving Travel
I hope you have your Thanksgiving and Christmas flights booked if you're planning on traveling over the holidays because there's only one way those fares are going and it's not down. One way to avoid high fares and crowded airports is to fly on the best day of the year, which is coming up. RELATED: 12 Tips to Make Thanksgiving Travel Smoother and Safer

Travel Deals
Europe Sale High-$300s/$400s (Dec-Mar)
Scott’s Cheap Flights (a great deals newsletter) just sent out an alert that Europe is on sale from most of the major carriers. Prices vary by route and dates but generally December 2022 through March 2023, excluding holidays. Here’s a sample search from LAX but if you want it from other U.S. cities, Scott sends them almost daily (if you sign up for the premium version).

TSA Checkpoint Numbers
Americans continue to travel like it's 2019. TSA officers screened 1,966,658 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, November 1. A year ago on the same day: 1,487,874. Three years ago on the same day (pre-pandemic): 2,005,101.

✈️ U.S. Air Travel Outlook Today
It's been a pretty good week to travel; there haven't been too many delays or cancelations. And as of 12:56pm PT (3:56pm ET), there have been only 93 canceled flights to/from or within the United States and 1,889 delayed. 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.

Today's Travel Tip
Why You Should Always Shake Your Shoes Before Putting Them On
A few days ago, I wrote a tip about respecting wildlife and heeding warning signs after seeing a horror video of a tourist getting too close to a sea lion in South Africa. That reminded of a tip I wrote a long time ago: Whenever I travel, and even at home in Los Angeles, I almost always turn over my shoes and boots and shake them out before putting them on. I do this because ...

Currency Exchange
American travelers still have favorable exchange rates thanks to the strong US Dollar but it's not as good as a couple of weeks ago: 
€1 Euro = $0.98 USD
£1 GBP = $1.14 USD
$1 CAD = $0.73 USD
$1 AUD = $0.64 USD

12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
— Breeze Airways debuts in LAX -- with first-ever transcon from Westchester County Airport (from just $109 one-way)
— Hurricane Lisa to make landfall today – plus a new area to watch near the Bahamas
— U.S. FAA should bar airlines from reducing leg room -6 Democratic senators
— A huge tunnel has opened below Niagara Falls
— Cruise ship WiFi gets a boost
— Lions slip loose from Sydney zoo enclosure, overnight guests rushed to safety
— Tourists are about to have an easier way in and out of DC
— For customers on the autism spectrum, the Delta travel experience is welcoming
— How much does it cost to rent the ‘Below Deck Adventure’ yacht Mercury?
— Southwest sees strong holiday travel demand
— Frontier Airlines will introduce an annual pass
— 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!)

More Travel Tips
Do You Know What to Do If You’re Caught in a Stampede? Here’s How To Survive a Crowd Surge
The horrific stampede that took place over the weekend in South Korea is a good reminder for everyone to learn what to do if, God forbid, you ever get caught in a crowd surge. They really can happen anywhere and just last month I was at the Hollywood Bowl (photo above) and it was so crowded while exiting that I was worried one small event could set off a stampede. Here's how to protect yourself. 

Travel Quote of the Day
"The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of. The mite which November contributes becomes equal in value to the bounty of July." ~ Henry David Thoreau 

Travel Tweet of the Week
ErrolWeber: Hey @united, one of your employees at Anchorage Airport rummaged through my luggage and took some film equipment home with them. They inadvertently took my Apple AirTag that I had hidden. Can you tell your employee who lives at: 210 Clover Hollow Court to give me my stuff back? <-- Related: Airline Executive’s Number One Tip for Avoiding Lost Luggage When You Fly

Travel Video of the Day
VIDEO: Scary Moment When Delta Air Lines Cabin Fills Up with Smoke on Flight to L.A.
Last night, Delta Air Lines Flight 2846 from Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles (LAX) had a scary moment as the passenger cabin filled with smoke. Here's the video(s). 

Travel Book of the Week
Epic Father-Son Cycling Trip Across America Will Inspire You to Seize the Day

Miles/Points/Credit Cards
-This no-annual-fee card has the unique ability to redeem points towards next month's rent payment or even for a down payment on a home without having to pay transaction fees! 
-New card alert! This business card earns unlimited 2% cash back on purchases, has a $1,000 cash back bonus, and more.
-This free loyalty program is now open to U.S. travelers, making it easier to earn and redeem points for flights, cruises, and more.

Reader Photo of the Week

Editor’s Note: The photo above and story below were submitted by Jim Suss who is a world traveler living in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally from Rochester, NY, Jim is a voiceover talent, as well as an Emmy Award winning video editor. Currently, Jim is a full-time editor with Warner Brothers/Discovery networks. Here's the backstory and the destination. Have a photo you like to submit? Reply to this email with the backstory.

Travel Contests
-Enter the Air France contest before November 6, 2022, for a chance to win a trip for 2.
-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.

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
-Why It's Time to Start Traveling With a Good Piece of Underseater Luggage
-America's Best and Worst Airports - Plan Your Travels Accordingly
-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